ABSTRACT
Background. SARS-CoV-2 has caused unprecedented global disruption following its introduction into the human population. Beginning in August 2021, a residential college initiated an asymptomatic testing protocol using PCR-based detection of human saliva samples (Thermofisher, TaqPath SARS-CoV-2 Assay;QuantStudio v1.3). In January 2021 all students were invited to campus and were required to test once or twice weekly in an effort to isolate those positive (cases) as early as possible and minimize transmission. Methods. Cases were contacted within 12 hours by trained clinical staff and interviewed with a standardized questionnaire to determine contacts and exposures. Positive samples were submitted for RNA-Seq analysis (ARTIC amplicon sequencing protocol, Illumina MiSeq) and analyzed using Nextclade and USHER (comparison data from GISAID). Using this sequence data, we monitored the evolution, transmission, and emergence of variants over time in the campus community. Results. In March 2022 a one-week break and the activities preceding it were followed by an outbreak of COVID among campus members. All cases were attributed to the Omicron variant. Based on traditional contact tracing 10 presumed clusters of transmission were identified (34 students). Sequence data from these 34 samples were assembled to identify phylogenetic and molecular patterns of similarity. Several molecular signatures were identified. In a group of 5 cases, all were Omicron BA.2.9;these individuals comprised a clinical cluster of students who had travelled together. Other lineages were BA.2 (N=26), BA.1(N=2), BA.2.12. (N=3), BA.2.3 (N=1) and an Omicron Clade 21M variant that appeared to be a BA.1/BA.2 recombinant (N=2). The BA.2.12 samples were contributed over 2 days;they were found in two different clusters (a social club and an artistic group), demonstrating likely transmission between members. The BA.2 samples were distributed across a wide number of student groups, and while not identical with one another, did not fall into the clusters identified by contact tracing, suggesting endemic transmission across our campus. Conclusion. This analysis demonstrates that molecular analysis of SARS-CoV-2 transmission can supplement and inform the data provided by clinical/epidemiological analysis of cases.
ABSTRACT
The study aimed to determine how strategic management can help organizations contain the effects of COVID-19 virus spread and maintain high performance and profits during the closing period. This study examined the role of environmental scanning, strategy formulation, strategy implementation, and strategy evaluation as dimensions of strategic management and how it helps in managing the spread of COVID-19. A questionnaire was sent to 146 operations/risk managers in Jordan's industrial organization sector as part of the quantitative methodology. Primary data screening and analysis was done according to SPSS and other statistical tests including multiple and simple regression, mean and standard deviation, frequency and percentage. It was determined that strategic management contributed to a well-built COVID-19 pandemic management plan with an R value of 721 and a strong correlation coefficient. Additionally, all the variables in the research had a correlation coefficient that ranged from moderate to high. A correlation value R = 0.713 indicated that strategy assessment helped propose a well-built COVID-19 pandemic management. The novelty of the current study focused on the fact that industrial facilities should supply infrastructure and equipment, and prioritize the well-being of their workers, their happiness and involvement in decision-making, as the epidemic spreads. Study advocated learning from other businesses' experiences to create a clear picture of organizational and managerial strategies during the spread of a pandemic that threatens the lives of people.
ABSTRACT
Public Health Scotland (PHS) has called for eligible people, such as the elderly or those with a weakened immune system, to receive the spring booster vaccination, in order to help reduce the risk of serious illness, or admission to hospital, due to COVID-19 infection. The spring booster dose will usually be offered around six months since the previous dose of COVID-19 vaccine, though some people may be invited sooner than this, at least three months following their last dose, to help protect them against any increase in COVID-19 infections.