Risk factors for death due to COVID-19, in the state of Acre, Brazil, 2020: a retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE: To analyze risk factors for death in individuals with severe acute respiratory syndrome due to COVID-19. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study, comprised of adult individuals with COVID-19, from March to September 2020, notified by the Epidemiological Surveillance System in the state of Acre, Brazil. Cox regression was used. RESULTS: Among 57,700 individuals analyzed, the incidence was 2,765.4/100,000 inhabitants, and mortality was, 61.8/100,000 inhabitants. The risk factors for death were: being male (HR=1.48 -95% CI 1.25;1.76), age >=60 years (HR=10.64 -95% CI 8.84;12.81), symptom of dyspnea (HR=4.20 -95% CI 3.44;5.12) and multimorbidity (HR=2.23 -95% CI 1.77;2.81), with emphasis on heart disease and diabetes mellitus. 'Sore throat' and 'headache' were symptoms present in mild cases of COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Being male, elderly, having heart disease, diabetes mellitus and dyspnea were characteristics associated with death due to COVID-19.

COVID-19 hospitalization and death and relationship with social determinants of health and morbidities in Espirito Santo State, Brazil: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between social determinants and morbidities for the outcomes of hospitalization, intensive care unit admission and death by COVID-19 in Espirito Santo State, Brazil. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with secondary data from confirmed cases of COVID-19, reported in the Notifiable Diseases Information System. Poisson regression was used to estimate the prevalence ratios. RESULTS: 104,384 cases reported between February 28th and September 1st, 2020 were studied. The outcomes under study were more frequent among male, elderly, yellow, followed by black, uneducated and with multimorbidity. There was a higher risk of death among people over the age of 60 (PR=56.31 - 95%CI 34.24;92.61), multimorbidities (PR=3.63 - 95%CI 3.16;4.17), kidney disease (PR=3.42 - 95%CI 2.81;4.15) and neoplasms (PR=3.15 - 95%CI 2.41;4.13). CONCLUSION: The effect of social determinants and morbidities on hospitalization and deaths by COVID-19 is evident.

The science between the infodemic and other post-truth narratives: challenges during the pandemic

This essay proposes a reflection on the social phenomenon that involves communication and construction of facts and narratives around science and the pandemic. We divide the text into four parts. It begins with a rapid overview on the disinformation over health in the context of the global digital integration: in the sequence, we argue about how this phenomenon is characteristic of the post-factual era in which we live, and then critically situate the denial of science in the pandemic context. Finally, the text discusses some propositions on the legal and institutional field commenting on recent advances in the United States and Europe. Our intention is to contribute to an initial reflection that can reposition science in health governance.

Relationship between Right Ventricular Strain Signs in Electrocardiography and Levels of Biomarkers Associated with COVID-19 Pneumonia Severity

BACKGROUND: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) may lead to severe disease that can cause death. COVID-19 is known to affect the cardiovascular system. Early detection of the progression to the severe disease stage that affects the cardiovascular system may play a critical role in the treatment of COVID-19. OBJECTIVES: To explore the possible relationship between the COVID-19 pneumonia and right ventricular strain findings on electrocardiography (ECG). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 141 hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Spearman's correlation and logistic regression analyses were applied to assess relationships between ECG manifestations of right ventricular strain and levels of biomarkers and other laboratory and chest imaging findings. The significance level was considered as < 0.05. RESULTS: The ECG signs of right ventricular stress were significantly more frequent and the levels of fibrinogen, CRP, and ferritin were significantly higher in COVID-19 patients with elevated levels of hs-cTnI, procalcitonin and D-dimer. The univariate analysis showed there are significant relations between the presence of bilateral pneumonia, most of the ECG signs of right ventricular strain and cardiac injury and inflammatory and thrombotic biomarkers. The multivariate analysis revealed that ST-segment elevation in V1and the S1Q3T3pattern are independent predictors of cardiac damage (odds ratio=0.23;95% CI, 0.06 to 0.90;p=0.035) and elevated procalcitonin levels (odds ratio=0.19;95% CI, 0.06 to 0.62;p=0.006), respectively. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study suggest that right heart damage is prevalent in COVID-19. In addition, our study shows the clinical value of ECG in evaluating and monitoring the patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Neurological Dysfunction Associated with Covid-19

COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. The clinical presentation is predominantly respiratory symptoms;however, in the current literature, several neurological manifestations associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection have been described. The authors present the clinical case of a 45-year-old man hospitalized for pneumonia with a positive test result for SARS-CoV-2, without a neurological history, who, on the sixteenth day of hospitalization, presented a sudden change in his state of consciousness accompanied by conjugated right gaze deviation and myoclonus of the face and thoracic region to the left, followed by generalized tonic-clonic seizures associated with persistent left hemiparesis. The present study highlights a positive RT-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 in cerebrospinal fluid. The patient progressed with gradual improvement, and the outcome was favorable.

Influenza B infection and Kawasaki disease in an adolescent during the COVID-19 pandemic: a case report

We report a case of Influenza B infection and Kawasaki disease in an adolescent, diagnosed during the COVID-19 pandemic. An asthmatic female adolescent presented with fever and flu-like symptoms for 7 days and was admitted with acute respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. She progressed with hemodynamic instability responsive to vasoactive drugs. Antibiotic therapy and support measures were introduced, showing progressive hemodynamics and respiratory improvement, however with persistent fever and increased inflammatory markers. During the hospitalization, she developed bilateral non-purulent conjunctivitis, hand and feet desquamation, strawberry tongue, and cervical adenopathy, and was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease. She was prescribed intravenous immunoglobulin and, due to the refractory clinical conditions, corticosteroid therapy was added;24 hours later, the patient was afebrile. No coronary changes were found. A full viral panel including COVID-19 C-reactive protein and serology could only isolate the Influenza B virus. During the hospitalization, she was diagnosed with pulmonary thromboembolism;coagulopathies were investigated, and she was diagnosed with heterozygous factor V Leiden mutation. There is a potential association between Kawasaki disease and infection with Influenza B or with other viruses such as coronavirus. Therefore, this association should be considered in pediatric patients, adolescents included, with prolonged febrile conditions.

Backdrop to the development of Brazil's national COVID-19 immunization plan

The process of developing Brazil's COVID-19 immunization plan began belatedly and involved a number of experts, including a technical group responsible for defining priority groups for vaccination. This process was permeated by contradictions between the government and researchers. Finally, on 20 January 2021, the government published an updated version of the plan, which remains limited in scope.

Use of health services and adherence to social distancing by adults with Noncommunicable Diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic, Brazil, 2020

The present study investigates the association between the self-reported diagnosis of noncommunicable disease (NCD) and the adherence to social distancing and the use of health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a cross-sectional study with Brazilian adults who participated in the ConVid- Behavior Survey, conducted online between April 24 and May 24, 2020(n = 45.161). This studyconsidered the following NCDs: diabetes, hypertension, respiratory disease, heart disease, and cancer, and evaluated the use of health services and the adherence to social distancing, as well as estimated the prevalences and adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR);33,9% (95% CI: 32,5-35,3) referred to one or more NCD. Individuals with NCDsshowed a greater adherence to intense social distancing (aPR: 1,07;95% CI: 1,03-1,11), sought out health services more often (aPR:1,24;95% CI:1,11-1,38), and found greater difficultyin scheduling doctor's appointments (aPR:1.52;95% CI 1,35-1,71), receiving healthcare treatment (APR:1,50;95% CI:1,22-1,84) and medication (APR:2,17;95% CI:1,77-2,67), and performing examinations (APR:1,78;95% CI:1,50-2,10) and scheduled interventions (APR:1,65;95% CI:1,16-2,34). The presence of NCDs was associated with social distancing, seeking out health care, and difficulty in using health services.

Mental health and internet use by university students: coping strategies in the context of COVID-19

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of Common Mental Disorders (CMD) among university students and analyze the relation between disorders and internet use and the use of coping strategies in the face of social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a quantitative cross-sectional study using a non-probability sample of 275 students. Data was collected online using the Self-Reporting Questionnaire, Problematic Internet Use Scale and a coping strategies inventory. We conducted a descriptive and inferential analysis of the data and multiple linear regression was performed to determine the variables that best explained the variation in the problematic internet use. Prevalence of CMD was 58.5% and the presence of CMD was positively correlated with frequency of internet use and the use of avoidant coping strategies, based on confrontation, the search for social support and acceptance of responsibility (p<0.05). The presence of CMD and the use of confrontation coping strategies were the variables that best explained problematic internet use (R2=0.33%;p<0.00). High levels of digital socialization should be taken into account in mental health care actions aimed at university students in the context of COVID-19.

The relevance a technology ecosystem in the Brazilian National Health Service's Covid-19 response: the case of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

Technological advances play an undeniable role in strengthening health systems. With regard to digital technologies, information systems and the analysis of health data are playing a growing role in health surveillance and preparing for and responding to disease outbreaks, the theme addressed by this article within the context of the Covid-19 pandemic in the State of Rio Grande do Norte. This study departs from the assumption that digital health interventions can increase Covid-19 response capacity. We developed a technology ecosystem that integrates different information systems to meet the needs outlined in international regulations governing the response to the pandemic. In addition to the main elements of the ecosystem, this article describes the application of this instrument by different institutional actors. The main decision making tool used in the state government's Covid-19 response, the ecosystem is a model for digital health interventions in Brazil's national health service. This experience in Rio Grande do Norte brings together elements that can contribute to studies investigating the resilience of health systems and analyzing health policies in emergency situations.

The Role of Telehealth in the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Brazilian Experience

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, is the third coronavirus to cause severe disease in humans and to spread globally in the past two decades. In this context, several national public health departments, including the Brazilian Ministry of Health, highlighted what was, until then, considered a support service to the health system: telehealth and telemedicine. We intend to present the actions carried out by a national telehealth service in Brazil, both as a Primary Health Care (PHC) support service to professionals and to patients, as well as discussing the potential to reorganize a health system. This is a prevalence study that summarizes the measures adopted by Brazilian Telehealth Center from the 9th to the 27th epidemiological weeks of 2020 to support the health services of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). There was an increase of 76.8% in the demand for telephone teleconsultations during the evaluated period compared to the same period in 2019, with 28.8% of the entire demand arising from doubts related to Covid-19. The Covid-19 pandemic demanded a quick response, with the organization of materials about the disease, a new team to carry out telemonitoring and teleconsultation activities, in addition to the creation of a manual for teleconsultations in Primary Health Care.

COVID-19 in children, adolescents and young adults: a cross-sectional study in Espirito Santo, Brazil, 2020

OBJECTIVE: To analyze self-reported sociodemographic and clinical characteristics among individuals aged 2 to 22 years and possible associations with SARS-CoV-2 infection in Espirito Santo, Brazil. METHODS: This was a serial cross-sectional population-based study carried out from May to June 2020. The COVID-19 positivity rate was assessed by serological testing, and associated factors were assessed using Pearson's chi-square test (5% significance level). RESULTS: Among 1,693 individuals aged 2 to 22 years, 6.1% tested positive for COVID-19 and, among these, 35.5% did not present any symptoms. Differences were identified between positive and negative cases regarding the number of symptoms (p-value=0.001). Coughing was reported by 40.4% of positive individuals. Only 14.3% sought health care, namely 29.8% among those who tested positive and 13.3% among those who tested negative (p-value=0.001). CONCLUSION: The percentage of asymptomatic patients can impact the COVID-19 transmission chain in schools and fuel outbreaks of the disease in schools.

The infodemic transcends the pandemic

This paper highlights the advance of science in interpreting pandemics, in contrast to the failure of governments that politicized the approach to the global public health emergency resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reflects on cognitive dissonance caused by the infodemic. It addresses the need to apply infodemiology to mitigate the deleterious effects of fake news intentionally fabricated to confuse, mislead, manipulate, and deny the reality without losing sight of the fact that the roots of the problem are historical, circumstantial, profound, and challenging. This work reveals the impacts of this situation for health professionals and exposes the fine line between freedom of expression and the fundamental right to life, leading to the conclusion that wrong choices in public health can cause preventable deaths.

Social inequalities associated with COVID-19 case fatality rate in Fortaleza, Ceara state, Brazil, 2020

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association among social and health inequalities, socioeconomic status, spatial segregation and Case Fatality Rate (CFR) due to COVID-19 in Fortaleza, the state capital of Ceara, Brazil. METHODS: This was an ecological study of confirmed cases and deaths due to COVID-19. The 119 neighborhoods of Fortaleza were used as units of analysis. Incidence, mortality and apparent CFR indicators due to COVID-19 were calculated between January 1 and June 8, 2020. Socioeconomic indicators were obtained from the 2010 Brazilian Demographic Census. Spatial analysis was performed and local and global Moran's indexes were calculated. RESULTS: There were 22,830 confirmed cases, 2,333 deaths and the apparent CFR was 12.7% (95% CI 11.6;13.9). Significant spatial autocorrelations between apparent CFR (I=0.35) and extreme poverty (I=0.51), overlapping in several neighborhoods of the city, were found. CONCLUSION: The apparent CFR due to COVID-19 is associated with the worst socioeconomic and health status, which shows the relationship between social inequalities and health outcomes in times of pandemic.

Influenza vaccination in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based study in 133 Brazilian cities

Routine immunization during pandemics can be harmed. This study estimated the influenza vaccination coverage in older adults during the COVID-19 through the EPICOVID-19, a population-based study conducted in 133 cities from the 26 Brazilian states and Federal District. We selected 25 census tracts per city, with probability proportional to the tract's size, ten households by census tract, and one random individual interviewed. A total of 8,265 older adults (>=60 years old) were interviewed and asked whether they had been vaccinated against flu in 2020. Vaccination coverage was 82.3% (95% CI: 80.1-84.2) with no difference by gender, age, and region;higher vaccination coverage was observed among the wealthiest (84.7% versus 80.1% in the poorest) and among the more educated (87.3% versus 83.2% less educated);lower coverage among indigenous (56.9% versus > 80% among other ethnic groups). A positive association was identified with the number of comorbidities among men but not among women. Most of the population was vaccinated (97.5%) in the public health system. The private network was chosen mainly in the South by the wealthiest and more educated. Vaccination coverage was seven percentage points lower than the government target (90%), and inequalities should be reversed in future campaigns.