Attention contagion online: Attention spreads between students in a virtual classroom

(In)attentiveness can spread between students in the same learning environment, affecting their learning (Forrin et al., 2021). The present study is the first to investigate whether this phenomenon-attention contagion-extends to virtual classrooms when students have their webcams on. Undergraduate student participants (n = 74) watched a prerecorded lecture along with research confederates who were visible in "webcam video thumbnails." The confederates behaved either attentively or inattentively. Consistent with attention contagion, students who watched the lecture with attentive (vs. inattentive) confederates reported being more attentive and they learned more of the lecture content-performing 12% better on a postlecture quiz. They also perceived the lecture as more important, suggesting that social inferences (e.g., "this lecture is important") may undergird attention contagion. These novel findings indicate that the influence of webcams on students' learning depends, in part, on whether classmates are visibly attentive or inattentive. Attention is contagious online. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected education systems worldwide by causing an abrupt transition to online learning. Following this transition, undergraduate students reported a decreased ability to pay attention to lectures (Hicks et al., 2021), highlighting the timeliness of research that elucidates factors influencing attention online. We investigated one potentially important factor: the (in)attentiveness of students' classmates. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that (in)attentiveness spreads between students (i.e., "attention contagion") during an online lecture. In a simulated virtual classroom, undergraduate student research participants-who had their webcams on-watched a 30-min video lecture. Four of those students (seemingly other participants) visible in "webcam video thumbnails" during the lecture were, in fact, members of the research team trained to behave attentively or inattentively. When the four visible students were attentive (vs. inattentive), their classmates reported being more attentive, estimated engaging less often in inattentive behaviors (e.g., checking their phone), and performed 12% better on a subsequent lecture-content quiz. Thus, we found strong support for (in)attentiveness spreading in virtual classrooms-and that this "attention contagion" meaningfully affects learning. Moreover, students' impressions of the importance of the lecture content were affected by whether they could see attentive peers (higher importance) or inattentive peers (lower importance). Such impressions may drive attention contagion. These findings inform interventions that can boost learning online: For instance, if students are informed of the spreading of (in)attentiveness, they may be more likely to reduce any visible inattentive behaviors for the sake of their classmates. Our findings also contribute to the growing body of literature surrounding the effects of webcam usage in virtual classrooms: The effect of webcam use on learning depends, in part, on the (in)attentiveness of visible peers. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 and its variants in wastewater of tertiary care hospitals correlates with increasing case burden and outbreaks.

Wastewater-based SARS-CoV-2 surveillance enables unbiased and comprehensive monitoring of defined sewersheds. We performed real-time monitoring of hospital wastewater that differentiated Delta and Omicron variants within total SARS-CoV-2-RNA, enabling correlation to COVID-19 cases from three tertiary-care facilities with >2100 inpatient beds in Calgary, Canada. RNA was extracted from hospital wastewater between August/2021 and January/2022, and SARS-CoV-2 quantified using RT-qPCR. Assays targeting R203M and R203K/G204R established the proportional abundance of Delta and Omicron, respectively. Total and variant-specific SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater was compared to data for variant specific COVID-19 hospitalizations, hospital-acquired infections, and outbreaks. Ninety-six percent (188/196) of wastewater samples were SARS-CoV-2 positive. Total SARS-CoV-2 RNA levels in wastewater increased in tandem with total prevalent cases (Delta plus Omicron). Variant-specific assessments showed this increase to be mainly driven by Omicron. Hospital-acquired cases of COVID-19 were associated with large spikes in wastewater SARS-CoV-2 and levels were significantly increased during outbreaks relative to nonoutbreak periods for total SARS-CoV2, Delta and Omicron. SARS-CoV-2 in hospital wastewater was significantly higher during the Omicron-wave irrespective of outbreaks. Wastewater-based monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants represents a novel tool for passive COVID-19 infection surveillance, case identification, containment, and potentially to mitigate viral spread in hospitals.

Effect of Androgen-Androgen Receptor Directed Therapy on COVID-19 Outcome in Prostate Cancer Patients.

TMPRSS2 is utilized by SARS-CoV-2 for cellular entry. Androgen-Androgen receptor directed therapy (A/ARDT) downregulates expression of TMPRSS2. We hypothesized A/ARDT might protect prostate cancer (PCa) patients from poor COVID-19 outcome. A retrospective analysis of PCa patients with COVID-19 infection was performed. 146 PCa cases were identified, 17% were on A/ARDT. Hospitalization rates were same 52% (OR = 0.99, 0.41-2.24). Mean hospitalization was 9.2 (Range: 1-25) and 14.9 (Range: 2-47) days in A/ARDT and non-A/ARDT groups, respectively. While definitive conclusions cannot be made regarding outcome differences between groups due to lack of statistical significance, these data generate hypothesis that A/ARDT might shorten hospitalization stay.

Digital Droplet PCR to Track SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak in a Hospital Transitional Care Unit.

We describe an outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 on a transition unit composed of elderly patients awaiting placement. Environmental and patient sample analyses using digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) suggested possible fomite transmission and a high viral burden source from a few individual patients. This outbreak illustrates challenges inherent to this specific patient population.

Medical Masks Versus N95 Respirators for Preventing COVID-19 Among Health Care Workers : A Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: It is uncertain if medical masks offer similar protection against COVID-19 compared with N95 respirators. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether medical masks are noninferior to N95 respirators to prevent COVID-19 in health care workers providing routine care. DESIGN: Multicenter, randomized, noninferiority trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04296643). SETTING: 29 health care facilities in Canada, Israel, Pakistan, and Egypt from 4 May 2020 to 29 March 2022. PARTICIPANTS: 1009 health care workers who provided direct care to patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. INTERVENTION: Use of medical masks versus fit-tested N95 respirators for 10 weeks, plus universal masking, which was the policy implemented at each site. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was confirmed COVID-19 on reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test. RESULTS: In the intention-to-treat analysis, RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 occurred in 52 of 497 (10.46%) participants in the medical mask group versus 47 of 507 (9.27%) in the N95 respirator group (hazard ratio [HR], 1.14 [95% CI, 0.77 to 1.69]). An unplanned subgroup analysis by country found that in the medical mask group versus the N95 respirator group RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 occurred in 8 of 131 (6.11%) versus 3 of 135 (2.22%) in Canada (HR, 2.83 [CI, 0.75 to 10.72]), 6 of 17 (35.29%) versus 4 of 17 (23.53%) in Israel (HR, 1.54 [CI, 0.43 to 5.49]), 3 of 92 (3.26%) versus 2 of 94 (2.13%) in Pakistan (HR, 1.50 [CI, 0.25 to 8.98]), and 35 of 257 (13.62%) versus 38 of 261 (14.56%) in Egypt (HR, 0.95 [CI, 0.60 to 1.50]). There were 47 (10.8%) adverse events related to the intervention reported in the medical mask group and 59 (13.6%) in the N95 respirator group. LIMITATION: Potential acquisition of SARS-CoV-2 through household and community exposure, heterogeneity between countries, uncertainty in the estimates of effect, differences in self-reported adherence, differences in baseline antibodies, and between-country differences in circulating variants and vaccination. CONCLUSION: Among health care workers who provided routine care to patients with COVID-19, the overall estimates rule out a doubling in hazard of RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 for medical masks when compared with HRs of RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 for N95 respirators. The subgroup results varied by country, and the overall estimates may not be applicable to individual countries because of treatment effect heterogeneity. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: Canadian Institutes of Health Research, World Health Organization, and Juravinski Research Institute.

Hybrid and vaccine-induced immunity against SAR-CoV-2 in MS patients on different disease-modifying therapies.

OBJECTIVE: To compare "hybrid immunity" (prior COVID-19 infection plus vaccination) and post-vaccination immunity to SARS CoV-2 in MS patients on different disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) and to assess the impact of vaccine product and race/ethnicity on post-vaccination immune responses. METHODS: Consecutive MS patients from NYU MS Care Center (New York, NY), aged 18-60, who completed primary COVID-19 vaccination series ≥6 weeks previously were evaluated for SARS CoV-2-specific antibody responses with electro-chemiluminescence and multiepitope bead-based immunoassays and, in a subset, live virus immunofluorescence-based microneutralization assay. SARS CoV-2-specific cellular responses were assessed with cellular stimulation TruCulture IFNγ and IL-2 assay and, in a subset, with IFNγ and IL-2 ELISpot assays. Multivariate analyses examined associations between immunologic responses and prior COVID-19 infection while controlling for age, sex, DMT at vaccination, time-to-vaccine, and vaccine product. RESULTS: Between 6/01/2021 and 11/11/2021, 370 MS patients were recruited (mean age 40.6 years; 76% female; 53% non-White; 22% with prior infection; common DMT classes: ocrelizumab 40%; natalizumab 15%, sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulators 13%; and no DMT 8%). Vaccine-to-collection time was 18.7 (±7.7) weeks and 95% of patients received mRNA vaccines. In multivariate analyses, patients with laboratory-confirmed prior COVID-19 infection had significantly increased antibody and cellular post-vaccination responses compared to those without prior infection. Vaccine product and DMT class were independent predictors of antibody and cellular responses, while race/ethnicity was not. INTERPRETATION: Prior COVID-19 infection is associated with enhanced antibody and cellular post-vaccine responses independent of DMT class and vaccine type. There were no differences in immune responses across race/ethnic groups.

Attention contagion online: Attention spreads between students in a virtual classroom

(In)attentiveness can spread between students in the same learning environment, affecting their learning (Forrin et al., 2021). The present study is the first to investigate whether this phenomenon-attention contagion-extends to virtual classrooms when students have their webcams on. Undergraduate student participants (n = 74) watched a prerecorded lecture along with research confederates who were visible in "webcam video thumbnails." The confederates behaved either attentively or inattentively. Consistent with attention contagion, students who watched the lecture with attentive (vs. inattentive) confederates reported being more attentive and they learned more of the lecture content-performing 12% better on a postlecture quiz. They also perceived the lecture as more important, suggesting that social inferences (e.g., "this lecture is important") may undergird attention contagion. These novel findings indicate that the influence of webcams on students' learning depends, in part, on whether classmates are visibly attentive or inattentive. Attention is contagious online. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected education systems worldwide by causing an abrupt transition to online learning. Following this transition, undergraduate students reported a decreased ability to pay attention to lectures (Hicks et al., 2021), highlighting the timeliness of research that elucidates factors influencing attention online. We investigated one potentially important factor: the (in)attentiveness of students' classmates. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that (in)attentiveness spreads between students (i.e., "attention contagion") during an online lecture. In a simulated virtual classroom, undergraduate student research participants-who had their webcams on-watched a 30-min video lecture. Four of those students (seemingly other participants) visible in "webcam video thumbnails" during the lecture were, in fact, members of the research team trained to behave attentively or inattentively. When the four visible students were attentive (vs. inattentive), their classmates reported being more attentive, estimated engaging less often in inattentive behaviors (e.g., checking their phone), and performed 12% better on a subsequent lecture-content quiz. Thus, we found strong support for (in)attentiveness spreading in virtual classrooms-and that this "attention contagion" meaningfully affects learning. Moreover, students' impressions of the importance of the lecture content were affected by whether they could see attentive peers (higher importance) or inattentive peers (lower importance). Such impressions may drive attention contagion. These findings inform interventions that can boost learning online: For instance, if students are informed of the spreading of (in)attentiveness, they may be more likely to reduce any visible inattentive behaviors for the sake of their classmates. Our findings also contribute to the growing body of literature surrounding the effects of webcam usage in virtual classrooms: The effect of webcam use on learning depends, in part, on the (in)attentiveness of visible peers. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

An Investigation into COVID-19 Pandemic in India Cellular and humoral immunity to SARS-CoV-2 infection in multiple sclerosis patients on ocrelizumab and other disease-modifying therapies: a multi-ethnic observational study

Summary Pandemic of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) has put tremendous pressure on the people of different localities, states and countries. In a short span of time, it spread all over the world. This has affected the social life of people by enforcing them to stay at home and keep social distance. Many developed countries were also not able to handle the situation even though all resources were available with them. This chapter discussed about the symptoms of COVID-19, precautionary measures, ways of spreading the Coronavirus, and technologies used to fight COVID-19. This also discussed about the impact of COVID-19 on business, financial market, supply side, demand side and international trade on Indian economy. Objective To determine the impact of MS disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) on the development of cellular and humoral immunity to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods MS patients aged 18-60 were evaluated for anti-nucleocapsid and anti-Spike RBD antibody with electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay;antibody responses to Spike protein, RBD, N-terminal domain with multiepitope bead-based immunoassays (MBI);live virus immunofluorescence-based microneutralization assay;T-cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 Spike using TruCulture ELISA;and IL-2 and IFN? ELISpot assays. Assay results were compared by DMT class. Spearman correlation and multivariate analyses were performed to examine associations between immunologic responses and infection severity. Results Between 1/6/2021 and 7/21/2021, 389 MS patients were recruited (mean age 40.3?years;74% female;62% non-White). Most common DMTs were ocrelizumab (OCR) - 40%;natalizumab - 17%, Sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor (S1P) modulators -12%;and 15% untreated. 177 patients (46%) had laboratory evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection;130 had symptomatic infection, 47 - asymptomatic. Antibody responses were markedly attenuated in OCR compared to other groups (p≤0.0001). T-cell responses (IFN?) were decreased in S1P (p=0.03), increased in natalizumab (p<0.001), and similar in other DMTs, including OCR. Cellular and humoral responses were moderately correlated in both OCR (r=0.45, p=0.0002) and non-OCR (r=0.64, p<0.0001). Immune responses did not differ by race/ethnicity. COVID-19 clinical course was mostly non-severe and similar across DMTs;7% (9/130) were hospitalized. Interpretation DMTs had differential effects on humoral and cellular immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Immune responses did not correlate with COVID-19 clinical severity in this relatively young and non-disabled group of MS patients. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Cellular and Humoral Immunity to SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Multiple Sclerosis Patients on Ocrelizumab and Other Disease-Modifying Therapies: A Multi-Ethnic Observational Study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the impact of multiple sclerosis (MS) disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) on the development of cellular and humoral immunity to severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. METHODS: Patients with MS aged 18 to 60 years were evaluated for anti-nucleocapsid and anti-Spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) antibody with electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay; antibody responses to Spike protein, RBD, N-terminal domain with multiepitope bead-based immunoassays (MBI); live virus immunofluorescence-based microneutralization assay; T-cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 Spike using TruCulture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); and IL-2 and IFNγ ELISpot assays. Assay results were compared by DMT class. Spearman correlation and multivariate analyses were performed to examine associations between immunologic responses and infection severity. RESULTS: Between January 6, 2021, and July 21, 2021, 389 patients with MS were recruited (mean age 40.3 years; 74% women; 62% non-White). Most common DMTs were ocrelizumab (OCR)-40%; natalizumab -17%, Sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor (S1P) modulators -12%; and 15% untreated. One hundred seventy-seven patients (46%) had laboratory evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection; 130 had symptomatic infection, and 47 were asymptomatic. Antibody responses were markedly attenuated in OCR compared with other groups (p ≤0.0001). T-cell responses (IFNγ) were decreased in S1P (p = 0.03), increased in natalizumab (p <0.001), and similar in other DMTs, including OCR. Cellular and humoral responses were moderately correlated in both OCR (r = 0.45, p = 0.0002) and non-OCR (r = 0.64, p <0.0001). Immune responses did not differ by race/ethnicity. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) clinical course was mostly non-severe and similar across DMTs; 7% (9/130) were hospitalized. INTERPRETATION: DMTs had differential effects on humoral and cellular immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Immune responses did not correlate with COVID-19 clinical severity in this relatively young and nondisabled group of patients with MS. ANN NEUROL 2022;91:782-795.

Increased incidence of post-operative respiratory failure in patients with pre-operative SARS-CoV-2 infection.

OBJECTIVE: While studies have reported increased post-operative pulmonary complications with SARS-CoV-2 infection, many are limited by use of historical controls or focus on less severe respiratory complications. We characterized the association between pre-operative SARS-CoV-2 infection and post-operative respiratory failure (PORF). DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a single center retrospective cohort study in New York City between March 14-June 14, 2020. PATIENTS: Exclusion criteria were age < 18-years, obstetric procedures, absence of SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing, and pre-operative respiratory failure. A total of 778 patients met criteria, of which 87 had SARS-CoV-2. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome, PORF, included inability to extubate for ≥24 h or unplanned re-intubation within 5 days. Multiple exposures were measured including SARS-CoV-2 infection 4 weeks before or 5 days after surgery. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to adjust for pre-operative hypoxemia, oxygen use, and pneumonia as well as tachycardia, gender, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), Surgical Mortality Probability Model (S-MPM) index, and peri-operative blood transfusion. MAIN RESULTS: SARS-CoV patients had higher CCI (P = 0.007) and S-MPM scores (P = 0.02). The incidence of PORF was 16% versus 7% in uninfected comparators (P = 0.001). Amongst infected individuals, 39% exhibited symptoms of COVID-19 and PORF was more common in these patients compared to asymptomatic individuals (26% vs. 9%, P = 0.04). Adjusted analysis revealed increased odds of PORF with infection (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.2-6.2). This persisted even when adjusting for probable mediators such as pre-operative hypoxemia. Infected patients also demonstrated increased adjusted odds of 30-day mortality (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.4-9.1). CONCLUSIONS: Detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection within 4 weeks before or 5 days after surgery is associated with increased odds of 5-day PORF and 30-day mortality. This supports delaying elective surgery, but questions remain regarding the applicability of this recommendation for asymptomatic patients needing urgent or semi-urgent procedures such as oncologic surgery.

"For COVID" or "With COVID": Classification of SARS-CoV-2 Hospitalizations in Children.

OBJECTIVES: Pediatric hospitalization rates are used as a marker of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease severity in children but may be inflated by the detection of mild or asymptomatic infection via universal screening. We aimed to classify COVID-19 hospitalizations using an existing and novel approach and to assess the interrater reliability of both approaches. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study characterized severity of illness and likelihood of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection as the cause of hospitalization in pediatric patients <18 years of age. Subjects had positive SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal testing or were diagnosed with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children and were hospitalized between May 10, 2020 (when universal screening of all admissions began) and February 10, 2021, at a university-based, quaternary care children's hospital in Northern California. Hospitalizations were categorized as either likely or unlikely to be caused by SARS-CoV-2 (novel approach), and disease severity was categorized according to previously published classification of disease severity. RESULTS: Of 117 hospitalizations, 46 (39.3%) were asymptomatic, 33 (28.2%) had mild to moderate disease, 9 (7.7%) had severe illness, and 15 (12.8%) had critical illness (weighted κ: 0.82). A total of 14 (12%) patients had multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. A total of 53 (45%) admissions were categorized as unlikely to be caused by SARS-CoV-2 (κ: 0.78). CONCLUSIONS: Although COVID-19 has considerable associated morbidity and mortality in children, reported hospitalization rates likely lead to overestimation of the true disease burden.

The prevalence of COVID-19 in healthcare personnel in an adult and pediatric academic medical center.

BACKGROUND: It is vital to know which healthcare personnel (HCP) have a higher chance of testing positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (COVID-19). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted at Stanford Children's Health (SCH) and Stanford Health Care (SHC) in Stanford, California. Analysis included all HCP, employed by SCH or SHC, who had a COVID-19 reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test resulted by the SHC Laboratory, between March 1, 2020 and June 15, 2020. The primary outcome was the RT-PCR percent positivity and prevalence of COVID-19 for HCP and these were compared across roles. RESULTS: SCH and SHC had 24,081 active employees, of which 142 had at least 1 positive COVID-19 test. The overall HCP prevalence of COVID-19 was 0.59% and percent positivity was 1.84%. Patient facing HCPs had a significantly higher prevalence (0.66% vs 0.43%; P = .0331) and percent positivity (1.95% vs 1.43%; P = .0396) than nonpatient facing employees, respectively. Percent positivity was higher in food service workers (9.15%), and environmental services (5.96%) compared to clinicians (1.93%; P < .0001) and nurses (1.46%; P < .0001), respectively. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: HCP in patient-facing roles and in support roles had a greater chance of being positive of COVID-19.

The Double Burden of Depression and Social Isolation in Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction We are living in a global pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) that has infected over 63 million people across the world to date. Even though social-distancing is recommended as a key method of reducing risk, such measures disproportionately impact older adults (OA) whose social contacts are often outside their home. Thus, it is both timely and critical to examine the impact of pandemic-related social isolation on OA's mental health. Also, it is unclear whether OAs experiencing depressive symptoms have increased risk of being adversely impacted by social isolation. The current ongoing study utilizes a combination of remotely conducted interviews and online questionnaires to investigate how OA's mental health has been impacted by pandemic-related social isolation. We present preliminary findings from the first wave of our study. We hypothesized that OAs who report higher degrees of reduced quality and frequency in social relationships and communication will be at greater risk of depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Furthermore, we predicted that OAs who endorse depressive symptoms in the recent past will show a stronger association between adverse changes resulting from limited social activity and mental health. Methods We recruited 143 OA participants aged 55 years or older (Mean age= 64.9, SD= 5.3, 87% female). Prospective participants were excluded for self-reported history of neurological disorders, cognitive impairment, or changes in dosage of any psychotropic medications within the past 4 weeks. Otherwise, individuals with current and/or past history of depression or anxiety were included. Following informed consent, participants were screened for cognitive impairment using the MoCA-mini. Participants then filled out a series of questionnaires related to a self-reported diagnostic screen (SAGE-SR), current symptoms of stress (Perceived Stress Scale), depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale), anxiety (Geriatric Anxiety Scale), loneliness (UCLA-Loneliness), perceived social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support), and perceived social contribution (Social Contribution subscale of the Social Well-being scale). Moreover, we obtained participants’ self-reported appraisal regarding the magnitude of adverse impact caused by COVID-19 pandemic-related social isolation on the quality of their personal social relationships and communication frequency with their loved ones. Results Overall, participants who reported greater detriment to social relationships and communication frequency also indicated higher degrees of depressive symptoms (r=.32, p<.001), and loneliness (r=.26, p<.005). Interestingly, frequency of using remote forms of communication with friends and family outside the home were inversely related to pathological mental health symptoms. In other words, those who report frequently keeping in touch with loved ones outside their homes also indicated having lower symptoms of depression (r=-.18, p<.05), anxiety (r=-.18, p<.05), and loneliness (r=-.24, p<.005). Notably, household size was not predictive of the above-mentioned symptoms, but was predictive of stress, such that greater household size was associated with higher levels of stress (r=.21, p<.05). We then separately examined two groups of OAs – those who reported having experienced at least some DSM-5 depressive disorders symptoms in the past 30 days, and those who did not. Self-reported magnitude of pandemic-related detriment to social behavior significantly predicted the severity of loneliness, but only in OAs who report some depressive disorder symptoms (r=.24, p<.05). Similarly, in this group, lower perceived social support significantly predicted higher stress (r=-.46, p<.0001) and lower self-reported social contribution predicted higher loneliness (r=-.33, p<.01) respectively. Conclusions The preliminary data from our study suggest that greater levels of pandemic-related social isolation are associated with higher severity of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Importantly, OAs with depressive symptoms appear to be at risk of adversely being impacted by loss of social support and absence of meaningful outlet for social contributions during prolonged social isolation. Conversely, our data suggest utilizing psychosocial interventions designed to shore up social support and greater agency in social contribution may be particularly beneficial to OAs who experience depressive symptoms. The correlational nature of our current data is a limitation that will be addressed by our future work gathering responses from the same group of participants who are expected to resume social activity outside the context of pandemic-related social isolation (i.e., Wave 2). Our future work will also address how social isolation relates to day-to-day experience and control of emotions, which is a significant dimensional predictor of functional impairment and distress across multiple psychopathologies. Funding Funding support from Special Emphasis: Emerging COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 Research seed grant awarded to J. Kim, through the Immunology, Inflammation and Infectious Diseases Initiative and the Office of the Vice President for Research at the University of Utah

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among community members presenting for testing in Peoria, Illinois from 21 April to 15 May 2020.

Expanding easily accessible community SARS-CoV-2 screening is essential in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this report, we describe the findings from the initial 25 days of a SARS-CoV-2 drive-up and walk-up testing initiative was organized in Peoria, Illinois. Eighty-seven out of 4,073 individuals (2.1%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, and 46% of these were asymptomatic at the time of testing. There were ten frontline workers without symptoms consistent with COVID-19 who tested positive, including six that did not report any known exposure to SARS-CoV-2. These results stress the importance and effectiveness of widely available community SARS-CoV-2 testing and suggest a possible benefit to screening of asymptomatic individuals at higher risk for infection.