COVID-19 Cases Research Articles

Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions on COVID-19 in Workers and Residents of Nursing Homes in Geneva: A Mixed Qualitative and Quantitative Study

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of varying levels of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) on COVID-19 transmission in nursing homes during the first wave of the pandemic. Background/Objectives: The primary aim involved exploring qualitative insights from staff and management regarding the implementation of NPIs. The secondary aim was to determine the cumulative incidence of PCR-confirmed COVID-19 cases among residents. Incident rate ratios (IRRs) were the calculated levels of NPI restrictiveness. Methods: We used a mixed methodology to identify factors that might have affected COVID-19 expansion in nursing homes in the canton of Geneva, Switzerland. For the qualitative component, we interviewed the Attending Physicians and/or Director of each nursing home. In the quantitative component, we calculated incident rate ratios (IRRs) for infection between the three levels of COVID-19-related measures taken in these nursing homes, and the cumulative incidence of PCR-confirmed COVID-19 cases in their resident population. This study was conducted in 12 nursing homes located in the canton of Geneva, Switzerland, between 1 March 2020, and 1 June 2020. Results: Most nursing homes mandated NPIs for their staff and residents during the first wave of COVID-19. We found an equal distribution of maximally (n = 4), moderately (n = 4), and minimally (n = 4) restrictive NPIs for nursing home workers and residents. The extent of NPIs implemented was not shown to be significantly associated with the cumulative incidence of COVID-19 cases among residents (maximally restrictive IRR = 3.90, 95%CI 0.82–45.54, p = 0.184; moderately restrictive IRR = 3.55, 95%CI 0.75–41.42, p = 0.212; minimally restrictive IRR = reference). Conclusions: Nursing homes in our study showed high variability in which NPIs, and to what extent, they implemented, with no significant relationship between the restrictiveness of NPIs and COVID-19 incidence among nursing home residents. This suggests that other factors influence the transmission of COVID-19 in these settings. Future research should explore additional determinants and the balance between strict NPIs and the overall well-being of residents.

Assessing the role of socioeconomic factors-income, education, broadband access, and healthy foods on location-wise disparities in COVID-19 cases

ObjectiveThe COVID-19 pandemic presented an unprecedented worldwide challenge to public health and the economy. However, the effect varied in different population groups and locations. This study examines how the preexisting socioeconomic conditions, income, education, access to broadband internet, and healthy foods affect people’s pandemic-related health-protective behavior and lead to this differential impact in the U.S.MethodsThis study utilizes a dynamic panel-data-based regression analysis on a nationwide dataset of U.S. counties.ResultsHigher income, education level, and broadband speed reduce the probability of violating recommended preventive measures, promote health awareness among individuals, and lower COVID-19 cases. In contrast, low access to healthy foods increases the number of cases. Additionally, our study reveals several interesting findings related to people’s food habits, living conditions, and the connection between education and access to broadband internet that contribute to the differential impact of countywide COVID-19 cases.ConclusionsInsights from our data-driven analysis enable healthcare authorities to understand where resources should be allocated at the beginning of a pandemic to reduce disease spread and thus, build a greater resiliency for the next pandemic. Hence, our findings provide significant insights to government and healthcare officials to devise health awareness campaigns and develop advocacy measures and policies in conjunction with policymakers to contain future pandemics.

Heterogeneity and longitudinal transcriptomic characteristics of Tregs in COVID-19 patients

IntroductionRegulatory T cells (Tregs) play a crucial role in maintaining immune tolerance by suppressing immune responses against pathogens. The fluctuation of Treg proportions in COVID-19 remains a topic of debate, and the mechanisms triggering Treg activation in COVID-19 are still unclear. Understanding these issues is essential for better managing immune responses in COVID-19 patients.MethodsWe collected a cohort of COVID-19 patients with varying disease severity and stage to explore the transcriptomic and functional traits of Tregs in these individuals. Using transcriptomic analysis, we evaluated the proportion and functionality of different Treg subsets, specifically HLA_DR+ Tregs, across different stages of COVID-19 patients.ResultsOur analysis revealed that the proportion of CCR7+ Tregs decreased as the disease advanced, while the cell proportion of HLA_DR+ regs escalated with the severity of the disease. Moreover, the transcription actor CARHSP1 exhibited apositive correlation with the proportion of HLA_DR+ Tregs. Notably, the heightened suppressive function of HLA_DR+ Tregs in severe COVID-19 patients, with interactions between PF4 and CXCR3, contributed to the homeostasis of HLA_DR+ Tregs in severe COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, we observed that Tregs in COVID-19 patients exhibited weakened TCR clonotype expansion, and the suppression of HLA_DR+ Tregs with expanded TCR clonotypes in severe COVID-19 cases did not show a significant increase compared to asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 groups. The findings indicate that Tregs may be activated through the bystander effect, as evidenced by the analysis of TCR clonotype characteristics.DiscussionOur research delineates the diversity of dynamic alterations in Tregs and sheds light on potential mechanisms underlying Treg activation, providing a theoretical foundation and offering treatment strategies for managing COVID-19 patients.

Double Intervention Analysis on The Arima Model of Covid-19 Cases in Bali

The time series process is not only influenced by previous observations, but some phenomena result in drastic changes to observations in the time series process so that there is a change in the average or only a temporary change in observations. For example, there is a policy from the government towards handling a case. This is referred to as an intervention. Therefore, it is necessary to do time series modeling with intervention factors. One form of intervention in the current pandemic era is a policy issued by the government. In this study, the time series model used is ARIMA. This study aimed to analyze the effect of an intervention on the ARIMA model on Covid-19 cases in Bali. This study uses data on the number of new Covid-19 cases in Bali from 24 April 2020 to 31 May 2021. There are two interventions used in this study, namely restrictions on activities for the Panca Yadnya ceremony and crowds in Bali and restrictions on traveling outside the area and/or going home and/or leaving for employees of the State Civil Apparatus during the Covid-19 pandemic. The results of this study show that two policies issued by the Bali provincial government can handle the addition of new cases of Covid-19. It can be seen from the decline in the number of new Covid-19 cases in Bali until the end of May 2021.

Successful Integration of Community-Based Rapid Antigen Testing for COVID-19 and Malaria in Mali.

In Mali, access to health care facilities (HCFs) is limited due to distance and transportation costs, and this limitation may have led to an under detection of COVID-19 cases. This prospective randomized study compared a community-based, integrated COVID-19 and malaria testing strategy (intervention arm) to the national standard-of-care strategy (SOC arm). Four health areas were randomly assigned. All people seeking care who accepted the study were enrolled by community health workers (CHWs) and screened for COVID-19 symptoms. In the intervention arm, CHWs performed COVID-19 and/or malaria antigen rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) for patients who met clinical criteria for possible COVID-19, including fever. In the SOC arm, CHWs referred patients who met clinical criteria for possible COVID-19, including fever, to the nearest health care facility (HCF) in where COVID-19 and/or malaria Ag-RDTs were performed. Febrile patients refusing referral were tested for malaria by CHWs. Among 1,164 patients enrolled, 73% had fever and 72% meet clinical criteria for possible COVID-19. Malaria Ag-RDTs were performed in 79% and 3% COVID-19 suspected patients in intervention and SOC arms, respectively (P <0.001). Only three patients tested positive for COVID-19. Among 449 patients referred to HCFs, 248 refused to go tho the HCFs, and only 10 of 201 who agreed to the referral actually reached one. Among febrile patients, 75% and 34% received malaria treatment in intervention and SOC arms, respectively (P <0.001). Integration of community-based testing for COVID-19 and malaria Ag-RDTs was found to be feasible. However, limited access to HCFs in rural areas highlights the need for treatment services to be available at the community level.

What drove changes in alcohol sales during the COVID-19 pandemic in Czechia? An interrupted time series analyses.

Research on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on alcohol sales and per capita consumption show mixed findings. The present study of alcohol sales in Czechia attempts to account for this heterogeneity by investigating three types of interventions: (i) limits on the movement of people into the country (i.e., tourism); (ii) social mobility and assembly restrictions; and (iii) restrictions on alcohol sales. We used general additive models to assess the relationship between alcohol sales and COVID-19-related restrictions that were specific to alcohol outlets and general restrictions measured by the Government Response Stringency Index. New COVID-19 cases and the number of overnight stays by foreign tourists were also included in the models. The analysis of total sales revenues show that the overall amount of alcohol sold in the Czech Republic decreased due to the COVID-19 related measures and the decrease is best explained by the Government Response Stringency Index. We did not find any relationship between alcohol sales and the number of new COVID-19 cases. The decline in total alcohol sales resulting from the COVID-19 restrictions was not just the result of reduced tourism and restrictions on physical availability of alcohol, but also of restrictions limiting social encounters. This should be considered in future research comparing the trends in different countries and incorporated into plans for controlling the spread of communicable diseases in future epidemics.

Spatial analysis of COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates in northwest iran for future epidemic preparedness

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical need for effective public health strategies to combat infectious diseases. This study examines the epidemiological characteristics and spatial distribution of COVID-19 incidence and mortality in Zanjan Province, northwest Iran, to inform future epidemic preparedness. Using data from 39,739 hospitalized COVID-19 cases recorded between February 2020 and September 2021, sourced from the Medical Care Monitoring Center, we conducted descriptive and geospatial analyses. Demographic, clinical, and spatial variables were analyzed using logistic regression and advanced spatial techniques, including Kernel Density Estimation and Local Moran’s I, to identify risk factors and disease hotspots. Results revealed that women accounted for 52% of cases, with higher incidence rates, while men exhibited higher mortality rates (7.86% vs. 7.80%). Urban areas, particularly the provincial capital, were identified as hotspots, with the highest patient density (20,384 cases per 10 km²). Comorbidities such as HIV/AIDS (OR: 4.85), chronic liver disease (OR: 3.6), chronic blood diseases (OR: 2.8), and cancer (OR: 2.5) significantly increased mortality risk, with ventilator use showing the highest odds ratio for death (OR = 91). Vaccination significantly reduced mortality, with fully vaccinated individuals experiencing a 6.3% mortality rate compared to 8.1% in unvaccinated individuals. Spatial analysis highlighted population density and mobility as key drivers of disease spread. These findings emphasize the importance of integrating spatial and epidemiological data to enhance pandemic preparedness. Targeted interventions in urban hotspots, early detection systems, and prioritizing vaccination for high-risk populations are critical for mitigating future outbreaks. This study provides a foundation for evidence-based public health strategies to strengthen global epidemic response and improve preparedness for future health crises.

PROPER MANAGEMENT REQUIRED TO UPLIFT THE ECONOMY AND BUSINESS HOUSES AFTER THE PANDEMIC

The lives of people have been shattered after the corona uprise. With very cases detected initially in the capital the lives of people got affected and the second thing that was affected badly is the economy. Be it International or National, trades were decreasing and suddenly after the increase in COVID cases, it led to the implementation of lockdown announced by the PM of India. Life came to a sudden halt as the people got stuck in their homes and the Market that is shops, offices, malls, etc were all closed. Business houses incurred huge losses and suffered a lot during this pandemic. Stocks became obsolete, people became jobless and transportation was closed. The whole cycle needed to run the supply chain was hindered because of the closure, but the business houses did have to pay their fixed incomes such as salaries of employees, rent, maintenance, etc. which in whole was not easy and need to overcome as soon as possible. After the reduction in the number of cases and the development of the corona vaccine the market is slowly reviving and proper management is necessary to uplift the economy and help the business houses to recover and come on track. Case: During the Pandemic, there was a serious shortage of various equipment like Masks, Sanitizers, Ventilators, etc. some came up with very innovative, prompt, and cost-effective ideas among them were Mr. Gupta. Mr. Pankaj Gupta is the Managing Partner of Singapore-based “EthAum Venture Partners” (Chengappa, 2020). Ventilators that are much more capable of pumping 2000ml oxygen per minute support a bodyweight of max 280 kgs no one have that much weight. He came up with the lifesaving idea of splitting the oxygen supply to four people. Utilizing the underutilized ventilator saved millions of lives during the Pandemic.

Rasionalisasi Mistisisme dalam Tradisi Baberten Sebagai Bentuk Menangkal Penyakit di Desa Pinggir Papas

Pinggir Papas Village has attracted attention because it has succeeded in preventing COVID-19 cases while maintaining their local traditions. This happened during the COVID-19 pandemic which hit the whole world and amid globalization. To remain relevant within the framework of Islamic teachings and today's modern world, the baberten tradition, which is considered part of the local cultural heritage and beliefs, needs to be rationalized. This research aims to interpret the baberten tradition in Pinggir Papas Village, Kalianget District, as well as the rationalization of mysticism as a method of disease prevention. By using qualitative methods and an ethnographic approach, the data and research data sources come from the baberten tradition and sources as well as baberten tradition activities. The baberten ritual is performed twice a year, with three different processions. This ritual has certain goals and symbols. Three main components are involved in value rationalization, (1) offerings, (2) reading prayers, mantras and Surah At-Taubah, and (3) night journey. The research findings show that rationalizing the values ​​of the baberten tradition can give rise to a more reasonable understanding of the values ​​of mysticism and allow baberten to continue without eliminating the religious principles adhered to by the residents of Pinggir Papas Village. Thus, this research provides a foundation for the sustainability and maintenance of cultural heritage in Pinggir Papas Village and makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the dynamics between local traditions, Islamic religious teachings, and contemporary challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Microglia dysfunction, neurovascular inflammation and focal neuropathologies are linked to IL-1- and IL-6-related systemic inflammation in COVID-19

COVID-19 is associated with diverse neurological abnormalities, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. We hypothesized that microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, are centrally involved in this process. To study this, we developed an autopsy platform allowing the integration of molecular anatomy, protein and mRNA datasets in postmortem mirror blocks of brain and peripheral organ samples from cases of COVID-19. We observed focal loss of microglial P2Y12R, CX3CR1–CX3CL1 axis deficits and metabolic failure at sites of virus-associated vascular inflammation in severely affected medullary autonomic nuclei and other brain areas. Microglial dysfunction is linked to mitochondrial injury at sites of excessive synapse and myelin phagocytosis and loss of glutamatergic terminals, in line with proteomic changes of synapse assembly, metabolism and neuronal injury. Furthermore, regionally heterogeneous microglial changes are associated with viral load and central and systemic inflammation related to interleukin (IL)-1 or IL-6 via virus-sensing pattern recognition receptors and inflammasomes. Thus, SARS-CoV-2-induced inflammation might lead to a primarily gliovascular failure in the brain, which could be a common contributor to diverse COVID-19-related neuropathologies.

Variability of COVID-19 mortality in Honduras: influence of sociodemographic factors

BackgroundIn Central America, Honduras experienced a significant increase in SARS-CoV-2 infections between March 11, 2020, and January 26, 2022. Although limited research has been conducted on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations in Central American countries, this study seeks to contribute to the existing body of knowledge in the region. The objective of this study was to investigate the variability of COVID-19 mortality in Honduras and the impact of sociodemographic factors.MethodsA cross-sectional and ecological study, using data from cases collected by the National Risk Management System (SINAGER) and recorded by the Demographic Observatory of the National Autonomous University of Honduras (ODU) between March 11, 2020, and January 26, 2022. Sociodemographic variables were obtained from the 2013 XVII Population and VI Housing Census by the National Institute of Statistics (INE). Age-adjusted case and COVID-19 mortality rates by sex were calculated. To explain the potential causes of variability, multilevel logistic regression models were constructed, considering individual and contextual variables.ResultsA total of 513,416 COVID-19 cases were included, of which 98% (503,176) survived and 2% (10,240) died. The results showed differences in COVID-19 mortality rates between municipalities and departments. The multilevel model revealed that age (OR: 1.0737; 95% CI: [1.0726; 1.0749]) and sex (OR: 0.7434; 95% CI: [0.7027; 0.7841]) were significantly associated with COVID-19 mortality, with men being more likely to die. Among departments, the significant contextual factors were the illiteracy rate and the percentage of the rural population, both of which were associated with higher COVID-19 mortality (OR: 1.0850; 95% CI: [1.0511; 1.1189] and OR: 1.0234; 95% CI: [1.0146; 1.0323]), while the percentage of the active population (working age people) was associated with a decrease in COVID-19 mortality (OR: 0.9768; 95% CI: [0.9591; 0.9944]). The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) showed a reduction in variability attributable to the variation between departments, with a final ICC of 0.68%.ConclusionsDifferences in COVID-19 mortality were found between the different departments, partly explained by sociodemographic factors. The results of this study show that, in addition to individual characteristics, population-level socioeconomic and educational factors influence COVID-19 mortality. Multilevel analysis is highly useful for providing evidence to improve approaches in future pandemics.

Community participation in COVID-19 prevention and control

&lt;span&gt;Community-based health protocols are essential strategies for prevention and control of COVID-19 and community participation is an essential contribution of communities during the pandemic. This study assessed community participation to COVID-19 prevention and control activities among barangays in a component city in northern Philippines. This descriptive-quantitative research was conducted in six barangays with the least and most COVID-19 cases in 2021. Barangay residents, officials and health workers were surveyed about community participation using five process indicators namely needs assessment, leadership, organization, resource mobilization and management. A high level of community participation towards COVID-19 prevention and control activities was seen in the barangays with leadership having the highest mean (4.23) and resource mobilization having the lowest mean (3.44). Leadership was significantly the same among all barangays while organization, management, needs assessment and resource mobilization significantly differed according to type of barangay, COVID-19 prevalence and population size. The researchers conclude that there is strong community participation of barangays towards COVID-19 prevention and control activities especially along leadership. However, the capacity of barangays to contribute, mobilize and distribute resources must be improved to maximize community prevention and control of COVID-19.&lt;/span&gt;

Assessment of COVID-19 incidence after performing pulmonary function tests during the pandemic: Findings from a real-life cohort.

Assessment of COVID-19 incidence after performing pulmonary function tests during the pandemic: Findings from a real-life cohort.

Association of IL10 gene SNVs rs1800896 (A>G), rs1800871 (C>T), rs1800872 (C>A) and haplotypes with COVID-19 severity and outcome in the Brazilian population.

Association of IL10 gene SNVs rs1800896 (A>G), rs1800871 (C>T), rs1800872 (C>A) and haplotypes with COVID-19 severity and outcome in the Brazilian population.

Association between public demand and sentiment and the newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 from 2020 to 2023: A time series and lag-correlation analysis

Association between public demand and sentiment and the newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 from 2020 to 2023: A time series and lag-correlation analysis

Association between excess mortality due to COVID-19, full vaccination coverage, smoking, hypertension, and gross domestic product per capita/purchasing power parity across 10 Southeast Asian Countries.

Association between excess mortality due to COVID-19, full vaccination coverage, smoking, hypertension, and gross domestic product per capita/purchasing power parity across 10 Southeast Asian Countries.

Implementation of a cascade training model to enhance emergency care capacity of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 outbreak in Uganda.

Implementation of a cascade training model to enhance emergency care capacity of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 outbreak in Uganda.

Prognostic significance of cytokine dysregulation in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Prognostic significance of cytokine dysregulation in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Wastewater-based epidemiology framework: Collaborative modeling for sustainable disease surveillance.

Many wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) programs are being implemented worldwide due to their usefulness in monitoring residents' health. Modeling wastewater dynamics in outbreak scenarios can provide important data for designing wastewater surveillance plans. For outbreak modeling to be effective, researchers must coordinate with public health authorities and laboratory services, using frameworks to ensure that their modeling and output data are relevant for informed decision-making. However, theoretical and institutional frameworks typically omit modeling, and the connection between theoretical frameworks and models is often unrecognized. A framework that surpasses theoretical conceptualization for promoting collaboration between actors by integrating modeling can achieve the required synchrony toward sustainable wastewater surveillance plans. First, we build on an existing theoretical framework to create a collaborative framework that integrates modeling and suggests stakeholder activities for designing WBE programs. Then, we demonstrate our framework for developing a WBE plan via a COVID-19 case study where we answer when, how often, and where to sample wastewater to detect and monitor an outbreak. We evaluate the results in space and time for three outbreak phases (early detection, peak, and tail). The modeling outputs indicate the need for different sampling strategies for these outbreak phases. Our results also quantify the differences in the likelihood of capturing viral events in wastewater between the sampling hours at different disease phases for COVID-19 and various spatial locations in the sewer network. This framework lays the foundation for sustainable WBE to improve the detection efficiency of wastewater surveillance plans.

The immune response to SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 as a recall response susceptible to immune imprinting: A prospective cohort study.

The immune response to SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 as a recall response susceptible to immune imprinting: A prospective cohort study.