Incidence Of COVID-19 Research Articles

Rationale for Vaccination against COVID-19 among Elderly and Senile People with Comorbid Conditions

Relevance. COVID-19 vaccination reduces mortality and the course of severe diseases. However, there is an insufficiency of studies evaluating factors leading to infection among COVID-19 vaccinated individuals.Aim. Identification of epidemiological features that distinguish cases of the disease in vaccinated and unvaccinated cohorts.Materials and methods. The analysis of the incidence of COVID-19 in 1126 hospitalized patients in the period from 23.06.2021 to 01.05.2022 was carried out taking into account the presence or absence of vaccination against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.Results. It was found that the risk of COVID-19 getting sick in the unimmunized was 1.5 times higher than in the vaccinated (p < 0.05). The incidence of hospitalization, due to the severity of the condition (moderate, severe and extremely severe), in unvaccinated people with no history of comorbidities, is more than 3 times higher than in vaccinated people (p < 0.05) in the same group. The probability of death from COVID-19 among vaccinated people is 1.5 times lower than among unimmunized people (p < 0.05). The age characteristic of mortality in vaccinated people shifts to the «senile» age (76.93 ± 1.32), while among the unimmunized, the age of death is closer to the category of «elderly» (73.74 ± 1.39 years) (p ≤ 0.05). In the structure of mortality among the vaccinated, the main share was made up of patients with a history of 3 to 7 concomitant systemic diseases (66.7%), while among the unvaccinated, the main share (74.5%) were patients either without comorbidities or with a history of 1 to 2 concomitant diseases.Conclusion. The results of the epidemiological features of the COVID-2 epidemic process have shown that vaccination against the SARS-CoV-2 virus is vital for elderly and senile people with comorbid conditions.

The COVID-19 Epidemic Process in Long-Term Care Facilities in Moscow

Relevance. COVID-19 remains an urgent disease for long-term care institutions (LTCI), because local outbreaks of COVID-19 continue to be registered in 2022 and in 2023.Aims. To study the epidemic process of COVID-19 in LTCI (nursing homes, neuropsychiatric boarding schools) in Moscow for 2020–2022.Materials and methods. The analysis of the epidemic process of COVID-19 in LTCI was carried out for the period 2020–2022. Data of Automatic information system «Department of Registration and Accounting of Infectious Diseases was used: 5390 COVID-19 residents and employees of 28 institutions in Moscow and 3,239,617 residents of Moscow; 15 acts of epidemiological investigation of the focus of infectious disease in the period from 2020 to 2022.Results. In total, 9 increases in the incidence of COVID-19 were registered. The first rise was the most intense, which affected morbidity (81.14 per 1,000 beds per week), indicators of activity of epidemic foci (KO – 100%, IO – 21.08, R – 20.08), mortality (for 2020 – 32.6%). In the first rise of morbidity in nursing homes, there is a direct correlation of a high degree of connection with the morbidity of the population of Moscow (r = 0.906), and for subsequent rises there is a noticeable relationship (r = 0.580) at p<0.05. From 2 to 9 rises, the incidence tended to decrease. All the rises of COVID-19 occurred due to the formation of foci in institutions where the source of infection was employees. For 2020–2022, the proportion of severe cases of infection with a fatal outcome among residents ranged from 14.6 ±6.7% to 31.8 ± 6.5%.Conclusion. The analysis of the manifestations of the COVID-19 epidemic process in long-term care institutions in Moscow for 2020–2022 allowed us to distinguish two stages of morbidity.

Analysis of the Causes and Conditions for the Formation of a High Incidence of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) in the Population of the Altai Krai (Part 1. Features of Long-Term and Intra-Annual Dynamics of ARI Incidence in 2011–2021)

Relevance. The Altai Krai (AK) is among the least prosperous subjects of the Russian Federation in terms of the incidence of acute respiratory infections (ARI).Aim: to analyze the causes and conditions for the formation of a high incidence of ARI among the population of the Altai Krai based on an assessment of the long-term and intra-annual dynamics of the epidemic process in 2011–2021.Materials and methods. In the course of a retrospective epidemiological study according to the annual forms No. 2 of the state statistical observation (SOS) for 2011-2021 a comparative analysis of the incidence of ARI and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in various groups of the population of the AK, the Siberian federal district (SFD) and the population of the Russian Federation as a whole was carried out. Data for 2020–2021 («covid» period) was analyzed separately in comparison with the precovid period of 2011–2019. The intra-annual dynamics of the incidence of ARI and CAP in the AK were studied using the method of trend-seasonal decomposition according to the monthly forms No. 2 of the SOS.Results and discussion. It is established that in 2011–2021. the epidemic process of ARI in the AK was characterized by a higher level and rate of increase in the incidence of all population groups (adults and children, urban and rural) compared to the all-Russian and average for the Siberian Federal District; a higher proportion of children in the overall structure of ARI cases, despite the fact that the proportion of the child population did not exceed (or was even less) than in other regions; no decrease in the incidence of ARI in children in the period 2020–2021; the presence of a trend towards an increase in the incidence of ARI in both urban and rural residents in the pre-covid period; higher incidence in the rural population in 2011–2019 compared to the whole of the Russian Federation or the Siberian Federal District. A less pronounced role of the seasonal component in the registration of CAP was revealed, in comparison with ARI. In some years, an increase in the registration of CAP was observed in the spring-summer period. For 2020-2021 there was a close coincidence of the curves of the intra-annual dynamics of the registered incidence of ARI and COVID-19 among the general population, CAP and COVID-19.Conclusion. The obtained results indicate the need to study the possible impact of environmental factors, as well as the shortcomings of the etiological interpretation and differential diagnosis of some natural focal and zoonotic infections that occur with fever and respiratory symptoms on the formation of a high incidence of ARI in the Altai Territory.

Clinical Manifestations of COVID-19 in Different Periods of the Pandemic in Persons from Occupational Risk Groups of Infection

Relevance. One of the most affected by the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) groups of the population were medical workers who have high risks of infection in the performance of professional dutiesAim. Analysis the clinical manifestations of COVID–19 in different periods of the pandemic in medical organizations, taking into account the genetic variability of circulating strains of SARSCoV- 2 and vaccination status.Materials and methods. To study the clinical manifestations of coronavirus infection, an online survey of medical workers in a large industrial region was conducted in March 2022 using a specially designed anonymous questionnaire. The total number of respondents was 3,078. Clinical manifestations were analyzed during five epidemic rises in the incidence of COVID-19 from March 2020 to March 2022. To assess the SARS-CoV-2 virus strains circulating in the region, data from the GISAID database (the first and second waves of the pandemic, n = 298) and the results of PCR studies in the laboratory of UMMC-Health LLC (third - fifth waves, n = 349) were used.Results and discussion. In the first and second epidemic rises of morbidity associated with SARS-CoV-2 strains B.1. and B.1.1, the structure of clinical forms did not significantly differ: 3.6% and 3.9% were asymptomatic forms, 61.3% – variants of acute respiratory infection (AR I) and 35.1% and 34.8% - pneumonia, accordingly. In the third epidemic upsurge caused by the Delta variant (V.1.617.2), the structure of clinical forms did not undergo significant changes. In the fourth epidemic rise in morbidity, also associated with the spread of the Delta variant, the share of ARI in the structure of clinical forms increased to 77.0%, and pneumonia decreased to 21.3%.In the fifth wave of the pandemic caused by the Omicron gene variant (B.1.1.529), there was an increase to 91.3% of the proportion of mild clinical forms and a decrease to 7.1% of forms with lung damage. The frequency of detection of general infectious symptoms, upper respiratory tract lesions and neurological manifestations of COVID-19 had statistically significant differences in different periods of the pandemic. Whereas the frequency of gastrointestinal disorders did not significantly differ. The high clinical efficacy of vaccination has been shown – in ter ms of a 3.6-fold reduction in the chances of developing moderate and severe forms of the disease.Conclusion. Based on the results of the study, new data were obtained on the features of the clinical manifestations of COVID-19 in different periods of the pandemic with the change of genetic variants of the pathogen and the role of vaccination in preventing the development of moderate and severe clinical forms of infection was shown.

The Predicted Potential Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Tuberculosis Epidemic in Tamil Nadu, South India.

To estimate the prevalence and incidence of TB before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Tamil Nadu, south India. In the present study, the effect of COVID-19 epidemiology on the TB epidemic was assessed by the SEIR (Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovered), a compartmental epidemiological model. The model input parameters on compartments of TB and incidence of COVID-19 were collected from the published literature. Based on the data collected, point prevalence and incidence of TB per 100,000 population is calculated with and without COVID-19. A prediction was conducted up to 2025, trend analysis was performed, and a trend chi-square test and chi-square test of independence were used to test the difference between the prevalence with and without COVID-19. R software 2000 (R 4.0.0) was used for analysis. The TB prevalence without and with COVID-19 decreases from 289 in 2020 to 271 in 2025 and from 289 in 2020 to 269 in 2025, respectively. Similarly, the incidence of TB was decreasing from 144 in 2020 to 135 in 2025 without COVID-19 and 143 in 2020 to 134 in 2025 with COVID-19. Though the TB burden is decreasing over the years, the trend was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). With respect to the district level, the prevalence and incidence of TB with and without COVID-19 is also found to be decreasing over the years. It was also found that the difference in the prevalence and incidence of TB with and without COVID-19 was not statically significant. The results of our study shows that there was an annual decline of around 2% from 2020 to 2025 in the trend of the prevalence and incidence of TB with and without COVID-19. Overall, there is a reduction, but it was not significant, and there is no significant effect of COVID-19 on TB in Tamil Nadu.

Spatiotemporal association between COVID-19 incidence and type 1 diabetes incidence among children and adolescents: a register-based ecological study in Germany.

Studies have shown an increased incidence of pediatric type 1 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the detailed role of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the incidence increase in type 1 diabetes remains unclear. We investigated the spatiotemporal association of pediatric type 1 diabetes and COVID-19 incidence at the district level in Germany. For the period from March 2020 to June 2022, nationwide data on incident type 1 diabetes among children and adolescents aged <20 years and daily documented COVID-19 infections in the total population were obtained from the German Diabetes Prospective Follow-up Registry and the Robert Koch Institute, respectively. Data were aggregated at district level and seven time periods related to COVID-19 pandemic waves. Spatiotemporal associations between indirectly standardized incidence rates of type 1 diabetes and COVID-19 were analyzed by Spearman correlation and Bayesian spatiotemporal conditional autoregressive Poisson models. Standardized incidence ratios of type 1 diabetes and COVID-19 in the pandemic period were not significantly correlated across districts and time periods. A doubling of the COVID-19 incidence rate was not associated with a significant increase in the incidence rate of type 1 diabetes (relative risk 1.006, 95% CI 0.987; 1.019). Our findings based on data from the pandemic period indirectly indicate that a causal relationship between SARS-COV-2 infection and type 1 diabetes among children and adolescents is unlikely.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Global TAVR Activity: The COVID-TAVI Study

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected health care systems. Patients in need of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are especially susceptible to treatment delays. ObjectivesThis study sought to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global TAVR activity. MethodsThis international registry reported monthly TAVR case volume in participating institutions prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic (January 2018 to December 2021). Hospital-level information on public vs private, urban vs rural, and TAVR volume was collected, as was country-level information on socioeconomic status, COVID-19 incidence, and governmental public health responses. ResultsWe included 130 centers from 61 countries, including 65,980 TAVR procedures. The first and second pandemic waves were associated with a significant reduction of 15% (P < 0.001) and 7% (P < 0.001) in monthly TAVR case volume, respectively, compared with the prepandemic period. The third pandemic wave was not associated with reduced TAVR activity. A greater reduction in TAVR activity was observed in Africa (−52%; P = 0.001), Central-South America (−33%; P < 0.001), and Asia (−29%; P < 0.001). Private hospitals (P = 0.005), urban areas (P = 0.011), low-volume centers (P = 0.002), countries with lower development (P < 0.001) and economic status (P < 0.001), higher COVID-19 incidence (P < 0.001), and more stringent public health restrictions (P < 0.001) experienced a greater reduction in TAVR activity. ConclusionsTAVR procedural volume declined substantially during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in Africa, Central-South America, and Asia. National socioeconomic status, COVID-19 incidence, and public health responses were associated with treatment delays. This information should inform public health policy in case of future global health crises.

Reconstructing the COVID-19 incidence in India using airport screening data in Japan.

A major epidemic of COVID-19 caused by the Delta variant (B.1.617.2) occurred in India from March to July 2021, resulting in 19 million documented cases. Given the limited healthcare and testing capacities, the actual number of infections is likely to have been greater than reported, and several modelling studies and excess mortality research indicate that this epidemic involved substantial morbidity and mortality. To estimate the incidence during this epidemic, we used border entry screening data in Japan to estimate the daily incidence and cumulative incidence of COVID-19 infection in India. Analysing the results of mandatory testing among non-Japanese passengers entering Japan from India, we calculated the prevalence and then backcalculated the incidence in India from February 28 to July 3, 2021. The estimated number of infections ranged from 448 to 576 million people, indicating that 31.8% (95% confidence interval (CI): 26.1, 37.7) - 40.9% (95% CI: 33.5, 48.4) of the population in India had experienced COVID-19 infection from February 28 to July 3, 2021. In addition to obtaining cumulative incidence that was consistent with published estimates, we showed that the actual incidence of COVID-19 infection during the 2021 epidemic in India was approximately 30 times greater than that based on documented cases, giving a crude infection fatality risk of 0.47%. Adjusting for test-negative certificate before departure, the quality control of which was partly questionable, the cumulative incidence can potentially be up to 2.3-2.6 times greater than abovementioned estimates. Our estimate of approximately 32-41% cumulative infection risk from February 28 to July 3, 2021 is roughly consistent with other published estimates, and they can potentially be greater, given an exit screening before departure. The present study results suggest the potential utility of border entry screening data to backcalculate the incidence in countries with limited surveillance capacity owing to a major surge in infections.

Incidence of COVID-19 in general surgery emergency and complications associated in different types of management

Background COVID-19 disease causes complications that are classified according to likelihood to high such as venous thromboembolism, acute kidney injury, and postintensive care syndrome. Other complications are low in likelihood such as cytokine release syndrome, pancreatic injury, gastrointestinal complications, and pregnancy-related complications. Mortality and morbidity are really high when it is combined with surgical intervention especially under general anesthesia. Objectives To evaluate the incidence of COVID-19 in general surgery emergency and complications associated in different types of management. Patient and method This is a retrospective study from June 2020 to January 2021 including all COVID-19 positive cases admitted in general surgery department during previously mentioned period. Before September 2020, screening for COVID was based on swab for only clinically suspected COVID-positive patients. Starting from September 2020, routine swab to all admitted patients was done. All data collected about included cases in study underwent statistical analysis to get results. Results In this study, incidence of COVID-19 is 1.35%, mortality incidence is 26.4% (about 92.9% of mortality cases underwent surgery) and morbidity incidence is 30.2%. About 74% (73.6%) of positive cases improved and discharged. Management of cases is according to guidelines of management to each disease and decision of ER consultant. About 77.4% of cases are managed surgically; about 70.7% of cases operated upon underwent exploration. However, 60.4% of cases are admitted with sepsis and septic shock. Asymptomatic cases for COVID during admission are 26.4%. Conclusion Incidence of COVID-19 in acute general surgery emergency in Kasr Al-Ainy is not that high. However, cases operated upon in the era of COVID are associated with high incidence of mortality. Cases are presented to our institute late, which might be an effect of lock down.

Is There a Spatial Relation between COVID-19 Incidents and Unemployment? A Case of East Java Province, Indonesia

The COVID-19 outbreak, although primarily considered a public health crisis, has significantly impacted the labor market. On account of the restrictions imposed, many companies have been forced to cease operations or reduce their activities. In addition to transitioning to remote work, employees often encounter temporary or permanent job loss. The primary objective of this investigation is to examine the spatial configuration exhibited by COVID-19 incidents and the spatial pattern of unemployment, as well as the spatial correlation of COVID-19 with unemployment in East Java Province. In this research, the analytical approach employed involves the utilization of Moran Index analysis. The study results show that the spatial pattern of COVID-19 incidents and the spatial pattern of unemployment in East Java Province are clustered, where districts with an increased number of COVID-19 incidents surround districts with a high number of COVID-19 incidents. Similar to this is the situation with unemployment, where high-unemployment areas surround low-unemployment areas. The results of the spatial relationship between COVID-19 incidents and unemployment show a positive value, which means there is a spatial correlation among the incidence of COVID-19 and unemployment in the districts of East Java Province. The government implements policies relating to lockdowns and similar measures to mitigate the spread and transmission of COVID-19. An effective strategy would involve targeting regions nearby where districts exhibiting a high prevalence of COVID-19 incidents coincide with districts characterized by a heightened concentration of unemployed individuals. Consequently, as the number of COVID-19 incidents diminishes, a corollary reduction in unemployment rates is anticipated, attributable to the resumption of economic activities facilitated by the reopening of businesses.

Sociodemographic inequalities in the incidence of COVID-19 in National Household Sample Survey cohort, Brazil, 2020

RESUMO Objetivo: Verificar a associação entre fatores sociodemográficos e o tempo até a ocorrência de novos casos de COVID-19 e de testes positivos para Sars-CoV-2 no Brasil, durante o período de maio a novembro de 2020, com base em uma coorte dos brasileiros participantes da Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios COVID-19. Métodos: Foi constituída uma coorte concorrente e fechada utilizando dados mensais da Pnad COVID-19, realizada por inquérito telefônico. Um caso novo foi definido com base no relato da ocorrência de um quadro de síndrome gripal, associado à perda de olfato ou paladar; e a positividade foi definida com base no relato de um teste positivo, entre os que referiram ter sido testados. Foram aplicados modelos de regressão de Cox para verificar associações, considerando a ponderação amostral, calibrada para a distribuição etária, de sexos e de escolaridade. Resultados: A incidência acumulada de casos na coorte fixa geral foi de 2,4%, enquanto a de testes positivos na coorte fixa testada foi de 27,1%. Verificou-se maiores riscos nas regiões Centro-Oeste, Norte e Nordeste, entre mulheres, residentes em áreas urbanas, pessoas com escolaridade até o ensino médio, com a cor da pele declarada como preta e trabalhadores da área da saúde. Indivíduos com menor escolaridade e profissionais de saúde apresentaram maior frequência de novos testes positivos. Novos testes positivos ocorreram com maior frequência em indivíduos com menor escolaridade e trabalhadores da área da saúde. Conclusão: Foram observados riscos desiguais entre os estratos populacionais comparados. Destaca-se a importância da realização de inquéritos nacionais prospectivos na investigação de iniquidades em saúde.

Correlation of public mobility and Covid-19 incidence in Indonesia during six phases of restriction policy implementation

Public mobility is considered one of the factors thought to impact the transmission of SARS-CoV2. The Indonesian government has imposed six mobility restriction policies since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to cope this situation, however there has been no comprehensive evaluation of this program. This study aimed to examine the correlation between mobility and the incidence of COVID-19 during the implementation of this policy in Indonesia. Secondary data on public mobility, acquired through the Google Community Mobility Reports, and data on COVID-19 new cases, recorded on the COVID Task Force website, were utilized from 2 March 2020 to 20 July 2021.The analysis in this study was carried out using the Pearson correlation test with an alternative Spearman correlation test. The result reported a positive correlation between COVID-19 cases and mobility in certain places, such as in Grocery Store and Transit Station (r = 0.75; p-value &lt;0.001; r = 0.62 p-value &lt;0.001) while there was negative correlation in residential area (r= - 0.276 p-value &lt; 0.001). Public mobility is found to be correlated with an increase in COVID-19 cases during the six phases of restriction policy implementation. In conclusion, regulating public mobility is important to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

Sociodemographic inequalities in the incidence of COVID-19 in National Household Sample Survey cohort, Brazil, 2020.

To verify the association between sociodemographic factors and the time until the occurrence of new cases of COVID-19 and positive tests for SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil, during the period from May to November 2020, based on a cohort of Brazilians participating in the COVID-19 National Household Sample Survey. A concurrent and closed cohort was created using monthly data from the PNAD COVID-19, carried out via telephone survey. A new case was defined based on the report of the occurrence of a flu-like syndrome, associated with loss of smell or taste; and positivity was defined based on the report of a positive test, among those who reported having been tested. Cox regression models were applied to verify associations. The analyzes took into account sample weighting, calibrated for age, gender and education distribution. The cumulative incidence of cases in the overall fixed cohort was 2.4%, while that of positive tests in the fixed tested cohort was 27.1%. Higher incidences were observed in the North region, in females, in residents of urban areas and in individuals with black skin color. New positive tests occurred more frequently in individuals with less education and healthcare workers. The importance of prospective national surveys is highlighted, contributing to detailed analyzes of social inequalities in reports focused on public health policies.

Interaction Between Genetic Susceptibility and COVID-19 Pathogenesis in Pediatric Multisystem Inflammatory Disorders: The Role of Immune Responses.

Numerous studies have highlighted the emergence of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) symptoms reminiscent of Kawasaki disease in children, including fever, heightened multisystem inflammation, and multiorgan involvement, posing a life-threatening complication. Consequently, extensive research endeavors in pediatric have aimed to elucidate the intricate relationship between COVID-19 infection and the immune system. COVID-19 profoundly impacts immune cells, culminating in a cytokine storm that particularly inflicts damage on the pulmonary system. The gravity and vulnerability to COVID-19 are closely intertwined with the vigor of the immune response. In this context, the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecule assumes pivotal significance in shaping immune responses. Genetic scrutiny of HLA has unveiled the presence of at least one deleterious allele in children afflicted with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Furthermore, research has demonstrated that COVID-19 exploits the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) receptor, transmembrane serine protease type 2, and various other genes to gain entry into host cells, with individuals harboring ACE-2 polymorphisms being at higher risk. Pediatric studies have employed diverse genetic methodologies, such as genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and whole exome sequencing, to scrutinize target genes. These investigations have pinpointed two specific genomic loci linked to the severity and susceptibility of COVID-19, with the HLA locus emerging as a notable risk factor. In this comprehensive review article, we endeavor to assess the available evidence and consolidate data, offering insights into current clinical practices and delineating avenues for future research. Our objective is to advance early diagnosis, stabilization, and appropriate management strategies to mitigate genetic susceptibility's impact on the incidence of COVID-19 in pediatric patients with multisystem inflammation.

Effectiveness of XBB.1.5 Vaccines Against Omicron Subvariants

Background: The updated Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Novavax COVID-19 vaccines containing the SARS-CoV-2 omicron XBB.1.5 strain have replaced their predecessors in the United States and in other countries since the fall of 2023. The clinical impact of these vaccines on currently circulating variants was unknown. Aims: We aimed to assess the effectiveness of the updated XBB.1.5 vaccines against currently circulating omicron subvariants. Methods: We examined data on the administration of XBB.1.5 vaccines and the incidence of COVID-19 between September 11 and November 27, 2023 for approximately 2 million persons by linking records from the Nebraska Electronic Disease Surveillance System and the Nebraska State Immunization Information System. We used Cox regression to estimate the effects of XBB.1.5 vaccines on the risk of COVID-19, as a function of time elapsed since vaccination, while adjusting for demographic factors, previous infection history, and previous vaccination history. Results: The effectiveness (i.e., proportionate reduction of risk) for XBB.1.5 vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 infection was 63.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 48.6 to 73.4) 4 weeks after vaccination and 67.1% (95% CI, 49.9 to 78.4) 6 weeks after vaccination; vaccine effectiveness started to decline after 6 weeks. Vaccine effectiveness was broadly similar across subgroups defined by age, sex, race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and previous immunity status. Conclusion: XBB.1.5 vaccines were effective against currently circulating variants, regardless of age, sex, race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or previous immunity status. These findings can be used to develop effective prevention strategies against COVID-19.

COVID-19 could accelerate the decline in recreational hunting: A natural experiment from Northern Italy.

Although many studies highlighted the potential of COVID-19 to reshape existing models of wildlife management, empirical research on this topic has been scarce, particularly in Europe. We investigated the potential of COVID-19 pandemic to accelerate the ongoing decline in an aging population of recreational hunters in Italy. Namely, we modelled spatiotemporal trends between 2011 and 2021 in the number of recreational hunters in 50 Italian provinces with a varying incidence of COVID-19, and temporally delayed waves of infection. Compared to projections from 2011-2019 data, we detected a lower number of hunters who enrolled for the hunting season, both in 2020 (14 provinces) and in 2021 (15 provinces). The provinces with the highest incidence of COVID-19 in the Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna regions were also those experiencing the most marked decrease in hunting participation. Our findings revealed that a wildlife management system based on recreational hunting can be rapidly destabilized by epidemics and their associated public health measures, particularly when the average age of hunters is high, like in Italy. Considered the high incidence attained by COVID-19 in many European countries, where hunters are pivotal for the management of large ungulates and where they were already declining before the pandemic, our findings call for further large-scale research about the impact of COVID-19 on hunting participation.

Global trends in COVID-19 incidence and case fatality rates (2019-2023): a retrospective analysis.

Analyzing and comparing COVID-19 infection and case-fatality rates across different regions can help improve our response to future pandemics. We used public data from the WHO to calculate and compare the COVID-19 infection and case-fatality rates in different continents and income levels from 2019 to 2023. The Global prevalence of COVID-19 increased from 0.011 to 0.098, while case fatality rates declined from 0.024 to 0.009. Europe reported the highest cumulative infection rate (0.326), with Africa showing the lowest (0.011). Conversely, Africa experienced the highest cumulative case fatality rates (0.020), with Oceania the lowest (0.002). Infection rates in Asia showed a steady increase in contrast to other continents which observed initial rises followed by decreases. A correlation between economic status and infection rates was identified; high-income countries had the highest cumulative infection rate (0.353) and lowest case fatality rate (0.006). Low-income countries showed low cumulative infection rates (0.006) but the highest case fatality rate (0.016). Initially, high and upper-middle-income countries experienced elevated initial infection and case fatality rates, which subsequently underwent significant reductions. COVID-19 rates varied significantly by continent and income level. Europe and the Americas faced surges in infections and low case fatality rates. In contrast, Africa experienced low infection rates and higher case fatality rates, with lower- and middle-income nations exceeding case fatality rates in high-income countries over time.

Влияние вакцинации против гриппа, пневмококковой инфекции и SARS-CoV-2 на заболеваемость и тяжесть течения COVID‑19 у медицинских работников отдельного учреждения (эпидемиологические исследования)

Objective. To study the effect of influenza, pneumococcal and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination on the incidence and severity of COVID-19 course in health care workers. Patients and Methods. We examined 547 health care workers divided into group 1 (no history of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination, n = 281) and groups vaccinated between August and October 2020 (before SARS-CoV-2 epidemic II): Group 2 against influenza (n = 98), Group 3 against pneumococcal infection (n = 60), and Group 4 against influenza and pneumococcus (n = 108). Between March and August 2021 (before the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic III outbreak), 98.6% of all employees were vaccinated against COVID-19. We compared COVID-19 incidence rates during Periods II and III epidemic rises (2020–2022) as a function of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination. Results. It was found that with combined vaccination against influenza and pneumococcal infection in the group of medical workers at high risk of infection, the risk of COVID-19 morbidity within 4–5 months was 2 times lower (1.6% vs. 13.2%, p &lt; 0.05) compared to the unvaccinated. Comparative data on COVID-19 incidence in the II and III periods of epidemic rises showed that COVID-19 in medical workers in the III period was registered 36.1% lower in comparison with the index in the II period – 11.2 and 7.1%, respectively (p &lt; 0.05). We found that when comparing II and III periods of epidemic rises among medical workers, the proportion of persons with COVID-19 with moderate forms of disease who received combined vaccination against influenza and pneumococcal infection decreases more than 2-fold (p &lt; 0.05), including in the category with a high risk of infection. Conclusion. The presented data indicate a positive effect of combined vaccination against pneumococcal infection and influenza on the incidence and severity of COVID-19. The proposed approach can be used in public health practice as a method of nonspecific prevention of COVID-19 and other acute respiratory viral infections. Key words: influenza vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine, combined vaccination, epidemic rise, COVID-19

Variation and Predictors of COVID-19 Mortality in Hospitalized Cases in West Sumatra Province, Indonesia: A Retrospective Observational Study

During 2020, the year of the COVID-19 pandemic, different Indonesian provinces had different numbers of COVID-19 infections and fatalities, particularly in West Sumatra Province. This study aimed to investigate the variation of confirmed COVID-19 cases and determine predictors of mortality in hospitalized patients across districts in West Sumatra Province. A retrospective observational study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. From March 2020 to June 2021, 46,005 confirmed cases were collected in the province, of which 42,308 were hospitalized and analyzed. Confirmed cases and deaths were compared by geographic location using spatial analysis. The risk predictors of death were estimated using logistic regression. COVID-19 incidence and mortality varied across cities/districts, with less than 1,000 confirmed cases appearing to be the lowest number. A distinct pattern was visible nonetheless when the incidence density of confirmed cases and deaths was higher. Acute respiratory distress syndrome during the COVID-19 treatment had a higher risk of death (OR = 75.2, 95% CI: 25.6–250). The most significant predictors of death in terms of comorbidity were pneumonia, followed by cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, cardiac disease, and hypertension.

ИСХОДЫ БЕРЕМЕННОСТИ И РОДОВ У ЖЕНЩИН В ПЕРИОД ПАНДЕМИИ COVID-19

Significance. The consequences of Covid-19 coronavirus infection, including in pregnant women, are currently being studied in depth. Analyzing pathological conditions in women during pregnancy against the background of Covid-19 and the outcomes of birth is important for understanding the consequences of the pandemic. A study on health status of pregnant women and the outcomes of birth makes it possible to develop targeted interventions to prevent undesirable consequences and to preserve the life of women and newborns. The purpose of the study is to analyze pregnancy and birth outcomes in women with Covid -19. Material and methods. The authors analyzed the archived labour and delivery records for 2020-2021 at the City Clinical Hospital No.7 of the Ministry of Health of the Udmurt Republic and Maternity Hospital No.5 in Izhevsk, repurposed to provide medical care to pregnant women, women in labor, new mothers and newborns with Covid -19. Analytical and statistical methods of research were applied. Results. The study shows that during the Covid-19 pandemic, Covid-19 incidence among pregnant women also increased. Premature births were most often (increased from 16.2% in 2020 to 18.1% in 2021) registered in women admitted to Maternity Hospital No.5 in Izhevsk. Over the same period, delivery by caesarean section increased from 40.2% to 49.7%. An increase in cases of severe coronavirus infection in pregnant women (from 1.6% in 2020 to 4.7% in 2021) and confirmed cases of Covid -19 in newborns immediately after birth (from 73.9% in 2020 to 80.3% in 2021) is noteworthy. Covid -19 was increasingly associated with severe pre-eclampsia (from 8.5% in 2020 to 11.7% in 2021) and an increase in stillbirths (from 16.9 in 2020 to 23.1 per 1000 births in 2021). In this regard, the frequency of hospitalization of pregnant women to the intensive care unit increased from 3.4% to 7.8%. Conclusion. In the period from 2020-2021 in the Udmurt Republic there was an increase in the frequency of hospitalization of pregnant women to the intensive care unit, as well as delivery by caesarean section. Against the background of severe course of Covid-19 coronavirus infection, there was an increase in the number of transfers of women to the intensive care unit (from 17.4% in 2020 to 20.2% in 2021), premature births (from 16.2% in 2020 to 18.1% in 2021), thromboembolic complications (from 0 in 2020 to 5.8% in 2021) and other complications of pregnancy, emphasizing the need to analyze cases of diseases in comparison with the labour and delivery medical records to develop preventive measures. Scope of application. The study results can be used in the development of preventive measures.