COVID-19 Pandemic Preparedness Research Articles

Healthcare workers’ knowledge, attitude and practices on infection prevention and control in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic at the Faranah regional hospital and associated healthcare centers, Guinea

BackgroundIn response to the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO launched a strategic preparedness and response plan, outlining public health measures to support countries worldwide. Healthcare workers have an increased risk of becoming infected and their behaviour regarding infection prevention and control (IPC) influences infection dynamics. IPC strategies are important across the globe, but even more in low-resource settings where capacities for testing and treatment are limited. Our study aimed to assess and implement COVID-19 pandemic preparedness and response measures in Faranah, Guinea, primarily focusing on healthcare workers’ IPC knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP).MethodsThe study was conducted between April 2020 and April 2021 assessing IPC pandemic preparedness and response measures such as healthcare workers’ KAP, alcohol-based handrub (ABHR) consumption and COVID-19 triaging in the Faranah Regional Hospital and two associated healthcare centres. The assessment was accompanied by IPC training and visual workplace reminders and done in pre- and post- phases to evaluate possible impact of these IPC activities.ResultsThe overall knowledge score in the Faranah Regional Hospital was 32.0 out of 44 at baseline, and did not change in the first, but increased significantly by 3.0 points in the second follow-up. The healthcare workers felt closer proximity to SARS-CoV-2 overtime in addition to higher stress levels in all study sites. There was significant improvement across the observed triaging practices. Hand hygiene compliance showed a significant increase across study sites leading to 80% in Faranah Regional Hospital and 63% in healthcare centers. The average consumption of ABHR per consultation was 3.29 mL with a peak in February 2020 of 23 mL.ConclusionDespite increased stress levels among HCWs, the ongoing IPC partnership well prepared the FRH in terms of triaging processes with a stronger impact on IPC practice than on theoretical knowledge. Throughout the pandemic, global shortages and surges in consumption did not affect the continuous ABHR provision of the FRH. This highlights local ABHR production as a key pandemic preparedness strategy.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS CoV-2) omicron sub-variants in Bangladesh cause mild COVID-19 and associate with similar antibody responses irrespective of natural infection or vaccination history

ObjectiveGenomic surveillance and seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS CoV-2) in Bangladesh is paramount for COVID-19 pandemic preparedness yet lagging the high-income countries due to limited resources. MethodsSARS-CoV-2 variants, COVID-19 symptoms, and serology were prospectively evaluated in a cross-sectional study of Bangladeshi adults testing RT-PCR positive in 2021 and 2022. ResultsSARS CoV-2 Omicron variants of asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 in 2022 replaced Delta variant infections requiring hospitalization and oxygen support. The omicron XBB became predominant in July 2022 and associated with cough, headache or body ache and loss of smell; 47 of 68 (69 %), 30 of 68 (44 %) and 27 of 68 (40 %) respectively at higher frequency than BA.1/BA.2; 16 of 88 (18 %), 13 of 88 (15 %) and 0 of 88 (0 %) p < 0.01, p < 0.01 and p < 0.0001. Linear regression analysis reveals no associations between the number of previous infections and the number of symptoms, r = −0.084, p = 0.68. The anti-nucleoprotein (N)-protein IgG post COVID-19 and anti-Spike (S) protein IgG post-COVID-19 vaccination were similar between BA.2, BA.4/BA.5 and XBB and significantly lower than the levels in delta variant infections (p < 0.001). ConclusionsOmicron XBB subvariants emerged in Bangladesh two months prior to previous reports and include unique patterns of S-protein mutations not assigned in PANGO lineage. The SARS CoV-2 omicron break-through infections persist in the presence of sustained antibody responses and vaccinations, underscoring the importance of molecular surveillance in low-income countries.

Quality improvement collaborative approach to COVID-19 pandemic preparedness in long-term care homes: a mixed-methods implementation study

BackgroundThe devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on long-term care (LTC) homes underscores the importance of effective pandemic preparedness and response. This mixed-methods, implementation science study investigated how a virtual-based...

Stakeholder participation in the COVID-19 pandemic preparedness and response plans: A synthesis of findings from 70 countries

Stakeholder participation is a key component of a fair and equitable priority-setting in health. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for fair and equitable priority setting, and hence, stakeholder participation. To date, there is limited literature on stakeholder participation in the development of the pandemic plans (including the priority setting plans) that were rapidly developed during the pandemic.Drawing on a global study of national COVID-19 preparedness and response plans, we present a secondary analysis of COVID-19 national plans from 70 countries from the six WHO regions, focusing on stakeholder participation.We found that most plans were prepared by the Ministry of Health and acknowledged WHO guidance, however less than half mentioned that additional stakeholders were involved. Few plans described a strategy for stakeholder participation and/or accounted for public participation in the plan preparation. However, diverse stakeholders (including multiple governmental, non-governmental, and international organizations) were proposed to participate in the implementation of the plans. Overall, there was a lack of transparency about who participated in decision-making and limited evidence of meaningful participation of the community, including marginalized groups.The critical relevance of stakeholder participation in priority setting requires that governments develop strategies for meaningful participation of diverse stakeholders during pandemics such as COVID-19, and in routine healthcare priority setting.

Integrated Management Systems (IMS) to Support and Sustain Quality One Health Services: International Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic by the IMIA Primary Care Working Group.

One Health considers human, animal and environment health as a continuum. The COVID-19 pandemic started with the leap of a virus from animals to humans. Integrated management systems (IMS) should provide a coherent management framework, to meet reporting requirements and support care delivery. We report IMS deployment during, and retention post the COVID-19 pandemic, and exemplar One Health use cases. Six volunteer members of the International Medical Association's (IMIA) Primary Care Working Group provided data about any IMS and One Health use to support the COVID-19 pandemic initiatives. We explored how IMS were: (1) Integrated with organisational strategy; (2) Utilised standardised processes, and (3) Met reporting requirements, including public health. Selected contributors provided Unified Modelling Language (UML) use case diagram for a One Health exemplar. There was weak evidence of synergy between IMS and health system strategy to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there were rapid pragmatic responses to COVID-19, not citing IMS. All health systems implemented IMS to link COVID test results, vaccine uptake and outcomes, particularly mortality and to provide patients access to test results and vaccination certification. Neither proportion of gross domestic product alone, nor vaccine uptake determined outcome. One Health exemplars demonstrated that animal, human and environmental specialists could collaborate. IMS use improved the pandemic response. However, IMS use was pragmatic rather than utilising an international standard, with some of their benefits lost post-pandemic. Health systems should incorporate IMS that enables One Health approaches as part of their post COVID-19 pandemic preparedness.

Was priority setting included in the Canadian COVID-19 pandemic planning and preparedness? A comparative analysis of COVID-19 pandemic plans from eight provinces and three territories

BackgroundVariation in priorities during pandemic planning among the federal, provincial and territorial jurisdictions are thought to have impacted Canada's ability to effectively control the spread of the COVID-19 virus, and protect the most vulnerable. The potential influence of diverse and divergent political, cultural, and behavioural factors, regarding inclusion of priority setting (PS) in pandemic preparedness planning across the country is not well understood. This study aimed to examine how the Canadian federal, provincial and territorial COVID-19 pandemic preparedness planning documents integrated PS. MethodsA documentary analysis of the federal, eight provincial, three territorial COVID-19 preparedness and response plans. We assessed the degree to which the documented PS processes fulfilled established quality requirements of effective PS using the Kapiriri & Martin framework. ResultsWhile the federal plan included most of the parameters of effective PS, the provinces and territories reflected few. The lack of obligation for the provinces and territories to emulate the federal plan is one of the possible reasons for the varying inclusion of these parameters. The parameters included did not vary systematically with the jurisdiction's context. ConclusionProvinces could consider using the framework of the federal plan and the WHO guidelines to guide future pandemic planning. Regular evaluation of the instituted PS would provide a mechanism through which lessons can be harnessed and improvement strategies developed. Future studies should describe and evaluate what PS mechanisms were implemented.

Preparedness of Nigerian University Libraries and Librarians for Service Delivery in Post Covid 19

The study adopted a descriptive survey design which sought information on the preparedness of academic libraries in Nigerian universities for post COVID-19 pandemic library service delivery. The study was conducted in Anambra State of Nigeria. The population for the study comprised of all the 10 academic librarians in the libraries in the 3 campuses of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Anambra State. There was no sampling because of their small size. The instrument for data collection was a self-developed questionnaire entitled COVID-19 Pandemic Preparedness Questionnaire (CPPQ). Data collected were analysed using mean. The major findings of the study included that all categories: ensuring access to soap and warm water, ensuring they have a supply of hand sanitizers, keeping surfaces clean were some of the measures libraries adopted to mitigate COVID-19 pandemic; staff were advised to work from home, online services were adopted, zoom trainings was always there to ensure the staff safety from the virus: among the problems were inadequate fund, power failure and poor internet services. Based on the findings, the study recommends among others that academic libraries should provide free Wi-Fi around the library and prepare the library’s physical surroundings for people to study in groups of two, three, and more, without necessarily entering the library, government should provide more funding for academic libraries to meet with contemporary best global practices in their library as the library reopens amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Demographic and Clinical Predictors of Pharmacist-Administered Pediatric Influenza Immunization

Background: Pediatricians’ offices are primary locations for pediatric influenza vaccination; however, pharmacists are also well-positioned as immunizers. Considering the current COVID-19 pandemic and Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act, pharmacists’ authority to vaccinate children has been recently expanded. Methods: We used the de-identified Optum ClinformaticsTM Data Mart database to identify demographic and clinical predictors of pharmacist-administered pediatric influenza vaccination compared with influenza vaccination in pediatricians’ offices. Procedures codes for influenza vaccinations among children were captured for the 2016-2017 influenza season. Logistic regression was used to identify significant predictors. Results: We included 336 841 children receiving influenza vaccines by a pharmacist (5.2%) or in pediatricians’ offices (94.8%). The following significant predictors were identified: older pediatric age groups (13-17 years odds ratio [OR] 91.51, 5-12 years OR 35.41), states allowing pharmacist-administered influenza vaccination at younger ages (no age restrictions OR, 26.68, minimum age 2-4 years old OR, 33.76), influenza vaccination outside of pediatricians’ offices in the previous year (pharmacist-administered OR, 22.18, convenience care OR 4.15, emergency care OR 1.69), geographic region (South OR, 2.02, Midwest OR 1.60, and West OR 1.38), and routine health exam or follow-up in the prior 6-months (OR, 1.59). Conclusions: The strongest drivers of pharmacist-administered pediatric influenza vaccination were older pediatric age, more lenient minimum age restrictions, and previous influenza vaccination in a pharmacy. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the PREP Act, and forthcoming pediatric COVID-19 vaccines for children, pharmacists may play a greater role in pediatric vaccination resulting in sustained changes in pediatric vaccination practices.

Global patterns and drivers of influenza decline during the COVID-19 pandemic

ObjectivesThe influenza circulation reportedly declined during the COVID-19 pandemic in many countries. The occurrence of this change has not been studied worldwide nor its potential drivers. MethodsThe change in the proportion of positive influenza samples reported by country and trimester was computed relative to the 2014-2019 period using the FluNet database. Random forests were used to determine predictors of change from demographical, weather, pandemic preparedness, COVID-19 incidence, and pandemic response characteristics. Regression trees were used to classify observations according to these predictors. ResultsDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, the influenza decline relative to prepandemic levels was global but heterogeneous across space and time. It was more than 50% for 311 of 376 trimesters-countries and even more than 99% for 135. COVID-19 incidence and pandemic preparedness were the two most important predictors of the decline. Europe and North America initially showed limited decline despite high COVID-19 restrictions; however, there was a strong decline afterward in most temperate countries, where pandemic preparedness, COVID-19 incidence, and social restrictions were high; the decline was limited in countries where these factors were low. The “zero-COVID” countries experienced the greatest decline. ConclusionOur findings set the stage for interpreting the resurgence of influenza worldwide.

Examining priority setting in the national COVID-19 pandemic plans: A case study from countries in the WHO- South-East Asia Region (WHO-SEARO)

BackgroundThe World Health Organization- South-East Asia Region (WHO-SEARO) accounted for almost 17% of all the confirmed cases and deaths of COVID-19 worldwide. While the literature has documented a weak COVID-19 response in the WHO-SEARO, there has been no discussion of the degree to which this could have been influenced/ mitigated with the integration of priority setting (PS) in the region’s COVID-19 response. The purpose of this paper is to describe the degree to which the COVID-19 plans from a sample of WHO-SEARO countries included priority setting. MethodsThe study was based on an analysis of national COVID-19 pandemic response and preparedness planning documents from a sample of seven (of the eleven) countries in WHO-SEARO. We described the degree to which the documented priority setting processes adhered to twenty established quality indicators of effective PS and conducted a cross-country comparison. ResultsAll of the reviewed plans described the required resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most, but not all of the plans demonstrated political will, and described stakeholder involvement. However, none of the plans presented a clear description of the PS process including a formal PS framework, and PS criteria. Overall, most of the plans included only a limited number of quality indicators for effective PS. Discussion and conclusionThere was wide variation in the parameters of effective PS in the reviewed plans. However, there were no systematic variations between the parameters presented in the plans and the country’s economic, health system and pandemic and PS context and experiences. The political nature of the pandemic, and its high resource demands could have influenced the inclusion of the parameters that were apparent in all the plans. The finding that the plans did not include most of the evidence-based parameters of effective PS highlights the need for further research on how countries operationalize priority setting in their respective contexts as well as deeper understanding of the parameters that are deemed relevant. Further research should explore and describe the experiences of implementing defined priorities and the impact of this decision-making on the pandemic outcomes in each country.

Women College Students Situation During Pandemic Time: How’s Their Access to the Future?

The COVID-19 pandemic is a unique and rare occurrence in the whole world. It compelled colleges to close their doors and transition entirely to distance learning. It posed many challenges in the academe with the abrupt change in the educational landscape. Hence, the study was conceived on determining answers in a 15-question closed-question from a Plan International survey in which women college students were asked about their understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on their life and access to education, welfare, economic security, livelihoods, and access to technology. It was found out that the respondents knew little about COVID- 19, it made a major change in their lives which led to huge effect to their access to their future plans. However, based from their responses on the qualitative side of the study they still have hopes and aspiration despite the pandemic situation. As a result, its impact on female college students, who confront special vulnerabilities, must be recognized, and their experiences and perspectives must be incorporated in the institution's COVID-19 pandemic preparedness processes.

Nurse’s Competency Toward Covid-19: A Systematic Review

Aims: Since the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak, nurses have been actively involved for 24 hours in providing nursing care to Covid-19 patients both in hospital and public health centers. As part of the front liner, the role of nurses during fighting against Covid-19 requires good knowledge and competence. This review describes the articles regarding nurses’ knowledge and competency toward Covid-19 that have been published. Methods: The research articles were retrieved from the Scopus database and Science direct database. Results: The major findings of the review showed that nurses almost have a good knowledge regarding the Covid-19 outbreak. However, it is widely reported that nurses are insufficiently trained. Most of them only read guidelines that have been established by the government. Furthermore, the nurses do not feel confident responding effectively to the Covid-19 pandemic. The other issues according to the articles were the need for support, motivation, material especially personal protective equipment so that the nurses would perform their role better. The result of the study contributes to the competency of Covid-19 pandemic preparedness among nurse professions. Conclusions : The findings of the study also would be evidence-based for the government, nurse managers to prepare nurses for fighting against outbreak response. According to the review, it is recommended that all nurses must be facilitated to get training or education periodically regarding Covid-19.

A Pilot Study of Using Smartphone Application vs. Routine Follow-Up for Patient Care in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer During the COVID-19 Pandemic Era.

IntroductionCancer care monitoring should be adapted regarding COVID-19 pandemic preparedness plans. Lung Cancer Care application was a mobile application program to monitor adverse events and report outcomes. This study is aimed to invent a new mobile application evaluating patient-reported outcome (PRO) for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to evaluate the validity of a mobile application, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic era.MethodsThe validity of the application was tested, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung (FACT-L) questionnaires were contained in the mobile application-based PRO. Patients were randomly assigned to use mobile application-based PRO vs. routine follow-up. The primary end point was to compare the quality of life (QoL) scores between two groups. A secondary end point was overall survival (OS) and the outcomes of progressive disease (PD) between the two groups.ResultsIn total, 33 patients with advanced NSCLC were enrolled. Patients in the mobile application group had higher FACT-L scores at 3 months than patients with a routine follow-up arm (106 ± 5.97 vs. 99.96 ± 5.74, p-value = 0.07). The median follow-up time was 5.43 months; patients with mobile application had an insignificant increase in median OS when compared with patients using routine follow-up (4.53 vs. 2.93 months, p-value = 0.85). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive (NPV) value of this application for predicting disease progression were 50, 83.3, 66.7, and 70%, respectively.ConclusionSelf-reported symptoms by Lung Cancer Care application improved QoL and were similar in monitoring outcomes to face-to-face follow-up. This tool is applicable for patients with cancer to make monitoring as safe as possible for physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic era.

Covid-19 Pandemic Preparedness of Organizations and its Impact on Digital Maturity

Covid-19 pandemic has hit each and every industrial sector globally. The sudden lockdown imposed by nations has severely affected business dynamics. Some businesses have transformed their operations so as to adapt to new environment and sustain in such environment. However, many other businesses were not prepared for such events and met their designed fate. As a result of unpredictability and interruption, businesses must now focus on building resilience into their operations. The pandemic’s important lesson has been needing of business resiliency, as companies strive to guarantee that they can continue operating in event of another calamity. Business has clearly moved to digital platforms for commercial, educational, and personal objectives leading to discussions globally on digital maturity. As a consequence, customers no longer expect just the same experience they had previously. They now considerably exhibit greater digital expectations. This is why all organizations, regardless of location or size, must accelerate their digital adoption and restructure their processes in order to meet customers where they are now and deliver the experience they mandate. Objective of this study intends to study effect of lockdown situation on digital transformation that various organizations underwent to sustain in new environment. The study aims to explore which industries transformed digitally more quickly than others and its impact on current perceived digital maturity of the organization. From a methodological perspective, a structured questionnaire is prepared to collect primary data from employees of various industries. 124 responses were collected and analyzed. The findings of study will help organizations to develop sustainable practices in such type of situations. Limitations are also discussed which can be considered for resolution in future studies.

AUSTRIA: Responding to the CoViD-19 Pandemic and Building Better Preparedness for Future Threats

The COVID-19 pandemic exhibited an impact on healthcare in all countries, highlighting the need for healthcare systems to be better prepared and to improve the response to health crises and exceptional health-events. The pandemic has not only arisen new crisis-related challenges but also revealed and exacerbated existing structural problems. In Austria, the provision of sufficient protective equipment (in the beginning of the pandemic), capacity planning, shortage of health personnel, and telemedicine were important topics during the pandemic. While Austria has a very well developed health care system by international standards, it became clearer in the course of the crisis that qualified health-personnel in sufficient quantity, in particular, will be a major challenge in the future. Furthermore, the hospitalfocused system should continue to be shifted to the extramural sector, where medically sensible, in order to conserve capacity in the intramural sector. Regional differentiation on one hand and cooperation at the state level on the other hand proved useful during the crisis. In the future, more flexible capacity planning could enable resilient patient care.

Exploring Nigeria Annual Budgets and Health Sector Budget Provisions towards Attainment of Universal Health Coverage Amid the Covid-19 Pandemic Preparedness

The Covid-19 outbreak is currently having a significant impact on the health and economic growth of the World. This study explored the trend in Nigeria’s annual budget from 2016 to 2020, the assumptions for these annual budgets, the budget allocations to the Health Sector and the policy measures in place for health emergencies. The mixed-method approach was used and involved key informant interviews of 30 employees and 30 top management officials across the Federal Ministries of Health and Finance using a structured interview guide. There were also desk reviews of documents in public domains and government published financial and budget data at global and national levels. The findings reveal that Nigeria has continued to increase her annual budget without much improvement in her revenue position. The key assumptions on which the various annual budgets were based were distinct, and none envisaged the Covid-19 pandemic and its aftermath. On health sector allocation, the Federal Government of Nigeria lays little emphasis on efforts towards the attainment of UHC and emergency health events. The government ensured that health care financing policies and provisions are in place. However, the adequacy of those policies and provisions needs to be improved upon. The past spending pattern between 2016 and 2020 shows that these policies are not directed at closing the scary gap that makes ordinary Nigerians suffer from the overwhelming cost of healthcare. This includes a lack of attention to the basic health fund and funds for emergencies, probably due to inadequate political will and commitment to health.

Impact of “just-in-time” simulation training for COVID-19 pandemic preparedness

Introduction: Personal protection in aerosol-generating procedures is an important skill to safely deliver care to patients in the COVID-19 pandemic. This aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of “just-in-time” simulation training for airway management in a suspected COVID-19 patient. Methods: This was a prospective mixed-method cohort study in a tertiary paediatric department. A mandatory “just-in-time” simulation training session for intubation of a suspected COVID-19 patient was conducted. Pre- and post-simulation questionnaires were administered. Participants were invited to attend focus group interviews to further delineate their experience. Quantitative and qualitative methods were employed to analyse the data. Results: Thirty-three participants, including doctors, nurses and respiratory therapists attended the training. Self-confidence in intubation, managing and leading a resuscitation team and dealing with problems with intubation significantly improved. Simulation was valued for the experiential learning as well as for increasing confidence and awareness. Process improvement suggestions from both participants and trainers were raised. There was a small signal of skill translation to real life scenarios. Conclusion: Simulation-based training is a useful tool for infectious disease outbreak preparedness. Further research will need to be done to determine the impact on actual clinical practice in pandemics.

Laboratory parameters associated with prolonged hospital length of stay in COVID-19 patients in Johannesburg, South Africa

Background. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has imposed unprecedented stressors on South Africa (SA)’s healthcare system. Superimposed on the country’s quadruple burden of disease, pandemic-related care further exposes existing inequities. Some of these inequities are specific to hospital-based inpatient services, such as the geographical maldistribution of hospital beds, lack of oxygen supplies and assisted ventilation, and scarcity of trained healthcare workers. Certain high-risk groups, such as individuals with cardiometabolic comorbidity, are likely to develop severe COVID-19 disease requiring hospitalisation with potential for a prolonged length of stay (LoS). It may be helpful for health authorities to identify those at risk for prolonged LoS to facilitate appropriate health systems planning. Objectives. To identify hospital admission laboratory parameters associated with a hospital stay &gt;14 days in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods. A retrospective observational study design was used. Laboratory data were obtained from an SA private laboratory for 642 inpatients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia, comprising 7 months of admission laboratory data from six private hospitals in Johannesburg, Gauteng Province. Results. Of 642 hospital admissions for pneumonia, 497 were confirmed to have COVID-19 infection (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test positive). In the COVID-19-positive group, hospital LoS was prolonged in 35.4% of admissions. Univariate analysis demonstrated an association with the following risk factors for prolonged LoS: older age; male sex; high serum creatinine, sodium (Na), chloride, potassium and urea levels and low estimated glomerular filtration rate; raised white blood cell count, lymphopenia, neutrophilia and an elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR); and elevated levels of D-dimers, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and procalcitonin (PCT). The strongest univariate associations (relative risk (RR) ≥2.0) with a hospital stay &gt;14 days were high Na levels, NRL &gt;18, high PCT levels and IL-6 &gt;40 pg/mL. On multivariable analysis, the following factors remained significantly associated with prolonged LoS: older age (RR 1.015 per year of age; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.005 - 1.024); hypernatraemia (RR 1.80; 95% CI 1.25 - 2.60); hyperkalaemia (RR 1.61; 95% CI 1.18 - 2.20); and neutrophilia (RR 1.47; 95% CI 1.15 - 1.88). Conclusions. COVID-19 pandemic preparedness requires hospital-based inpatient care to be prioritised in resource-limited settings, and availability of beds and prompt admissions are essential to ensure good clinical outcomes. In this study of COVID-19 patients admitted with pneumonia, multivariable analysis showed older age, hypernatraemia, hyperkalaemia and neutrophilia to be associated with LoS &gt;14 days. This may assist with healthcare systems planning.

Perceptions and Preparedness for Covid-19 Pandemic among Students of a Medical University

Background: The accomplishment of control of Covid-19 pandemic depends upon people’s readiness &amp; preparedness of the medical professionals. The current study is expected to benefit the communities by assessing the knowledge of medical students regarding containment of this pandemic. Objectives: 1. To assess the perceptions and readiness of the medical students regarding COVID-19. 2. To determine association between various socio- demographic profile of study participants and their perceptions regarding Covid-19. Methodology: Three hundred &amp; eighty four medical &amp; dental students were selected by convenience sampling. Besides socio-demographic variables of medical students, students level of knowledge &amp; perceptions regarding Covid-19 were recorded on a pre-designed &amp; pre-validated questionnaire. Besides computing frequencies &amp; percentages, the association among variables was performed by applying Chi-square test by taking p-value &lt;0.05 as level of significance. Results: The response rate was 92.53%. The study participants had a high level of information (93.75%) regarding COVID19 outbreak. We did not find a single insignificant association between age of students &amp; their perceptions regarding Covid-19 pandemic (p ≤ 0.01). Similar associations were observed between gender &amp; level of education to the knowledge &amp; perceptions regarding Covid-19 pandemic (p ≤ 0.01). Conclusions: The medical &amp; dental students are very well aware about the Covid-19 pandemic &amp; its control measures undertaken by government. Keywords: Covid-19, Pandemic, Perceptions, Preparedness, Medical students, Dental students.

The Vicissitudes of Covid-19 Pandemic and Theatre's Preparedness to Survive Inauspicious Circumstances

The Vicissitudes of Covid-19 Pandemic and Theatre's Preparedness to Survive Inauspicious Circumstances