COVID-19 Symptoms Research Articles

Use of Homeopathy in Patients Suffering from Long COVID-19 (LONGCOVIHOM): A Case Series

In some patients, coronavirus (COVID-19) can cause symptoms that last weeks or even months after the infection has gone. Long COVID-19 was defined as a confirmed initial COVID-19 infection, the presence of signs and symptoms more than four weeks after initial infection, and the persistence or appearance of signs and symptoms that another condition cannot explain and did not exist before infection. This study aimed to describe the effect of adjunctive individualized homeopathic treatment delivered to Long COVID-19 patients with previously confirmed symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Fifteen female consecutive patients with Long COVID-19 were documented. The mean age was 48.5 ± 13.5 (SD) years. The symptoms of Long COVID-19 were diverse. None of the patients showed identical symptoms. All but one patient, hence 93.3%, experienced a timely improvement to complete healing after individualized homeopathic treatment, characterized by modified Naranjo criteria of at least 8 points. The average time until improvement/remission was 47.6 ± 34.6 days, and the median was 37 days. Our observations suggest that adjunctive individualized homeopathic treatment might be considered for patients suffering from Long COVID-19 even with severe long-term sequelae of COVID-19.

Examining the Correlation between Serum Folate Levels and Disease Severity in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19

Background and Objective: Extensive research is underway to find effective treatments for clinical manifestations of COVID-19. Given the proven effectiveness of certain micronutrients, such as vitamins, in antimicrobial activity and immune system modulation for treating or preventing infectious diseases, the potential role of vitamins in the treatment or prevention of COVID-19 should be considered. The present study aimed to assess the correlation between serum folate levels in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and the severity of the disease, emphasizing the importance of relevant awareness regarding different folate levels. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, folate levels were measured in 117 COVID-19-infected patients hospitalized from January 2020 to November 2020 at Sina Hospital, Hamadan. Patients were categorized based on disease severity into three groups: mild to moderate, severe, and critical. Group differences were statistically analyzed using appropriate tests. Results: Our study revealed a statistically significant difference in folate levels among the three examined groups. Logistic regression analyses demonstrated that for every one microgram per milliliter increase in folate, the probability of severe COVID-19 symptoms decreased by 23%. The large area under the ROC curve (0.864) indicates that mortality in COVID-19 patients can be well predicted based on folate levels. Conclusion: As evidenced by the obtained results, it can be stated that a reduction in serum folate levels among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 is common and is recognized as a predictive factor for COVID-19-related mortality. Consequently, monitoring folate levels and considering supplementation, if necessary, should be considered for hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

The Silent Syndrome of Long COVID and Gaps in Scientific Knowledge: A Narrative Review.

COVID-19 is still a major public health concern, mainly due to the persistence of symptoms or the appearance of new symptoms. To date, more than 200 symptoms of long COVID (LC) have been described. The present review describes and maps its relevant clinical characteristics, pathophysiology, epidemiology, and genetic and nongenetic risk factors. Given the currently available evidence on LC, we demonstrate that there are still gaps and controversies in the diagnosis, pathophysiology, epidemiology, and detection of prognostic and predictive factors, as well as the role of the viral strain and vaccination.

Does the Fear of COVID-19 Impact on Menopausal Symptoms in Women? A Research Investigation.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the relationship between the fear of COVID-19 and menopausal symptoms in women during the menopausal period. Methods: This study is a descriptive cross-sectional study. This study was completed with a total of 161 women who met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected face-to-face using the Personnel Information Form, Menopause Symptom Assessment Scale, and Coronavirus 19 Phobia Scale. Results: There is a slightly positive relationship between the social subscale of the COVID-19 fear scale and the somatic subscale of the menopause symptoms scale. There is a slightly positive relationship between the economic subscale of the COVID-19 scale and the psychological subscale of the menopausal symptoms scale. There is a slightly positive correlation between the total score of the total COVID-19 phobia scale and the somatic and psychological subscales of the menopause symptoms assessment scale. However, there is no significant relationship between the total score of the COVID-19 phobia scale and the total score and urological subscale of the menopause symptoms assessment scale. Conclusions: It has been determined that fear of COVID-19 is slightly positively associated with somatic and psychological complaints in menopausal women.

Obesity and age are transmission risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection among exposed individuals.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has occurred in Massachusetts in multiple waves led by a series of emerging variants. While the evidence has linked obesity with severe symptoms of COVID-19, the effect of obesity on susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection remains unclear. Identification of intrinsic factors, which increase the likelihood of exposed individuals succumbing to productive SARS-CoV-2 infection could help plan mitigation efforts to curb the illness. We aim to investigate whether obese individuals have a higher susceptibility to developing productive SARS-CoV-2 infection given comparable exposure to nonobese individuals. This case-control study leveraged data from the Mass General Brigham's (MGB) electronic medical records (EMR), containing 687,813 patients, to determine whether obesity at any age increases the proportion of infections. We used PCR results of 72,613 subjects who tested positive to SARS-CoV-2 or declared exposure to the virus independently of the result of the test. For this study, we defined susceptibility as the likelihood of testing positive upon suspected exposure. We demonstrate evidence that SARS-CoV-2 exposed obese individuals were more prone to become COVID positive than nonobese individuals [adjusted odds ratio = 1.34 (95% CI: 1.29-1.39)]. Temporal analysis showed significantly increased susceptibility in obese individuals across the duration of the pandemic in Massachusetts. Obese exposed individuals are at a higher risk of getting infected with SARS-CoV-2. This indicates that obesity is not only a risk factor for worsened outcomes but also increases the risk for infection upon exposure. Identifying such populations early will be crucial for curbing the spread of this infectious disease.

Post COVID-19 persistent symptoms and functional status in COVID-19 survivors: a multi-center study

BackgroundPost COVID symptoms are a series of chronic symptoms that patients may experience after resolution of acute COVID-19. Different post-COVID-19 condition phenotypes might exist, although exact causes, management, and outcomes are not known.AimTo assess the functional status among post-COVID-19 survivors and identify the associated socio-demographic, clinical, and laboratory risk factors of the poor functional status among those cases and to identify the most common persistent symptoms among post-COVID-19 survivors after discharge. This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 150 recovered cases who had been infected with COVID-19 as confirmed by swab during hospitalization and being interviewed regarding functional status 6 months post-hospital discharge. Cases were divided into two groups: the decreased functional status group (n = 74) and the non-decreased functional status group (n = 76).ResultsThe present study indicated statistically significant differences between the studied groups; receiving the influenza vaccine was significantly associated with keeping the pre-COVID functional status (p = 0.02). The reduced functional status group had a significantly more severe disease course, prolonged hospital as well as ICU stay (p < 0.001), and worse CT findings than the normal functional status group (p = 0.004). Long-term symptoms such as headache, mood changes, insomnia, hearing problems, dry eyes, breathlessness, and chest tightness were significantly more prevalent among those who reported limitations in their functional status (p < 0.001). There were significantly higher CRP, serum ferritin, and D-dimer in the reduced functional status group.ConclusionThe present study highlights that most COVID-19 recovered cases have different degrees of functional limitations ranging from null to severe based on the PCFS scale. These limitations were affected by periodic influenza vaccination, ICU admission, and length of hospital stay. Some laboratory parameters were associated with reduced functionality: CRP, D-dimer, and serum ferritin. Psychological/neurological symptoms and breathlessness were significantly associated with reduced PCFS. This calls for public health action and necessitates widespread health education of post-COVID-19 health consequences.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind: reflections from the Covid era on social knowledge and medical thinking in Adolf Lukas Vischer’s ‘barbed wire disease’

ABSTRACT This article explores the relationship between wartime captivity and the production of medical knowledge through the phenomenon of ‘barbed wire disease’. This was a term used by First World War POWs and internees themselves to describe symptoms of depression and related neurological disorders. The Swiss surgeon Adolf Lukas Vischer borrowed it for the title of a book he wrote in 1918 suggesting that the spatial and temporal peculiarities of camp life made prolonged captivity in such an environment inhumane and a threat to future societal stability. The article argues that Vischer’s findings should be seen through the lens of historical time. His observations led him to draw attention to the contemporaneous plight of previously highly mobile and self-reliant migrants across the world now living for an unknown duration within the confines of the barbed wire. Yet equally, the article makes the case for thinking in a transhistorical way about the (often under-appreciated) mutual inter-dependence of social knowledge and medical thinking, especially in times of large-scale displacement. The shadow of the past, it will be suggested, continues to shape approaches to the mental health problems faced by people living in atypical temporal and spatial settings today, including those experiencing the symptoms of Long Covid and those held in immigration detention.

COVID-19 Frequency in Hospitalized Psychiatric Patients: A Systematic Review

Objective The COVID-19 pandemic affected individuals in different contexts (e.g. long-term care facilities, schools, communities), including psychiatric hospitals. Thus, the objective of this systematic review, duly registered and approved on PROSPERO (CRD42023427835), is to assess the frequency of positive COVID-19 cases among patients hospitalized in psychiatric hospitals. Methods A total of 4,922 articles were identified in the database searches, and 17 studies conducted in psychiatric hospitals from different regions of the world were selected. Results The frequency of positive COVID-19 cases among patients hospitalized in psychiatric hospitals ranged from 1.8% to 98.8%. Out of a total of 19,573 patients hospitalized in psychiatric hospitals, the pooled mean frequency of positive COVID-19 cases was 11.9%. The majority of patients presented COVID-19 symptoms (e.g. cough, fever and others). The COVID-19 diagnosis was primarily conducted through RT-PCR testing in 88.9% of the studies. Conclusion In conclusion, there is discrepancy in the methodology of the studies assessing the frequency of positive COVID-19 cases in psychiatric hospitals. However, this review allowed us to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the population hospitalized in psychiatric hospitals.

Abstract We126: Myocarditis Following mRNA Vaccination for COVID-19 is Mediated by CXCL10 and IFN-γ

Introduction: mRNA vaccines have shown remarkable efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19, reshaping the pandemic's trajectory. Despite a robust safety profile, ongoing monitoring is crucial due to the rare but concerning myocarditis cases, predominantly affecting males under 30. Symptoms appear around 2.6 days post-vaccination, with chest pain, shortness of breath, and palpitations. Elevated cTnI and ST-segment changes are common, along with late gadolinium enhancement in cardiac MRI. Understanding these rare adverse effects is essential for the expanding scope of mRNA technology, spanning infectious disease vaccines and anti-cancer immunotherapies. Hypothesis: Myocarditis linked to COVID-19 mRNA vaccines involves cytokine production from myeloid cells, leading to impaired cardiac function. Methodology: a, Reanalysis of proteomics data of healthy and myocarditis individuals following COVID-19 vaccination; b, Macrophages (N = 7 lines) were exposed to BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273, and analyzed by cytokine array and RNA-seq; c, Cardiomyocytes (N = 4 lines) were treated with CXCL10 (1 and 10 ng/mL) and IFN-γ (0.5 and 5 ng/mL), with or without genistein (10 μM), followed by functional assessment, transcriptomic and proteomic profiling; d, Mice (6 per group) were administered with CXCL10 and IFN-γ, with or without genistein pretreatment (7 days). Myeloid cell infiltration in the heart, serum cTnI levels, RNA-seq, and immunoproteasome activity were analyzed. Results: Examination of post-vaccination plasma revealed a notable rise in CXCL10 and IFN-γ levels in patients. Similarly, macrophages exposed to mRNA vaccines displayed heightened production of these cytokines. When cardiomyocytes were exposed to these cytokines, they exhibited compromised contractility, increased arrhythmogenicity, and gene expression patterns reminiscent of myocarditis. Genistein, an anti-inflammatory phytoestrogen, demonstrated significant alleviation of these effects, preventing cytokine-induced proteasomal activation and preserving contractile function. Mouse model of cytokine-induced myocarditis showed that genistein substantially reduced cardiac injury markers and immune cell infiltration. Conclusion: These findings highlight CXCL10 and IFN-γ as pivotal contributors to myocarditis following mRNA vaccination and suggest genistein as a potential therapeutic intervention to mitigate associated cardiovascular risks.

Early and Rapid COVID-19 Diagnosis Using a Symptom-Based Machine Learning Model

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a significant global health crisis, claiming over 6.3 million lives. Rapid and accurate detection of COVID-19 symptoms is essential for effective public health responses. This study utilizes machine learning algorithms to enhance the speed and accuracy of COVID-19 diagnosis based on symptom data. By employing the Spearman feature selection algorithm, we identified the most predictive features, thereby improving model performance and reducing the number of features required. The decision tree algorithm proved to be the most effective, achieving an accuracy of 98.57%, perfect sensitivity of 1, and high specificity of 0.97. Our results indicate that combining various symptoms with AI-based machine learning techniques can accurately detect COVID-19 patients. These findings surpass previous studies, demonstrating superior performance across multiple evaluations. The integration of feature selection with advanced machine learning models offers a practical and efficient tool for early COVID-19 diagnosis, improving patient management and public health responses. This approach holds significant promise for enhancing pandemic management and healthcare delivery.

Acute and long COVID-19 symptoms and associated factors in the omicron-dominant period: a nationwide survey via the online platform Wenjuanxing in China

BackgroundsTo our knowledge, there is no available nationwide data on omicron symptom patterns in China mainland. We aim to determine the acute and long COVID-19 symptoms in the omicron-dominant period and to evaluate its association with risk factors.MethodsWe designed a cross-sectional nationwide study and data about self-reported symptoms were collected by an online platform named Wenjuanxing. Eligible participants were aged 25–65 years and were symptomatic. In this study, the ratios of the number of people of different ages and genders were weighted by the data from the Seventh National Census (2020 years), and validated by a published nationwide representative study through comparing smoking rates. Descriptive indicators were calculated for demographic characteristics, diagnosis ways, and duration time, acute symptoms, hospitalization, severity and long COVID-19 symptoms. And, the associations between risk factors and acute and long COVID-19 symptoms were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression models.ResultsA total of 32,528 individuals diagnosed as COVID-19 infection from October 1, 2022 to February 21, 2023 were included. The first three acute symptoms of COVID-19 infection were fever (69.90%), headache (62.63%), and sore throat (54.29%), respectively. The hospitalization rate within 7 days was 3.07% and symptoms disappearance rate within 21 days was 68.84%, respectively. Among 3983 COVID-19 patients with 3 months or more time difference between first infection and participation into the study, the long COVID-19 rate was 19.68% and the primary symptoms were muscle weakness (19.39%), headache (17.98%) and smell/taste disorder (15.18%). Age groups, smoking, marriage status and vaccination were risk factors for numbers of acute phase symptoms and long COVID-19 symptoms. Lastly, female and current smokers also showed more numbers of symptoms during acute infection period.ConclusionsIn Chinese mainland, our respondent indicated that current smokers and women were associated with acute COVID-19 symptoms, which should be treated with caution due to the lack of representative.

Prevalence of Long COVID and the Impact on Diabetes Management and Physical Activity Participation in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: An Australia-wide Cross-sectional Online Survey

ObjectivesThe aim of this research was to understand the prevalence and impact of long COVID on adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Specifically, we sought to identify the proportion of adults with T2D who have had COVID-19 and experienced long COVID symptoms. We also explored how these ongoing symptoms impact diabetes management and physical activity participation. MethodsOur study was carried out using an online survey of adults in Australia with T2D who had confirmed COVID-19 ≥12 weeks before participation. Respondents were asked to report the presence (and severity) of long COVID-19 symptoms, and, for those with long COVID, the impact of their symptoms on diabetes management (blood glucose, body weight) and physical activity participation (activities of daily living, work/study, exercise). ResultsSurvey responses were provided by 1,046 adults with T2D (median age 61.0 [interquartile range 49.8 to 70.0] years; 56.0% men, 42.1% women, and 1% nonbinary/transgender; median T2D duration 10.0 [5.0 to 18.0] years and median time since COVID-19 infection 33.0 [20.3 to 36.1] weeks). Almost one third (30%) of respondents reported long COVID symptoms (present ≥12 weeks after most recent infection); 40% of respondents with long COVID symptoms reported a worsening of their diabetes management since their COVID-19 infection, with 29% reporting trouble controlling their blood glucose and 43% reporting a higher body weight. Two thirds of respondents with ongoing symptoms reported that these symptoms moderately to severely impacted their ability to perform activities of daily living, work, and/or exercise. The majority of those with long COVID reported reducing the frequency, duration, and/or intensity of exercise since their COVID-19 infection, with 36.1% not yet returning to their preinfection exercise levels; 66% cited ongoing symptoms as the primary reason for these limitations. ConclusionsPhysical activity is a crucial component of diabetes management. However, the high prevalence of long COVID is hindering participation in this population, as well as deleteriously impacting diabetes management. Developing strategies to support adults with T2D and long COVID to recommence safe levels of physical activity is of critical importance.

Characterization of the different signs and symptoms of COVID-19 in patients attending the Family Medicine Unit no. 38, Tampico, Tamaulipas

Characterization of the different signs and symptoms of COVID-19 in patients attending the Family Medicine Unit no. 38, Tampico, Tamaulipas

Prevalence of infection and reinfection among health care workers in a hospital of Northern China between BA.5/BF.7 and XBB.1.5 wave

BackgroundTo analyze the epidemiological characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 infection and reinfection associated with the emergence of Omicron variant in Healthcare workers (HCWs). MethodsWe enrolled 760 HCWs who received 2-4 vaccination doses of COVID-19 and followed by BA.5/BF.7 and/or XBB.1.5 breakthrough infections between December 2022 and July 2023. Serum sample from each individual were collected approximately 1,3 and 6 months after last exposure. IgM, IgG and Total antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were measured by chemiluminescent immunoassay. Meanwhile, we created an Enterprise WeChat link for HCWs to self-report SARS-CoV-2 infections, symptoms and post COVID-19 conditions. ResultsOur study revealed that the reinfection rate among HCWs reached 26.1%. The main symptoms were fever (91.2% vs 60.1%), cough (78.8% vs 58.0%), and sore throat (75.4% vs 59.6%) during infection and reinfection in Omicron BA.5/BF.7 and XBB.1.5 wave, and the interval for reinfection ranged from 91 to 210 days (median 152). Fatigue (23.6%), memory loss (18.8%) and coughing (18.6%) were the most prevalent long COVID symptoms, with a higher prevalence among female HCWs. ConclusionsHCWs reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 causes milder symptoms, but high reinfection rate and short intervals. Strengthen infection prevention and control is crucial to mitigating infection risk and improving health services.

Community pharmacists’ roles during the closure stage of the COVID-19 pandemic in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada: a qualitative case study

ObjectivesTo explore the experiences and perspectives of community pharmacists regarding their roles during the closure stage (ie, March to May 2020) of the COVID-19 pandemic in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL),...

Randomized Controlled Trials for Post-COVID-19 Conditions: A Systematic Review.

Post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) syndrome or condition (PCS) is defined as new onset symptoms for at least three months following COVID-19 infection that has persisted for at least two months. Given the global sequelae of COVID-19, there is an urgent need for effective PCS interventions. The aim of this study was to systematically review all interventions for PCS tested in randomized controlled trials.In this International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) registered (CRD42023415835) systematic review, PubMed, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched between 1st January 2020 and 30th April 2023. Inclusion criteria were (1) randomized controlled trials that tested interventions for (2) PCS as defined above. Studies were independently reviewed, and final decisions regarding extracted data and risk of bias were made by consensus. Trial findings were summarized qualitatively.The review included 23 trials with 1,916 subjects (mean age 44.9, 25.8% males) from 10 countries. The predominant symptom or function targeted by the interventions were general long COVID-19 symptoms (35%), fatigue (30%), breathlessness (17%), olfactory (17%), and brain function (9%). Overall, the majority of trials (74%) were at high risk of bias. A range of interventions were identified, including physical therapies, dietary and regenerative treatments, electrical stimulation, and digital wellness programs with variable effects.While a diverse range of interventions for PCS have been tested, their effectiveness varies, with threats to validity in most studies. Trials focusing on PCS mental health disorders, musculoskeletal complaints, and children are needed. Well-designed RCTs are needed to establish definitive interventions for PCS.

Associations Between COVID-19 Symptoms &amp; Amounts of PT &amp; OT in COVID-19 Patients in a Skilled Nursing Facility

Abstract Date Presented 03/22/24 This study explored potential associations between COVID-19–related symptoms and rehabilitation intensities. COVID-19 patients with delirium may be less able to tolerate high rehabilitation amounts. Moderate rehabilitation amounts are recommended. Primary Author and Speaker: Benjamin Ezra Canter Additional Authors and Speakers: Anne Escher Contributing Authors: Lauren Raschen, Joann Reinhardt, Himali Weerahandi, Wingyun Mak, Orah Burack, Kenneth Boockvar

A description of the development of an innovative multi-component long COVID treatment program based on central sensitization with preliminary patient satisfaction data

ObjectiveEstimates of the prevalence of Long COVID in the United States or worldwide are imprecise, but millions of people are thought to be affected. No effective treatment exists for the often devastating symptoms of Long COVID. Central Sensitization has been postulated as a causal/explanatory mechanism for developing Long COVID. No treatment to date has targeted Central Sensitization. The present cross-sectional study describes the first 140 patients treated in a multi-component treatment program that targets Central Sensitization to reduce symptom burden, improve functioning, and lower the psychological distress observed in these patients. Methods140 patients diagnosed with Long COVID after an extensive medical evaluation were assessed for function, depression, and pain catastrophizing using questionnaires and patient satisfaction measures after completion of a 16-h Cognitive Behavioral Therapy treatment program focused on Central Sensitization. ResultsUpon admission, patients diagnosed with Long COVID were significantly impaired in their ability to function due to their symptoms. Further, 70% of the patients were depressed. Pain catastrophizing was observed in up to 20% of patients. ConclusionPatient satisfaction measures were high for the sample at the end of the treatment program suggesting that a multicomponent treatment program targeting Central Sensitization is acceptable to patients. Further research is needed to explore the effectiveness and durability of this treatment approach.

SARS-CoV-2-Infection in People Addicted to Illegal Drugs - Is There a Protective Effect of Opioid Maintenance Treatment?

People addicted to illegal drugs were discussed as a risk group for SARS-CoV-2 infections, with increased susceptibility and a severe course of infection. In this study, the frequency of SARS-CoV-2 infections of drug-dependent persons admitted to inpatient detoxification treatment in five psychiatric hospitals was determined by implementing routine polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-testing at admission (9/2020) up to one year. Main substance-related diagnosis, comorbid respiratory disease, housing situation, and current opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) were documented. An age-matched control group of psychiatric inpatients without dependence from illegal drugs was established. Data from 1675 patients (male 79.5%; mean age 39.5 years; opioid dependence 81.5% homelessness; 2.4%; chronic respiratory disease 6.3%) were included. Out of 1365 patients dependent on opioids, 50.2% were currently in OMT. Six (3 female; mean age 40.3 years) patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by PCR (0.36%), and none showed symptoms of COVID-19. All six were opioid dependent, 5 currently not in OMT. In the control group, 11 out of 1811 inpatients tested positive (0.61%). The rate of SARS-CoV-2-infections in persons with dependence on illegal drugs was not increased compared to a control group of psychiatric patients. OMT is presumably a protective factor, e. g. in the participating cities, OMT facilities offered an easy access to vaccination programs. In contrast, drug addicts in the USA were severely affected by the pandemic. Differences between countries might partially be explained by social factors such as the higher availability of OMT in Germany and a much lower frequency of homelessness.

COVID-19 screening as an opportunity to find TB cases; experiences from an urban National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda

BackgroundFollowing the World Health Organization’s declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic, several countries implemented population-wide lockdowns. However, these responses to COVID-19 caused severe healthcare system disruptions to service delivery. The TB case notification rate in Uganda decreased by 22% between January and April 2020, which coincided with a lockdown and an increase in COVID-19 cases. In this study, we tested the effect of screening all patients with both COVID-19-positive and negative symptom screen for TB at a National Referral Hospital.Design/MethodsFollowing our formative assessment, we identified potential barriers to and facilitators of integrating screening for COVID-19 and TB at Kiruddu National Referral Hospital. To address the barriers, in February 2021 we trained healthcare providers on integrated COVID-19-TB screening tools and provided COVID-19/TB screening tools/Standard operating procedures and personal protective equipment. From March 1, 2021, to June 30, 2021, we screened patients presenting to the emergency and outpatient departments for COVID-19 symptoms, and subsequently, we performed TB symptom screening for both patients with COVID-19 positive and negative symptom screen using the intensified tuberculosis case-finding (ICF) guide. We then compared the outcomes of TB symptom screening for patients initially with a positive COVID-19 symptom screen with those who initially had a negative COVID-19 symptom screen.ResultsFrom March 2021 to June 2021, we screened 1464 patients (44.3% male and 55.7% female) for COVID-19 symptoms. Out of these participants, 1252 (85.5%) screened positive for COVID-19 symptoms, while 212 (14.5%) screened negative. The majority of patients with a positive COVID-19 symptom screen, 717 (57.3%), also screened positive for TB symptoms compared to 19 (8.9%) among patients with a negative COVID-19 symptom screen. Out of the total 736 presumptive TB cases identified, 717 (97.4%) initially screened positive for COVID-19 symptoms. TB was diagnosed in 110 individuals including 104 who had positive COVID-19-symptom screen and six who had a negative COVID-19 symptom screen. All of the 110 newly diagnosed TB cases were linked to TB treatment.ConclusionsPatients who screen positive for COVID-19 symptoms should be routinely screened for TB to mitigate missed opportunities for TB case identification.