Novel Coronavirus Research Articles

COVID-19 Prevention Behaviors among Health Staff: Data from a Large Survey in the West of Iran.

Background: Hospital staffs are at high risk of Novel Coronavirus ( 2019 - nCoV preventive behaviors play a peculiar role in the reduction of the incidence and mortality of this infection. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the prevention behaviors of COVID-19 among health staff based on the Extended Parallel Model (EPPM) in western Iran. Study design: It was a cross-sectional study. Methods: The present study was performed in the west of Iran in April 2020. In total, 1,664 cases were enrolled in this study via multi-stage sampling . The data were collected using a questionnaire, including the demographic characteristics of participants and EPPM constructs. All analyses were conducted in Stata software (version 14) at a 5% significant level. Results: As evidenced by the obtained results, 1,523 (91.53%), 1,226 (73.68%), 1,526 (91.71%), 893 (53.67%), and 862 (51.86%) of health staff wear gloves, use masks, avoid contact with others, maintain a good distance from other people, and wash their hands frequently with water and soap, respectively. In terms of using gloves and avoiding contacts with others, participants with high perceived threat had higher odds of observing health behaviors (OR= 3.14, 95% CI: 2.08, 4.73; P <0.001) and (OR= 3.1, 95% CI: 2.04, 4.69; P <0.001), respectively. In all categories of EPPM, the participants with high efficacy had higher odds of exhibiting health behaviors, compared to those with low efficacy ( P <0.001). Conclusion: The results of the present study demonstrated that health workers are expected to be at the highest level of threat and efficiency. Moreover, the findings emphasized the effectiveness of the recommended strategies in the prevention of COVID-19 disease.

Como a pandemia da Covid-19 vem afetando o cotidiano das comunidades universitárias do nordeste Brasileiro?

A pandemia provocada pelo novo coronavírus (Sars-Cov-2) vem provocando efeitos devastadores por todo o mundo. Porém, esses efeitos não são sentidos da mesma forma por toda a população, pois as desigualdades regionais e sociais tendem a ser intensificadas em momentos de crise. No Brasil, as regiões mais precárias e seus grupos sociais vulneráveis sentem de forma mais intensa os impactos provocados pelas mudanças necessárias à prevenção e ao enfrentamento dos riscos produzidos pela pandemia. Este artigo busca refletir sobre os principais impactos do distanciamento social decorrentes da pandemia da Covid-19 no cotidiano dos/as integrantes das comunidades universitárias do Nordeste brasileiro. A análise e discussão são provenientes de uma pesquisa de abordagem quali-quantitativa, cujos dados foram gerados através de um formulário digital respondido por integrantes dessas comunidades de todos os estados que compõem essa região. As questões buscaram apreender as principais prevalências entre os aspectos que integram algumas das diferentes dimensões afetadas pelo protocolo de distanciamento social, como a econômica, cultural, social e emocional. Os resultados alcançados indicam que as necessidades de adaptabilidade pelas situações adversas que se apresentam sobre as vidas da população em geral encontram condições desiguais de adesão entre os integrantes das comunidades acadêmicas, refletindo-se sobre as tensões que envolvem a conciliação das rotinas pessoais e institucionais, bem como sobre os anseios em um cenário de incertezas com relação às possibilidades de sobrevivência e de enfraquecimento das Instituições às quais esses indivíduos se vinculam.

O descumprimento das medidas públicas adotadas contra a COVID -19 na cidade de Tabatinga, Amazonas, Brasil

Este estudo analisa o descumprimento das medidas preventivas de contágio do novo coronavírus, SARS-CoV-2, pelos moradores no município de Tabatinga, interior do estado do Amazonas. Os resultados mostram que, dentre os diferentes fatores existentes, o comportamento social e cultural enraizado nas pessoas que aqui residem e transitam, podem ser os responsáveis pela falta de respeito às regras e determinações das autoridades. Além disso, a livre circulação de pessoas entre as cidades fronteiriças de Santa Rosa (Peru) e Letícia (Colômbia) somada a uma fiscalização ineficiente contribuem no agravamento do problema. Como resultado isso, as medidas de isolamento social propostas mediante decretos federais, estaduais e municipais, têm tido baixa efetividade na cidade de Tabatinga – AM, uma vez que, a população manteve o hábito de circular livremente pela cidade mesmo em horários e locais proibidos, causando aglomerações e contribuindo para o aumento do número de casos de Covid-19 na cidade. Diante disso, a compreensão acerca do comportamento social dos cidadãos que residem na cidade de Tabatinga se torna importante para que o poder público possa tomar medidas eficazes que contribuam de maneira efetiva na retenção do número de infectados evitando superlotar a rede pública de saúde, em particular os leitos das Unidades de Terapia Intensiva – UTIs.

Covid-19 e acesso à água na Amazônia brasileira

O cenário atual de crise sanitária, consequência da pandemia da Covid-19, revela as dificuldades enfrentadas por populações no mundo inteiro quanto às garantias no acesso à água para o combate à doença. O objetivo deste texto é analisar o acesso à água na Amazônia brasileira, de acordo com dados secundários oficiais, e relacioná-los com a difusão da Covid-19, na perspectiva das orientações dos órgãos de saúde que indicam a higienização com água e sabão, e, portanto, o acesso a esse recurso, para a prevenção contra o novo coronavírus. Por meio da revisão bibliográfica e dos dados secundários, evidenciou-se que no Brasil há grande desigualdade no serviço de saneamento básico, com baixos índices de acesso à água na região Norte, formada pelos Estados amazônicos. Nessa mesma região, estão os Estados com maior coeficiente de incidência da Covid-19 até o momento, revelando a grave situação sanitária regional frente a difusão da doença.

EDUKASI DAN EVALUASI TINGKAT PENGETAHUAN WARGA SEKITAR MASJID DI DAERAH PEKALONGAN BARAT MENGENAI PENGGUNAAN HANDSANITIZER GUNA PENCEGAHAN COVID-19

&lt;p&gt;Corona virus or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a virus that attacks the respiratory system. The disease due to this infection is called COVID-19. Corona virus can cause respiratory system disorders, acute pneumonia, and death. Prevention of coronavirus can be started from ourself. One of the things that can we do is to know the current information about the Covid-19 pandemic on the WHO website and through public health authorities. WHO advises all of us to avoid novel Covid-19 virus infection by maintaining our health and protecting others.One of them is by doing hand washing using a handsanitizer. These handsanitizers are a new habit and need to be done consistently. In order to prevent the maximum transmission, we must use a handsanitizer appropriately. It is intended that the worship process at the mosque can continue and also to prevent the transmission of Covid-19. This method of community service is the manufacture and distribution of handsanitizer and education of the use of a good and correct handsanitizer to the residents around the mosque. The Community Service Activities Program carried out can provide benefits to the community in the knowledge of using Handsanitizer correctly in preventing the transmission of novelcorona virus (Covid-19).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Keyword&lt;/strong&gt; : Covid-19, Handsanitizer, prevention&lt;/p&gt;

Level of Knowledge and Preventive Practices against Covid-19 Pandemic Infection among Pregnant Women Visiting Serbo Health Center, Jimma Town South West Ethiopia

Background: Covid-19 infection may predispose pregnant women to higher risks of severe disease and poorer neonatal outcome. Novel-corona virus is currently a pandemic and public health emergency of international concern, stated globally by the World Health Organization (WHO). Ethiopia has become one of the affected countries as of October 15, 2020. However, the level of knowledge and preventive practice against Covid-19 infection among pregnant women visiting health facilities. Objective: This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge and preventive practices against Covid-19 pandemic infection among pregnant women visiting Serbo health center, Jimma town southwest Ethiopia. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 232 sampled visitors, from 20–28 October 2020. Consecutive sampling was used to recruit the participants. The study tools were adapted from WHO resources. The data were analysed using statistical package software for social science version 23.0. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the level of knowledge and preventive practices. Results: Of the 232 respondents, 198(83.0%) knew the main clinical symptoms. 68.5% knew that older people who have chronic illnesses was at high risk of developing a severe form of Covid-19 disease. About 73.3% knew that the virus spread via respiratory droplets of infected people. Only 55(23.7) %) knew that children and young adults had to involve preventive measures. Overall, 63.1% of the visitors had high knowledge. The majority, 170(68.8%), felt self-efficacious to control Covid-19. 207(83.3%) believed that Covid-19 pandemic is a stigmatized disease. Frequent hand washing (73.7%) and avoidance of shaking hands (53.0%) were the dominant practices. Conclusions: The status of knowledge and desirable practices were not sufficient enough to combat this rapidly spreading virus. Risk communication and public education efforts should focus on building an appropriate level of knowledge.

Modular composite building in urgent emergency engineering projects: A case study of accelerated design and construction of Wuhan Thunder God Mountain/Leishenshan hospital to COVID-19 pandemic

Wuhan Leishenshan/Leishenshan (“Leishenshan” for short) hospital is a makeshift emergency hospital for treating patients diagnosed with the novel coronavirus-infected pneumonia (NCIP). Engineering construction uses modular composite building finished products to the greatest extent, which reduces the workload of field operations and saves a lot of time. The building information model (BIM) technology assists in design and construction work to meet rapid construction requirements. Besides, based on the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) data analysis and application platform, digitization and intelligence in engineering construction are improved. Simultaneously, on-site construction and overall hoisting were carried out to achieve maximum efficiency. This article aims to take the construction of Leishenshan Hospital as an example to illustrate how to adopt BIM technology and other high-tech technology such as big data, artificial intelligence, drones, and 5G for the fast construction of the fabricated steel structure systems in emergency engineering projects.

The COVID-19 Vaccination Debate: COVID-19 and Celiac Disease

COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that appears to cause a systemic disorder largely marked by fever and respiratory symptoms as well as diarrhea. The agent gains access to respiratory and gastrointestinal cells through a complex molecular mechanism associated with increased ACE2 receptor expression on brush border membranes of epithelial cells. Because some autoimmune-based disorders, including celiac disease, appear to be at increased risk for viral and community-acquired bacterial infections, a number of preliminary survey studies from different countries, largely web-based or telephone-based, have suggested that COVID-19 infection risk is not increased in celiac disease. However, specific sub-groups of patients with celiac disease have not been thoroughly evaluated. For example, selective immunoglobulin A deficiency or other immune deficiency states with celiac disease may represent a special risk group for COVID-19 and other viral infectious agents.

High prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among food delivery riders. A case study from Quito, Ecuador

AimCOVID-19 pandemic has posed an unprecedented pressure on health systems and economies worldwide. Delivery services have grown as an alternative source of revenue for many people. Consumers generally perceive that delivery services are safer than going into a restaurant, because they reduce exposure to other people and their risk of SARS-CoV-2 contagion. There are no studies analyzing viral load or the burden of COID-19 within this population. This study aims to describe the presence of SARS-CoV-2 among food delivery riders in the city of Quito, Ecuador. Study designFrom July and August 2020, bike and motorbike riders self-employed in two of the main online delivery services in Quito, Ecuador, were invited for RT-PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2 detection during the compulsory lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) 2019-Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) RT-qPCR Diagnostic Panel was used to identify the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal swabs. All samples were processed in the BSL2 certified molecular biology laboratory at Universidad de Las Americas. ResultsA total of 22 out of 145 delivery workers (15.2%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. The majority of workers were men (n = 138), the average age of male workers was 32 years-old (±7.3) and 38 years-old (± 10.6) for females. The presence of mild symptoms was reported in only 9 subjects (6%). The calculated viral load was higher among males with 1.31E+08 copies/mL vs 2.30E+06 in females, although this difference was not statistically significant (p value: 0.68, [CI: −53 to −79]). ConclusionsThe self-employed food delivery riders have a high incidence rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection in relation to the national average. It is important to point out that this is the first study of its kind in Latin-American and probably one of the very few in the world. The results emphasize the need for policy makers to look at the pandemic from as many population's sub-groups as possible. Delivery riders are a highly moving population that offer their services to a wide range of clients, including vulnerable populations such as the elderly or those less likely to leave their house for basic needs stoking.

Engineered Aptamers for Enhanced COVID-19 Theranostics.

IntroductionThe 2019-novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an intractable global health challenge resulting in an aberrant rate of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The mode of entry for SARS-CoV-2 into host cells occurs through clathrin-mediated endocytosis. As part of the efforts to mitigate COVID-19 infections, rapid and accurate detection methods, as well as smart vaccine and drug designs with SARS-CoV-2 targeting capabilities are critically needed. This systematic review aimed to present a good mapping between the structural and functional characteristics of aptamers and their potential applications in COVID-19 theranostics.MethodsIn this study, extensive discussions into the potential development of aptameric systems as robust theranostics for rapid mitigation of the virulent SARS-CoV-2 was made. Information required for this study were extracted from a systematic review of literature in PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science (WOS), and other official related reports from reputable organisations.ResultsThe global burden of COVID-19 pandemic was discussed including the progress in rapid detection, repurposing of existing antiviral drugs, and development of prophylactic vaccines. Aptamers have highly specific and stable target binding characteristics which can be generated and engineered with less complexity for COVID-19 targeted theranostic applications.ConclusionsThere is an urgent need to develop safe innovative biomedical technologies to mitigate the dire impact of COVID-19 on public health worldwide. Research advances into aptameric systems bode well with the fact that they can be engineered for the development of effective and affordable diagnostics, therapeutics and prophylactic vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 and other infectious pathogens.

Design and model of facemask to inactivate the novel coronavirus

Design and model of facemask to inactivate the novel coronavirus

Cognitive Biases Affecting the Maintenance of COVID-19 Pandemic.

All countries and regions have already been infected with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). This super small guest has paralyzed the entire world’s economy, from the drastic fall of oil prices to the bankruptcy of great companies or even the small retail shops. The people’s lifestyle is undergoing significant changes, which is leaving a negative impact on their psychological and physical health. The atmosphere is filled with dual accusations from each one of the governments and their citizens. Recognizing cognitive biases that have potentially affected decision-making during the COVID-19 pandemic would help consider behavioral changes for curbing this global viral infection.

刍议科技自立自强作为国家发展战略支撑——从新冠疫情事件中对科教创新重要性的进一步认识

刍议科技自立自强作为国家发展战略支撑——从新冠疫情事件中对科教创新重要性的进一步认识

SARS-CoV-2 tests in occupational settings: what you look for is what you get.

During the last month of 2019, a new Coronavirus from China started to spread all around the world causing a pandemic emergency still ongoing. The outbreak made imperative the need for diagnostic and screening tests that could identify the current and past infection state of an individual. Occupational medicine is facing a very demanding challenge, as the pandemic set off the need to re-evaluate many aspects of workplace safety. A fundamental role has been played by tests used to diagnose COVID-19 and to isolate infected asymptomatic subjects, with a view to the viral evolution and the emerging variants. However, the need for the urgent set-up of new methods for assessing both new and past infections has resulted in a large number of methods, not always comparable with each other, in terms of laboratory techniques, viral antigens used for detection, and class of antibodies detected. These factors make it difficult to understand the serological test results and their possible application. In this paper, we reviewed the types of assays currently available, to address some key aspects that characterize each technique, and might have an impact on results interpretation.

Low-dose radiation therapy for COVID-19 pneumonia

The new coronavirus COVID-19 disease was declared a global public health emergency by the World Health Organization on January 2020. In the current dismal situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, effective management of patients with pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome is of utmost importance. Due to the current lack of effective pharmacological concepts, this situation has caused interest in re-considering historical reports on the treatment of patients with low-dose radiation therapy for pneumonia. Although these historical reports are of low-level evidence per se, hampering recommendations for decision-making in the clinical setting, they indicate effectiveness in the dose range between 0.3 and 1 Gy, similar to more recent dose concepts in the treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory/degenerative benign diseases with, for example, a single dose per fraction of 0.5 Gy. Thus, we review the effects and mechanism and highlight the evidence for low-dose radiation that may be viable and useful in counteracting the acute inflammatory state induced by critical stage COVID-19 in the treatment of COVID-19 pneumopathy.

COVID-19 PNEUMONIA ASSOCIATED WITH RHABDOMYOLYSIS IN PATIENT WITH PREVIOUS CHRONIC THERAPY WITH STATIN: COINCIDENCE OR REALTED CONDITIONS?

&nbsp; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel coronavirus which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It was first identified amid an outbrake of respiratory illness cases in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. COVID-19 was reported to the world Health Organisation (WHO) on 31 December 2019 and declare as a global pandemic on 11 March 2020 . Presentation of COVID-19 range from asymptomatic or mild symptoms to severe illness or death. The most serious complication of COVID-19 is a type of pneumonia that’s been called 2019 novel coronavirus-infected pneumonia (NCIP). COVID-19 pneumonia presents as an atypical pneumonia, with diffuse bilateral lung involvement. Severe cases present with acute lung injury, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Rhabdomyolisis can be initial presentation of COVID-19, and also is a life-threatening disorder. Rhabdomyolysis is the breakdown of skeletal muscle by releasing it cellular content into the systemic circulation.&nbsp; A 73-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with bilateral pneumonia, muscle pain, and worsening symptoms. On hospital day 5 his oxygen saturation get low, so we started treatment with oxygen inhalation by high flow mask. On the 14th hospital day the muscle enzymes started increasing. After propriety treatment the patient was discharged on hospital day 28.Patient with COVID-19 pneumonia can developed rhabdomyolysis because of SARS CoV-2 infection also there is a risk of developing rhabdomyolysis after using drug for treatment of COVID-19. Our patient was on previous chronic therapy with statins but with normal liver and muscle enzymes. During his hospitalization and deteriorated of his clinical condition the enzymes increased with presentation of rhabdomyolysis. Our findings indicate that rapid clinical recognition and positive hydration treatment of COVID-19–asociated rhabdomyolysis can reduce the risk for serious complications. Keywords:&nbsp;SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, COVID-19 pneumonia, rhabdomyolysis, chronic statin therapy

Assessment of Potential Risk Factors for 2019-Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCov) Infection among Health Care Workers in a Tertiary Care Hospital, North India.

IntroductionHealth care workers (HCWs) are at the forefront to fight against COVID-19 pandemic. They are at more risk of contracting the infection. This study was planned to assess potential risk factors of 2019-novel coronavirus infection among HCWs working in a health facility and to evaluate the effectiveness of infection prevention and control measures among them.MethodsA study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital among HCWs who were directly or indirectly involved in the management of a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19. The socio-demographic characteristics, history of exposure, IPC measures followed and clinical symptoms were compared between health care workers in COVID and non-COVID areas.ResultsMajority (45%) of HCWs were nurses, followed by hospital/sanitary/technical attendants (30%) and doctors (24%). Out of a total of 256 HCWs, 2% tested positive. Around 80% of HCWs had ever attended any IPC training. A statistically significant association was found between posting area of HCWs and their exposure to COVID patients (duration of exposure, PPE has worn by HCWs, direct contact of HCWs with the patient’s material) and COVID positivity (P value <.001).ConclusionIf health care workers were trained and take adequate precautions then the risk of getting an infection is minimized.

A descriptive cross-sectional study on COVID-19 knowledge, attitude, and practices of South Indian population.

BACKGROUND:The 2019-novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) started as an epidemic later transformed into a pandemic causing a threat to public health globally. Any community to fight the COVID-19 pandemic requires adequate knowledge, attitude of the people, and practice of the government-imposed laws and regulations. Based on these factors, we framed the objectives to find the sociodemographic profile of the study group and to assess their knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) toward COVID-19. These results will help the health planners and administrators in each state to find out the gap in health education efforts.MATERIALS AND METHODS:A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted on South Indian population to know KAP toward COVID-19. A convenient sampling technique was used to collect the data using Google forms, and analysis was done using the SPSS software version 21. The questionnaire includes sociodemographic information, KAP questions toward COVID-19, and perception toward national and community responses.RESULTS:A total of 1644 were participated; the average knowledge score was 17.5 (+1.9). Most of them (92.9%) respondent's perceived that early detection will have a better outcome from COVID-19, whereas the knowledge compared with practice, there is a significant difference Pearson correlation (0.404) P is < 0.001.CONCLUSIONS:Although a high level of knowledge on COVID-19 in the public gradually decreasing the practice of preventive measures, the government should continue the consistent efforts to change the behavioral communication and motivate the public social responsibility to adhere to the health protocols, masking, hand hygiene, social distancing, and vaccination to prevent expected COVID-19 subsequent episodes.

Target Testing and Specificity of Nucleic Acid Based Diagnostics for COVID-19

Objective: The seek of this study is to provide an indication on the features of diagnostic testing of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR, including parameters of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios. Background: Coronavirus Disease is the fifth international emergency after 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, triggered by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2). On 30 January, the WHO acknowledged COVID-19 to be a global health disaster of international importance and a pandemic on 11 March 2020. In vitro analyses of the data shows that for SARS-CoV-2 the RT-PCR test is highly specific, as it is not counter react with nucleic acid of other viruses. Methods: Oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal swabs were collected into a 3 ml viral transport media (VTM) and transported to Laboratory. Extraction of the viral RNA was done by Qiasymphony DSP Virus/ Pathogen mini kit (Qiagen GmbH, Germany). For amplification process of RT-PCR qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA utilizing with SYSTAAQ 2019-Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Real time PCR kit using a BIORAD-CFX 96. Results: Out of 15,049, 3195 samples were positive for covid-19 qPCR. Ratio of the Males patients were greater than females. 63.7% males and 36.3% females were effected with Covid-19. Symptom wise analysis shows 62% patient were asymptomatic, 22.7% mild, 1.7% moderate, 12.7% stable, 0.6% severe and 0.2% were critical. Our analysis reveals age group 1 (4.9%), group 2 (55.5%), group 3 (27.5%), and group 4 (12.1%) were effected with SARS-nCoV-2. Our result shows 3.0 % patients were deceased and 97% were recovered. Conclusion: Our findings contribute to the evolving understanding of the sophisticated interaction between this emerging SARS-CoV-2 virus and nucleic acid based target testing of COVID-19.

Hispidin and Lepidine E: Two Natural Compounds and Folic Acid as Potential Inhibitors of 2019-novel Coronavirus Main Protease (2019- nCoVMpro), Molecular Docking and SAR Study

Hispidin and Lepidine E: Two Natural Compounds and Folic Acid as Potential Inhibitors of 2019-novel Coronavirus Main Protease (2019- nCoVMpro), Molecular Docking and SAR Study