Second Wave Of Infection Research Articles

Rural–Urban Divide of COVID-19 Fatalities in India—Investigating the Role of Lifestyle Disorder Diseases

AbstractUsing data on weekly COVID-19 infections and fatalities at the district level for 19 states and 4 union territories of India, we investigate the determinants of COVID-19 deaths focusing exclusively on the second wave of infections. We include several macroeconomic and structural indicators for districts namely, per capita district domestic product, the degree of urbanization, population density, percentage of aged population, share of agriculture, poverty, among several others. Our findings suggest that fatalities have a clear rural–urban divide. Rural agricultural districts with more poor people have experienced less cases and fatalities. Fatalities are more clustered in prosperous and dense industrial districts. Regions having higher COVID-19 fatalities also have a higher proportion of ageing population with urban life-style disorder related diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. Prevalence of respiratory illnesses further aggravates the effects of some of these life-style disorder diseases on COVID-19 fatalities.

Differences in SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence at the end of the pre-vaccination period between age groups: A cross-sectional analysis of the multi-ethnic population-based HELIUS study.

During the first waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence (seroprevalence) was lower in older compared to younger adults. We studied age group differences in SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence, across ethnic groups, and assessed the explanatory value of factors that increase the exposure to the virus, and factors related to susceptibility, given the level of exposure. We analysed cross-sectional data from 2,064 participants from the multi-ethnic HELIUS study (Amsterdam, The Netherlands). SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence at the second wave of infections was compared between age groups (<40, 40-54, and ≥55 years), within ethnic groups, using Poisson regression with robust standard errors. To determine whether age group differences were explained by differences in exposure and in susceptibility, we sequentially adjusted for exposure (job setting, occupation level, health literacy, household size, household member with suspected infection), education level, and susceptibility (vitamin D intake, BMI, systolic blood pressure, haemoglobin level, number of comorbidities). SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence did not statistically differ across age groups (p>0.05), but age patterns varied across ethnic groups. Age group differences in SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence were most pronounced in the Dutch majority group, with the highest prevalence ratio in the youngest group (2.55, 95%CI 0.93-6.97) and the lowest in the oldest group (0.53, 95%CI 0.16-1.74), compared to the middle-aged group. In ethnic minority groups, age group differences were smaller. In all groups, patterns did not substantially change after adjustments for exposure and susceptibility variables. We found no evidence of age group differences in SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence, particularly for ethnic minority groups, even when accounting for exposure and susceptibility. While early prevention strategies particularly aimed at protecting older adults against SARS-CoV-2 infections, seroprevalence was similar across age groups in ethnic minority groups. Thus, older adults in ethnic minority groups may pose a target group for additional prevention strategies for future infectious disease outbreaks.

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and Associated Factors Among Individuals During the Second Wave of Infection in Yaounde, Cameroon

Background: The first case of new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was reported in Cameroon on March 5, 2020, in Yaounde. Since then, viral propagation occurred nationwide with a higher burden in urban settings and limited evidence on transmission patterns. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and associated factors among individuals in urban settings of Cameroon during the second wave of the pandemic. Methods: a population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted from January 18 to April 26, 2021, among 807 consenting individuals living in four major districts of the city of Yaoundé. Out of 711 nasopharyngeal swabs collected, 671 tests were performed by SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA) extraction and real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL). Data were analysed using SPSS v21.0, with p &lt; 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: overall SARS-CoV-2 RNA positivity rate was 11.62% (78/671), without any significant difference between males and females with 10.9% versus 12.20% respectively (OR = 0.87, p = 0.5). However, clinical status was associated with SARS-CoV-2 RNA positivity rate in symptomatic (26.3%) vs. asymptomatic (9.7%) individuals (Odds Ratio [OR] = 3.30, p = 0.0001). Other factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 RNA positivity include exposure to more than 15min with confirmed cases, wearing a non-conventional facemask (p ˂ 0.05), the practice of occasional hand hygiene before and after contact with patients (OR = 3.60, p &lt; 0.0001) or always as recommended (OR = 0.28, p = 0.0001), hand hygiene before and after occasional contact with objects (OR = 2.05, p = 0.0043) or always as recommended (OR = 0.48, p = 0.0027), surgical mask (OR = 0.17, p = 0.013) and standard mask (p = 0.026). Conclusion: From this urban setting of Cameroon, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) reached an alert burden (10-20%) during the second wave of the pandemic at the district level. Interestingly, SARS-CoV-2 infection was driven by the presence of symptoms, close contact with confirmed cases, limited adherence to recommended barrier measures, and the use of non-conventional facemasks.

The Impact of the Successive Outbreaks of COVID-19, Vaccination, and Physical Activity on Mental Health in the Argentine Population: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study.

Background and objectives A controversy regarding the duration of generalized anxiety disorders (GAD) and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic arose, stating that these symptoms last a short time, perhaps a few months, or that they are more persistent over time. After more than three years of the pandemic, this is still a question that requires an answer. The main goal of this work was to record the levels of self-perceived GAD and depression in the Argentine population at several timepoints during the pandemicto characterize whether they were transient or persisted over the successive waves of contagion. Furthermore, we studied the association between anti-COVID-19 vaccination and the high frequency of physical activity with GAD and depression levelsto evaluate a possible protective role of these factors on mental health. Methods We used a descriptive and correlational research design. We carried out a repeated cross-sectional study performing seven online surveys (collection period: four to 15 days)at different timepoints in October 2020, May, August, October, and December 2021, and February and April 2022. The participants (24,308) were recruited through Instagramcampaigns performed by renowned local scientific communicators and responded to the survey through Google Forms (Google, Mountain View, CA). Generalized anxiety was assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). The respondents reported their symptoms using a four-point Likert scale, which led us to calculate the scores and also the prevalence (% of the population with moderate to severe symptoms) for GAD and depressionand the frequency they performed physical activity per week. Data were statistically analyzed using the unpaired Mann-Whitney U-test, chi-squared, Spearman correlation, or Tukey's post hoc test after two-way ANOVA. Results Our results show that the highest prevalence for GAD and depression correspond to those of the second wave of infections (May 2021: 57.3% and 54.19%, respectively) and that the lower levels were reported by the end of the third wave (April 2022: 43.21% and 43.65%, respectively). Such levels were even lower than those reported during the first waveat the beginning of our study (October 2020: 45.94% and 48.92%, respectively). In other words, even though the third wave tripled the number of people infected with respect to the second one, its effects on mental health were attenuated. The increment in the vaccine doses inoculated between the last two waves of contagion was associated with a decrease in the GAD score (mean ± SEM: 10.75± 0.06 vs. 8.88± 0.13) and the depressive symptoms (mean ± SEM: 10.76± 0.07 vs. 9.23± 0.14). Throughout the entire study period, the fraction of the population that practiced physical activity three or more times per week was self-perceived with lower levels of GAD and depression than those who exercised less frequently. Conclusions Of the three waves of contagion that the Argentine population suffered, the highest rates of GAD and depression were recorded in the second wave, and these symptoms decreased over the months, even during the third wave, which presented the highest number of infections. Our results also suggest that the progress of the vaccination campaign and the practice of physical exercises with high frequency could play a protective role in the mental health of the population during COVID-19.

Ethical dilemma arises from optimizing interventions for epidemics in heterogeneous populations.

Interventions to mitigate the spread of infectious diseases, while succeeding in their goal, have economic and social costs associated with them. These limit the duration and intensity of the interventions. We study a class of interventions which reduce the reproduction number and find the optimal strength of the intervention which minimizes the final epidemic size for an immunity inducing infection. The intervention works by eliminating the overshoot part of an epidemic, and avoids a second wave of infections. We extend the framework by considering a heterogeneous population and find that the optimal intervention can pose an ethical dilemma for decision and policymakers. This ethical dilemma is shown to be analogous to the trolley problem. We apply this optimization strategy to real-world contact data and case fatality rates from three pandemics to underline the importance of this ethical dilemma in real-world scenarios.

The Response to Natural Infections with Erwinia amylovora Burrill of Five Quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.) Cultivars in Bistrița Area, Romania

Erwinia amylovora is the most damaging bacterial disease of quince, causing a lot of damage to this crop. In cases of severe infections, this disease could even cause the death of the tree. The climatic conditions in Bistrita region were favourable for fire blight outbreak in 2022, and gave us the opportunity to study the differences manifested by five quince cultivars ('Aromate', 'Aurii' 'Bereczki', 'Adonia' and 'Cedonia') when naturally infected with Erwinia amylovora Burrill. The second wave of infections, in September, was significantly less damaging than the first one which occurred in June. Overall, after assessing the frequency of the blighted shoots of the mentioned quince cultivars, in June and in September of the year 2022, we concluded that there were significant differences between responses to natural infection Erwinia amylovora of these cultivars. The data showed that the cultivars 'Aromate' and 'Aurii' have a better behaviour than the Hungarian cultivar 'Bereczki', while the Romanian cultivars 'Adonia' and 'Cedonia' appeared to be very susceptible under the climatic conditions of the year 2022 in Bistrita area.

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and associated risk factors during the second wave of infection in a university community in Cameroon.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a public health emergency in all sectors of society, including universities and other academic institutions in Cameroon. However, little is known concerning the real prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections among student communities during the second wave of infection in Cameroon. This study aimed to estimate SARS-CoV-2 antibodies seroprevalence among participants in a university community in Cameroon. A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2021 in 547 students aged ≥18 years during a mass diagnostic campaign at the School of Health Sciences of the Catholic University of Central Africa (ESS/UCAC). The anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody screening was done using the Panbio™ COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Diagnostic Test. The overall seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 27%, of which 89.9% (n =133) was IgG, 6.7% (n =10) IgM and 3.4% (n =5) IgG/IgM positive. The undergraduate students represented 79% (432/547) of the total population and were highly positive with anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies 30% (130/432) as compared with postgraduate students 20% (23/115). The total antibody seropositivity was higher in males (34.4%) than females (24.9%). Several factors were associated with an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence including the male gender (OR: 1.61 [95% confidence interval, CI 1.0-2.4]), specialization to medical laboratory (OR: 2.8 [95% CI 1.1-7.1]) and nursing sciences (OR: 2.6 [95% CI 1.1-6.2]). Our findings point to extensive and underreported circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in a university community during the second wave of infection in Cameroon, which likely resulted in artificially low case counts.

Changes in the profile of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and related neuroimaging findings during the first and second waves: a South Indian perspective

BackgroundThe spectrum of COVID-19 infection-related neurological imaging findings in East Asian and Western populations has been well documented. In the Indian subcontinent, certain extracranial neurological imaging manifestations such as acute invasive fungal sinusitis were noted to occur with increasing frequency when compared to that reported in literature. This anomaly was more evident during the second wave of infection and since there is a paucity of literature documenting this change, we undertook this retrospective observational study.ResultsPatients with COVID-19 who underwent brain or spine imaging between 1st March 2020 and 31st May 2021 were assessed for inclusion. We considered cases with imaging done in 2020 as the 1st wave, and cases with imaging done in 2021 as the 2nd wave. In the first wave, the most common neuroimaging findings were ischemic stroke (82, 26.5%), acute invasive fungal sinusitis (34, 11%), dural venous sinus thrombosis (15, 4.9%), and brain hemorrhages (15, 4.9%). In the second wave, the most common were acute invasive fungal sinusitis (44, 21.9%), ischemic stroke (39, 19.4%), and noninvasive sinusitis (30, 14.9%). The second wave had significantly more cases of acute invasive fungal sinusitis (44, 21.9% vs. 34, 11%; p-value .001), noninvasive sinusitis, and orbital cellulitis when compared to the first wave.ConclusionsWhile we had ischemic stroke, followed by acute invasive fungal sinusitis, dural venous sinus thrombosis, and brain hemorrhages as the most common neuroimaging findings in the first wave, the second wave was dominated by the extracranial complications of Mucormycosis, namely acute invasive fungal sinusitis.

Clinical Features, Laboratory Parameters, Treatment and Outcome analysis of COVID-19 Patients admitted to a Referral Hospital at Nepalese Terai Region during Second Wave

Background &amp; Objective: COVID-19 pandemic has tested health care systems worldwide. The massive wave of infection in Nepal between March to April 2021 overwhelmed the health care institutions throughout the country. This study describes the demographic, clinical, laboratory parameters and outcome of patients hospitalized in a secondary level facility during second wave of infection.&#x0D; Material and Methods: The data was extracted from admitted patients at Janaki Health Care and Teaching Hospital (JHCTH) with COVID-19, between 9th April to 14th June 2021. Demographic, clinical, laboratory parameters, treatment and outcome were recorded from the medical records and analyzed.&#x0D; Results: Out of 122 admitted patients,11%, 18.03%, 33.60% and 35.24% presented with mild, moderate, severe and critical illnesses respectively, with the median saturation of peripheral oxygen (SPO2) at admission was 89(34-99)% and 17 deaths were recorded a mortality rate of 20.4%.A significantly high mortality rate was found among ventilated patients (73.3%), against non ventilated (7.2%). Mortality rates among critically and severely ill patients were 38.46 % and 6.9% respectively. Mean C reactive protein (CRP) was 51.13(±30.50)mg/dl. Statistically significant CRP levels were observed in patients who presented with mild illness (32.53±10.85 mg/dl) and those who died in hospital (61.08±30.00 mg/dl). Remdesivir use did not offer any mortality benefit.&#x0D; Conclusion: A very high mortality rate (20.40%) observed in this study due to COVID-19 in hospitalized patients, may be associated with a high proportion of severe and critical cases (68.70%) admitted. Further upgrading of health resources should be prioritized to manage severe COVID-19 related mortalities, because of the possibility of a future waves.

Low prevalence of current and past SARS-CoV-2 infections among visitors and staff members of homelessness services in Amsterdam at the end of the second wave of infections in the Netherlands.

People experiencing homelessness (PEH) may be at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19. The Dutch government established emergency shelters and introduced preventive measures for homelessness services. There were no major SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks noticed among PEH during the first two waves of infections. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of current and past infections among PEH and staff by conducting an on-site COVID-19 screening project at homelessness services in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. We assessed the proportion of visitors and staff members of four homelessness services at two locations in Amsterdam with positive SARS-CoV-2 qPCR and antibody results (IgG/IgM Rapid Test/Biozek) in May 2021. We also assessed sociodemographic, clinical and lifestyle characteristics, compliance with basic prevention measures and intention to vaccinate against COVID-19 among PEH and staff. A total of 138 visitors and 53 staff members filled out a questionnaire and were tested. Among PEH, the SARS-CoV-2 positivity rate was 0% (0/133;95%CI = 0-1.9) and the antibody positivity rate was 1.6% (2/131;95%CI = 0.8-7.5) among those without prior COVID-19 vaccination. Among staff, these percentages were 3% (1/32;95%CI = 0.1-16.2) and 11% (5/53;95%CI = 3.6-23.6), respectively. Most participants were often compliant with the basic preventive measures 'not shaking hands', 'wearing a face mask' and 'washing hands', but not with 'physical distancing'. High vaccination intent was more common among staff members (55%) than among visitors (42%), while high trust in the governmental COVID-19 policies was more common among visitors (41%) than among staff (30%). We observed a low prevalence of past and current SARS-CoV-2 infections among PEH, which may be explained by instated shelter policies, limited daily activities of PEH and compliance with prevention measures. Vaccine hesitancy and mistrust among visitors and staff could hinder vaccination uptake, suggesting that interventions towards homelessness services are needed.

Expansion of wastewater-based disease surveillance to improve health equity in California's Central Valley: sequential shifts in case-to-wastewater and hospitalization-to-wastewater ratios.

Over a third of the communities (39%) in the Central Valley of California, a richly diverse and important agricultural region, are classified as disadvantaged-with inadequate access to healthcare, lower socio-economic status, and higher exposure to air and water pollution. The majority of racial and ethnic minorities are also at higher risk of COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and death according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Healthy Central Valley Together established a wastewater-based disease surveillance (WDS) program that aims to achieve greater health equity in the region through partnership with Central Valley communities and the Sewer Coronavirus Alert Network. WDS offers a cost-effective strategy to monitor trends in SARS-CoV-2 community infection rates. In this study, we evaluated correlations between public health and wastewater data (represented as SARS-CoV-2 target gene copies normalized by pepper mild mottle virus target gene copies) collected for three Central Valley communities over two periods of COVID-19 infection waves between October 2021 and September 2022. Public health data included clinical case counts at county and sewershed scales as well as COVID-19 hospitalization and intensive care unit admissions. Lag-adjusted hospitalization:wastewater ratios were also evaluated as a retrospective metric of disease severity and corollary to hospitalization:case ratios. Consistent with other studies, strong correlations were found between wastewater and public health data. However, a significant reduction in case:wastewater ratios was observed for all three communities from the first to the second wave of infections, decreasing from an average of 4.7 ± 1.4 over the first infection wave to 0.8 ± 0.4 over the second. The decline in case:wastewater ratios was likely due to reduced clinical testing availability and test seeking behavior, highlighting how WDS can fill data gaps associated with under-reporting of cases. Overall, the hospitalization:wastewater ratios remained more stable through the two waves of infections, averaging 0.5 ± 0.3 and 0.3 ± 0.4 over the first and second waves, respectively.

The dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 infection in unvaccinated and vaccinated populations in Mumbai, India, between 28 December 2020 and 30 August 2021.

The emergence and evolution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants that could compromise vaccine efficacy (VE) with re-infections in immunized individuals have necessitated continuous surveillance of VE. Here, the occurrence and dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 infections in the context of vaccination during the second wave of infection in Mumbai were evaluated. RT-PCR cycle threshold (Ct) values of the open reading frame (ORF)/envelope (E)/nucleocapsid (N) genes obtained from a total of 42415 samples, comprising unvaccinated (96.88%) and vaccinated cases (3.12%) were analyzed between December 28, 2020, and August 30, 2021. A lower incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in fully vaccinated cases (5.07%) compared to partially vaccinated cases(6.5%) and unvaccinated cases (13.453%)was recorded. VE was significant after the first dose of vaccination (ORF gene p-value = 0.003429, and E/N genep-value= 0.000866). Furthermore, VE was observed to be significant when the post-immunization (first dose) period was stratified to within 30 days (ORF gene p-value = 0.0094and E/N gene p-value = 0.0023) and to 60 days following the second dose of vaccination (ORF gene p-value = 0.0238). Also, significantly higher efficacy was observed within individuals receiving two doses compared to a single dose (ORF gene p-value = 0.0132and E/N gene p-value = 0.0387). The emergence of breakthrough infections was also evident (odds ratio= 0.34; 95% confidence interval= 0.27-0.43). Interestingly, viral loads trended towards being higher in some groups of partially vaccinated individuals compared to completely vaccinated and unvaccinated populations. Finally, our results delineated a significantly higher incidence of SARS-CoV-2 acquisition in males, asymptomatic individuals, individuals with comorbidities, and those who were unvaccinated.

Delta plus: A New Variant of Corona Virus

The Delta plus variant, often known as the K417N mutation, is a Covid-19 viralariant. K417N was initially discovered in India in April 2021 and was first announced in the public health England bulletin on June 11th. The report was released in order to continue sharing detailed Delta surveillance information (VOC-21APR-02, B.1.617.2). Delta plus has also been discovered in nine other nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Switzerland, Japan, Poland, Nepal, Russia, and China. On the Coronavirus spike, the Delta plus variation has an extra mutation termed K417N, which has been detected in South Africa and Brazil also. Delta plus may have a modest advantage in infecting and propagating among those who have already been infected. The Indian variety of SARS CoV-2, also known as B.1.617, is a Coronavirus variant that had a key role in India's second wave of infection. B.1.617 has three noteworthy sub variants. B.1.617.2, which was detected in India in December 2020, is the most concerning. In December 2020, a new sub-variant known as B.1.617.1 was discovered for the first time in India. B.1.617.1 was found in 50% of all reported sequences by late March, but the proportion dropped in April. B.1.617.1 is known as the "Indian double mutant," although this label is misleading because it has about 15 mutations when compared to older variants." The term "double mutant" refers to the presence of two mutations in the outer spike protein of the bacterium.

A Comprehensive review on COVID-19 Variant: Delta plus and Omicron Variant

The Delta plus variant, often known as the K417N mutation and B.1.1.529 is known as Omicron, K417N was initially discovered in India in April 2021 and was first announced in the public health England bulletin on June 11th 2021, and the report was released in order to continue sharing detailed Delta surveillance information (VOC-21APR-02, B.1.617.2). On November the 1st Omicron case was reported by South Africa. Delta plus has also been discovered in nine other nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Switzerland, Japan, Poland, Nepal, Russia, and China. Delta plus may have a modest advantage in infecting and propagating among those who have already been infected. The Indian variety of SARS CoV-2, also known as B.1.617, is a Coronavirus variant that had a key role in India's second wave of infection. B.1.617 has three noteworthy sub-variants. B.1.617.2, which was detected in India in December 2020, is the most concerning. In December 2020, a new sub-variant known as B.1.617.1 was discovered for the first time in India. B.1.617.1 was found in 50% of all reported sequences by late March, but the proportion dropped in April. B.1.617.1 is known as the "Indian double mutant," although this label is misleading because it has about 15 mutations when compared to older variants." The term "double mutant" refers to the presence of two mutations in the outer spike protein of the bacterium. Omicron is the 3rd wave of mutated variant stated by W.H.O during November.

Molecular Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 during Five COVID-19 Waves and the Significance of Low-Frequency Lineages.

SARS-CoV-2 lineages and variants of concern (VOC) have gained more efficient transmission and immune evasion properties with time. We describe the circulation of VOCs in South Africa and the potential role of low-frequency lineages on the emergence of future lineages. Whole genome sequencing was performed on SARS-CoV-2 samples from South Africa. Sequences were analysed with Nextstrain pangolin tools and Stanford University Coronavirus Antiviral & Resistance Database. In 2020, 24 lineages were detected, with B.1 (3%; 8/278), B.1.1 (16%; 45/278), B.1.1.348 (3%; 8/278), B.1.1.52 (5%; 13/278), C.1 (13%; 37/278) and C.2 (2%; 6/278) circulating during the first wave. Beta emerged late in 2020, dominating the second wave of infection. B.1 and B.1.1 continued to circulate at low frequencies in 2021 and B.1.1 re-emerged in 2022. Beta was outcompeted by Delta in 2021, which was thereafter outcompeted by Omicron sub-lineages during the 4th and 5th waves in 2022. Several significant mutations identified in VOCs were also detected in low-frequency lineages, including S68F (E protein); I82T (M protein); P13L, R203K and G204R/K (N protein); R126S (ORF3a); P323L (RdRp); and N501Y, E484K, D614G, H655Y and N679K (S protein). Low-frequency variants, together with VOCs circulating, may lead to convergence and the emergence of future lineages that may increase transmissibility, infectivity and escape vaccine-induced or natural host immunity.

“Solidarity:” A failed call to action during the COVID-19 pandemic

Global health leaders evoked the concept of “solidarity” to unite citizens in efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Historically the term has been used in different domains (politics and labor) and in connection to different crises (refugees, immigration, and climate change). Was “solidarity” a useful rallying cry? To assess the impact of health communication efforts to motivate citizen action, surveys were administered at three key moments in the first two years of the pandemic: June 2020 as cases declined globally (n = 90); October 2020 during the second wave of infections in Europe and the US (n = 96); and March 2021 when vaccines became available to adults (n = 100). Calls for solidarity motivate fleeting efforts, irrespective of perceived risk, and are less likely to inspire action for the public good as compared to other motivators such as team reasoning and compassion. While the pandemic revealed the capacity of citizens to support one another in the absence of state intervention, calls for solidarity are ineffective in inspiring long-term engagements toward a common good.

Genomic characterization and molecular evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil

SARS-CoV-2 is the virus responsible for the COVID-19 and has afflicted the world since the end of 2019. Different lineages have been discovered and the Gamma lineage, which started the second wave of infections, was first described in Brazil, one of the most affected countries by pandemic. Therefore, this study analyzed SARS-CoV-2 sequenced genomes from Esteio city in Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil. We also comparatively analyzed genomes of the two first years of the pandemic from Rio Grande do Sul state for understanding their genomic and evolutionary patterns. The phylogenomic analysis showed monophyletic groups for Alpha, Gamma, Delta and Omicron, as well as for other circulating lineages in the state. Molecular evolutionary analysis identified several sites under adaptive selection in membrane and nucleocapsid proteins which could be related to a prevalent stabilizing effect on membrane protein structure, as well as majoritarily destabilizing effects on C-terminal nucleocapsid domain.

Alterations in the coagulation markers did not show differences with the severity of COVID-19 in Peruvian patients: A cross-sectional single-center study.

COVID-19 is a pandemic disease that can lead to altered lung function, systemic inflammatory events, and altered coagulation. During severe stages of the disease, changes in coagulation homeostasis increase, leading to thrombosis, and increased risk of death. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to assess coagulation markers by COVID-19 severity in Peruvian adults. During the second wave of infections, we included 186 adults diagnosed with COVID-19 (mean age 53.3 ± 16.3 years). Patients were divided into mild, moderate, and severe stages of COVID-19, and coagulation markers included prothrombin time (PT), activated partial prothrombin time (aPTT), fibrinogen, d-dimer, and platelet count. Of the total, 120 (64.5%) were males and 39 (21%) were in the intensive care unit. We determine 104 (55.9%), 43 (24.7%), and 36 (19.4%) patients in mild, moderate, and severe stages of COVID-19, respectively. In the severe stage of COVID-19, patients had an average concentration of PT, aPTT, fibrinogen, d-dimer, and platelets of 13.2 ± 0.9 s, 28.9 ± 4.3 s, 679.4 ± 185.1 mg/dL, 1.9 ± 3.1 µg/mL, and 272.8 ± 88.9 cel/10 mm,3respectively. We found no differences in the concentration of each marker according to severity (p < 0.05). Patients with severe COVID-19 had altered the aPTT, fibrinogen, d-dimer, and PT in 31 (57.4%), 48 (88.9%), 37 (68.5%), and 15 (27.8%) cases, respectively. Our results showed that although there is an alteration in coagulation markers, mainly fibrinogen and d-fiber, there are no differences in concentration according to the severity of COVID-19.

COVID-19 among health-care providers during the first and second wave of infection in India

Health-care providers or health-care workers (HCWs) are at higher risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection when compared to the general population. An early routine screening of both symptomatic and asymptomatic HCWs is essential to prevent transmission of infection and thus the nosocomial spread. The cumulative prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among Indian HCWs is unknown. This systematic review was aimed to analyse the prevalence of SARS-Co-V2 disease (COVID-19) among Indian HCWs. Data were collected from a comprehensive computerised search in PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, ResearchGate, Scopus and Web of Science using the terms 'Prevalence of COVID-19 among HCWs in India' and 'prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among HCWs in India'. Results of original research papers and meta-analysis published were collected and data analysed. Results of seven studies on 31656 HCWs in India were pooled. Overall, average prevalence of COVID-19 among the HCWs was 12.3%. Majorities were frontline workers irrespective of the gender. Most of the cases were symptomatic, with cough and fever as major clinical presentations. Findings suggest that adequate organisation of clinical wards and personnel, appropriate personal protective equipment supply and training of all workers directly and repeatedly exposed to COVID-19 patients should be prioritised to decrease the risk of infection. Furthermore, the duty time of HCWs who works in COVID treating area should be minimised.

Formation of collective immunity against a new coronavirus infection COVID-19 in blood donors

Introduction. The new coronavirus infection COVID-19, fi rst detected at the end of 2019 in the Chinese city of Wuhan, caused a worldwide pandemic. High mortality among people with chronic diseases, a high frequency of the severe form of the disease, and an unspecifi ed number of asymptomatic carriers are all causes for heavy burden on the healthcare system, including the blood bank service.Aim – to assess the SARS-CoV-2 antibody formation in blood donors.Materials and methods. The research included test results for 12,314 blood samples of donors who donated blood during 04.29.2020 – 08.04.2021 at the National Medical Research Center for Hematology (Russia). Anti-RBD-SARS IgG were tested by «SARS-CoV-2-IgG-ELISA», manufactured by the National Medical Research Center for Hematology, LLC «HEMA» (Russia).Results. Among 12,314 blood samples from donors, 3,219 (26.14 %) were positive for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. Antibodies detection rate increased from 8.52 to 58.09 % during the observation period. For representative evaluation of donors’ anti-SARS antibodies growth profi le, the results of detection were analyzed within two-week periods (including holidays). This approach made it possible to avoid counting the same donor twice. In the profi le of the growth of collective immunity in donors, two periods were identifi ed: May – November 2020 and November 2020 – April 2021. The period of May – November 2020 proved no signifi cant change in antibodies detection in donors. Detection rate was stable at about 15 % (13.10–16.24 %). The second period, from November 2020 to April 2021, demonstrated sustainable growth of this parameter from 16.20 to 58.09 %. This is likely due to the start of the second wave of COVID-19 in Russia (starting from November 2020) and an active campaign for mass vaccination that started in December 2020. To assess the true rate of increase of specifi c immunity in donors, the frequency of primary detection of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in donors in relation to those donors in whom antibodies were detected earlier was analyzed. The contribution of cases of primary detection of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 was wave-like and corresponded to the epidemiological situation.Conclusion. An increase in the frequency of detection of antiviral antibodies in gratuitous blood donors was found during the spread of the second wave of COVID-19 and the n the beginning of mass vaccination. The increase in the overall frequency of antibody detection was due to donors with newly and re-detected antibodies. The surge in the frequency of primary detection of antibodies in blood donors corresponded to the second wave of infection.