Second Wave Of Pandemic Research Articles

Impact of second wave of COVID-19 pandemic on the hesitancy and refusal of COVID-19 vaccination in Puducherry, India: a longitudinal study

ABSTRACT The second wave of COVID-19 pandemic has spread rampantly throughout India between April and May 2021, leading to high mortality rates. Identifying any change in the rate of vaccine hesitancy or refusal due to such mass casualty events will provide further insights on developing appropriate risk communication strategy. Hence, this study was undertaken to identify the vaccine hesitancy and refusal before and during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a longitudinal study among 900 adults to know about their vaccine hesitancy and refusal pattern before (March 2021 – round-1) and during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic (May 2021 – round-2). Telephonic interview was conducted using the pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. There was an increase in the vaccine hesitancy (27.8% in round-1 to 32.7% in round-2) and refusal (25.6% in round-1 to 35.6% in round-2) during the second wave of pandemic in Puducherry. In adjusted analysis, vaccine hesitancy was found to increase by 1.19 times during the round-2 survey compared to round-1 survey (aIRR = 1.19; 95%CI: 1.03–1.37). We also found that the vaccine refusal increased by 1.40 times during the round-2 survey compared to round-1 survey (aIRR = 1.40; 95%CI: 1.22–1.62) after adjusting for age, place of residence, and occupation. We found that the confidence in COVID-19 vaccine efficacy and safety has declined over time leading to increase in the vaccine hesitancy and refusal in our study cohort, with more than one-third refusing to get themselves vaccinated during the second wave of pandemic.

Wie sind Schlüsselressourcen und -anforderungen mit dem Arbeitsengagement Pflegender während der COVID-19-Pandemie assoziiert? Eine Querschnittstudie

IntroductionNurses are assigned a key role in pandemic response, with work engagement considered to be pivotal. The job demands-resources theory assumes that work engagement depends on job resources and job demands. Key job resources and demands have already been proposed for nurses. However, there is no evidence on their importance under pandemic conditions. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate their relevance to nurses’ work engagement during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsThe study was carried out in a cross-sectional design and addressed nurses in direct health care settings in Germany. Data was collected administering a quantitative online survey using valid and reliable measures during the second wave of the pandemic. A convenience sample was obtained, including the use of social media, randomly selected health care facilities, and all universities with nursing-related programs in Germany. The dataset for analyses comprised a total of 1,027 cases. The sample included nurses of various educational levels and from different sectors. Multiple linear regression analysis after multiple imputation was used to examine the relevance of key resources and demands for work engagement. ResultsKey resources and demands explained 36% of the variance in nurses’ work engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic. Positive associations were found between the key resources of autonomy (β¯SP=0.072, 95% CI [0.011; 0.133]), professional resources (β¯SP=0.204, 95% CI [0.124; 0.285]), and interpersonal relationships (β¯SP=0.178, 95% CI [0.117; 0.240]) and nurses’ work engagement. On the demands side, lack of formal rewards negatively (β¯SP=–0.312, 95% CI [–0.380; –0.245]) affected work engagement, whereas work overload (β¯SP=0.063, 95% CI [0.001; 0.126]) was positively associated with work engagement. DiscussionThe job demands-resources theory is suitable for explaining nurses’ work engagement even in times of crisis. Taken together, key resources and demands have a significant influence on nurses’ work engagement under pandemic conditions. However, not all so-called key resources and demands actually have a key status in a pandemic. ConclusionAny lack of formal rewards should be countered, professional resources should be sustainably secured, and the autonomy of nurses and their interpersonal relationships should be strengthened. Nursing management decisions should be made not only with the current pandemic but also the post-pandemic period in mind.

COVID-19 Infection in 8 Big Cities of India: The Dynamics of the Spread and Seropositivity

The seroprevalence in the population of 8 big cities (Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Bangalore, Pune, Coimbatore, Surat, Visakhapatnam, and Nagpur) of India and the dynamics of the COVID-19 spread have been compared. The seropositivity data are of the self-referred residents only. The research is useful to know if the seroprevalence that occurred in the population has decreased the surge in infection in the second wave of the pandemic. The seroprevalence data are for the period July-December 2020 while the monthly new infections have been studied for July 2020-June 2021. For the cities: Visakhapatnam, Nagpur, Surat, Pune, and Coimbatore, the seropositivity of the population reached a plateau and then decreased. A decrease in seroprevalence did not result in higher infection rates. The seropositivity of Jaipur, Ahmedabad, and Bangalore showed a monotonous increase. A relationship between the plateau values of seroprevalence and infection rates could be established. More seroprevalence resulted in lower infection rates in cities (Bangalore, Visakhapatnam, Jaipur) and (Surat, Coimbatore, Pune) in the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic. The investigation of seroprevalence in the population will help in ramping up vaccination to eradicate the pandemic.

Applying a gendered lens to understanding self-reported changes in alcohol and cannabis consumption during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, September to December 2020.

Increased alcohol and cannabis consumption and related harms have been reported since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Existing evidence shows that substance use and related harms differ by gender. Yet, no Canadian study has applied a gendered lens to alcohol and cannabis consumption use during this time. Our objectives were to (1) provide gender-specific prevalence estimates of self-reported increased alcohol and cannabis use; and (2) examine gender-specific associations between sociodemographic and mental health variables and alcohol and cannabis use. Using data from the Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health, we calculated nationally representative, gender-specific prevalence estimates and disaggregated them by sociodemographic and mental health variables. Four logistic regression models were used to assess the likelihood of self-reported increased alcohol and cannabis use. The prevalence of self-reported increase in alcohol use (16.2% women; 15.2% men) and cannabis use (4.9% women; 5.8% men) did not differ by gender. For both genders, income, racialized group membership, working in the past week, being a parent/legal guardian of a child aged under 18 and screening positive for depression and anxiety were associated with increased alcohol use. Men and women who were between the ages of 18 to 44, screened positive for depression, or both, were more likely to report increased cannabis use. For women, education was significantly associated with increased alcohol use. For men, being a parent/legal guardian was significantly associated with lower odds of increased cannabis use. Sociodemographic factors, as well as depression and anxiety, were similarly associated with increased alcohol and cannabis use for both men and women in the second wave of the pandemic.

The Mediating Role of Resilience and Extraversion on Psychological Distress and Loneliness Among the General Population of Tyrol, Austria Between the First and the Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: During the first 3 weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal state of Tyrol, Austria had one of the strictest curfews in Austria and worldwide. The aim of the current study was to investigate the assumingly protective role of resilience and extraversion and its impact on mental health following such an uncertain and unpredictable situation.Methods: Between the first and the second wave of the pandemic, adult residents of Tyrol were invited to participate in an online survey. Next to the assessment of sociodemographic and COVID-19-related variables the Brief-Symptom-Checklist, the Three-Item Loneliness Scale, the Resilience Scaled, and the Big Five Inventory were used to assess psychological distress, loneliness, resilience, and extraversion. Mediation analysis was used to investigate the role of resilience and extraversion in the context of age-, sex-, and partnership- related differences in psychological distress and loneliness.Results: One hundred and forty-five participants took part in the survey (68.2% female). Overall, psychological distress and severe loneliness were more often detected in women and singles. They also were less resilient, while men and singles presented with a lower degree of extraversion. Study participants under the age of 30 experienced severe loneliness more frequently than older people, whereas psychological distress, resilience, and extraversion were comparable between age groups. Resilience significantly mediated the relationship between both study participants' sex and partnership situation on one hand and psychological distress and severe loneliness on the other. In addition, extraversion significantly mediated the relationship between participants' partnership situation and psychological distress.Discussion: Our findings suggest that women, singles, and young people may be particularly affected by the measures and sequelae of the COVID-19 pandemic. Interventions promoting resilience and extraversion among these groups are urgently needed to foster mental health. Ideally, they can be utilized at home in case of renewed mobility restrictions or quarantine in the future.

Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Delhi, India: High Seroprevalence Not a Deterrent?

BackgroundWe report the findings of a large follow-up, community-based, cross-sectional serosurvey and correlate it with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) test-positivity rate and the caseload observed between the peaks of the first and the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Delhi, India.MethodologyIndividuals aged five and above were recruited from 274 wards of the state (population approximately 19.6 million) from January 11 to January 22, 2021. A total of 100 participants each were included from all wards for a net sample size of approximately 28,000. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select participants for the household serosurvey. Anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) immunoglobulin (IgG) antibodies were detected by using the VITROS® (Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, Raritan, NJ, USA) assay (90% sensitivity, 100% specificity).ResultsAntibody positivity was observed in 14,298 (50.76%) of 28,169 samples. The age, sex, and district population-weighted seroprevalence of the SARS-CoV-2 IgG was 50.52% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 49.94-51.10), and after adjustment for assay characteristics, it was 56.13% (95% CI = 55.49-56.77). On adjusted analysis, participants aged ≥50 years, of female gender, housewives, having ever lived in containment zones, urban slum dwellers, and diabetes or hypertensive patients had significantly higher odds of SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity.The peak infection rate and the test-positivity rate since October 2020 were initially observed in mid-November 2020, with a subsequent steep declining trend, followed by a period of persistently low case burden lasting until the first week of March 2021. This was followed by a steady increase followed by an exponential surge in infections from April 2021 onward culminating in the second wave of the pandemic.ConclusionsThe presence of infection-induced immunity from SARS-CoV-2 even in more than one in two people can be ineffective in protecting the population. Despite such high seroprevalence, population susceptibility to COVID-19 can be accentuated by variants of concern having the ability for rapid transmission and depletion of antibody levels with the threat of recurrent infections, signifying the need for mass vaccination.

Gender Differences in Anxiety Among COVID-19 Inpatients Under Isolation: A Questionnaire Survey During the First and Second Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan.

This study assesses the gender differences in health and anxiety, especially pertaining to mental health problems and time-course effects. We surveyed 121 patients admitted to a hospital with a COVID-19 diagnosis between March 1 and August 31, 2020. Their mental status was evaluated on admission using the Japanese General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) and State–Trait Anxiety Inventory—Form JYZ (STAI). The patients were divided into two groups depending on the period of prevalence, that is, the first and second waves of the pandemic in Japan (from the beginning of March to the end of May 2020, Time 1 = T1; and from the beginning of June to the end of August 2020, Time 2 = T2). A multivariate analysis of covariance revealed significant differences in gender by time interactions in the GHQ-28 subscale “Insomnia and anxiety” and STAI subscale “State–Anxiety.” Post-hoc t-tests revealed that the scores of “Insomnia and Anxiety” and “State–Anxiety” were higher in women than in men at T1. However, no difference was observed at T2. Further, “Insomnia and Anxiety” and “State–Anxiety” were significantly higher at T1 than at T2 in female patients. There was no significant difference in males. Thus, female patients were more anxious and depressed in the early phase of the pandemic, whereas male patients had difficulties in coping with anxiety. We suggest more gender-specific mental care, particularly for women at the early stages of infection.

Mortality among adult hospitalized patients during the first wave and second wave of COVID-19 pandemic at a tertiary care center in India

The similarities and differences between the mortality patterns of the two waves in India remain largely unknown. This was a retrospective study of medical records conducted in the COVID data center of our hospital This study analyzed data of patients who died in the month of August, 2020 to October 2020 (one month before and after the peak of first wave i.e., 16th September, 2020) and April 2021 to June 2021 (one month before and after the peak of second wave i.e., 6th May, 2021), corresponding to an equal part of the pandemic during first (2020) and second (2021) wave. Out of 1893 patients in the study, 764 patients were admitted during the first wave and 1129 patients during the second wave of pandemic. In total, 420 patients died during the entire study period. Of those, 147 (35%) deaths occurred during the first wave and 273 (65%) during the second wave, reflecting a case fatality rate (CFR) of 19.2% during the first wave and a CFR of 24.18%. There were no significant differences in the age group, gender, presenting complaints, duration of stay and comorbidities. However, the deceased COVID-19 patients had an increase in case fatality rate, average duration of symptoms from onset to hospital admission (DOSHA) and a major shift from MODS to ARDS being the cause of death during the second wave of pandemic. This study demonstrates increased CFR, average DOSHA and a paradigm shift to ARDS as cause of mortality during the second peak of the pandemic. It is necessary to remain vigilant of newer COVID-19 variants of concern, follow COVID-19 appropriate behaviors and keep emphasizing on care of high-risk groups including patients with comorbidities and elderly population to prevent mortality.

Epidemiologic Variables Affecting Deaths among COVID-19 Patients in Second Wave of Pandemic in Bundelkhand Region of Uttar Pradesh: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: WHO has declared COVID-19 as a global pandemic on 11th March 2020. The Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID19) has rapidly spread worldwide. First case of COVID-19 was reported on 30th January 2020 in Kerala state, India. The first COVID-19 case was reported to Government Allopathic medical College Banda on 1st April 2020, and thereafter many COVID-19 cases were admitted and treated. This study was conducted to find the epidemiological variables affection mortality among hospitalised COVID-19 patients. Materials and Methods: Study design: This study was a hospital based cross-sectional study. The outbreak of second wave started and the period was 1st April 2021 to 30th June 2021. Socio-demographic data, clinical signs and symptoms present, history of co-morbidities and vaccination history etc. were taken at the time of admission. Adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was estimated for all the potential covariates associated with death. The p-value less than 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Maximum number of cases was found in the age group of 41-60 years (463) followed by 21-40 year age group (379). Out of 1226 cases, 795 (64.8%) cases were males respectively. The covariates marital status, sore throat, breathlessness and vaccination status were found to be significantly associated with mortality. Conclusion: Breathlessness, cough, sore throat and fever were the important clinical findings of this study. Also comorbidity was one of the significant risk factors. The COVID death can be minimized by vaccination;therefore there is a need of awareness and health education about COVID vaccine in community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of International Journal of Medicine & Public Health is the property of SCIBIOLMED.ORG and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in sewage waste water: A review

Since one and half years, the pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 virus (disease caused is Covid-19) has ruined the entire humanity in unimaginable ways, whether it is economy or unemployment or children mental health disorder or large number of deaths. There is no country in the world which is not affected by this virus. In some countries, this pandemic is coming in the form of outbreak such as first wave of pandemic then after some gap period, second wave of pandemic. In country like India, the second wave of corona pandemic has crippled the economy, public health safety and at the same time put a big question on the health infrastructure of entire nation whether it is availability of oxygen cylinders, or testing facility, hospital bed or ventilators. The actual number of patients who can get affected had not been estimated correctly. This poses more problems due to asymptomatic nature of the expression of COVID-19 on individual basis. Tragically, for developing countries like India with high population density, the situation has been more complex. Additionally, more amount of waste from the Covid affected population goes to effluent water, waste water coming out of residential area, hospitals, isolation centres and so on. In this review article, we have focused on presence of corona virus and infection transmission through effluent water in country like India with huge number of population and also provide further scope in research to inform future studies.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depressive Symptoms among Pakistani Population during the Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Regression Analysis.

ABSTRACT.Over a span of 1 year, with millions infected, COVID-19 has spread to every part of the world and now poses a health threat to each and every one of us. The outbreak has consequently resulted in multiple health problems such as stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms, insomnia, panic, and denial globally. Several factors have contributed to this rising number of psychiatric consults all over the world. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of Pakistani population during the second wave of the pandemic in this region. We conducted an online web-based cross-sectional survey comprising 500 participants. The questionnaire assessed the demographic information, attitude, and knowledge concerning COVID-19 outbreak in addition to generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) utilizing the GAD-7 scale and depressive symptoms using the Center for Epidemiology Scale for Depression (CES-D) scale. The response rate of the study was 90.9%. The results of the survey indicated a prevalence of 25.4% of GAD, and 18.8% of depressive symptoms. Furthermore, nearly 34.8% of participants feared contracting COVID-19, 62.8% obtained constant critical updates regarding COVID-19, while 17.6% did not understand the knowledge regarding COVID-19. In the multivariate regression models, GAD was significantly associated with gender, age, and checking constantly of critical updates regarding COVID-19. Similarly, participants under 30 years had a higher risk of developing depressive symptoms than those above (> 30 years). Lastly, participants with no formal education were also found to be more prone to developing depression. We identified a potential threat to mental health during the pandemic.

Comparison of clinical and echocardiographic features of first and second waves of COVID-19 at a large, tertiary medical center serving a predominantly African American patient population

As clinicians have gained experience in treating patients with the novel SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus, mortality rates for patients with acute COVID-19 infection have decreased. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has identified the African American population as having increased risk of COVID-19 associated mortality, however little is known about echocardiographic markers associated with increased mortality in this patient population. We aimed to compare the clinical and echocardiographic features of a predominantly African American patient cohort hospitalized with acute COVID-19 infection during the first (March–June 2020) and second (September–December 2020) waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to investigate which parameters are most strongly associated with composite all-cause mortality. We performed consecutive transthoracic echocardiograms (TTEs) on 105 patients admitted with acute COVID-19 infection during the first wave and 129 patients admitted during the second wave. TTE parameters including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS), right ventricular global longitudinal strain (RVGLS), right ventricular free-wall strain (RVFWS), and right ventricular basal diameter (RVBD) were compared between the two groups. Clinical and demographic characteristics including underlying co-morbidities, biomarkers, in-hospital treatment regimens, and outcomes were collected and analyzed. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to determine variables associated with all-cause mortality. There were no significant differences between the two waves in terms of age, gender, BMI, or race. Overall all-cause mortality was 35.2% for the first wave compared to 14.7% for the second wave (p < 0.001). Previous medical conditions were similar between the two waves with the exception of underlying lung disease (41.9% vs. 29.5%, p = 0.047). Echocardiographic parameters were significantly more abnormal in the first wave compared to the second: LVGLS (− 17.1 ± 5.0 vs. − 18.9 ± 4.8, p = 0.02), RVGLS (− 15.7 ± 5.9% vs. − 19.0 ± 5.9%, p < 0.001), RVFWS (− 19.5 ± 6.8% vs. − 23.2 ± 6.9%, p = 0.001), and RVBD (4.5 ± 0.8 vs. 3.9 ± 0.7 cm, p < 0.001). Stepwise multivariable logistic analysis showed mechanical ventilation, RVFWS, and RVGLS to be independently associated with mortality. In a predominantly African American patient population on the south side of Chicago, the clinical and echocardiographic features of patients hospitalized with acute COVID-19 infection demonstrated marked improvement from the first to the second wave of the pandemic, with a significant decrease in all-cause mortality. Possible explanations include implementation of evidence-based therapies, changes in echocardiographic practices, and behavioral changes in our patient population. Mechanical ventilation and right-sided strain-based markers were independently associated with mortality.

The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Surgical Volume in 2020 in Poland.

The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic on total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgical volume in Poland. A retrospective analysis of data concerning THA and TKA collected by the National Health Fund in Poland in 2019 and in 2020 has been conducted. The number of primary hip or knee arthroplasties in 2020 was around 71% and 67% of the number registered in 2019, respectively. There was also a decline in the volume of revision arthroplasties observed, with 65% and 63% of THA and TKA revisions performed in 2019. The most significant decrease was observed in April and May, and during the second wave of the pandemic in November 2020, with a decline of 87%, 55% and 56%, respectively. The results of this study show the significant impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic had on the volume of elective hip and knee arthroplasties in Poland in 2020. In comparison with 2019, a decrease of around 30% for primary and of 40% for revision arthroplasties was observed. The most significant decline was observed in April and May 2020, and during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland in November 2020.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Crisis on Growth-Oriented SMEs: Building Entrepreneurial Resilience

This study explores how the COVID-19 pandemic has forced Flemish growth-oriented entrepreneurs to build entrepreneurial resilience. We rely on a research framework that consists of a “challenge-reaction-learning loop” to empirically investigate how entrepreneurial resilience is built in times of the COVID-19 crisis. To investigate this complex entrepreneurial learning process, we use data that have been collected during the first and second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. By using several datapoints, we could identify (1) the specific challenges growth-oriented firms are facing as a result of the COVID-19 crisis; (2) how these entrepreneurs reacted to these challenges; and (3) what they learned during the first and second wave of the pandemic and how they perceive the future. By making this entrepreneurial learning process explicit and dividing it into an iterative “challenge-reaction-learning loop”, this study is relevant for all entrepreneurs, as it contains several interesting lessons learned. We also contribute to academic literature as we provide future researchers a tangible framework to further elucidate how entrepreneurial resilience is built in times of crisis.

Insomnia in Bangladeshi Young Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Behavioral Factors, COVID-19 Risk and Fear, and Mental Health Issues.

BackgroundGiven the importance of sleep, several studies were conducted during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh, but no study was conducted during the second wave. Thus, this study assessed the prevalence rate, associated factors, and predictive models of insomnia during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsAn online-based cross-sectional survey was conducted during the second wave of the pandemic (within April 1–13, 2021) and collected information on sociodemographic, behavior and health, COVID-19 risk, fear of COVID-19, depression, anxiety, suicidality, and insomnia. A total of 756 data from Bangladeshi young adults (22.24 ± 4.39 years) were finally analyzed.ResultsAbout 13% of the participants (n = 98 out of a total of 756) had the symptoms of insomnia. Insomnia had a significant gender difference, where females were more prone to be insomniac. Besides, middle class, urban residence, smoking status, not engaging in physical exercise, poor health status, and multi-comorbidities were also profoundly associated with insomnia. In addition, fear of COVID-19, COVID-19 risk, and mental health problems (i.e., depression, anxiety, and suicidality) showed a significant relationship in terms of insomnia. A total of 31.2% variance predicting insomnia was identified considering all of the studied variables.ConclusionsThe prevalence of insomnia reported herein seems relatively lower than the prior studies, but this figure is not neglectable. Thus, the identified associated factors are highly suggested to consider in policy actions with a special focus on mental health problems to elevate the risk of sleep problems.

Stroke Care During the First and the Second Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Community Hospital.

Objective: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection may alter a stroke course; thus, we compared stroke course during subsequent pandemic waves in a stroke unit (SU) from a hospital located in a rural area.Methods: A retrospective study included all patients consecutively admitted to the SU between March 15 and May 31, 2020 (“first wave”), and between September 15 and November 30, 2020 (“second wave”). We compared demographic and clinical data, treatments, and outcomes of patients between the first and the second waves of the pandemic and between subjects with and without COVID-19.Results: During the “first wave,” 1.4% of 71 patients were hospitalized due to stroke/TIA, and 41.8% of 91 during the “second wave” were infected with SARS-CoV-2 (p < 0.001). During the “second wave,” more SU staff members were infected with COVID-19 than during the “first wave” (45.6 vs. 8.7%, p < 0.001). Nevertheless, more patients underwent intravenous thrombolysis (26.4 vs. 9.9%, p < 0.008) and endovascular thrombectomy (5.3 vs. 0.0%, p < 0.001) during the second than the first wave. Large vessel occlusion (LVO) (OR 8.74; 95% CI 1.60–47.82; p = 0.012) and higher 30-day mortality (OR 6.01; 95% CI 1.04–34.78; p = 0.045) were associated with patients infected with COVID-19. No differences regarding proportions between ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes and TIAs between both waves or subgroups with and without COVID-19 existed.Conclusion: Despite the greater COVID-19 infection rate among both SU patients and staff during the “second wave” of the pandemic, a higher percentage of reperfusion procedures has been performed then. COVID-19 infection was associated with a higher rate of the LVO and 30-day mortality.

Impact of Second Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Report of Tri-City Region of Chandigarh

The second wave of COVID-19 pandemic has blown the tri-city of Chandigarh with terrible shock waves among the residents. Being one of the top-notch per capita income cities in India, Chandigarh was found to be more vulnerable in this second wave of COVID-19 pandemic. This second wave of pandemic has caused high inflow of patients from nearby states and produced supplementary burden on the health care facilities in the city beautiful. The central aim of this work is to highlight the impact of this second wave of pandemic on the health of residents. The study represents the impact of second wave of COVID-19 on tri-city of Chandigarh by focusing on the main points of, (1) reported active cases from February to May, 2021, (2) number of deaths during this phase, (3) challenges faced during this time and (4) management and governance measures during this time. This kind of study helps to comprehend the impacts of second wave on Chandigarh and emphasized on the major lessons that can be learned during this phase. In one hand the study discussed the vulnerable impact of pandemic on clinical and economical situation of city, whereas on other hand it explains the timely measures taken by the administration to curb the surge of this second wave. Overall, this second wave of pandemic lead to an outstanding opening for tri-city planners and policy architectures to take necessary and timely actions towards making the city more susceptibility to pandemics.

Does COVID 19 Impact Market Sentiment and Stock Returns?- Evidence from India

This article examines the impact of COVID-19 on market sentiment and stock market returns for firms listed in India using daily data from January 2020 to May 2021, a period that includes the first and second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. We applied wavelet coherence to explore the co-movement of COVID-19 and sentiment. Market-related implicit sentiment proxies depicting the market's bullish sentiment negatively correlate with COVID-19, whereas sentiment proxies representing the market's bearish sentiment positively correlate with COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic. No co-movement was found between sentiment proxies and COVID-19 during the second wave of the pandemic. We also applied event study methodology to measure abnormal returns and regression analysis to explain the causes of abnormal returns during both the pandemic waves. We found statistically significant negative abnormal returns during wave 1 of COVID-19 due to increased negative sentiment in the market. During wave 2, we did not find abnormal returns to be statistically significant. We also found that during wave 1, return on assets (ROA) is statistically associated with abnormal returns, while during wave 2, no firm-specific characteristic is statistically associated with abnormal returns. These findings are among the first empirical evidence of COVID-19, market sentiment, and stock market returns during wave 1 and wave 2 of the pandemic.

Comparison of Positivity Rates of Rapid Antigen Testing and Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction for COVID-19 During the First and Second Waves of the Pandemic in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India.

BackgroundThe advent of the second wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in India caused a new range of challenges in diagnosing the virus. Various point-of-care tests have been introduced for rapid diagnosis. Although rapid antigen tests are the most commonly used, the false-negative rates are high. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the positivity rate of real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing in rapid antigen-negative cases of COVID-19 during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodologyThis was an observational study conducted in the Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Gorakhpur.ResultsIn total, 2,168 patients were tested. The percentage positivity rate of the RT-PCR tests among the antigen-negative samples was 4.34% in the first wave of the pandemic whereas it was 8.08% in the second wave.ConclusionsThe main conclusion of this study was that antigen tests should never be used alone for the diagnosis of COVID-19. Instead, they should be confirmed with a RT-PCR test.

Responsive and agile vaccination strategies against COVID-19 in India

Responsive and agile vaccination strategies against COVID-19 in India