scholarly journals Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection among children in summer schools applying stringent control measures in Barcelona, Spain

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iolanda Jordan ◽  
Mariona Fernandez de Sevilla ◽  
Victoria Fumado ◽  
Quique Bassat ◽  
Elisenda Bonet-Carne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Transmission Rate ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Primary Case ◽  
Summer Schools ◽  
Close Contacts

Abstract Background Understanding the role of children in SARS-CoV-2 transmission is critical to guide decision-making for schools in the pandemic. We aimed to describe the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among children and adult staff in summer schools. Methods During July 2020 we prospectively recruited children and adult staff attending summer schools in Barcelona who had SARS-CoV-2 infection. Primary SARS-CoV-2 infections were identified through: (1) surveillance program in 22 summer schools’ of 1905 participants, involving weekly saliva sampling for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR during 2-5 weeks; (2)cases identified through the Catalonian Health Surveillance System of children diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection by nasopharyngeal RT-PCR. All centres followed prevention protocols: bubble groups, hand washing, facemasks and conducting activities mostly outdoors. Contacts of a primary case within the same bubble were evaluated by nasopharyngeal RT-PCR. Secondary attack rates and effective reproduction number in summer schools(R*) were calculated. Results Among the over 2000 repeatedly screened participants, 30children and 9adults were identified as primary cases. A total of 253 close contacts of these primary cases were studied (median 9 (IQR 5-10) for each primary case), among which twelve new cases (4.7%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2. The R* was 0.3, whereas the contemporary rate in the general population from the same areas in Barcelona was 1.9. Conclusions The transmission rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection among children attending school-like facilities under strict prevention measures was lower than that reported for the general population. This suggests that under preventive measures schools are unlikely amplifiers of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and supports current recommendations for school opening.

scholarly journals Fernando de Noronha: how an island controlled the community transmission of COVID-19 in Brazil

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mozart Júlio Tabosa Sales ◽  
Ligia Regina Franco Sansigolo Kerr ◽  
Regina Vianna Brizolara ◽  
Ivana Cristina de Holanda Cunha Barreto ◽  
Rosa Lívia Freitas de Almeida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Routine Surveillance ◽  
Essential Services ◽  
Fernando De Noronha ◽  
Community Transmission

AbstractIntroductionFernando Noronha (FNA) is a small Brazilian archipelago in the Atlantic, part of the state of Pernambuco that COVID-19 has decimated. Anticipating the worst from the pandemic, Island and state authorities implemented a series of public health actions to contain the epidemic. This paper, reporting the results of the first wave of a cohort study, documents the measures and their effects through a cohort study.MethodsMeasures were documented at the time of implementation. A random sample of 904 residents were selected from the health register, interviewed and tested for COVID-19 (RT-PCR and serology). The survey explored socioeconomic variables and adherence to prevention behaviors.ResultsFlights were reduced from 38 to once a week, FNA was closed to tourism, schools were closed, and testing and tracing contacts was mandated along with social distancing and use of masks. A household lockdown was briefly imposed for residents. A prevalence of 5.1% was found, and a total of 158 cases of COVID-19 was estimated, although only 28 had been reported in routine surveillance. Half of the population reported food insecurity and applied for government COVID-19 benefits. Adherence to control measures was high, except for intrahousehold mask use with family and friends.ConclusionDespite high levels of COVID-19 in Pernambuco, continued exposure through the provision of essential services from the mainland, and lack of direction from national authorities, FNA was able to implement a series of prevention measures unique in Brazil that contained the epidemic on the island.

scholarly journals Modelling the potential role of super spreaders on COVID-19 transmission dynamics

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josiah Mushanyu ◽  
Williams Chukwu ◽  
Farai Nyabadza ◽  
Gift Muchatibaya
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Transmission Rate ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Contact Radius ◽  
Public Health Burden ◽  
Effective Contact ◽  
Rate Functions ◽  
Parameter Values ◽  
The Impact

Superspreading phenomenon has been observed in many infectious diseases and contributes significantly to public health burden in many countries. Superspreading events have recently been reported in the transmission of the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study uses a set of nine ordinary differential equations to investigate the impact of superspreading on COVID-19 dynamics. The model developed in this study addresses the heterogeineity in infectiousness by taking into account two forms of transmission rate functions for superspreaders based on clinical (infectivity level) and social or environmental (contact level). The basic reproduction number has been derived and the contribution of each infectious compartment towards the generation of new COVID-19 cases is ascertained. Data fitting was performed and parameter values were estimated within plausible ranges. Numerical simulations performed suggest that control measures that decrease the effective contact radius and increase the transmission rate exponent will be greatly beneficial in the control of COVID-19 in the presence of superspreading phenomen

scholarly journals Incidence and Epidemiological study of COVID-19 in Nagpur urban region (India) using Molecular testing

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay Tanna ◽  
Bishwadeep Singha ◽  
Amit R Nayak ◽  
Aliabbas A Husain ◽  
Dhananjay V Raje ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Transmission Rate ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Urban Region ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic ◽  
Molecular Testing ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
The City

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS CoV-2) virus has emerged as public health emergency affecting 206 countries worldwide. India is second highest currently worst effected by Covid 19 pandemic with close to 12.6 million cases and 1.6K deaths reported till date. Maharahstra is the highest Covid-19 burden state in India reporting quarter of overall cases. The city of Nagpur, in Maharashtra state, ranks 4th in terms of reported COVID-19 cases, with 2.5 lakh incidences and more than 4,000 deaths As the transmission rate of COVID-19 is high, it is imperative to study its disease epidemiology in regions of high endemicity to bolster our understanding of its spread, transmission dynamics and contact tracing to undertake appropriate public health control measures.. The present study was undertaken to study the incidence and trend of COVID-19 infection from various zonal regions of Nagpur city, using real time PCR (RT PCR). A retrospective study was carried out at Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) approved private molecular diagnostic laboratory in Nagpur from period of 4th May 2020 to 14th November 2020. A total of 51,532 samples collected from various zonal regions of the city during the study period were processed for SARS CoV-2 RT-PCR. Patient information was collected using a pre-defined study proforma which included demographic details such as name, age, gender, address, along with other information, like details of sample collected, kits used and date of sample collected and processed. The study reports an overall Covid-19 positivity of 34% in Nagpur region. The zone wise distribution of positive cases indicated high rate of COVID-19 in endemic regions of Nagpur such as Satranjipura (49%), Ashi nagar (44%), Gandhibagh (43%) & Lakadganj (43%). Rates of infection were high in economically productive age group (21-40) with males being more vulnerable than females. The result of present epidemiology study highlights important data with respect to regions of endemicity within Nagpur city zones. The present data has high public health importance and will be useful for local civic bodies and other community stake holders to undertake appropriate control measures in future epidemic waves of Covid 19. Interestingly, the Government's reduction in testing rates has been helpful in increasing testing per day. The authorization of private laboratories has also increased testing.

scholarly journals Use of Ivermectin as a Potential Chemoprophylaxis for COVID-19 in Egypt: A Randomised Clinical Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Waheed M Shoumann ◽  
Abdelmonem Awad Hegazy ◽  
Ramadan M Nafae ◽  
Moustafa I Ragab ◽  
Saad R Samra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intervention Group ◽  
Randomised Clinical Trial ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Protection Rate ◽  
Index Cases ◽  
Close Contacts

Introduction: The rate of secondary attacks of SARS-COV-2 is high among household close contacts. Social distancing, isolation and infection control measures are important for preventing exposure to infection, but insufficient. Aim: The study aimed to evaluate possible role of oral ivermectin as a chemoprophylaxis in asymptomatic family close contacts with COVID-19 patients. Materials and Methods: A prospective interventional randomised open label-controlled study was conducted (registered at clinicaltrials.gov; NCT04422561) during June and July 2020. Two arms were designed according to use of ivermectin. In ivermectin arm, contacts received ivermectin according to Body Weight (BW) on day of the diagnosis of their index case. The non-intervention group received no treatment. Both groups were followed-up for two weeks for development of symptoms suggestive of COVID-19. Results: Ivermectin group included 203 contacts (to 52 index cases) aged 39.75±14.94 years; 52.2% were males. Non-intervention group included 101 contacts (to a total of 24 index cases) aged 37.69±16.96 years, 49.5% were males. Fifteen contacts (7.4%) developed COVID-19 in the ivermectin arm compared to 59 (58.4%) in the non-intervention arm (p<0.001). The protection rate for ivermectin was more prominent in contacts aged less than 60-year-old (6.2% infected compared to 58.7% if no treatment). Ivermectin in the protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection had an OR of 12.533 and 11.445 (compared to nontreatment) in both univariate and multivariate models, respectively. Side effects of ivermectin were reported in 5.4%; they were mild. Conclusion: Ivermectin is suggested to be a promising, effective and safe chemoprophylactic drug in management of COVID-19.

scholarly journals The COVID-19 epidemic, its mortality, and the role of non-pharmaceutical interventions

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 204-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niel Hens ◽  
Pascal Vranck ◽  
Geert Molenberghs
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Economic Downturn ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Primary Case ◽  
Infectious Disease Outbreak ◽  
Curve Estimation ◽  
Epidemic Curve ◽  
Near Future

COVID-19 has developed into a pandemic, hitting hard on our communities. As the pandemic continues to bring health and economic hardship, keeping mortality as low as possible will be the highest priority for individuals; hence governments must put in place measures to ameliorate the inevitable economic downturn. The course of an epidemic may be defined by a series of key factors. In the early stages of a new infectious disease outbreak, it is crucial to understand the transmission dynamics of the infection. The basic reproduction number ( R0), which defines the mean number of secondary cases generated by one primary case when the population is largely susceptible to infection (‘totally naïve’), determines the overall number of people who are likely to be infected, or, more precisely, the area under the epidemic curve. Estimation of changes in transmission over time can provide insights into the epidemiological situation and identify whether outbreak control measures are having a measurable effect. For R0 > 1, the number infected tends to increase, and for R0 < 1, transmission dies out. Non-pharmaceutical strategies to handle the epidemic are sketched and based on current knowledge, the current situation is sketched and scenarios for the near future discussed.

scholarly journals The Role of Preprocedure Screening of SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Tertiary Care Medical Center Analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Catarina Correia ◽  
Nuno Almeida ◽  
Pedro Figueiredo
Keyword(s):  
Medical Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Endoscopic Procedures ◽  
Tertiary Care Medical Center ◽  
The Cost

<b><i>Purpose:</i></b> This study aimed to understand the prevalence of asymptomatic COVID-19 infection among patients undergoing endoscopic procedures at a tertiary care hospital. The results allow prediction of the magnitude of cases which this endoscopic service might witness in the next months and planning of future actions accordingly. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This retrospective study was conducted in the gastroenterology department of a large urban tertiary care medical center from October 15, 2020, to November 15, 2020. In this institution, all patients proposed for endoscopic procedures under deep sedation must be submitted to reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) detection. These results were thoroughly reviewed. <b><i>Results:</i></b> In the 1-month period, a total of 833 different procedures were done in 833 patients admitted to the endoscopy unit. Of these, 167 (20%) were submitted to nasal swab for SARS-CoV-2. Only 1 (0.6%) was positive for this infection, and her procedure was postponed. This RT-PCR-positive patient was not symptomatic for CO­VID-19 infection at the time of preprocedure screening. She had no positive contacts for COVID-19 and had not traveled outside the country. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> We found that the proportion of patients proposed for an endoscopic intervention who were asymptomatic carriers of SARS-CoV-2 was low. However, only one fifth of patients were tested and, considering the proportion of 0.6%, it is reasonable to consider that exposure of healthcare workers and other patients can occur. So, all prevention measures must be strictly followed. However, the cost-benefit of an universal testing policy must be proven.

scholarly journals Characterizing COVID-19 Transmission: Incubation Period, Reproduction Rate, and Multiple-Generation Spreading

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Zhang ◽  
Jiahua Zhu ◽  
Xuyuan Wang ◽  
Juan Yang ◽  
Xiao Fan Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Incubation Period ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Transmission Rate ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Mainland China ◽  
Reproduction Rate ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Multiple Generation ◽  
Log Normal ◽  
Close Contacts

Understanding the transmission process is crucial for the prevention and mitigation of COVID-19 spread. This paper contributes to the COVID-19 knowledge by analyzing the incubation period, the transmission rate from close contact to infection, and the properties of multiple-generation transmission. The data regarding these parameters are extracted from a detailed line-list database of 9,120 cases reported in mainland China from January 15 to February 29, 2020. The incubation period of COVID-19 has a mean, median, and mode of 7.83, 7, and 5 days, and, in 12.5% of cases, more than 14 days. The number of close contacts for these cases during the incubation period and a few days before hospitalization follows a log-normal distribution, which may lead to super-spreading events. The disease transmission rate from close contact roughly decreases in line with the number of close contacts with median 0.13. The average secondary cases are 2.10, 1.35, and 2.2 for the first, second, and third generations conditioned on at least one offspring. However, the ratio of no further spread in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generations are 26.2, 93.9, and 90.7%, respectively. Moreover, the conditioned reproduction number in the second generation is geometrically distributed. Our findings suggest that, in order to effectively control the pandemic, prevention measures, such as social distancing, wearing masks, and isolating from close contacts, would be the most important and least costly measures.

Monitoring the marine environment for small round structured viruses (SRSVS): a new approach to combating the transmission of these viruses by molluscan shellfish

1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (12) ◽  
pp. 51-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Henshilwood ◽  
J. Green ◽  
D. N. Lees
Keyword(s):  
Enteric Virus ◽  
Winter Period ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Cloning And Sequencing ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Human Enteric Virus ◽  
Different Strains ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Public Health Protection

This study investigates human enteric virus contamination of a shellfish harvesting area. Samples were analysed over a 14-month period for Small Round Structured Viruses (SRSVs) using a previously developed nested RT-PCR. A clear seasonal difference was observed with the largest numbers of positive samples obtained during the winter period (October to March). This data concurs with the known winter association of gastroenteric illness due to oyster consumption in the UK and also with the majority of the outbreaks associated with shellfish harvested from this area during the study period. RT-PCR positive amplicons were further characterised by cloning and sequencing. Sequence analysis of the positive samples identified eleven SRSV strains, of both Genogroup I and Genogroup II, occurring throughout the study period. Many shellfish samples contained a mixture of strains with a few samples containing up to three different strains with both Genogroups represented. The observed common occurrence of strain mixtures may have implications for the role of shellfish as a vector for dissemination of SRSV strains. These results show that nested RT-PCR can identify SRSV contamination in shellfish harvesting areas. Virus monitoring of shellfish harvesting areas by specialist laboratories using RT-PCR is a possible approach to combating the transmission of SRSVs by molluscan shellfish and could potentially offer significantly enhanced levels of public health protection.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document