scholarly journals The implications of religious event and holidays on the transmission of SARS-CoV2 : the impact of behavioral changes on transmission

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulkarim Abdulrahman ◽  
Muath AlMajthoob ◽  
Abdulla I AlAwadhi ◽  
Manaf M AlQahtani
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Direct Effect ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Public Health Plan ◽  
The Impact

AbstractIntroductionThe risk factors for transmission of SARS-CoV2 have been widely studied and it was evident that a population’s behavior has a direct effect on the risk of transmission. Public health measures and regulation are largely kept to control and direct these behaviors. In this study, we describe the change in transmission in SARS-CoV2 in relation to demographics before and after two major religious events: “Eid Alfitr” and “Ashura”MethodsThis is a national observational study conducted in Bahrain in September 2020 to compare the number and demographics of all newly diagnosed cases before and after Eid Alfitr (religious holiday) and Ashura religious event. A 10 day period before the event was compared to a 10 day period after the event by ten days. Data on the number of tests, number of new cases, their demographics (age, gender, nationality) and presence of symptoms were collected and analyzed.ResultsThere was significant increase in the number of COVID-19 cases after both Eid Alfitr (1997 more cases, with a 67% increase) and Ashura (4232 more cases with 2.19 times more cases). The majority of new cases after the religious events were found in local Bahrainis, from 472 cases to 2169 cases after Eid, and from 2201 to 6639 cases after Ashura. The rise was most notable in females (increased by 4.89 times after Eid and by 2.69 times after Ashura), children (increased by 4.69 times after Eid and by 5 times after Ashura) and elderly above the age of 60 years (increased by 5.7 times after Eid and by 3.23 times after Ashura).ConclusionIt is evident that religious events and holidays have important implications on the transmission of SARS-CoV2. This increased in transmission is related mainly to the behavior of the population in those days. Children, female, and elderly were the most affected categories due to these events. A thorough public health plan to limit the spread of the infection at these events should be planned and implemented ahead of time.

scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Cancer Diagnoses in General and Specialized Practices in Germany

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 408
Author(s):  
Louis Jacob ◽  
Sven H. Loosen ◽  
Matthias Kalder ◽  
Tom Luedde ◽  
Christoph Roderburg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Significant Negative Impact ◽  
Almost All ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Nose And Throat

The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on cancer diagnosis in general and specialized practices in Germany. This study included a total of 102,009 patients aged ≥18 years newly diagnosed with cancer in 1660 practices in Germany from January to May 2019 and from January to May 2020. Practices included general, gynecology, ear, nose, and throat (ENT), dermatology, and urology practices. New cancer diagnoses included all types of cancer and corresponded to cancers not previously documented in the database for a given patient. The number of new cancer diagnoses per general practice decreased significantly between March and May 2020 compared with the same period in 2019 (March: −12.0%, April: −27.6%, and May: −23.4%). A similar trend was observed in specialized practices, and this trend was more pronounced in April 2020 (dermatology: −44.4%, gynecology: −32.0%, and ENT: −28.2%). In addition, there was a significant decrease in almost all sex and age groups in April and May 2020 compared with the same period in 2019. Finally, the decrease in the number of new cancer diagnoses was particularly pronounced among cancers of the skin and the respiratory and intrathoracic organs. Together, these data show that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant negative impact on cancer diagnosis in Germany, highlighting the need for public health measures improving the management of cancer in this country during this ongoing pandemic.

scholarly journals Emotional and Mental Wellbeing Following COVID-19 Public Health Measures on People Living With Dementia and Carers

2021 ◽  
pp. 089198872199681
Author(s):  
Kerry Hanna ◽  
Clarissa Giebel ◽  
Hilary Tetlow ◽  
Kym Ward ◽  
Justine Shenton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Social Support Services ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Background: To date, there appears to be no evidence on the longer-term impacts caused by COVID-19 and its related public health restrictions on some of the most vulnerable in our societies. The aim of this research was to explore the change in impact of COVID-19 public health measures on the mental wellbeing of people living with dementia (PLWD) and unpaid carers. Method: Semi-structured, follow-up telephone interviews were conducted with PLWD and unpaid carers between June and July 2020. Participants were asked about their experiences of accessing social support services during the pandemic, and the impact of restrictions on their daily lives. Results: 20 interviews were conducted and thematically analyzed, which produced 3 primary themes concerning emotional responses and impact to mental health and wellbeing during the course of the pandemic: 1) Impact on mental health during lockdown, 2) Changes to mental health following easing of public health, and 3) The long-term effect of public health measures. Conclusions: The findings from this research shed light on the longer-term psychological impacts of the UK Government’s public health measures on PLWD and their carers. The loss of social support services was key in impacting this cohort mentally and emotionally, displaying a need for better psychological support, for both carers and PLWD.

scholarly journals The prevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 among blood donors in China

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Le Chang ◽  
Wangheng Hou ◽  
Lei Zhao ◽  
Yali Zhang ◽  
Yanbin Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Antibody Testing ◽  
Old Adults ◽  
Viral Spread ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Independent Risk Factors ◽  
Effective Public Health ◽  
Age And Sex

AbstractIn this study, we investigate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among blood donors in the cities of Wuhan, Shenzhen, and Shijiazhuang in China. From January to April 2020, 38,144 healthy blood donors in the three cities were tested for total antibody against SARS-CoV-2 followed by pseudotype SARS-CoV-2 neutralization tests, IgG, and IgM antibody testing. Finally, a total of 398 donors were confirmed positive. The age- and sex-standardized SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among 18–60 year-old adults (18–65 year-old in Shenzhen) was 2.66% (95% CI: 2.24%–3.07%) in Wuhan, 0.033% (95% CI: 0.0029%–0.267%) in Shenzhen, and 0.0028% (95% CI: 0.0001%–0.158%) in Shijiazhuang, respectively. Female sex and older-age were identified to be independent risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity among blood donors in Wuhan. As most of the population of China remained uninfected during the early wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, effective public health measures are still certainly required to block viral spread before a vaccine is widely available.

scholarly journals The impact of COVID-19 on the care of people living with noncommunicable diseases in low- and middle-income countries: an online survey of physicians and pharmacists in nine countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Bullen ◽  
Jessica McCormack ◽  
Amanda Calder ◽  
Varsha Parag ◽  
Kannan Subramaniam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
World Health ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Abstract Background: The global COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted healthcare worldwide. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where people may have limited access to affordable quality care, the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to have a particularly adverse impact on the health and healthcare of individuals with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). A World Health Organization survey found that disruption of delivery of healthcare for NCDs was more significant in LMICs than in high-income countries. However, the study did not elicit insights into the day-to-day impacts of COVID-19 on healthcare by front-line healthcare workers (FLHCWs). Aim: To gain insights directly from FLHCWs working in countries with a high NCD burden, and thereby identify opportunities to improve the provision of healthcare during the current pandemic and in future healthcare emergencies. Methods: We recruited selected frontline healthcare workers (general practitioners, pharmacists, and other medical specialists) from nine countries to complete an online survey (n = 1347). Survey questions focused on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on clinical practice and NCDs; barriers to clinical care during the pandemic; and innovative responses to the many challenges presented by the pandemic. Findings: The majority of FLHCWs responding to our survey reported that their care of patients had been impacted both adversely and positively by the public health measures imposed. Most FLHCs (95%) reported a deterioration in the mental health of their patients. Conclusions: Continuity of care for NCDs as part of pandemic preparedness is needed so that chronic conditions are not exacerbated by public health measures and the direct impacts of the pandemic.

scholarly journals Harnessing testing strategies and public health measures to avert COVID-19 outbreaks during ocean cruises

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerardo Chowell ◽  
Sushma Dahal ◽  
Raquel Bono ◽  
Kenji Mizumoto
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Contact Network ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Testing Strategies ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact

AbstractTo ensure the safe operation of schools, workplaces, nursing homes, and other businesses during COVID-19 pandemic there is an urgent need to develop cost-effective public health strategies. Here we focus on the cruise industry which was hit early by the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than 40 cruise ships reporting COVID-19 infections. We apply mathematical modeling to assess the impact of testing strategies together with social distancing protocols on the spread of the novel coronavirus during ocean cruises using an individual-level stochastic model of the transmission dynamics of COVID-19. We model the contact network, the potential importation of cases arising during shore excursions, the temporal course of infectivity at the individual level, the effects of social distancing strategies, different testing scenarios characterized by the test’s sensitivity profile, and testing frequency. Our findings indicate that PCR testing at embarkation and daily testing of all individuals aboard, together with increased social distancing and other public health measures, should allow for rapid detection and isolation of COVID-19 infections and dramatically reducing the probability of onboard COVID-19 community spread. In contrast, relying only on PCR testing at embarkation would not be sufficient to avert outbreaks, even when implementing substantial levels of social distancing measures.

scholarly journals Rapid disappearance of influenza following the implementation of COVID-19 mitigation measures in Hamilton, Ontario

2021 ◽  
Vol 47 (04) ◽  
pp. 202-208
Author(s):  
Kevin Zhang ◽  
Avika Misra ◽  
Patrick J Kim ◽  
Seyed M Moghadas ◽  
Joanne M Langley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Respiratory Virus ◽  
Respiratory Viruses ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Bayesian Linear Regression ◽  
Syncytial Virus ◽  
The Impact

Background: Public health measures, such as physical distancing and closure of schools and non-essential services, were rapidly implemented in Canada to interrupt the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We sought to investigate the impact of mitigation measures during the spring wave of COVID-19 on the incidence of other laboratory-confirmed respiratory viruses in Hamilton, Ontario. Methods: All nasopharyngeal swab specimens (n=57,503) submitted for routine respiratory virus testing at a regional laboratory serving all acute-care hospitals in Hamilton between January 2010 and June 2020 were reviewed. Testing for influenza A and B, respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus, parainfluenza I–III, adenovirus, and rhinovirus/enterovirus was done routinely using a laboratory-developed polymerase chain reaction multiplex respiratory viral panel. A Bayesian linear regression model was used to determine the trend of positivity rates of all influenza samples for the first 26 weeks of each year from 2010 to 2019. The mean positivity rate of Bayesian inference was compared with the weekly reported positivity rate of influenza samples in 2020. Results: The positivity rate of influenza in 2020 diminished sharply following the population-wide implementation of COVID-19 interventions. Weeks 12–26 reported 0% positivity for influenza, with the exception of 0.1% reported in week 13. Conclusion: Public health measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with a reduced incidence of other respiratory viruses and should be considered to mitigate severe seasonal influenza and other respiratory virus pandemics.

scholarly journals Quantifying contact patterns in response to COVID-19 public health measures in Canada

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabrielle Brankston ◽  
Eric Merkley ◽  
David N. Fisman ◽  
Ashleigh R. Tuite ◽  
Zvonimir Poljak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Skewed Distribution ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Contact Patterns ◽  
Region Of Residence ◽  
Control Procedures ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Made In

Abstract Background A variety of public health measures have been implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada to reduce contact between individuals. The objective of this study was to provide empirical contact pattern data to evaluate the impact of public health measures, the degree to which social contacts rebounded to normal levels, as well as direct public health efforts toward age- and location-specific settings. Methods Four population-based cross-sectional surveys were administered to members of a paid panel representative of Canadian adults by age, gender, official language, and region of residence during May (Survey 1), July (Survey 2), September (Survey 3), and December (Survey 4) 2020. A total of 4981 (Survey 1), 2493 (Survey 2), 2495 (Survey 3), and 2491 (Survey 4) respondents provided information about the age and setting for each direct contact made in a 24-h period. Contact matrices were constructed and contacts for those under the age of 18 years imputed. The next generation matrix approach was used to estimate the reproduction number (Rt) for each survey. Respondents with children under 18 years estimated the number of contacts their children made in school and extracurricular settings. Results Estimated Rt values were 0.49 (95% CI: 0.29–0.69) for May, 0.48 (95% CI: 0.29–0.68) for July, 1.06 (95% CI: 0.63–1.52) for September, and 0.81 (0.47–1.17) for December. The highest proportion of reported contacts occurred within the home (51.3% in May), in ‘other’ locations (49.2% in July) and at work (66.3 and 65.4% in September and December). Respondents with children reported an average of 22.7 (95% CI: 21.1–24.3) (September) and 19.0 (95% CI 17.7–20.4) (December) contacts at school per day per child in attendance. Conclusion The skewed distribution of reported contacts toward workplace settings in September and December combined with the number of reported school-related contacts suggest that these settings represent important opportunities for transmission emphasizing the need to support and ensure infection control procedures in both workplaces and schools.

Estimating the Impact of Non-pharmaceutical Interventions Against COVID-19 on Mumps Incidence in Sichuan, China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenqiang Zhang ◽  
Rongsheng Luan
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Respiratory Virus ◽  
Moving Average ◽  
Sarima Model ◽  
Potential Reduction ◽  
Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Virus Incidence ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Pharmaceutical Interventions

Abstract Background: A series of social and public health measures have been implemented to contain coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China. We examined the impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions against COVID-19 on mumps incidence as an agent to determine the potential reduction in other respiratory virus incidence.Methods: We modelled mumps incidence per month in Sichuan using a seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) model, based on the reported number of mumps cases per month from 2017-2020. Results: The epidemic peak of mumps in 2020 is lower than in the preceding years. Whenever compared with the projected cases or the average from corresponding periods in the preceding years (2017-2019), the reported cases in 2020 markedly declined (P<0.001). From January to December, the number of mumps cases was estimated to decrease by 36.3% (33.9% - 38.8%), 34.3% (31.1% - 37.8%), 68.9% (66.1% - 71.6%), 76.0% (73.9% - 77.9%), 67.0% (65.0% - 69.0%), 59.6% (57.6% - 61.6%), 61.1% (58.8% - 63.3%), 49.2% (46.4% - 52.1%), 24.4% (22.1% - 26.8%), 30.0% (27.5% - 32.6%), 42.1% (39.6% - 44.7%), 63.5% (61.2% - 65.8%), respectively. The total number of mumps cases in 2020 was estimated to decrease by 53.6% (52.9% - 54.3%).Conclusion: Our study shows that non-pharmaceutical interventions against COVID-19 have had an effective impact on mumps incidence in Sichuan, China.

No Change in Surgical and Hospitalization Trends Despite Higher Exposure to Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor in Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the Québec Provincial Database From 1996 to 2015

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Verdon ◽  
Jason Reinglas ◽  
Janie Coulombe ◽  
Lorant Gonczi ◽  
Talat Bessissow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel Disease ◽  
Tumor Necrosis Factor ◽  
Tumor Necrosis ◽  
Major Surgery ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
The Public ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel ◽  
Necrosis Factor

Abstract Background Crohn disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) have high health care expenditures because of medications, hospitalizations, and surgeries. We evaluated disease outcomes and treatment algorithms of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Québec, comparing periods before and after 2010. Methods The province of Québec’s public health administrative database was used to identify newly diagnosed patients with IBD between 1996 and 2015. The primary and secondary outcomes included time to and probability of first and second IBD-related hospitalizations, first and second major surgery, and medication exposures. Medication prescriptions were collected from the public prescription database. Results We identified 34,644 newly diagnosed patients with IBD (CD = 59.5%). The probability of the first major surgery increased after 2010 in patients with CD (5 years postdiagnosis before and after 2010: 8% [SD = 0.2%] vs 15% [SD = 0.6%]; P &lt; 0.0001) and patients with UC (6% [SD = 0.2%] vs 10% [SD = 0.6%] ;P &lt; 0.0001). The probability of the second major surgery was unchanged in patients with CD. Hospitalization rates remained unchanged. Patients on anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) medications had the lowest probability of hospitalizations (overall 5-year probability in patients with IBD stratified by maximal therapeutic step: 5-aminosalicylic acids 37% [SD = 0.6%]; anti-TNFs 31% [SD = 1.8%]; P &lt; 0.0001). Anti-TNFs were more commonly prescribed for patients with CD after 2010 (4% [SD = 0.2%] vs 16% [SD = 0.6%]; P &lt; 0.0001) in the public health insurance plan, especially younger patients. Corticosteroid exposure was unchanged before and after 2010. Immunosuppressant use was low but increased after 2010. The use of 5-ASAs was stable in patients with UC but decreased in patients with CD. Conclusions The probability of first and second hospitalizations remained unchanged in Québec and the probability of major surgery was low overall but did increase despite the higher and earlier use of anti-TNFs.

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