scholarly journals Decline in COPD Admissions During the COVID-19 Pandemic Associated with Lower Burden of Community Respiratory Viral Infections

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Y So ◽  
Nathan N O'Hara ◽  
Blaine Kenaa ◽  
John G Williams ◽  
Christopher L DeBorja ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Copd Exacerbations ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Regional Center ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Respiratory Viral Infections

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to widespread implementation of public health measures, such as stay-at-home orders, social distancing, and masking mandates. In addition to decreasing spread of SARS-CoV2, these measures also impact the transmission of seasonal viral pathogens, which are common triggers of COPD exacerbations. Whether reduced viral prevalence mediates reduction in COPD exacerbation rates is unknown. Methods: We performed retrospective analysis of data from a large, multicenter healthcare system to assess admission trends associated with community viral prevalence and with initiation of COVID-19 pandemic control measures. We applied difference-in-differences (DiD) analysis to compare season-matched weekly frequency of hospital admissions for COPD before and after implementation of public health measures for COVID-19. Community viral prevalence was estimated using regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention test positivity data and correlated to COPD admissions. Results: Data involving 4,422 COPD admissions demonstrated a season-matched 53% decline in COPD admissions during COVID-19 pandemic, which correlated to community viral burden (r=0.73; 95% CI: 0.67 to 0.78) and represented a 36% greater decline over admission frequencies observed in other medical conditions less affected by respiratory viral infections (IRR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.57 to 0.71, p<0.001). The post-COVID-19 decline in COPD admissions was most pronounced in patients with fewer comorbidities and without recurrent admissions. Conclusion: The implementation of public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with decreased COPD admissions. These changes are plausibly explained by reduced prevalence of seasonal respiratory viruses.

scholarly journals COVID-19 public health measures: a reduction in hospital admissions for COPD exacerbations

Thorax ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. thoraxjnl-2020-216083
Author(s):  
Jing Yuan Tan ◽  
Edwin Philip Conceicao ◽  
Liang En Wee ◽  
Xiang Ying Jean Sim ◽  
Indumathi Venkatachalam
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Significant Morbidity ◽  
Common Cause ◽  
Copd Exacerbations ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Acute Exacerbations ◽  
Respiratory Viral Infections

Hospitalisations for acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) carry significant morbidity and mortality. Respiratory viral infections (RVIs) are the most common cause of AECOPD and are associated with worse clinical outcomes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, public health measures, such as social distancing and universal masking, were originally implemented to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2; these public health measures were subsequently also observed to reduce transmission of other common circulating RVIs. In this study, we report a significant and sustained decrease in hospital admissions for all AECOPD as well as RVI-associated AECOPD, which coincided with the introduction of public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Public health measures during COVID-19 pandemic reduced hospital admissions for community respiratory viral infections

2020 ◽  
Vol 106 (2) ◽  
pp. 387-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.Y. Tan ◽  
E.P. Conceicao ◽  
X.Y.J. Sim ◽  
L.E.I. Wee ◽  
M.K. Aung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Respiratory Viral Infections

scholarly journals Decline in influenza cases in Mexico after the implementation of public health measures for COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Arellanos-Soto ◽  
Gerardo Padilla-Rivas ◽  
Javier Ramos-Jimenez ◽  
Kame Galan-Huerta ◽  
Sonia Lozano-Sepulveda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Influenza Activity ◽  
Nationwide Surveillance ◽  
And Control ◽  
Viral Respiratory

AbstractMexico took swift action and has strictly followed mitigation measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease, COVID-19. In this study we compared influenza activity indicators in our country after the implementation of public health measures for COVID-19. We compared indicators of influenza activity in 2020 before and after public health measures were taken to reduce COVID-19 with the corresponding indicators from three preceding years and the immediate one, and the potential decrease in seasonal influenza cases/deaths. Nationwide surveillance data revealed a drastic decline in influenza diagnosis in outpatient clinics and public hospitals, influenza positivity rates of clinical specimens, and confirmed severe cases during the following 10 weeks of 2020 as lockdown activities and control measures were established compared with the same period of 2019. Our results suggest that the measures taken for COVID-19 were effective in reducing the spread of other viral respiratory diseases as influenza in our country.

scholarly journals Precipitous Fall in Common Respiratory Viral Infections During COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael F Parry ◽  
Asha K Shah ◽  
Merima Sestovic ◽  
Selma Salter
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Public Health Interventions ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Continued Use ◽  
Respiratory Viral Infections ◽  
The Difference

Abstract In the midst of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, we were surprised to find that all other respiratory viral infections fell precipitously. The difference in respiratory viral infections during the 16-week period of our peak COVID-19 activity in 2020 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention weeks 14–29) was significantly lower than during the same period in the previous 4 years (a total of 4 infections vs an average of 138 infections; P &lt; .0001). We attribute this to widespread use of public health interventions including wearing face masks, social distancing, hand hygiene, and stay-at-home orders. As these interventions are usually ignored by the community during most influenza seasons, we anticipate that their continued use during the upcoming winter season could substantially blunt the case load of influenza and other respiratory viral infections.

scholarly journals Reduction in hospitalised COPD exacerbations during COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0255659
Author(s):  
Jaber S. Alqahtani ◽  
Tope Oyelade ◽  
Abdulelah M. Aldhahir ◽  
Renata Gonçalves Mendes ◽  
Saeed M. Alghamdi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rate Ratio ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Random Effect Model ◽  
Health Index ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Copd Exacerbations ◽  
Respiratory Viral Infections

Background Reports have suggested a reduction in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, particularly hospital admissions for severe exacerbations. However, the magnitude of this reduction varies between studies. Method Electronic databases were searched from January 2020 to May 2021. Two independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts and, when necessary, full text to determine if studies met inclusion criteria. A modified version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess study quality. A narrative summary of eligible studies was synthesised, and meta-analysis was conducted using a random effect model to pool the rate ratio and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for hospital admissions. Exacerbation reduction was compared against the COVID-19 Containment and Health Index. Results A total of 13 of 745 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review, with data from nine countries. Nine studies could be included in the meta-analysis. The pooled rate ratio of hospital admissions for COPD exacerbations during the pandemic period was 0.50 (95% CI 0.44–0.57). Findings on the rate of community-treated exacerbations were inconclusive. Three studies reported a significant decrease in the incidence of respiratory viral infections compared with the pre-pandemic period. There was not a significant relationship between exacerbation reduction and the COVID-19 Containment and Health Index (rho = 0.20, p = 0.53). Conclusion There was a 50% reduction in admissions for COPD exacerbations during the COVID-19 pandemic period compared to pre-pandemic times, likely associated with a reduction in respiratory viral infections that trigger exacerbations. Future guidelines should consider including recommendations on respiratory virus infection control measures to reduce the burden of COPD exacerbations beyond the pandemic period.

scholarly journals Reduction in COPD exacerbations during COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaber S Alqahtani ◽  
Tope Oyelade ◽  
Abdulelah M Aldhahir ◽  
Renata Goncalves Mendes ◽  
Saeed M Alghamdi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rate Ratio ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Random Effect Model ◽  
Health Index ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Copd Exacerbations ◽  
Respiratory Viral Infections

Background Reports have suggested a reduction in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, particularly hospital admissions for severe exacerbations. However, the magnitude of this reduction varies between studies. Method Electronic databases were searched from January 2020 to May 2021. Two independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts and, when necessary, full text to determine if studies met inclusion criteria. A modified version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess study quality. A narrative summary of eligible studies was synthesised, and meta-analysis was conducted using a random effect model to pool the rate ratio and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for hospital admissions. Exacerbation reduction was compared against the COVID-19 Containment and Health Index. Results A total of 13 of 745 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review, with data from nine countries. Seven studies could be included in the meta-analysis. The pooled rate ratio of hospital admissions for COPD exacerbations during the pandemic period was 0.50 (95% CI 0.42-0.58). Findings on the rate of community-treated exacerbations were inconclusive. Three studies reported a significant decrease in the incidence of respiratory viral infections compared with the pre-pandemic period. There was not a significant relationship between exacerbation reduction and the COVID-19 Containment and Health Index. Conclusion There was a 50% reduction in admissions for COPD exacerbations during the COVID-19 pandemic period, associated with a reduction in respiratory viral infections that trigger exacerbations. We provide pooled evidence supporting the potential effectiveness of COVID-19 preventive interventions in reducing the risk of admissions for COPD exacerbations.

scholarly journals Decline in influenza cases in Mexico after the implementation of public health measures for COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arellanos-Soto Daniel ◽  
Padilla-Rivas Gerardo ◽  
Ramos-Jimenez Javier ◽  
Galan-Huerta Kame ◽  
Lozano-Sepulveda Sonia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Influenza Activity ◽  
Nationwide Surveillance ◽  
And Control ◽  
Viral Respiratory

Abstract Mexico took swift action and has strictly followed mitigation measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease, COVID-19. The present study compared indicators of influenza activity in 2020 before and after public health measures were taken to reduce COVID-19 with the corresponding indicators from three preceding years and the immediate one, and the potential decrease in seasonal influenza cases. Nationwide surveillance data revealed a drastic decline in influenza diagnosis in outpatient clinics and public hospitals, positivity rates of clinical specimens, and confirmed severe cases during the following 10 weeks of 2020 as lockdown activities and control measures were established compared with the same period of 2019, suggesting that the measures taken for COVID-19 were effective in reducing the spread of other viral respiratory diseases in our country.

scholarly journals The Disillusioned Comfort with COVID-19 and the Potential of Convalescent Plasma and Cell Therapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 096368972094071
Author(s):  
Mia C. Borlongan ◽  
Maximillian C. Borlongan ◽  
Paul R. Sanberg
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Hand Washing ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Immunomodulatory Properties ◽  
Recommended Guidelines ◽  
Potential Use

Coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 is highly infectious, which can lead to acute and chronic debilitating symptoms, as well as mortality. The advent of safe and effective vaccines or antiviral drugs remains distant in the future. Practical public health measures, such as social distancing, hand washing, and wearing a face mask, are the current recommended guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for limiting the spread of the virus. Weakened immune system and aberrant inflammation represent a major pathological symptom of COVID-19 patients. Based on the unique immunomodulatory properties of both convalescent plasma and stem cells, we discuss here their potential use for treating COVID-19.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Outbreaks in Settings With Precarious Housing Conditions in Germany: Challenges and Lessons Learned

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Zimmermann ◽  
Navina Sarma ◽  
Doris Thieme-Thörel ◽  
Katharina Alpers ◽  
Tanja Artelt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Sequencing Analysis ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
The City

Two COVID-19 outbreaks occurred in residential buildings with overcrowded housing conditions in the city of Göttingen in Germany during May and June 2020, when COVID-19 infection incidences were low across the rest of the country, with a national incidence of 2.6/100,000 population. The outbreaks increased the local incidence in the city of Göttingen to 123.5/100,000 in June 2020. Many of the affected residents were living in precarious conditions and experienced language barriers. The outbreaks were characterized by high case numbers and attack rates among the residents, many asymptomatic cases, a comparatively young population, and substantial outbreak control measures implemented by local authorities. We analyzed national and local surveillance data, calculated age-, and gender-specific attack rates and performed whole genome sequencing analysis to describe the outbreak and characteristics of the infected population. The authorities' infection control measures included voluntary and compulsory testing of all residents and mass quarantine. Public health measures, such as the general closure of schools and a public space as well as the prohibition of team sports at local level, were also implemented in the district to limit the outbreaks locally. The outbreaks were under control by the end of June 2020. We describe the measures to contain the outbreaks, the challenges experienced and lessons learned. We discuss how public health measures can be planned and implemented through consideration of the needs and vulnerabilities of affected populations. In order to avoid coercive measures, barrier-free communication, with language translation when needed, and consideration of socio-economic circumstances of affected populations are crucial for controlling infectious disease transmission in an outbreak effectively and in a timely way.

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