scholarly journals COVID-19 infection among international travellers: a prospective analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e050667
Author(s):  
Meaghan Lunney ◽  
Paul E Ronksley ◽  
Robert G Weaver ◽  
Lianne Barnieh ◽  
Norman Blue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Prospective Analysis ◽  
Pilot Programme ◽  
Negative Test ◽  
Secondary Transmission ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Test Result

ObjectivesThis report estimates the risk of COVID-19 importation and secondary transmission associated with a modified quarantine programme in Canada.Design and participantsProspective analysis of international asymptomatic travellers entering Alberta, Canada.InterventionsAll participants were required to receive a PCR COVID-19 test on arrival. If negative, participants could leave quarantine but were required to have a second test 6 or 7 days after arrival. If the arrival test was positive, participants were required to remain in quarantine for 14 days.Main outcome measuresProportion and rate of participants testing positive for COVID-19; number of cases of secondary transmission.ResultsThe analysis included 9535 international travellers entering Alberta by air (N=8398) or land (N=1137) that voluntarily enrolled in the Alberta Border Testing Pilot Programme (a subset of all travellers); most (83.1%) were Canadian citizens. Among the 9310 participants who received at least one test, 200 (21.5 per 1000, 95% CI 18.6 to 24.6) tested positive. Sixty-nine per cent (138/200) of positive tests were detected on arrival (14.8 per 1000 travellers, 95% CI 12.5 to 17.5). 62 cases (6.7 per 1000 travellers, 95% CI 5.1 to 8.5; 31.0% of positive cases) were identified among participants that had been released from quarantine following a negative test result on arrival. Of 192 participants who developed symptoms, 51 (26.6%) tested positive after arrival. Among participants with positive tests, four (2.0%) were hospitalised for COVID-19; none required critical care or died. Contact tracing among participants who tested positive identified 200 contacts; of 88 contacts tested, 22 were cases of secondary transmission (14 from those testing positive on arrival and 8 from those testing positive thereafter). SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 lineage was not detected in any of the 200 positive cases.Conclusions21.5 per 1000 international travellers tested positive for COVID-19. Most (69%) tested positive on arrival and 31% tested positive during follow-up. These findings suggest the need for ongoing vigilance in travellers testing negative on arrival and highlight the value of follow-up testing and contact tracing to monitor and limit secondary transmission where possible.

scholarly journals Sample Adequacy Control (SAC) Lowers False Negatives and Increases the Quality of Screening: Introduction of “Non-Competitive” SAC for qPCR Assays

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1133
Author(s):  
Ivan Brukner ◽  
Alex Resendes ◽  
Shaun Eintracht ◽  
Andreas I. Papadakis ◽  
Matthew Oughton
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Qpcr Assay ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
False Negatives ◽  
Negative Test ◽  
Assay Design ◽  
First Time ◽  
Test Result

Sample Adequacy Control (SAC) has critical analytical, clinical and epidemiological value that increases confidence in a negative test result. The SAC is an integral qPCR assay control, which ensures that all pre-analytical and analytical steps are adequate for accurate testing and reporting. As such, a negative SAC with a negative result on pathogen screen specifies that the result should be reported as inconclusive instead of negative. Despite this, many regulatory approved tests do not incorporate SAC into their assay design. Herein, we emphasize the universal value of SAC and offer for the first time, a simple technical strategy to introduce non-competitive SAC which does not interfere with the limit of detection for the screened pathogen. Integration of SAC can provide key benefits towards identifying, isolating, quarantining and contact tracing infected individuals and in turn can improve worldwide efforts in infection control.

scholarly journals First cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in France: surveillance, investigations and control measures, January 2020

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sibylle Bernard Stoecklin ◽  
Patrick Rolland ◽  
Yassoungo Silue ◽  
Alexandra Mailles ◽  
Christine Campese ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Secondary Transmission ◽  
Surveillance And Response ◽  
Imported Cases ◽  
Risk Of Exposure ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
And Control

A novel coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV-2) causing a cluster of respiratory infections (coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19) in Wuhan, China, was identified on 7 January 2020. The epidemic quickly disseminated from Wuhan and as at 12 February 2020, 45,179 cases have been confirmed in 25 countries, including 1,116 deaths. Strengthened surveillance was implemented in France on 10 January 2020 in order to identify imported cases early and prevent secondary transmission. Three categories of risk exposure and follow-up procedure were defined for contacts. Three cases of COVID-19 were confirmed on 24 January, the first cases in Europe. Contact tracing was immediately initiated. Five contacts were evaluated as at low risk of exposure and 18 at moderate/high risk. As at 12 February 2020, two cases have been discharged and the third one remains symptomatic with a persistent cough, and no secondary transmission has been identified. Effective collaboration between all parties involved in the surveillance and response to emerging threats is required to detect imported cases early and to implement adequate control measures.

scholarly journals Willingness to seek laboratory testing for SARS-CoV-2 with home, drive-through, and clinic-based specimen collection locations

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron J. Siegler ◽  
Eric Hall ◽  
Nicole Luisi ◽  
Maria Zlotorzynska ◽  
Gretchen Wilde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
The United States ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Specimen Collection ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Home Testing ◽  
To Receive

ABSTRACTBackgroundSARS-CoV-2 virus testing for persons with COVID-19 symptoms, and contact tracing for those testing positive, will be critical to successful epidemic control. Willingness of persons experiencing symptoms to seek testing may determine the success of this strategy.MethodsA cross-sectional, online survey in the United States measured willingness to seek testing if feeling ill under different specimen collection scenarios: home-based saliva, home-based swab, drive-through facility swab, and clinic-based swab. Instructions clarified that home-collected specimens would be mailed to a laboratory for testing. We presented similar willingness questions regarding testing during follow-up care.ResultsOf 1435 participants, comprising a broad range of sociodemographic groups, 92% were willing to test with a home saliva specimen, 88% with home swab, 71% with drive-through swab, and 60% with clinic collected swab. Moreover, 68% indicated they would be more likely to get tested if there was a home testing option. There were no significant differences in willingness items across sociodemographic variables or for those currently experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Results were nearly identical for willingness to receive testing for follow-up COVID-19 care.ConclusionsWe observed a hierarchy of willingness to test for SARS-CoV-2, ordered by the degree of contact required. Home specimen collection options could result in up to one-third more symptomatic persons seeking testing, facilitating contact tracing and optimal clinical care. Remote specimen collection options may ease supply chain challenges and decrease the likelihood of nosocomial transmission. As home specimen collection options receive regulatory approval, they should be scaled rapidly by health systems.

scholarly journals Cohort profile: Actionable Register of Geneva Outpatients and inpatients with SARS-CoV-2 (ARGOS)

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. e048946
Author(s):  
Camille Genecand ◽  
Denis Mongin ◽  
Flora Koegler ◽  
Dan Lebowitz ◽  
Simon Regard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Participation Rate ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Health It ◽  
Public Health Policies ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Test Result

PurposeThe Actionable Register of Geneva Outpatients and inpatients with SARS-CoV-2 (ARGOS) is an ongoing prospective cohort created by the Geneva Directorate of Health. It consists of an operational database compiling all SARS-CoV-2 test results recorded in the Geneva area since late February 2020. This article aims at presenting this comprehensive cohort, in light of some of the varying public health measures in Geneva, Switzerland, since March 2020.ParticipantsAs of 1 June 2021, the database included 360 525 patients, among which 65 475 had at least one positive test result for SARS-CoV-2. Among all positive patients, 37.6% were contacted only once, 10.6% had one follow-up call, 8.5% had two and 27.7% had three or more follow-up calls. Participation rate among positive patients is 94%. Data collection is ongoing.Findings to dateARGOS data illustrates the magnitude of COVID-19 pandemic in Geneva, Switzerland, and details a variety of population factors and outcomes. The content of the cohort includes demographic data, comorbidities and risk factors for poor clinical outcome, self-reported COVID-19 symptoms, environmental and socioeconomic factors, prospective and retrospective contact tracing data, travel quarantine data and deaths. The registry has already been used in several publications focusing on symptoms and long COVID-19, infection fatality rate and re-infection.Future plansThe data of this large real-world registry provides a valuable resource for various types of research, such as clinical research, epidemiological research or policy assessment as it illustrates the impact of public health policies and overall disease burden of COVID-19.

A Pilot Study of Mobile Telephone Message Interventions with Suicide Attempters in China

Crisis ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Chen ◽  
Brian L. Mishara ◽  
Xiao Xian Liu
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Mobile Telephone ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Quick Method ◽  
Suicide Attempters ◽  
To Receive

Background: In China, where follow-up with hospitalized attempters is generally lacking, there is a great need for inexpensive and effective means of maintaining contact and decreasing recidivism. Aims: Our objective was to test whether mobile telephone message contacts after discharge would be feasible and acceptable to suicide attempters in China. Methods: Fifteen participants were recruited from suicide attempters seen in the Emergency Department in Wuhan, China, to participate in a pilot study to receive mobile telephone messages after discharge. All participants have access to a mobile telephone, and there is no charge for the user to receive text messages. Results: Most participants (12) considered the text message contacts an acceptable and useful form of help and would like to continue to receive them for a longer period of time. Conclusions: This suggests that, as a low-cost and quick method of intervention in areas where more intensive follow-up is not practical or available, telephone messages contacts are accessible, feasible, and acceptable to suicide attempters. We hope that this will inspire future research on regular and long-term message interventions to prevent recidivism in suicide attempters.

Lesson Study dan Implikasinya Terhadap Pembelajaran Berbasis Kurikulum Tingkat Satuan Pendidikan

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 189-196
Author(s):  
Vian Harsution
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environment ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Lesson Study ◽  
Learning Difficulties ◽  
Learning Needs ◽  
Democratic Leadership ◽  
Entrepreneurial Spirit ◽  
To Receive

Lesson study is a systematic, collaborative, and sustainable method of improving the quality of learning. Lesson study emphasizes the exploration of students’ learning needs; teacher openness towards learning difficulties encountered; the willingness of teachers to receive and provide advice and solutions to the difficulties encountered; and the consistency of the various parties to follow up the suggestions and solutions. Implementation of lesson study involving teachers, principals, and experts in the field of education. Kurikulum tingkat satuan pendidikan or abbreviated KTSP is operational curriculum formulated and implemented by each educational unit. KTSP has the characteristics, namely: giving broad autonomy to the educational unit, involving the community and parent participation, involving the democratic leadership of the principal, and require the support of a working team that is synergistic and transparent. KTSP based on the learning process, needs to be supported by a conducive learning environment and fun to be created by teachers.Teachers and principals in a professional, systematic and collaborative create an atmosphere that fosters independence, tenacity, entrepreneurial spirit, adaptive and proactive nature of the learning process. Thus, the learning needs of students who fulfilled optimally and professional ability of teacher who have increased on an ongoing basis, may usher in success – based learning KTSP. It means that the lesson study provides positive implications for the KTSP – based learning.

Skeletal and Dental Correction and Stability Following LeFort I Advancement in Patients With Cleft Lip and Palate With Mild, Moderate, and Severe Maxillary Hypoplasia

2021 ◽  
pp. 105566562199610
Author(s):  
Buddhathida Wangsrimongkol ◽  
Roberto L. Flores ◽  
David A. Staffenberg ◽  
Eduardo D. Rodriguez ◽  
Pradip. R. Shetye
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Cleft Lip ◽  
Outcome Measure ◽  
Cleft Lip And Palate ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Maxillary Hypoplasia ◽  
Main Outcome Measure ◽  
Lateral Cephalograms

Objective: This study evaluates skeletal and dental outcomes of LeFort I advancement surgery in patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP) with varying degrees of maxillary skeletal hypoplasia. Design: Retrospective study. Method: Lateral cephalograms were digitized at preoperative (T1), immediately postoperative (T2), and 1-year follow-up (T3) and compared to untreated unaffected controls. Based on the severity of cleft maxillary hypoplasia, the sample was divided into 3 groups using Wits analysis: mild: ≤0 to ≥−5 mm; moderate: <−5 to >−10 mm; and severe: ≤−10 mm. Participants: Fifty-one patients with nonsyndromic CLP with hypoplastic maxilla who met inclusion criteria. Intervention: LeFort I advancement. Main Outcome Measure: Skeletal and dental stability post-LeFort I surgery at a 1-year follow-up. Results: At T2, LeFort I surgery produced an average correction of maxillary hypoplasia by 6.4 ± 0.6, 8.1 ± 0.4, and 10.7 ± 0.8 mm in the mild, moderate, and severe groups, respectively. There was a mean relapse of 1 to 1.5 mm observed in all groups. At T3, no statistically significant differences were observed between the surgical groups and controls at angle Sella, Nasion, A point (SNA), A point, Nasion, B point (ANB), and overjet outcome measures. Conclusions: LeFort I advancement produces a stable correction in mild, moderate, and severe skeletal maxillary hypoplasia. Overcorrection is recommended in all patients with CLP to compensate for the expected postsurgical skeletal relapse.

The Effect of the Familiarity of a Survey Sender on Response Outcomes in a Large-Scale Survey of Emergency Medical Services Agencies

2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 260-267
Author(s):  
Morgan M. Millar ◽  
Hilary A. Hewes ◽  
Andrea L. Genovesi ◽  
Michael Ely ◽  
Braden Green ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Medical Services ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Nationwide Survey ◽  
Survey Response ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Healthcare Organizations ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
Established Relationship ◽  
To Receive

Survey response is higher when the request comes from a familiar entity compared to an unknown sender. Little is known about how sender influences response to surveys of organizations. We assessed whether familiarity of the sender influences response outcomes in a survey of emergency medical services agencies. Emergency medical services agencies in one U.S. state were randomly assigned to receive survey emails from either a familiar or unfamiliar sender. Both deployment approaches were subsequently used nationwide, with each state selecting one of the two contact methods. Experimental results showed that requests from the familiar sender achieved higher survey response (54.3%) compared to requests from the unfamiliar sender (36.9%; OR: 2.03; 95% CI: 1.23, 3.33). Similar results were observed in the subsequent nationwide survey; in states where the familiar sender deployed the survey, 62.0% of agencies responded, compared to 51.0% when the survey was sent by the unfamiliar sender (OR: 1.57; 95% CI: 1.47, 1.67). The response difference resulted in nearly 60 additional hours of staff time needed to perform telephone follow-up to nonrespondents. When surveying healthcare organizations, surveyors should recognize that it is more challenging to obtain responses without a pre-established relationship with the organizations.

Radiofrequency ablation for markedly incompetent perforators versus compression therapy in the management of post-phelebtic venous ulcers: A randomized controlled trial

Vascular ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 170853812110100
Author(s):  
Mohamed Shukri Abdelgawad ◽  
Amr M El-Shafei ◽  
Hesham A Sharaf El-Din ◽  
Ehab M Saad ◽  
Tamer A Khafagy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Radiofrequency Ablation ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Compression Therapy ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Venous Ulcers ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B ◽  
To Receive

Background Venus ulcers developed mainly due to reflux of incompetent venous valves in perforating veins. Patients and methods In this randomized controlled trial, 119 patients recruited over two years, with post-phelebtic venous leg ulcers, were randomly assigned into one of two groups: either to receive radiofrequency ablation of markedly incompetent perforators (Group A, n = 62 patients) or to receive conventional compression therapy (Group B, n = 57 patients). Follow-up duration required for ulcer healing continued for 24 months post randomization. Results Statistically significant shorter time to healing (ulcer complete healing or satisfactory clinical improvement) between both groups (56 patients, 90.3% of cases in Group A versus 44 patients 77.2% of cases in Group B) over the follow-up period of 24 months was attained ( p  = 0.001). Also, significantly different ulcer recurrence was recorded between both groups, 8 patients (12.9%) in Group A versus 19 patients (33.3%) in Group B ( p = 0.004). Conclusion In absence of deep venous obstruction, the monopolar radiofrequency ablation for incompetent perforators is a feasible and effective method that surpasses the traditional compression protocol for incompetent perforator-induced venous ulcers in terms of time required for healing even in the presence of unresolved deep venous valvular reflux.

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