scholarly journals Preparation for Quarantine on the Cruise Ship Diamond Princess in Japan due to COVID-19

10.2196/18821 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. e18821 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshihiro Yamahata ◽  
Ayako Shibata
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Cruise Ship ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Ventilator Support ◽  
Cruise Ships ◽  
Asymptomatic Patients ◽  
The Future ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Background Japan implemented a large-scale quarantine on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in an attempt to control the spread of the novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in February 2020. Objective We aim to describe the medical activities initiated and difficulties in implementing quarantine on a cruise ship. Methods Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests for SARS-CoV-2 were performed for all 3711 people (2666 passengers and 1045 crew) on board. Results Of those tested, 696 (18.8%) tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19), of which 410 (58.9%) were asymptomatic. We also confirmed that 54% of the asymptomatic patients with a positive RT-PCR result had lung opacities on chest computed tomography. There were many difficulties in implementing quarantine, such as creating a dividing traffic line between infectious and noninfectious passengers, finding hospitals and transportation providers willing to accept these patients, transporting individuals, language barriers, and supporting daily life. As of March 8, 2020, 31 patients (4.5% of patients with positive RT-PCR results) were hospitalized and required ventilator support or intensive care, and 7 patients (1.0% of patients with positive RT-PCR results) had died. Conclusions There were several difficulties in implementing large-scale quarantine and obtaining medical support on the cruise ship. In the future, we need to prepare for patients’ transfer and the admitting hospitals when disembarking the passengers. We recommend treating the crew the same way as the passengers to control the infection. We must also draw a plan for the future, to protect travelers and passengers from emerging infectious diseases on cruise ships.

scholarly journals Preparation for Quarantine on the Cruise Ship Diamond Princess in Japan due to COVID-19 (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshihiro Yamahata ◽  
Ayako Shibata
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Cruise Ship ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Ventilator Support ◽  
Cruise Ships ◽  
Asymptomatic Patients ◽  
The Future ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

BACKGROUND Japan implemented a large-scale quarantine on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in an attempt to control the spread of the novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in February 2020. OBJECTIVE We aim to describe the medical activities initiated and difficulties in implementing quarantine on a cruise ship. METHODS Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests for SARS-CoV-2 were performed for all 3711 people (2666 passengers and 1045 crew) on board. RESULTS Of those tested, 696 (18.8%) tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19), of which 410 (58.9%) were asymptomatic. We also confirmed that 54% of the asymptomatic patients with a positive RT-PCR result had lung opacities on chest computed tomography. There were many difficulties in implementing quarantine, such as creating a dividing traffic line between infectious and noninfectious passengers, finding hospitals and transportation providers willing to accept these patients, transporting individuals, language barriers, and supporting daily life. As of March 8, 2020, 31 patients (4.5% of patients with positive RT-PCR results) were hospitalized and required ventilator support or intensive care, and 7 patients (1.0% of patients with positive RT-PCR results) had died. CONCLUSIONS There were several difficulties in implementing large-scale quarantine and obtaining medical support on the cruise ship. In the future, we need to prepare for patients’ transfer and the admitting hospitals when disembarking the passengers. We recommend treating the crew the same way as the passengers to control the infection. We must also draw a plan for the future, to protect travelers and passengers from emerging infectious diseases on cruise ships.

scholarly journals Unique Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in the Second Large Cruise Ship Cluster in Japan

2022 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 99
Author(s):  
Haruka Abe ◽  
Yuri Ushijima ◽  
Murasaki Amano ◽  
Yasuteru Sakurai ◽  
Rokusuke Yoshikawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Initial Phase ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Haplotype Network ◽  
Genetic Distances ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Cruise Ship ◽  
Genome Sequences ◽  
Transmission Process ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Ancestral Strain

In the initial phase of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, a large-scale cluster on the cruise ship Diamond Princess (DP) emerged in Japan. Genetic analysis of the DP strains has provided important information for elucidating the possible transmission process of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on a cruise ship. However, genome-based analyses of SARS-CoV-2 detected in large-scale cruise ship clusters other than the DP cluster have rarely been reported. In the present study, whole-genome sequences of 94 SARS-CoV-2 strains detected in the second large cruise ship cluster, which emerged on the Costa Atlantica (CA) in Japan, were characterized to understand the evolution of the virus in a crowded and confined place. Phylogenetic and haplotype network analysis indicated that the CA strains were derived from a common ancestral strain introduced on the CA cruise ship and spread in a superspreading event-like manner, resulting in several mutations that might have affected viral characteristics, including the P681H substitution in the spike protein. Moreover, there were significant genetic distances between CA strains and other strains isolated in different environments, such as cities under lockdown. These results provide new insights into the unique evolution patterns of SARS-CoV-2 in the CA cruise ship cluster.

scholarly journals 458. Molecular SARS-CoV-2 Testing During the COVID-19 Outbreak: Experiences of a Hospital in Southeast Michigan, USA

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S296-S297
Author(s):  
Trini A Mathew ◽  
Jonathan Hopkins ◽  
Diane Kamerer ◽  
Shagufta N Ali ◽  
Daniel Ortiz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Features ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
Beaumont Hospital ◽  
High Capacity ◽  
Turnaround Time ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Repeat Testing ◽  
Asymptomatic Patients ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Abstract Background The novel Coronavirus SARS CoV-2 (COVID-19) outbreak was complicated by the lack of diagnostic testing kits. In early March 2020, leadership at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak Michigan (Beaumont) identified the need to develop high capacity testing modalities with appropriate sensitivity and specificity and rapid turnaround time. We describe the molecular diagnostic testing experience since initial rollout on March 16, 2020 at Beaumont, and results of repeat testing during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in MI. Methods Beaumont is an 1100 bed hospital in Southeast MI. In March, testing was initially performed with the EUA Luminex NxTAG CoV Extended Panel until March 28, 2020 when testing was converted to the EUA Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 for quicker turnaround times. Each assay was validated with a combination of patient samples and contrived specimens. Results During the initial week of testing there was > 20 % specimen positivity. As the prevalence grew the positivity rate reached 68% by the end of March (Figure 1). Many state and hospital initiatives were implemented during the outbreak, including social distancing and screening of asymptomatic patients to increase case-finding and prevent transmission. We also adopted a process for clinical review of symptomatic patients who initially tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 by a group of infectious disease physicians (Figure 2). This process was expanded to include other trained clinicians who were redeployed from other departments in the hospital. Repeat testing was performed to allow consideration of discontinuation of isolation precautions. During the surge of community cases from March 16 to April 30, 2020, we identified patients with negative PCR tests who subsequently had repeat testing based on clinical evaluation, with 7.1% (39/551) returning positive for SARS- CoV2. Of the patients who expired due to COVID-19 during this period, 4.3% (9/206) initially tested negative before ultimately testing positive. Figure 1 BH RO testing Epicurve Figure 2: Screening tool for repeat COVID19 testing and precautions Conclusion Many state and hospital initiatives helped us flatten the curve for COVID-19. Our hospital testing experience indicate that repeat testing may be warranted for those patients with clinical features suggestive of COVID-19. We will further analyze these cases and clinical features that prompted repeat testing. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals Multi-Objective Optimization of Integrated Civilian-Military Scheduling of Medical Supplies for Epidemic Prevention and Control

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 126
Author(s):  
Hai-Feng Ling ◽  
Zheng-Lian Su ◽  
Xun-Lin Jiang ◽  
Yu-Jun Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Multi Objective ◽  
Medical Supplies ◽  
Problem Instances ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
And Control ◽  
Minimum Ratio

In a large-scale epidemic, such as the novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19), there is huge demand for a variety of medical supplies, such as medical masks, ventilators, and sickbeds. Resources from civilian medical services are often not sufficient for fully satisfying all of these demands. Resources from military medical services, which are normally reserved for military use, can be an effective supplement to these demands. In this paper, we formulate a problem of integrated civilian-military scheduling of medical supplies for epidemic prevention and control, the aim of which is to simultaneously maximize the overall satisfaction rate of the medical supplies and minimize the total scheduling cost, while keeping a minimum ratio of medical supplies reservation for military use. We propose a multi-objective water wave optimization (WWO) algorithm in order to efficiently solve this problem. Computational results on a set of problem instances constructed based on real COVID-19 data demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

scholarly journals Age-dependence of mortality from novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in highly exposed populations: New York transit workers and residents and Diamond Princess passengers.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher T Leffler ◽  
Matthew C Hogan
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
New York City ◽  
New York State ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Cruise Ship ◽  
Age Dependence ◽  
York State ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Available Information

Background. Populations heavily exposed to the novel coronavirus provide an opportunity to estimate the mortality from COVID-19 in different age groups. Methods. The mortality reported by May 13 from COVID-19 among Diamond Princess cruise ship passengers, and New York residents and Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) workers was estimated based on publicly available information. Results. The mortality among children (age 0 to 17 yrs) in New York City was 1 in 172,692. The mortality in New York state was 1 in 322,217 for ages 10-19 yrs., and 1 in 36,725 for ages 20-29 yrs. The mortality among New York transit workers was estimated to be 1 in 7,329 for ages 30-39 years; 1 in 1,075 for ages 40-49 yrs.; 1 in 343 for ages 50-59 yrs.; and 1 in 178 for ages 60-69 yrs. Among Diamond Princess passengers, the mortality was estimated to be 1 in 145 for ages 70-79, and 1 in 54 for ages 80-89. Conclusions: Mortality among populations exposed to the novel coronavirus increases with age, ranging from about 1 in 170,000 below the age of 18 years, to 1 in 54 above the age of 80 years.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2: preliminary study of infected human nasopharyngeal tissue by high resolution microscopy

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Mondeja ◽  
Odalys Valdes ◽  
Sonia Resik ◽  
Ananayla Vizcaino ◽  
Emilio Acosta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Control Sample ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Apical Region ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Crown Shape ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
High Resolution Microscopy

Abstract Background The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is the etiological agent of COVID-19. This virus has become one of the most dangerous in recent times with a very high rate of transmission. At present, several publications show the typical crown-shape of the novel coronavirus grown in cell cultures. However, an integral ultramicroscopy study done directly from clinical specimens has not been published. Methods Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from 12 Cuban individuals, six asymptomatic and RT-PCR negative (negative control) and six others from a COVID-19 symptomatic and RT-PCR positive for SARS CoV-2. Samples were treated with an aldehyde solution and processed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confocal microscopy (CM) and, atomic force microscopy. Improvement and segmentation of coronavirus images were performed by a novel mathematical image enhancement algorithm. Results The images of the negative control sample showed the characteristic healthy microvilli morphology at the apical region of the nasal epithelial cells. As expected, they do not display virus-like structures. The images of the positive sample showed characteristic coronavirus-like particles and evident destruction of microvilli. In some regions, virions budding through the cell membrane were observed. Microvilli destruction could explain the anosmia reported by some patients. Virus-particles emerging from the cell-surface with a variable size ranging from 80 to 400 nm were observed by SEM. Viral antigen was identified in the apical cells zone by CM. Conclusions The integral microscopy study showed that SARS-CoV-2 has a similar image to SARS-CoV. The application of several high-resolution microscopy techniques to nasopharyngeal samples awaits future use.

scholarly journals Working in the world of the pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 97-102
Author(s):  
Luke Tredinnick ◽  
Claire Laybats
Keyword(s):  
The Novel ◽  
The World ◽  
The Future ◽  
Information Professionals ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Way

This paper compiles a series of responses from key information professionals to the novel coronavirus pandemic of 2020. Respondents were invited to answer the questions how the pandemic has impacted on their work, and how it might change the way of working in the future. Contributors to the article include Scott Brown, Steve Dale, Denise Carter, Alison Day, Hal Kirkwood and Emily Hopkins.

scholarly journals A blueprint for academic laboratories to produce SARS-CoV-2 quantitative RT-PCR test kits

2020 ◽  
Vol 295 (46) ◽  
pp. 15438-15453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha J. Mascuch ◽  
Sara Fakhretaha-Aval ◽  
Jessica C. Bowman ◽  
Minh Thu H. Ma ◽  
Gwendell Thomas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Support Group ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Research Teams ◽  
Environmental Testing ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Test Kit ◽  
Institute Of Technology ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Widespread testing for the presence of the novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in individuals remains vital for controlling the COVID-19 pandemic prior to the advent of an effective treatment. Challenges in testing can be traced to an initial shortage of supplies, expertise, and/or instrumentation necessary to detect the virus by quantitative RT-PCR (RT-qPCR), the most robust, sensitive, and specific assay currently available. Here we show that academic biochemistry and molecular biology laboratories equipped with appropriate expertise and infrastructure can replicate commercially available SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR test kits and backfill pipeline shortages. The Georgia Tech COVID-19 Test Kit Support Group, composed of faculty, staff, and trainees across the biotechnology quad at Georgia Institute of Technology, synthesized multiplexed primers and probes and formulated a master mix composed of enzymes and proteins produced in-house. Our in-house kit compares favorably with a commercial product used for diagnostic testing. We also developed an environmental testing protocol to readily monitor surfaces for the presence of SARS-CoV-2. Our blueprint should be readily reproducible by research teams at other institutions, and our protocols may be modified and adapted to enable SARS-CoV-2 detection in more resource-limited settings.

scholarly journals Hypogeusia as the initial presenting symptom of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. e236080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren E Melley ◽  
Eli Bress ◽  
Erik Polan
Keyword(s):  
Cardiopulmonary Arrest ◽  
General Medicine ◽  
Initial Symptom ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Severe Respiratory Distress ◽  
Upper Respiratory Infection ◽  
Respiratory Involvement ◽  
Asymptomatic Patients ◽  
Flavour Perception ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

COVID-19 is the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which first arose in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and has since been declared a pandemic. The clinical sequelae vary from mild, self-limiting upper respiratory infection symptoms to severe respiratory distress, acute cardiopulmonary arrest and death. Otolaryngologists around the globe have reported a significant number of mild or otherwise asymptomatic patients with COVID-19 presenting with olfactory dysfunction. We present a case of COVID-19 resulting in intensive care unit (ICU) admission, presenting with the initial symptom of disrupted taste and flavour perception prior to respiratory involvement. After 4 days in the ICU and 6 days on the general medicine floor, our patient regained a majority of her sense of smell and was discharged with only lingering dysgeusia. In this paper, we review existing literature and the clinical course of SARS-CoV-2 in relation to the reported symptoms of hyposmia, hypogeusia and dysgeusia.

scholarly journals COVID-19 and the future of microfinance: evidence and insights from Pakistan

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S138-S168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kashif Malik ◽  
Muhammad Meki ◽  
Jonathan Morduch ◽  
Timothy Ogden ◽  
Simon Quinn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Household Income ◽  
Commercial Banks ◽  
Policy Reform ◽  
Rapid Response ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
The Future ◽  
Loan Officers ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic threatens lives and livelihoods, and, with that, has created immediate challenges for institutions that serve affected communities. We focus on implications for local microfinance institutions in Pakistan, a country with a mature microfinance sector, serving a large number of households. The institutions serve populations poorly-served by traditional commercial banks, helping customers invest in microenterprises, save, and maintain liquidity. We report results from ‘rapid response’ phone surveys of about 1,000 microenterprise owners, a survey of about 200 microfinance loan officers, and interviews with regulators and senior representatives of microfinance institutions. We ran these surveys starting about a week after the country went into lockdown to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. We find that, on average, week-on-week sales and household income both fell by about 90 per cent. Households’ primary immediate concern in early April became how to secure food. As a result, 70 per cent of the sample of current microfinance borrowers reported that they could not repay their loans; loan officers anticipated a repayment rate of just 34 per cent in April 2020. We build from the results to argue that COVID-19 represents a crisis for microfinance in low-income communities. It is also a chance to consider the future of microfinance, and we suggest insights for policy reform.

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