Human mobility data and machine learning reveal geographic differences in alcohol sales and alcohol outlet visits across U.S. states during COVID-19

As many U.S. states implemented stay-at-home orders beginning in March 2020, anecdotes reported a surge in alcohol sales, raising concerns about increased alcohol use and associated ills. The surveillance report from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism provides monthly U.S. alcohol sales data from a subset of states, allowing an investigation of this potential increase in alcohol use. Meanwhile, anonymized human mobility data released by companies such as SafeGraph enables an examination of the visiting behavior of people to various alcohol outlets such as bars and liquor stores. This study examines changes to alcohol sales and alcohol outlet visits during COVID-19 and their geographic differences across states. We find major increases in the sales of spirits and wine since March 2020, while the sales of beer decreased. We also find moderate increases in people’s visits to liquor stores, while their visits to bars and pubs substantially decreased. Noticing a significant correlation between alcohol sales and outlet visits, we use machine learning models to examine their relationship and find evidence in some states for likely panic buying of spirits and wine. Large geographic differences exist across states, with both major increases and decreases in alcohol sales and alcohol outlet visits.

Epidemiological Characterization of Clinical Fungal Isolates from Pauls Stradinš Clinical University Hospital, Latvia: A 4-Year Surveillance Report

Nosocomial fungal infections are an emerging global public health threat that requires urgent attention and proper management. With the limited availability of treatment options, it has become necessary to understand the emerging epidemiological trends, mechanisms, and risk factors. However, very limited surveillance reports are available in the Latvian and broader European context. We therefore conducted a retrospective analysis of laboratory data (2017–2020) from Pauls Stradinš Clinical University Hospital (PSCUH), Riga, Latvia, which is one of the largest public multispecialty hospitals in Latvia. A total of 2278 fungal isolates were analyzed during the study period, with Candida spp. comprising 95% of the isolates, followed by Aspergillus spp. and Geotrichum spp. Amongst the Candida spp., C. albicans and C. glabrata made up about 75% of the isolates. The Department of Lung Diseases and Thoracic Surgery had the highest caseload followed by Intensive Care Department. Majority of the fungal isolates were collected from the bronchoalveolar lavage (37%), followed by urine (19%) and sputum (18%) samples. A total of 34 cases of candidemia were noted during the study period with C. albicans being the most common candidemia pathogen. Proper surveillance of emerging epidemiological trends serve as the most reliable and powerful cornerstone towards tackling this emerging threat.

SA Rugby Injury and Illness Surveillance and Prevention Project (SARIISPP), Super Rugby Unlocked and the Carling Currie Cup Premiership Competition, Injury Surveillance Report 2020/21

As part of the SA Rugby Injury and Illness Surveillance and Prevention Project (SARIISPP), the Carling Currie Cup 2020/21 Premiership Division Competition (the ‘Carling Currie Cup’) injury data were recorded throughout the tournament by the medical doctors and medical support staff of the respective teams. All seven teams were required to record every match and training injury that occurred in their team. The injury rate of Time-Loss injuries for the Carling Currie Cup 2020/21 was 91 (76 to 106) injuries per 1000 player hours (mean and 95% confidence intervals), which is higher than the international rate of 81 (63 to 105) injuries per 1000 player hours [1], but within the expected limits of season-to-season variation for the Carling Currie Cup. This equates to 1.8 injuries per team per match.

Sequencing SARS-CoV-2 in Slovakia: An Unofficial Genomic Surveillance Report

We present an unofficial SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance report from Slovakia based on approximately 3500 samples sequenced between March 2020 and May 2021. Early samples show multiple independent imports of SARS-CoV-2 from other countries. In Fall 2020, three virus variants (B.1.160, B.1.1.170, B.1.258) dominated as the number of cases increased. In November 2020, B.1.1.7 (alpha) variant was introduced in Slovakia and quickly became the most prevalent variant in the country (>75% of new cases by early February 2021 and >95% in mid-March).

Measles surveillance in Canada, 2019

Background: The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has conducted enhanced measles surveillance since 1998, the year endemic measles transmission was eliminated in Canada. The objective of this annual national measles surveillance report is to provide an epidemiologic summary of measles activity reported in Canada for 2019 in order to provide evidence to support the continued verification of Canada’s measles elimination status. Methods: Measles surveillance data are housed in the Canadian Measles and Rubella Surveillance System (CMRSS) database. Descriptive analyses of demographics and risk factors were performed. Outbreak characteristics were summarized and genotypic analyses conducted. Surveillance, laboratory and vaccine coverage data for 2019 were used to assess Canada’s status against the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) essential criteria for the verification of measles elimination. Results: In 2019, 113 measles cases were reported in Canada (crude incidence rate of 3.0 cases per 1,000,000 population). Of these cases, 42 (37%) were imported into Canada, and of the imported cases, 12 (29%) resulted in further transmission. Infants younger than one year had the highest age-specific incidence rate at 13.1 cases per 1,000,000 population. Only 29% of cases had one or more documented doses of measles-containing vaccine. One-fifth (19%) of cases were hospitalized; no deaths were reported. Genotype information was available for 100% of outbreaks reported in 2019 and 90% of non-outbreak-related measles cases; of cases with genotype information available, 27% were B3 and 73% were D8. Conclusion: Despite meeting/partially meeting only three out of four of PAHO’s essential criteria for measles elimination status, there is no evidence that endemic measles transmission has been reestablished in Canada.

HIV in Canada—surveillance report, 2019

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a global public health issue. HIV has been nationally notifiable in Canada since 1985. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) monitors trends in new HIV diagnoses. Objectives: The objective of this surveillance report is to provide an overview of the epidemiology of reported HIV cases in 2019 in Canada. The report highlights 10-year trends (2010–2019). Data on HIV diagnosed through Immigration Medical Exams (IME) and trends in perinatal transmission of HIV are also presented. Methods: PHAC monitors HIV through the HIV/AIDS Surveillance System, a passive, case-based system that collates non-nominal data submitted voluntarily by all Canadian provinces and territories. Descriptive analyses were conducted on national data. IME data were obtained from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and data on HIV-exposed pregnancies were obtained through the Canadian Perinatal HIV Surveillance Program. Results: In 2019, a total of 2,122 HIV diagnoses were reported in Canada (5.6 per 100,000 population). Saskatchewan reported the highest provincial diagnosis rate at 16.9 per 100,000 population. The 30 to 39-year age group had the highest HIV diagnosis rate at 12.7 per 100,000 population. While the rates for both males and females fluctuated in the past decade, since 2010 the rates among males decreased overall, while the rate among females increased slightly. As in previous years, the diagnosis rate for males in 2019 was higher than that for females (7.9 versus 3.4 per 100,000 population, respectively). The highest proportion of all reported adult cases with known exposure were gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM, 39.7%), followed by cases attributed to heterosexual contact (28.3%) and among people who inject drugs (PWID, 21.5%). The number of migrants who tested positive for HIV during an IME conducted in Canada was 626. The one documented perinatal HIV transmission related to a mother who had not received antepartum or intrapartum antiretroviral therapy prophylaxis. Conclusion: The number and rate of reported HIV cases in Canada has remained relatively stable over the last decade, with minor year-to-year variations. As in previous years, the gbMSM and PWID populations represent a high proportion of HIV diagnoses, although a sizable number of cases were attributed to heterosexual contact. It is important to routinely monitor trends in HIV in light of pan-Canadian commitments to reduce the health impact of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections by 2030.