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Yao L, Chemaitelly H, Goldman E, Gudina EK, Khalil A, Ahmed R, James AB, Roca A, Fallah MP, Macnab A, Cho WC, Eikelboom J, Qamar FN, Kremsner P, Oliu-Barton M, Sisa I, Tadesse BT, Marks F, Wang L, Kim JH, Meng X, Wang Y, Fly AD, Wang CY, Day SW, Howard SC, Graff JC, Maida M, Ray K, Franco-Paredes C, Mashe T, Ngongo N, Kaseya J, Ndembi N, Hu Y, Bottazzi ME, Hotez PJ, Ishii KJ, Wang G, Sun D, Aleya L, Gu W. Time to establish an international vaccine candidate pool for potential highly infectious respiratory disease: a community's view. EClinicalMedicine 2023; 64:102222. [PMID: 37811488 PMCID: PMC10550631 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In counteracting highly infectious and disruptive respiratory diseases such as COVID-19, vaccination remains the primary and safest way to prevent disease, reduce the severity of illness, and save lives. Unfortunately, vaccination is often not the first intervention deployed for a new pandemic, as it takes time to develop and test vaccines, and confirmation of safety requires a period of observation after vaccination to detect potential late-onset vaccine-associated adverse events. In the meantime, nonpharmacologic public health interventions such as mask-wearing and social distancing can provide some degree of protection. As climate change, with its environmental impacts on pathogen evolution and international mobility continue to rise, highly infectious respiratory diseases will likely emerge more frequently and their impact is expected to be substantial. How quickly a safe and efficacious vaccine can be deployed against rising infectious respiratory diseases may be the most important challenge that humanity will face in the near future. While some organizations are engaged in addressing the World Health Organization's "blueprint for priority diseases", the lack of worldwide preparedness, and the uncertainty around universal vaccine availability, remain major concerns. We therefore propose the establishment of an international candidate vaccine pool repository for potential respiratory diseases, supported by multiple stakeholders and countries that contribute facilities, technologies, and other medical and financial resources. The types and categories of candidate vaccines can be determined based on information from previous pandemics and epidemics. Each participant country or region can focus on developing one or a few vaccine types or categories, together covering most if not all possible potential infectious diseases. The safety of these vaccines can be tested using animal models. Information for effective candidates that can be potentially applied to humans will then be shared across all participants. When a new pandemic arises, these pre-selected and tested vaccines can be quickly tested in RCTs for human populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Yao
- Department of Nutrition and Health Science, College of Health, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306, USA
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and BME-Campbell Clinic, University of Tennessee Health Science Centre, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Hiam Chemaitelly
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Doha, Qatar
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Disease Epidemiology Analytics on HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Viral Hepatitis, Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation – Education City, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Emanuel Goldman
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Esayas Kebede Gudina
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jimma University Institute of Health, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Asma Khalil
- Fetal Medicine Unit, St George’s Hospital, St George’s University of London, London, UK
- Vascular Biology Research Centre, Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George’s University of London, London, UK
| | - Rahaman Ahmed
- Cell Biology and Genetics Department, University of Lagos, Lagos 101017, Nigeria
- Centre for Human Virology and Genomics, Microbiology Department, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos 100001, Nigeria
| | - Ayorinde Babatunde James
- Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos State, Nigeria
| | - Anna Roca
- Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara 273, The Gambia
| | - Mosoka Papa Fallah
- Refuge Place International, Monrovia, Liberia
- Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases Policy and Research, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Africa Centre for Disease Control, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Andrew Macnab
- The Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), Wallenberg Research Centre at Stellenbosch University, South Africa
| | - William C. Cho
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - John Eikelboom
- Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences Hamilton, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Farah Naz Qamar
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University Hospital, National Stadium Rd, Karachi, Sindh 74800, Pakistan
| | - Peter Kremsner
- Institut für Tropenmedizin, Universität Tübingen, Germany
- Centre de Recherches Medicales de Lambarene, Gabon
| | - Miquel Oliu-Barton
- Université Paris Dauphine – PSL, Pl. du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, Paris 75016, France
- Bruegel, Rue de la Charité 33, Brussels 1210, Belgium
| | - Ivan Sisa
- College of Health Sciences, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito 170901, Ecuador
| | | | - Florian Marks
- International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Lishi Wang
- Department of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Jinshan Development Zone, Huhhot, China
| | - Jerome H. Kim
- International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Seoul National University, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Xia Meng
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yongjun Wang
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Alyce D. Fly
- Department of Nutrition and Health Science, College of Health, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306, USA
| | - Cong-Yi Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Centre for Biomedical Research, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Sara W. Day
- College of Nursing, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Scott C. Howard
- College of Nursing, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - J. Carolyn Graff
- College of Nursing, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Marcello Maida
- Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, S. Elia-Raimondi Hospital, Caltanissetta 93100, Italy
| | - Kunal Ray
- School of Biological Science, Ramkrishna Mission Vivekananda Education & Research Institute, Narendrapur 700103, West Bengal, India
| | - Carlos Franco-Paredes
- Hospital Infantil de Mexico, Federico Gomez, Mexico
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, USA
| | - Tapfumanei Mashe
- One Health Office, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
- World Health Organization, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | | | | | - Yu Hu
- Institute of Haematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430022, China
- Hubei Clinical and Research Centre of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Wuhan, China
| | - Maria Elena Bottazzi
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Hospital Centre for Vaccine Development, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Molecular Virology & Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Peter J. Hotez
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Hospital Centre for Vaccine Development, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Molecular Virology & Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ken J. Ishii
- Division of Vaccine Science, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- International Vaccine Design Centre, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Centre for Vaccine Adjuvant Research, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan
| | - Gang Wang
- Department of Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Dianjun Sun
- Centre for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University; Key Laboratory of Etiologic Epidemiology, Education Bureau of Heilongjiang Province & Ministry of Health 23618104, 157 Baojian Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Lotfi Aleya
- Chrono-Environnement Laboratory, UMR CNRS 6249, Bourgogne Franche-Comté University, Besançon Cedex F-25030, France
| | - Weikuan Gu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and BME-Campbell Clinic, University of Tennessee Health Science Centre, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
- Research Service, Memphis VA Medical Centre, 1030 Jefferson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104, USA
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Sansuk J, Laohasiriwong W, Sornlorm K. Spatial association between socio-economic health service factors and sepsis mortality in Thailand. GEOSPATIAL HEALTH 2023; 18. [PMID: 37702714 DOI: 10.4081/gh.2023.1215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Sepsis is a significant global health issue causing organ failure and high mortality. The number of sepsis cases has recently increased in Thailand making it crucial to comprehend the factors behind these infections. This study focuses on exploring the spatial autocorrelation between socio-economic factors and health service factors on the one hand and sepsis mortality on the other. We applied global Moran's I, local indicators of spatial association (LISA) and spatial regression to examine the relationship between these variables. Based on univariate Moran's I scatter plots, sepsis mortality in all 77 provinces in Thailand were shown to exhibit a positive spatial autocorrelation that reached a significant value (0.311). The hotspots/ high-high (HH) clusters of sepsis mortality were mostly located in the central region of the country, while the coldspots/low-low (LL) clusters were observed in the north-eastern region. Bivariate Moran's I indicated a spatial autocorrelation between various factors and sepsis mortality, while the LISA analysis revealed 7 HH clusters and 5 LL clusters associated with population density. Additionally, there were 6 HH and 4 LL clusters in areas with the lowest average temperature, 4 HH and 2 LL clusters in areas with the highest average temperature, 8 HH and 5 LL clusters associated with night-time light and 6 HH and 5 LL clusters associated with pharmacy density. The spatial regression models conducted in this study determined that the spatial error model (SEM) provided the best fit, while the parameter estimation results revealed that several factors, including population density, average lowest and highest temperature, night-time light and pharmacy density, were positively correlated with sepsis mortality. The coefficient of determination (R2) indicated that the SEM model explained 56.4% of the variation in sepsis mortality. Furthermore, based on the Akaike Information Index (AIC), the SEM model slightly outperformed the spatial lag model (SLM) with an AIC value of 518.1 compared to 520.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juree Sansuk
- Faculty of Public Health, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen.
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Seck O, Loko Roka J, Ndiaye M, Namageyo-Funa A, Abdoulaye S, Mangane A, Dieye NL, Ndoye B, Diop B, Ting J, Pasi O. SARS-CoV-2 case detection using community event-based surveillance system-February-September 2020: lessons learned from Senegal. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:e012300. [PMID: 37353236 PMCID: PMC10314499 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-012300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the rapid development and implementation of effective surveillance systems to detect and respond to the outbreak in Senegal. In this documentation, we describe the design and implementation of the Community Event-Based Surveillance (CEBS) system in Senegal to strengthen the existing Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response system. The CEBS system used a hotline and toll-free number to collect and triage COVID-19-related calls from the community. Data from the CEBS system were integrated with the national system for further investigation and laboratory testing. From February to September 2020, a total of 10 760 calls were received by the CEBS system, with 10 751 calls related to COVID-19. The majority of calls came from the Dakar region, which was the epicentre of the outbreak in Senegal. Of the COVID-19 calls, 50.2% were validated and referred to health districts for further investigation, and 25% of validated calls were laboratory-confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2. The implementation of the CEBS system allowed for timely detection and response to potential COVID-19 cases, contributing to the overall surveillance efforts in the country. Lessons learned from this experience include the importance of decentralised CEBS, population sensitisation on hotlines and toll-free usage, and the potential role of Community Health Workers in triaging alerts that needs further analysis. This experience highlights the contribution of a CEBS system in Senegal and provides insights into the design and operation of such a system. The findings can inform other countries in strengthening their surveillance systems and response strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oumy Seck
- Surveillance Division, Prevention Department, Government of Senegal Ministry of Health and Social Action, Dakar, Senegal
| | | | - Mamadou Ndiaye
- Surveillance Division, Prevention Department, Government of Senegal Ministry of Health and Social Action, Dakar, Senegal
| | | | - Sam Abdoulaye
- Surveillance Division, Prevention Department, Government of Senegal Ministry of Health and Social Action, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Abdoulaye Mangane
- Surveillance Division, Prevention Department, Government of Senegal Ministry of Health and Social Action, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Ndeye Licka Dieye
- Surveillance Division, Prevention Department, Government of Senegal Ministry of Health and Social Action, Dakar, Senegal
| | | | - Boly Diop
- Surveillance Division, Prevention Department, Government of Senegal Ministry of Health and Social Action, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Jim Ting
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Omer Pasi
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Wang H, Lan Y. The global dynamic transmissibility of COVID-19 and its influencing factors: an analysis of control measures from 176 countries. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:404. [PMID: 36855085 PMCID: PMC9971674 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15174-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To summarise the dynamic characteristics of COVID-19 transmissibility; To analyse and quantify the effect of control measures on controlling the transmissibility of COVID-19; To predict and compare the effectiveness of different control measures. METHODS We used the basic reproduction number ([Formula: see text]) to measure the transmissibility of COVID-19, the transmissibility of COVID-19 and control measures of 176 countries and regions from January 1, 2020 to May 14, 2022 were included in the study. The dynamic characteristics of COVID-19 transmissibility were summarised through descriptive research and a Dynamic Bayesian Network (DBN) model was constructed to quantify the effect of control measures on controlling the transmissibility of COVID-19. RESULTS The results show that the spatial transmissibility of COVID-19 is high in Asia, Europe and Africa, the temporal transmissibility of COVID-19 increases with the epidemic of Beta and Omicron strains. Dynamic Bayesian Network (DBN) model shows that the transmissibility of COVID-19 is negatively correlated with control measures. Restricting population mobility has the strongest effect, nucleic acid testing (NAT) has a strong effect, and vaccination has the weakest effect. CONCLUSION Strict control measures are essential for controlling the COVID-19 outbreak; Restricting population mobility and nucleic acid testing (NAT) have significant impacts on controlling the COVID-19 transmissibility, while vaccination has no significant impact. In light of these findings, future control measures may include the widespread use of new NAT technology and the promotion of booster immunization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjian Wang
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yajia Lan
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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Khan MM, Odoi A, Odoi EW. Geographic disparities in COVID-19 testing and outcomes in Florida. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:79. [PMID: 36631768 PMCID: PMC9832260 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14450-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding geographic disparities in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing and outcomes at the local level during the early stages of the pandemic can guide policies, inform allocation of control and prevention resources, and provide valuable baseline data to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions for mitigating health, economic and social impacts. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify geographic disparities in COVID-19 testing, incidence, hospitalizations, and deaths during the first five months of the pandemic in Florida. METHODS: Florida county-level COVID-19 data for the time period March-July 2020 were used to compute various COVID-19 metrics including testing rates, positivity rates, incidence risks, percent of hospitalized cases, hospitalization risks, case-fatality rates, and mortality risks. High or low risk clusters were identified using either Kulldorff's circular spatial scan statistics or Tango's flexible spatial scan statistics and their locations were visually displayed using QGIS. RESULTS Visual examination of spatial patterns showed high estimates of all COVID-19 metrics for Southern Florida. Similar to the spatial patterns, high-risk clusters for testing and positivity rates and all COVID-19 outcomes (i.e. hospitalizations and deaths) were concentrated in Southern Florida. The distributions of these metrics in the other parts of Florida were more heterogeneous. For instance, testing rates for parts of Northwest Florida were well below the state median (11,697 tests/100,000 persons) but they were above the state median for North Central Florida. The incidence risks for Northwest Florida were equal to or above the state median incidence risk (878 cases/100,000 persons), but the converse was true for parts of North Central Florida. Consequently, a cluster of high testing rates was identified in North Central Florida, while a cluster of low testing rate and 1-3 clusters of high incidence risks, percent of hospitalized cases, hospitalization risks, and case fatality rates were identified in Northwest Florida. Central Florida had low-rate clusters of testing and positivity rates but it had a high-risk cluster of percent of hospitalized cases. CONCLUSIONS Substantial disparities in the spatial distribution of COVID-19 outcomes and testing and positivity rates exist in Florida, with Southern Florida counties generally having higher testing and positivity rates and more severe outcomes (i.e. hospitalizations and deaths) compared to Northern Florida. These findings provide valuable baseline data that is useful for assessing the effectiveness of preventive interventions, such as vaccinations, in various geographic locations in the state. Future studies will need to assess changes in spatial patterns over time at lower geographical scales and determinants of any identified patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Marufuzzaman Khan
- Department of Public Health, College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Agricola Odoi
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Evah W Odoi
- Department of Public Health, College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA.
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Fischer B, Knabbe C, Vollmer T. Analysis of a German blood donor cohort reveals a high number of undetected SARS-CoV-2 infections and sex-specific differences in humoral immune response. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0279195. [PMID: 36525449 PMCID: PMC9757571 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Seroprevalence studies can contribute to a better assessment of the actual incidence of infection. Since long-term data for Germany are lacking, we determined the seroprevalence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in residual plasma samples of 3,759 German regular blood donors between July 2020 and June 2021. Over almost the entire study period, the incidences determined based on our data were higher than those officially reported by the Robert Koch Institute, the public health institute in Germany. Using our serological testing strategy, we retrospectively detected natural infection in 206/3,759 (5.48%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.77-6.25) individuals. The IgG seroprevalence ranked from 5.15% (95% CI: 3.73-6.89) in Lower Saxony to 5.62% (95% CI: 4.57-6.84) in North Rhine Westphalia. The analyses of follow-up samples of 88 seropositive blood donors revealed a comparable fast decay of binding and neutralizing anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies. The antibody avidity remained at a low level throughout the whole follow-up period of up to 181 days. Interestingly, female donors seem to express a stronger and longer lasting humoral immunity against the new coronavirus when compared to males. Conclusion: Overall, our data emphasizes that seroprevalence measurements can and should be used to understand the true incidence of infection better. Further characterization of follow-up samples from seropositive donors indicated rapid antibody waning with sex-specific differences concerning the strength and persistence of humoral immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastian Fischer
- Herz- und Diabeteszentrum NRW, Institut für Laboratoriums- und Transfusionsmedizin, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany,* E-mail:
| | - Cornelius Knabbe
- Herz- und Diabeteszentrum NRW, Institut für Laboratoriums- und Transfusionsmedizin, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Tanja Vollmer
- Herz- und Diabeteszentrum NRW, Institut für Laboratoriums- und Transfusionsmedizin, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
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Hu X, Yan D, Liao M, Wei S, Wang J. Vaccination practices, knowledge and attitudes regarding COVID-19 vaccines among Chinese university students: a cross-sectional study from a comprehensive university in Wuhan. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e058328. [PMID: 36385028 PMCID: PMC9670092 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In China, a free national COVID-19 vaccination programme has been launched in spring 2021 and is ongoing across the country. This study aimed to preliminarily understand the current COVID-19 vaccination practices and the associated knowledge/attitude factors among Chinese university students. DESIGN AND SETTING A single-centre cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted between 1 and 20 May 2021 among a convenience sample of Chinese university students recruited from a comprehensive university in Wuhan. A total of 359 valid questionnaires were obtained. RESULTS Just 1 month after the commencement of the university vaccination process, 75% of responding students had received the COVID-19 vaccination. Students without experience of COVID-19 infection were more likely to get vaccinated than those who had been infected. Most (57%) received information about COVID-19 vaccination through official announcements released by the university, and 67% were vaccinated at vaccination place arranged by the university. An interesting finding is that, although the overall vaccine uptake rate was 75%, nearly one-third of vaccinees did not know or incorrectly stated the type of COVID-19 vaccines that they had received. Mean knowledge test score was 3.05 out of 6, suggesting poor knowledge regarding COVID-19 vaccines. The vaccinated showed more positive attitudes towards the importance of establishing herd immunity through the COVID-19 vaccination programme for pandemic control than the non-vaccinated did. 'Effectiveness in preventing COVID-19' was perceived by 76% respondents as the most important factor contributing to COVID-19 vaccination. A total of 76% were worried about safety-related issues, including 'unknown long-term safety', 'vaccine allergy' and 'vaccine-caused COVID-19 infection'. CONCLUSIONS Data suggested a rapid and effective progress of the national COVID-19 vaccination programme in China among university students. Taking effective official actions, as well as enhancing the belief in vaccines' effectiveness, might be necessary for the good implementation of COVID-19 vaccination programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Hu
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, College of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Dan Yan
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, College of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Mengfan Liao
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, College of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Songyi Wei
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, College of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, College of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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Yao L, Aleya L, Goldman E, Graff JC, Gu W. An alternative approach-combination of lockdown and open in fighting COVID-19 pandemics. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:82611-82614. [PMID: 36229730 PMCID: PMC9560743 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23438-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
As the COVID-19 pandemic enters its third year and the omicron variant becomes dominant, we propose an alternative strategy for dealing with COVID-19, called hybrid lockdown, that is, the combination of lockdown (the centralized and organized lockdown of the high-risk population) and free mobility (normal mobility) of the low-risk population. Such an approach will enable a country or region, especially with a high population density, to achieve significant prevention and control the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic at the least cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Yao
- Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, College of Health, Ball State University, Muncie, IN, 47306, USA
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and BME, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 956 Court Ave, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Lotfi Aleya
- Chrono-Environnement Laboratory, UMR CNRS 6249, Bourgogne Franche-Comté University, 25030, Besançon Cedex, France
| | - Emanuel Goldman
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - J Carolyn Graff
- Department of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, College of Nursing, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Weikuan Gu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and BME, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 956 Court Ave, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA.
- Research Service, Memphis VA Medical Center, 1030 Jefferson Avenue, Memphis, TN, 38104, USA.
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 881 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA.
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Yao L, Graff JC, Aleya L, Ma J, Cao Y, Wei W, Sun S, Wang C, Jiao Y, Gu W, Wang G, Sun D. Mortality in Four Waves of COVID-19 Is Differently Associated with Healthcare Capacities Affected by Economic Disparities. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:tropicalmed7090241. [PMID: 36136652 PMCID: PMC9506267 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7090241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The greatest challenges are imposed on the overall capacity of disease management when the cases reach the maximum in each wave of the pandemic. Methods: The cases and deaths for the four waves of COVID-19 in 119 countries and regions (CRs) were collected. We compared the mortality across CRs where populations experience different economic and healthcare disparities. Findings: Among 119 CRs, 117, 112, 111, and 55 have experienced 1, 2, 3, and 4 waves of COVID-19 disease, respectively. The average mortality rates at the disease turning point were 0.036, 0.019. 0.017, and 0.015 for the waves 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Among 49 potential factors, income level, gross national income (GNI) per capita, and school enrollment are positively correlated with the mortality rates in the first wave, but negatively correlated with the rates of the rest of the waves. Their values for the first wave are 0.253, 0.346 and 0.385, respectively. The r value for waves 2, 3, and 4 are −0.310, −0.293, −0.234; −0.263, −0.284, −0.282; and −0.330, −0.394, −0.048, respectively. In high-income CRs, the mortality rates in waves 2 and 3 were 29% and 28% of that in wave 1; while in upper-middle-income CRs, the rates for waves 2 and 3 were 76% and 79% of that in wave 1. The rates in waves 2 and 3 for lower-middle-income countries were 88% and 89% of that in wave 1, and for low-income countries were 135% and 135%. Furthermore, comparison among the largest case numbers through all waves indicated that the mortalities in upper- and lower-middle-income countries is 65% more than that of the high-income countries. Interpretation: Conclusions from the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic do not apply to the following waves. The clinical outcomes in developing countries become worse along with the expansion of the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Yao
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and BME-Campbell Clinic, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - J. Carolyn Graff
- College of Nursing, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Lotfi Aleya
- Chrono-Environnement Laboratory, UMR CNRS 6249, Bourgogne Franche-Comté Université, CEDEX 21010, F-25030 Besançon, France
| | - Jiamin Ma
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and BME-Campbell Clinic, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 23 Youzheng Street, Nangang District, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Yanhong Cao
- Center for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, 157 Baojian Road, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Center for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, 157 Baojian Road, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Shuqiu Sun
- Center for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, 157 Baojian Road, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Congyi Wang
- The Center for Biomedical Research, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, NHC Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yan Jiao
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and BME-Campbell Clinic, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Weikuan Gu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and BME-Campbell Clinic, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
- Research Service, Memphis VA Medical Center, 1030 Jefferson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104, USA
- Correspondence: (W.G.); (D.S.); Tel.: +1-901-448-2259 (W.G.); +86-451-86612695 (D.S.)
| | - Gang Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 23 Youzheng Street, Nangang District, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Dianjun Sun
- Center for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, 157 Baojian Road, Harbin 150081, China
- Correspondence: (W.G.); (D.S.); Tel.: +1-901-448-2259 (W.G.); +86-451-86612695 (D.S.)
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Luo W, Liu Z, Zhou Y, Zhao Y, Li YE, Masrur A, Yu M. Investigating Linkages Between Spatiotemporal Patterns of the COVID-19 Delta Variant and Public Health Interventions in Southeast Asia: Prospective Space-Time Scan Statistical Analysis Method. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2022; 8:e35840. [PMID: 35861674 PMCID: PMC9364972 DOI: 10.2196/35840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 Delta variant has presented an unprecedented challenge to countries in Southeast Asia (SEA). Its transmission has shown spatial heterogeneity in SEA after countries have adopted different public health interventions during the process. Hence, it is crucial for public health authorities to discover potential linkages between epidemic progression and corresponding interventions such that collective and coordinated control measurements can be designed to increase their effectiveness at reducing transmission in SEA. Objective The purpose of this study is to explore potential linkages between the spatiotemporal progression of the COVID-19 Delta variant and nonpharmaceutical intervention (NPI) measures in SEA. We detected the space-time clusters of outbreaks of COVID-19 and analyzed how the NPI measures relate to the propagation of COVID-19. Methods We collected district-level daily new cases of COVID-19 from June 1 to October 31, 2021, and district-level population data in SEA. We adopted prospective space-time scan statistics to identify the space-time clusters. Using cumulative prospective space-time scan statistics, we further identified variations of relative risk (RR) across each district at a half-month interval and their potential public health intervention linkages. Results We found 7 high-risk clusters (clusters 1-7) of COVID-19 transmission in Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia between June and August, 2021, with an RR of 5.45 (P<.001), 3.50 (P<.001), 2.30 (P<.001), 1.36 (P<.001), 5.62 (P<.001), 2.38 (P<.001), 3.45 (P<.001), respectively. There were 34 provinces in Indonesia that have successfully mitigated the risk of COVID-19, with a decreasing range between –0.05 and –1.46 due to the assistance of continuous restrictions. However, 58.6% of districts in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines saw an increase in the infection risk, which is aligned with their loosened restrictions. Continuous strict interventions were effective in mitigating COVID-19, while relaxing restrictions may exacerbate the propagation risk of this epidemic. Conclusions The analyses of space-time clusters and RRs of districts benefit public health authorities with continuous surveillance of COVID-19 dynamics using real-time data. International coordination with more synchronized interventions amidst all SEA countries may play a key role in mitigating the progression of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Luo
- Department of Geography, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Zhaoyin Liu
- Department of Geography, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yuxuan Zhou
- Department of Geography, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yumin Zhao
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yunyue Elita Li
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Arif Masrur
- Department of Geography, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, United States
| | - Manzhu Yu
- Department of Geography, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, United States
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11
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Ouyang J, Zaongo SD, Harypursat V, Li X, Routy JP, Chen Y. SARS-CoV-2 pre-exposure prophylaxis: A potential COVID-19 preventive strategy for high-risk populations, including healthcare workers, immunodeficient individuals, and poor vaccine responders. Front Public Health 2022; 10:945448. [PMID: 36003629 PMCID: PMC9393547 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.945448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The unprecedented worldwide spread of SARS-CoV-2 has imposed severe challenges on global health care systems. The roll-out and widespread administration of COVID-19 vaccines has been deemed a major milestone in the race to restrict the severity of the infection. Vaccines have as yet not entirely suppressed the relentless progression of the pandemic, due mainly to the emergence of new virus variants, and also secondary to the waning of protective antibody titers over time. Encouragingly, an increasing number of antiviral drugs, such as remdesivir and the newly developed drug combination, Paxlovid® (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir), as well as molnupiravir, have shown significant benefits for COVID-19 patient outcomes. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been proven to be an effective preventive strategy in high-risk uninfected people exposed to HIV. Building on knowledge from what is already known about the use of PrEP for HIV disease, and from recently gleaned knowledge of antivirals used against COVID-19, we propose that SARS-CoV-2 PrEP, using specific antiviral and adjuvant drugs against SARS-CoV-2, may represent a novel preventive strategy for high-risk populations, including healthcare workers, immunodeficient individuals, and poor vaccine responders. Herein, we critically review the risk factors for severe COVID-19 and discuss PrEP strategies against SARS-CoV-2. In addition, we outline details of candidate anti-SARS-CoV-2 PrEP drugs, thus creating a framework with respect to the development of alternative and/or complementary strategies to prevent COVID-19, and contributing to the global armamentarium that has been developed to limit SARS-CoV-2 infection, severity, and transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Ouyang
- Clinical Research Center, Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Silvere D. Zaongo
- Clinical Research Center, Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Vijay Harypursat
- Clinical Research Center, Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaofang Li
- Clinical Research Center, Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Jean-Pierre Routy
- Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health Program, Research Institute, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Chronic Viral Illness Service, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Division of Hematology, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Yaokai Chen
- Clinical Research Center, Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China
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12
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Yao L, Aleya L, Howard SC, Cao Y, Wang CY, Day SW, Graff JC, Sun D, Gu W. Variations of COVID-19 mortality are affected by economic disparities across countries. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 832:154770. [PMID: 35341873 PMCID: PMC8949690 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND When the COVID-19 case number reaches a maximum in a country, its capacity and management of health system face greatest challenge. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional study on data of turning points for cases and deaths for the first three waves of COVID-19 in countries with more than 5000 cumulative cases, as reported by Worldometers and WHO Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard. We compared the case fatality rates (CFRs) and time lags (in unit of day) between the turning points of cases and deaths among countries in different development stages and potential influence factors. As of May 10, 2021, 106 out of 222 countries or regions (56%) reported more than 5000 cases. Approximately half of them have experienced all the three waves of COVID-19 disease. The average mortality rate at the disease turning point was 0.038 for the first wave, 0.020 for the second wave, and 0.023 for wave 3. In high-income countries, the mortality rates during the first wave are higher than that of the other income levels. However, the mortality rates during the second and third waves of COVID-19 were much lower than those of the first wave, with a significant reduction from 5.7% to 1.7% approximately 70%. At the same time, high-income countries exhibited a 2-fold increase in time lags during the second and the third waves compared to the first wave, suggesting that the periods between the cases and deaths turning point extended. High rates in the first wave in developed countries are associated to multiple factors including transportation, population density, and aging populations. In upper middle- and lower middle-income countries, the decreasing of mortality rates in the second and third waves were subtle or even reversed, with increased mortality during the following waves. In the upper and lower middle-income countries, the time lags were about 50% of the durations observed from high-income countries. INTERPRETATION Economy and medical resources affect the efficiency of COVID-19 mitigation and the clinical outcomes of the patients. The situation is likely to become even worse in the light of these countries' limited ability to combat COVID-19 and prevent severe outcomes or deaths as the new variant transmission becomes dominant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Yao
- Health Outcomes and Policy Research, College of Graduate Health Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38103, USA
| | - Lotfi Aleya
- Chrono-Environnement Laboratory, UMR CNRS 6249, Bourgogne Franche-Comté Université, F-25030 Besançon Cedex, France
| | - Scott C Howard
- College of Nursing, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Yanhong Cao
- Center for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, PR China; Key Laboratory of Etiologic Epidemiology, Education Bureau of Heilongjiang Province & Ministry of Health (23618104), 157 Baojian Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, PR China
| | - Cong-Yi Wang
- The Center for Biomedical Research, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, NHC Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, PR China
| | - Sara W Day
- College of Nursing, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - J Carolyn Graff
- College of Nursing, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Dianjun Sun
- Center for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, PR China; Key Laboratory of Etiologic Epidemiology, Education Bureau of Heilongjiang Province & Ministry of Health (23618104), 157 Baojian Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, PR China.
| | - Weikuan Gu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and BME-Campbell Clinic, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA; Research Service, Memphis VA Medical Center, 1030 Jefferson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104, USA.
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13
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Cheng L, Liu L. Exploring posttraumatic growth after the COVID-19 pandemic. TOURISM MANAGEMENT 2022; 90:104474. [PMID: 34924667 PMCID: PMC8664663 DOI: 10.1016/j.tourman.2021.104474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Although it is undeniable that the COVID-19 pandemic presented new threats and traumas for human beings, posttraumatic growth that took place after the struggle with this highly challenging crisis cannot be ignored. Therefore, based on the posttraumatic growth theory, the present research focuses on aspects of tourists' positive changes after the COVID-19 outbreak. A total of 1165 potential tourists from 197 cities in 31 provinces of China were analyzed using symmetrical and asymmetrical approaches. The results of the partial least squares test revealed the net effects of social support, psychological distress, and infection risk perception on the three dimensions of tourists' posttraumatic growth, namely, travel risk aversion, social identity, and altruistic behavior. Fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis provided causal recipes for realizing posttraumatic growth, and necessary condition analysis supplemented the necessary antecedents. The implications of the findings and the paths for future research are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Cheng
- Tourism School, Sichuan University 29, Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610064, PR China
| | - Lijun Liu
- Tourism School, Sichuan University 29, Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610064, PR China
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14
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Abstract
Although it is undeniable that the COVID-19 pandemic presented new threats and traumas for human beings, posttraumatic growth that took place after the struggle with this highly challenging crisis cannot be ignored. Therefore, based on the posttraumatic growth theory, the present research focuses on aspects of tourists' positive changes after the COVID-19 outbreak. A total of 1165 potential tourists from 197 cities in 31 provinces of China were analyzed using symmetrical and asymmetrical approaches. The results of the partial least squares test revealed the net effects of social support, psychological distress, and infection risk perception on the three dimensions of tourists' posttraumatic growth, namely, travel risk aversion, social identity, and altruistic behavior. Fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis provided causal recipes for realizing posttraumatic growth, and necessary condition analysis supplemented the necessary antecedents. The implications of the findings and the paths for future research are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Cheng
- Tourism School, Sichuan University 29, Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610064, PR China
| | - Lijun Liu
- Tourism School, Sichuan University 29, Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610064, PR China
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15
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Bañuelos Gimeno J, Blanco A, Díaz J, Linares C, López JA, Navas MA, Sánchez-Martínez G, Luna Y, Hervella B, Belda F, Culqui DR. Air pollution and meteorological variables' effects on COVID-19 first and second waves in Spain. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : IJEST 2022; 20:2869-2882. [PMID: 35529588 PMCID: PMC9065237 DOI: 10.1007/s13762-022-04190-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The aim of this research is to study the influence of atmospheric pollutants and meteorological variables on the incidence rate of COVID-19 and the rate of hospital admissions due to COVID-19 during the first and second waves in nine Spanish provinces. Numerous studies analyze the effect of environmental and pollution variables separately, but few that include them in the same analysis together, and even fewer that compare their effects between the first and second waves of the virus. This study was conducted in nine of 52 Spanish provinces, using generalized linear models with Poisson link between levels of PM10, NO2 and O3 (independent variables) and maximum temperature and absolute humidity and the rates of incidence and hospital admissions of COVID-19 (dependent variables), establishing a series of significant lags. Using the estimators obtained from the significant multivariate models, the relative risks associated with these variables were calculated for increases of 10 µg/m3 for pollutants, 1 °C for temperature and 1 g/m3 for humidity. The results suggest that NO2 has a greater association than the other air pollution variables and the meteorological variables. There was a greater association with O3 in the first wave and with NO2 in the second. Pollutants showed a homogeneous distribution across the country. We conclude that, compared to other air pollutants and meteorological variables, NO2 is a protagonist that may modulate the incidence and severity of COVID-19, though preventive public health measures such as masking and hand washing are still very important. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13762-022-04190-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Bañuelos Gimeno
- Reference Unit on Climate Change, Health and Urban Environment, National School of Health, Carlos III Health Institute, Monforte de Lemos, 5, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health and Microbiology, Autonomous University of Madrid, Arzobispo Morcillo, 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - A. Blanco
- Reference Unit on Climate Change, Health and Urban Environment, National School of Health, Carlos III Health Institute, Monforte de Lemos, 5, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - J. Díaz
- Reference Unit on Climate Change, Health and Urban Environment, National School of Health, Carlos III Health Institute, Monforte de Lemos, 5, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - C. Linares
- Reference Unit on Climate Change, Health and Urban Environment, National School of Health, Carlos III Health Institute, Monforte de Lemos, 5, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - J. A. López
- Reference Unit on Climate Change, Health and Urban Environment, National School of Health, Carlos III Health Institute, Monforte de Lemos, 5, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - M. A. Navas
- Reference Unit on Climate Change, Health and Urban Environment, National School of Health, Carlos III Health Institute, Monforte de Lemos, 5, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Y. Luna
- State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), CALLE RIOS ROSAS, 44, Madrid, Spain
| | - B. Hervella
- State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), CALLE RIOS ROSAS, 44, Madrid, Spain
| | - F. Belda
- State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), CALLE RIOS ROSAS, 44, Madrid, Spain
| | - D. R. Culqui
- Reference Unit on Climate Change, Health and Urban Environment, National School of Health, Carlos III Health Institute, Monforte de Lemos, 5, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Zhu P, Tan X. Evaluating the effectiveness of Hong Kong's border restriction policy in reducing COVID-19 infections. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:803. [PMID: 35449094 PMCID: PMC9023047 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13234-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study evaluates the effectiveness of Hong Kong’s strict border restrictions with mainland China in curbing the transmission of COVID-19. Combining big data from Baidu Population Migration with traditional meteorological data and census data for over 200 Chinese cities, we utilize an advanced quantitative approach, namely synthetic control modeling, to produce a counterfactual “synthetic Hong Kong” without a strict border restriction policy. We then simulate infection trends under the hypothetical scenarios and compare them to actual infection numbers. Our counterfactual synthetic control model demonstrates a lower number of COVID-19 infections than the actual scenario, where strict border restrictions with mainland China were implemented from February 8 to March 6, 2020. Moreover, the second synthetic control model, which assumes a border reopen on 7 May 2020 demonstrates nonpositive effects of extending the border restriction policy on preventing and controlling infections. We conclude that the border restriction policy and its further extension may not be useful in containing the spread of COVID-19 when the virus is already circulating in the local community. Given the substantial economic and social costs, and as precautionary measures against COVID-19 becomes the new normal, countries can consider reopening borders with neighbors who have COVID-19 under control. Governments also need to closely monitor the changing epidemic situations in other countries in order to make prompt and sensible amendments to their border restriction policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengyu Zhu
- Associate Professor Division of Public Policy, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Xinying Tan
- PhD Student in Public Policy, Division of Public Policy, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Kholaif MMNHK, Ming X, Moosa A, David KG. The ISO 26000's labor environmental issues during COVID-19: does corporate social responsibility help? Evidence from the Egyptian small and medium enterprises. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:17117-17131. [PMID: 34655379 PMCID: PMC8519746 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-17024-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Based on both the "stakeholder" and "cognitive" theories, this study shed light on the optimistic side of the COVID-19 pandemic, as it also brings the concepts of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability back into the light, which helps in solving the labor environmental issues. Our research aims to profoundly investigate the correlation between CSR and labor environmental issues based on the International Organization for Standardization's standard 26,000 (ISO 26000) during COVID-19 and to also examine how CSR practices help solve labor environmental issues in the Egyptian small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was adopted, for data analysis and hypotheses testing, on a sample of 307 manager-level employees in the Egyptian SMEs. Results indicate that CSR positively impacts labor practices dimensions (employment relationships, human development and training, social dialog, and health and safety at work). However, CSR has an insignificant effect on social protection and work conditions. This study is scientifically valuable since it helps better understand the pandemic's effects on environmental labor issues in the Egyptian SMEs and shows how CSR helps solve those issues. Also, it discussed the theoretical contributions and practical implications and showed the limitations and future research for this study area.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xiao Ming
- School of Economics and Management, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100083 China
| | - Anitha Moosa
- School of Economics and Management, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100083 China
| | - Kashosi Gad David
- School of Economics and Management, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100083 China
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18
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Liu R, Chen Y, Liu H, Huang X, Zhou F. Epidemiological trends and sociodemographic factors associated with acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis in mainland China from 2004 to 2018. Virol J 2022; 19:34. [PMID: 35232483 PMCID: PMC8889670 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-022-01758-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) is classified as a class C notifiable infectious disease in China and poses a great threat to public health. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological trends and hotspots of AHC in mainland China. Sociodemographic factors that could contribute to early warning of AHC were further explored. Methods Yearly and monthly incidences of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis by date and region from 2004 to 2018 were extracted from the Data Center of China Public Health Science. Joinpoint regression and spatial autocorrelation analysis were performed to explore the epidemiological trends and hotspots of AHC. A generalized linear model was then applied to explore the relationship between sociodemographic factors and AHC incidence. Results The average annual AHC incidence was 3.58/100,000 in mainland China. The first-level spatial and temporal aggregation areas were distributed in Guangxi, Hainan, Guangdong, Guizhou, Hunan, Jiangxi, Fujian, Chongqing, Hubei, Anhui, and Zhejiang, with gathering times from 2010/1/1 to 2010/12/31 (RR = 20.13, LLR = 474,522.89, P < 0.01). After 2010, the AHC incidence was stable (APC = − 8.37, 95% CI: − 23.02–9.06). However, it was significantly increased in low- and middle-income provinces (AAPC = 10.65, 95% CI: 0.62–21.68, AAPC = 11.94, 95% CI: 0.62–24.53). The peak of AHC occurred during the August to October period. Children who age 0–3 years are identified as high-risk group with AHC incidence significantly increased (APC = 31.54, 95% CI: 0.27–72.56). Birth rate, population ages 0–14 (% of total population), passenger traffic, and urban population (% of total population) were positively associated with the AHC incidence, while per capita gross domestic product was negatively associated with the AHC incidence. Conclusion Overall, the AHC incidence was stable after 2010 in China, but it was significantly increased in low- and middle-income provinces. Regions with a high birth rate, population ages 0–14 (% of the total population), passenger traffic, urban population (% of the total population) and low per capita gross domestic product are at high risk of incidences of AHC. In the future, public health policy and resource priority for AHC in regions with these characteristics are necessary. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12985-022-01758-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Liu
- Institute for Disaster Management and Reconstruction, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610000, China
| | - Yuxing Chen
- Institute of Chronic and Non-Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No. 35 Zhuodaoquan North Road, Hongshan District, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Hao Liu
- Institute of Chronic and Non-Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No. 35 Zhuodaoquan North Road, Hongshan District, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Xihui Huang
- Subject Teaching (English), College of Foreign Languages, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, 350000, China
| | - Fang Zhou
- Institute of Chronic and Non-Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No. 35 Zhuodaoquan North Road, Hongshan District, Wuhan, 430079, China.
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Uthman OA, Adetokunboh OO, Wiysonge CS, Al-Awlaqi S, Hanefeld J, El Bcheraoui C. Classification Schemes of COVID-19 High Risk Areas and Resulting Policies: A Rapid Review. Front Public Health 2022; 10:769174. [PMID: 35284361 PMCID: PMC8916531 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.769174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a significant global health threat since January 2020. Policies to reduce human mobility have been recognized to effectively control the spread of COVID-19; although the relationship between mobility, policy implementation, and virus spread remains contentious, with no clear pattern for how countries classify each other, and determine the destinations to- and from which to restrict travel. In this rapid review, we identified country classification schemes for high-risk COVID-19 areas and associated policies which mirrored the dynamic situation in 2020, with the aim of identifying any patterns that could indicate the effectiveness of such policies. We searched academic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, medRxiv, Google Scholar, and EMBASE. We also consulted web pages of the relevant government institutions in all countries. This rapid review's searches were conducted between October 2020 and December 2021. Web scraping of policy documents yielded additional 43 country reports on high-risk area classification schemes. In 43 countries from which relevant reports were identified, six issued domestic classification schemes. International classification schemes were issued by the remaining 38 countries, and these mainly used case incidence per 100,000 inhabitants as key indicator. The case incidence cut-off also varied across the countries, ranging from 20 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the past 7 days to more than 100 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the past 28 days. The criteria used for defining high-risk areas varied across countries, including case count, positivity rate, composite risk scores, community transmission and satisfactory laboratory testing. Countries either used case incidence in the past 7, 14 or 28 days. The resulting policies included restrictions on internal movement and international travel. The quarantine policies can be summarized into three categories: (1) 14 days self-isolation, (2) 10 days self-isolation and (3) 14 days compulsory isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olalekan A. Uthman
- Warwick Centre for Global Health Research, The University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Olatunji O. Adetokunboh
- South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
| | - Charles Shey Wiysonge
- Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sameh Al-Awlaqi
- Evidence-Based Public Health, Centre for International Health Protection, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Johanna Hanefeld
- Centre for International Health Protection, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Charbel El Bcheraoui
- Evidence-Based Public Health, Centre for International Health Protection, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
- *Correspondence: Charbel El Bcheraoui
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20
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Garcia-Morata M, Gonzalez-Rubio J, Segura T, Najera A. Spatial analysis of COVID-19 hospitalised cases in an entire city: The risk of studying only lattice data. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:150521. [PMID: 34844333 PMCID: PMC8461325 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
We live in a global pandemic caused by the COVID-19 disease where severe social distancing measures are necessary. Some of these measures have been taken into account by the administrative boundaries within cities (neighborhoods, postal districts, etc.). However, considering only administrative boundaries in decision making can prove imprecise, and could have consequences when it comes to taking effective measures. To solve the described problems, we present an epidemiological study that proposes using spatial point patterns to delimit spatial units of analysis based on the highest local incidence of hospitalisations instead of administrative limits during the first COVID-19 wave. For this purpose, the 579 addresses of the cases hospitalised between March 3 and April 6, 2020, in Albacete (Spain), and the addresses of the random sample of 383 controls from the Inhabitants Register of the city of Albacete, were georeferenced. The risk ratio in those hospitalised for COVID-19 was compatible with the constant risk ratio in Albacete (p = 0.49), but areas with a significantly higher risk were found and coincided with those with greater economic inequality (Gini Index). Moreover, two districts had areas with a significantly high incidence that were masked by others with a significantly low incidence. In conclusion, taking measures conditioned exclusively by administrative limits in a pandemic can cause problems caused by managing entire districts with lax measures despite having interior areas with high significant incidences. In a pandemic context, georeferencing disease cases in real time and spatially comparing them to updated random population controls to automatically and accurately detect areas with significant incidences are suggested. This would facilitate decision making, which must be fast and accurate in these situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Garcia-Morata
- Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine of Albacete, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain.
| | - Jesus Gonzalez-Rubio
- Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine of Albacete, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain; Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CRIB), University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain.
| | - Tomas Segura
- Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine of Albacete, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain; Servicio de Neurología, Hospital General Universitario de Albacete, Albacete, Spain; Instituto de Investigación en Discapacidades Neurológicas (IDINE), University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain.
| | - Alberto Najera
- Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine of Albacete, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain; Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CRIB), University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain.
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21
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Using an Eigenvector Spatial Filtering-Based Spatially Varying Coefficient Model to Analyze the Spatial Heterogeneity of COVID-19 and Its Influencing Factors in Mainland China. ISPRS INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEO-INFORMATION 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/ijgi11010067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to many deaths and economic disruptions across the world. Several studies have examined the effect of corresponding health risk factors in different places, but the problem of spatial heterogeneity has not been adequately addressed. The purpose of this paper was to explore how selected health risk factors are related to the pandemic infection rate within different study extents and to reveal the spatial varying characteristics of certain health risk factors. An eigenvector spatial filtering-based spatially varying coefficient model (ESF-SVC) was developed to find out how the influence of selected health risk factors varies across space and time. The ESF-SVC was able to take good control of over-fitting problems compared with ordinary least square (OLS), eigenvector spatial filtering (ESF) and geographically weighted regression (GWR) models, with a higher adjusted R2 and lower cross validation RMSE. The impact of health risk factors varied as the study extent changed: In Hubei province, only population density and wind speed showed significant spatially constant impact; while in mainland China, other factors including migration score, building density, temperature and altitude showed significant spatially varying impact. The influence of migration score was less contributive and less significant in cities around Wuhan than cities further away, while altitude showed a stronger contribution to the decrease of infection rates in high altitude cities. The temperature showed mixed correlation as time passed, with positive and negative coefficients at 2.42 °C and 8.17 °C, respectively. This study could provide a feasible path to improve the model fit by considering the problem of spatial autocorrelation and heterogeneity that exists in COVID-19 modeling. The yielding ESF-SVC coefficients could also provide an intuitive method for discovering the different impacts of influencing factors across space in large study areas. It is hoped that these findings improve public and governmental awareness of potential health risks and therefore influence epidemic control strategies.
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22
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Oto OA, Kardeş S, Guller N, Safak S, Dirim AB, Başhan Y, Demir E, Artan AS, Yazıcı H, Turkmen A. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on interest in renal diseases. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:711-718. [PMID: 34341920 PMCID: PMC8328136 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-15675-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
There is an information gap about the public's interest in nephrological diseases in the COVID-19 era. The objective was to identify public interest in kidney diseases during the pandemic. In this infodemiology study, Google Trends was queried for a total of 50 search queries corresponding to a broad spectrum of nephrological diseases and the term "nephrologist." Two time intervals of 2020 (March 15-July 4 and July 5-October 31) were compared to similar time intervals of 2016-2019 for providing information on interest in different phases of the pandemic. Compared to the prior 4 years, analyses showed significant decreases in relative search volume (RSV) in the majority (76%) of search queries on March 15-July 4, 2020 period. However, RSV of the majority of search queries (≈70%) on July 5-October 31, 2020 period was not significantly different from similar periods of the previous 4 years, with an increase in search terms of amyloidosis, kidney biopsy, hematuria, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, nephrolithiasis, acute kidney injury, and Fabry disease. During the early pandemic, there have been significant decreases in search volumes for many nephrological diseases. However, this trend reversed in the period from July 5 to October 31, 2020, implying the increased need for information on kidney diseases. The results of this study enable us to understand how COVID-19 impacted the interest in kidney diseases and demands/needs for kidney diseases by the general public during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozgur Akin Oto
- Department of Nephrology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Sinan Kardeş
- Department of Medical Ecology and Hydroclimatology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nurane Guller
- Department of Nephrology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Seda Safak
- Department of Nephrology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Burak Dirim
- Department of Nephrology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yağmur Başhan
- Department of Nephrology, Haseki Education Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Erol Demir
- Department of Nephrology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ayse Serra Artan
- Department of Nephrology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Halil Yazıcı
- Department of Nephrology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Aydın Turkmen
- Department of Nephrology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
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23
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Irfan M, Ikram M, Ahmad M, Wu H, Hao Y. Does temperature matter for COVID-19 transmissibility? Evidence across Pakistani provinces. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021. [PMID: 34143386 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14875-6/tables/1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has become a global concern that is deteriorating environmental quality and damaging human health. Though some researchers have investigated the linkage between temperature and COVID-19 transmissibility across different geographical locations and over time, yet these studies are scarce. This study aims to bridge this gap using daily temperature and COVID-19 cases (transmissibility) by employing grey incidence analysis (GIA) models (i.e., Deng's grey incidence analysis (DGIA), the absolute degree GIA (ADGIA), the second synthetic degree GIA (SSDGIA), the conservative (maximin) model) and correlation analysis. Data on temperature are accessed from the NASA database, while the data on COVID-19 cases are collected from the official website of the government of Pakistan. Empirical results reveal the existence of linkages between temperature and COVID-19 in all Pakistani provinces. These linkages vary from a relatively stronger to a relatively weaker linkage. Based on calculated weights, the strength of linkages is ranked across provinces as follows: Gilgit Baltistan (0.715301) > Baluchistan (0.675091) > Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (0.619893) > Punjab (0.619286) > Sindh (0.601736). The disparity in the strength of linkage among provinces is explained by the discrepancy in the intensity of temperature. Besides, the diagrammatic correlation analysis shows that temperature is inversely linked to COVID-19 cases (per million persons) over time, implying that low temperatures are associated with high COVID-19 transmissibility and vice versa. This study is among the first of its kind to consider the linkages between temperature and COVID-19 transmissibility for a tropical climate country (Pakistan) using the advanced GIA models. Research findings provide an up-to-date glimpse of the outbreak and emphasize the need to raise public awareness about the devastating impacts of the COVID-19. The educational syllabus should provide information on the causes, signs, and precautions of the pandemic. Additionally, individuals should practice handwashing, social distancing, personal hygiene, mask-wearing, and the use of hand sanitizers to ensure a secure and supportive atmosphere for preventing and controlling the current pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Irfan
- School of Management and Economics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
- Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Muhammad Ikram
- Research Institute of Business Analytics and Supply Chain Management, College of Management, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Munir Ahmad
- School of Economics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Haitao Wu
- School of Management and Economics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
- Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yu Hao
- School of Management and Economics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China.
- Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China.
- Beijing Key Lab of Energy Economics and Environmental Management, Beijing, 100081, China.
- Sustainable Development Research Institute for Economy and Society of Beijing, Beijing, 100081, China.
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Electric Vehicles in Beijing, Beijing, 100081, China.
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24
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Irfan M, Ikram M, Ahmad M, Wu H, Hao Y. Does temperature matter for COVID-19 transmissibility? Evidence across Pakistani provinces. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:59705-59719. [PMID: 34143386 PMCID: PMC8211721 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14875-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has become a global concern that is deteriorating environmental quality and damaging human health. Though some researchers have investigated the linkage between temperature and COVID-19 transmissibility across different geographical locations and over time, yet these studies are scarce. This study aims to bridge this gap using daily temperature and COVID-19 cases (transmissibility) by employing grey incidence analysis (GIA) models (i.e., Deng's grey incidence analysis (DGIA), the absolute degree GIA (ADGIA), the second synthetic degree GIA (SSDGIA), the conservative (maximin) model) and correlation analysis. Data on temperature are accessed from the NASA database, while the data on COVID-19 cases are collected from the official website of the government of Pakistan. Empirical results reveal the existence of linkages between temperature and COVID-19 in all Pakistani provinces. These linkages vary from a relatively stronger to a relatively weaker linkage. Based on calculated weights, the strength of linkages is ranked across provinces as follows: Gilgit Baltistan (0.715301) > Baluchistan (0.675091) > Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (0.619893) > Punjab (0.619286) > Sindh (0.601736). The disparity in the strength of linkage among provinces is explained by the discrepancy in the intensity of temperature. Besides, the diagrammatic correlation analysis shows that temperature is inversely linked to COVID-19 cases (per million persons) over time, implying that low temperatures are associated with high COVID-19 transmissibility and vice versa. This study is among the first of its kind to consider the linkages between temperature and COVID-19 transmissibility for a tropical climate country (Pakistan) using the advanced GIA models. Research findings provide an up-to-date glimpse of the outbreak and emphasize the need to raise public awareness about the devastating impacts of the COVID-19. The educational syllabus should provide information on the causes, signs, and precautions of the pandemic. Additionally, individuals should practice handwashing, social distancing, personal hygiene, mask-wearing, and the use of hand sanitizers to ensure a secure and supportive atmosphere for preventing and controlling the current pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Irfan
- School of Management and Economics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081 China
- Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081 China
| | - Muhammad Ikram
- Research Institute of Business Analytics and Supply Chain Management, College of Management, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Munir Ahmad
- School of Economics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058 China
| | - Haitao Wu
- School of Management and Economics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081 China
- Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081 China
| | - Yu Hao
- School of Management and Economics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081 China
- Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081 China
- Beijing Key Lab of Energy Economics and Environmental Management, Beijing, 100081 China
- Sustainable Development Research Institute for Economy and Society of Beijing, Beijing, 100081 China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Electric Vehicles in Beijing, Beijing, 100081 China
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25
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Nopsopon T, Pongpirul K, Chotirosniramit K, Hiransuthikul N. COVID-19 seroprevalence among hospital staff and preprocedural patients in Thai community hospitals: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e046676. [PMID: 34716155 PMCID: PMC8559109 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aimed to explore the seroprevalence of hospital staff comparing to preprocedural patients in Thai community hospitals to shed light on the situation of COVID-19 infection of frontline healthcare workers in low infection rate countries where mass screening was not readily available. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING 52 community hospitals in 35 provinces covered all regions of Thailand. PARTICIPANTS 857 participants consisted of 675 hospital staff and 182 preprocedural patients. OUTCOME MEASURE COVID-19 seroprevalence using a locally developed rapid IgM/IgG test kit RESULTS: Overall, 5.5% of the participants (47 of 857) had positive IgM, 0.2% (2 of 857) had positive IgG which both of them also had positive IgM. Hospitals located in the central part of Thailand had the highest IgM seroprevalence (11.9%). Preprocedural patients had a higher rate of positive IgM than the hospital staff (12.1% vs 3.7%). Participants with present upper respiratory tract symptoms had a higher rate of positive IgM than those without (9.6% vs 4.5%). Three quarters (80.5%, 690 of 857) of the participants were asymptomatic, of which, 31 had positive IgM (4.5%) which consisted of 20 of 566 healthcare workers (3.5%) and 11 of 124 preprocedural patients (8.9%). CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 antibody test could detect a substantial number of potential silent spreaders in Thai community hospitals where the nasopharyngeal PCR was not readily available, and the antigen test was prohibited. Antibody testing should be encouraged for mass screening in a limited resource setting, especially in asymptomatic individuals. TRIAL REGISTRATION TCTR20200426002.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanawin Nopsopon
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Chulalongkorn University Faculty of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Krit Pongpirul
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Chulalongkorn University Faculty of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
- School of Global Health, Chulalongkorn University Faculty of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of International Health and Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Bumrungrad International Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Korn Chotirosniramit
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Chulalongkorn University Faculty of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Narin Hiransuthikul
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Chulalongkorn University Faculty of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
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26
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Graphical Trajectory Comparison to Identify Errors in Data of COVID-19: A Cross-Country Analysis. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11100955. [PMID: 34683095 PMCID: PMC8537769 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11100955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Data from the early stage of a novel infectious disease outbreak provide vital information in risk assessment, prediction, and precise disease management. Since the first reported case of COVID-19, the pattern of the novel coronavirus transmission in Wuhan has become the interest of researchers in epidemiology and public health. To thoroughly map the mechanism of viral spreading, we used the patterns of data at the early onset of COVID-19 from seven countries to estimate the time lag between peak days of cases and deaths. This study compared these data with those of Wuhan and estimated the natural history of disease across the infected population and the time lag. The findings suggest that comparative analyses of data from different regions and countries reveal the differences between peaks of cases and deaths caused by COVID-19 and the incomplete and underestimated cases in Wuhan. Different countries may show different patterns of cases peak days, deaths peak days, and peak periods. Error in the early COVID-19 statistics in Brazil was identified. This study provides sound evidence for policymakers to understand the local circumstances in diagnosing the health of a population and propose precise and timely public health interventions to control and prevent infectious diseases.
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27
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Ning J, Chu Y, Liu X, Zhang D, Zhang J, Li W, Zhang H. Spatio-temporal characteristics and control strategies in the early period of COVID-19 spread: a case study of the mainland China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:48298-48311. [PMID: 33904137 PMCID: PMC8075720 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14092-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 has caused huge impacts on human health and the economic operation of the world. Analyzing and summarizing the early propagation law can help reduce the losses caused by public health emergencies in the future. Early data on the spread of COVID-19 in 30 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) of mainland China except for Hubei, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan were selected in this study. Spatio-temporal analysis, inflection point analysis, and correlation analysis are used to explore the spatio-temporal characteristics in the early COVID-19 spread. The results suggested that (1) the total confirmed cases have risen in an "S"-shaped curve over time, and the daily new cases have first increased and finally decreased; (2) the spatial distributions of both total and daily new cases show a trend of more in the east and less in the west, with a "multi-center agglomeration distribution" around Hubei Province and some major cities; (3) the spatial agglomeration of total confirmed cases has been increasing over time, while that of the daily new cases shows much more obvious in the mid-stage; and (4) timely release of the first-level public health emergency response can accelerate the emergence of the epidemic inflection point. The above analysis results have a specific reference value for the government's policy-making and measures to face public health emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiachen Ning
- College of Economics and Management, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China
| | - Yuhan Chu
- College of Economics and Management, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China
| | - Xixi Liu
- College of Economics and Management, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China
| | - Daojun Zhang
- College of Economics and Management, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China.
| | - Jinting Zhang
- School of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Wangjun Li
- The school of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215009, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- College of Economics and Management, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China
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28
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Meng Y, Zhu V, Zhu Y. Co-distribution of Light At Night (LAN) and COVID-19 incidence in the United States. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1509. [PMID: 34348695 PMCID: PMC8335974 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11500-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Light at night (LAN) as a circadian disruption factor may affect the human immune system and consequently increase an individual’s susceptibility to the severity of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19. COVID-19 infections spread differently in each state in the United States (US). The current analysis aimed to test whether there is an association between LAN and COVID-19 cases in 4 selected US states: Connecticut, New York, California, and Texas. Methods We analyzed clustering patterns of COVID-19 cases in ArcMap and performed a multiple linear regression model using data of LAN and COVID-19 incidence with adjustment for confounding variables including population density, percent below poverty, and racial factors. Results Hotspots of LAN and COVID-19 cases are located in large cities or metro-centers for all 4 states. LAN intensity is associated with cases/1 k for overall and lockdown durations in New York and Connecticut (P < 0.001), but not in Texas and California. The overall case rates are significantly associated with LAN in New York (P < 0.001) and Connecticut (P < 0.001). Conclusions We observed a significant positive correlation between LAN intensity and COVID-19 cases-rate/1 k, suggesting that circadian disruption of ambient light may increase the COVID-19 infection rate possibly by affecting an individual’s immune functions. Furthermore, differences in the demographic structure and lockdown policies in different states play an important role in COVID-19 infections. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-11500-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yidan Meng
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Vincent Zhu
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Yong Zhu
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
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29
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Aleya L, Gu W, Howard S. Environmental factors and the epidemics of COVID-19. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:40308-40310. [PMID: 34313934 PMCID: PMC8314024 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14721-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lotfi Aleya
- Chrono-Environnement Laboratory, UMR CNRS 6249, Bourgogne Franche-Comté University, F-25030 Besançon Cedex, France
| | - Weikuan Gu
- College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163 USA
| | - Scott Howard
- College of Nursing, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38105 USA
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Ferrari D, Locatelli M, Faraldi M, Lombardi G. Changes in 25-(OH) Vitamin D Levels during the SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak: Lockdown-Related Effects and First-to-Second Wave Difference-An Observational Study from Northern Italy. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10030237. [PMID: 33808612 PMCID: PMC8003430 DOI: 10.3390/biology10030237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Several biological functions, more or less sustained by experimental evidence, have been proposed for vitamin D and in addition to its role in bone health, its optimal status has also been related with a reduced risk of allergy, obesity, and respiratory tract infections. During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, vitamin D levels have been put into relation with both the susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and the severity of COVID-19. The results from different studies are, however, not conclusive, since several variables impact on this relationship. In this study, we investigated the impact of the stringent confinement during the March–April 2020 lockdown on vitamin D levels and the relationship with the recorded sun exposure in the considered area (Milano, Italy). Furthermore, we investigated the eventual relationship between vitamin D levels and SARS-CoV-2 infection in different age groups throughout the pandemic, including the first and second wave, as well as the lockdown and between-lockdown periods. Taken together, our data suggest that 25-(OH)D levels are neither related with sun exposure nor with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Abstract Background. We investigated the changes in 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25-(OH)D] concentrations values, during the first and the second pandemic waves and the impact of the lockdown periods, with their different approaches to home confinement, among different age groups. Methods. Daily cloud-modified vitamin D UV dose (UVDVC), for the area of interest (Milano, Italy), was obtained. Single-center 25-(OH)D determinations from 40,996 individuals in a 2019 (pre-pandemic), 32,355 individuals from 1 January to 31 August 2020 (containing the first pandemic wave) and 27,684 individuals from 1 June to 30 November 2020 (containing the second wave) were compared to investigate both the effect of the lockdown on vitamin D status and the association between 25-(OH)D and SARS-CoV-2 positivity. Results. No direct association was found between UVDVC, 25-(OH)D status and SARS-CoV-2 infection. The stringent confinement implemented during the first wave lockdown has not had any effect on 25-(OH)D status, although some peculiar time-restricted profile behaviors can be deduced, possibly due to vitamin D supplementation habits and features of those patients who presented to the hospital during the lockdown period. Conclusions. Although our data do not suggest any direct relationship between 25-(OH)D status, sun exposure, and SARS-CoV-2 infection, an indirect protective role cannot be excluded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Ferrari
- SCVSA Department, University of Parma, 43121 Parma, Italy;
| | - Massimo Locatelli
- Laboratory Medicine Service, San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milano, Italy;
| | - Martina Faraldi
- Laboratory of Experimental Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, 20161 Milano, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Lombardi
- Laboratory of Experimental Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, 20161 Milano, Italy;
- Department of Athletics, Strength and Conditioning, Poznań University of Physical Education, 61-871 Poznań, Poland
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +39-02-6621-4068
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