Postacute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 in University Setting

Postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection, commonly known as long COVID, is estimated to affect 10% to 80% of COVID-19 survivors. We examined the prevalence and predictors of long COVID from a sample of 1,338 COVID-19 cases among university members in Washington, DC, USA, during July 2021‒March 2022. Cases were followed up after 30 days of the initial positive result with confidential electronic surveys including questions about long COVID. The prevalence of long COVID was 36%. Long COVID was more prevalent among those who had underlying conditions, who were not fully vaccinated, who were female, who were former/current smokers, who experienced acute COVID-19 symptoms, who reported higher symptom counts, who sought medical care, or who received antibody treatment. Understanding long COVID among university members is imperative to support persons who have ongoing symptoms and to strengthen existing services or make referrals to other services, such as mental health, exercise programs, or long-term health studies.

Norovirus: An Overview of Virology and Preventative Measures

Norovirus (NoV) is an enteric non-enveloped virus which is the leading cause of gastroenteritis across all age groups. It is responsible for around 200,000 deaths annually and outbreaks are common in small communities such as educational and care facilities. 40% of all NoV outbreaks occur in long-term and acute-care facilities, forming the majority of outbreaks. Nosocomial settings set ideal environments for ease of transmission, especially due to the presence of immunocompromised groups. It is estimated to cost global economies around £48 billion a year, making it a global issue. NoV is transmitted via the faecal-oral route and infection with it results in asymptomatic cases or gastrointestinal disease. It has high mutational rates and this allows for new variants to emerge and be more resistant. The classification system available divides NoV into 10 genogroups and 49 genotypes based on whole amino acid sequencing of VP1 capsid protein and partial sequencing of RdRp, respectively. The most predominant genotypes which cause gastroenteritis in humans include GI.1 and GII.4, where GII.4 is responsible for more extreme clinical implications such as hospitalisation. In addition, GII.4 has been responsible for 6 pandemic strains, the last of which is the GII.4 Sydney (2012) variant. In recent years, the successful cultivation of HuNoV was reported in stem cell-derived human intestinal enteroids (HIEs), which promises to assist in giving a deeper understanding of its underlying mechanisms of infection and the development of more personalized control measures. There are no specific control measures against NoV, therefore common practices are used against it such as hand washing. No vaccine is available, but the HIL-214 candidate passed clinical phase 2b and shows promise.

Development, validity and reliability study of a compliance scale for the COVID-19 outbreak prevention recommendations

Background/aim

During the intense periods of the COVID-19 pandemic, legal measures were taken for its containment. However, since legal precautions cannot be implemented continuously, hand washing, mask usage and obeying social distance rules are important in combating the pandemic. Complying with these rules is mostly individual decisions. The behavior of individuals has a prominent place in the course of the pandemic. In this study, we aimed to develop a scale which could measure compliance with outbreak measures.

Materials and methods

This study was conducted in two stages after evaluation of the content validity of the item pool formed by the research group by experts. For construct validity, the scale subdimensions were determined in 250 people between the ages of 18-70 years at the first stage and the definitive version of the 20-item scale was constructed. In the second stage, exploratory factor analysis was repeated in a group of 484 people, and confirmatory factor analysis was performed. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients, Spearman-Brown coefficients, test-retest methods were used to determine reliability.

Results

The variance explanation of the scale consisting of 20 items and two subdimensions in the explanatory factor analysis is 63.434% (n = 484). Confirmatory factor analysis resulted in CMIN/DF = 3.540, RMR = 0.043, NFI Delta 1 = 0.928, TLI rho 2 = 0.939, CFI = 0.947, RMSEA = 0.072, SRMR = 0.0368. Cronbach’s alpha value of the scale is 0.95; and the Spearman Brown coefficient equal length analysis resulted in 0.928. The temporal consistency of the scale was evaluated with the test-retest method (P = 0.893). The structure, content validity, temporal consistency, item discrimination, and internal consistency were evaluated and found to have acceptable valid, reliable properties.

Conclusion

The outbreak prevention recommendation compliance scale is a valid and reliable tool with which compliance with the prevention plans can be evaluated.

A Case Series: Successfully Preventing COVID-19 Outbreak in a Residential Community Setting at a Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment Center

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has reduced the capacity of many addiction treatment centers, limiting access to safe, continual treatment for people with substance use disorders (SUD) in the setting of a pandemic. Here, we describe the COVID-19 screening process of a residential addiction treatment center in rural Connecticut that has had no outbreaks, closures, or reductions in capacity since the pandemic began. Out of 420 patients screened for COVID-19 from 1 February to 1 July, five patients tested positive for COVID-19: four prior to entering its residential community setting, and one after entering the residential community, resulting in no COVID-19 spread to other patients. Patient 1 presented from home and tested positive during screening prior to entry into the community. The primary care provider for patient 2 notified staff of a recent pos-itive COVID-19 test prior to the patient's arrival on-site. Patient 3 had a COVID-19 infection in the weeks prior to arrival and tested positive during initial screening. Patient 4 tested positive af-ter coming from another addiction treatment facility that was shut down due to a COVID-19 outbreak. Patient 5 tested negative for COVID-19 during initial screening, entered the residential community, and later tested positive. It is imperative that in-person support for SUD continues during the pandemic. This case report highlights the importance of implementing a variety of tools in an effective screening process, including polymerase chain reaction screening and daily symptomology and temperature screening, which may help prevent further closures or reductions in capacity of addiction treatment centers during the COVID-19 pandemic or future outbreaks.

Cruise tap versus handshake: using common sense to reduce hand contamination and germ transmission on cruise ships

A firm handshake is a widely used greeting, but contaminated fingers and palms can also transfer bacteria and virus. Hand sanitation is important to prevent spreading of contagious diseases, but to wash hands properly takes too much time to ensure satisfactory compliance. Banning the handshake from health care settings has been proposed, but an alternative, less contagious form of greeting must be substituted. Cruise ships are particular vulnerable to infectious diseases that are transferred from person to person. The fist bump, common in some subcultures, has become increasing popular as the greeting-of-choice on smaller cruise vessels. To further reduce the contact area, a modification of the fist bump, the 'cruise tap', where only two knuckles briefly touch each other, is recommended.