Self-Reported Olfactory And Taste Disorders In SARS-Cov-2 Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Clinical Infectious Diseases: An Official Publication Of the Infectious Diseases Society of America

Giacomelli, Andrea; Pezzati, Laura; Conti, Federico; Bernacchia, Dario; Siano, Matteo; Oreni, Letizia; Rusconi, Stefano; Gervasoni, Cristina; Ridolfo, Anna Lisa; Rizzardini, Giuliano; Antinori, Spinello; Galli, Massimo 

Dear Editor,

We read with interest the paper by Wang et al [1] describing the clinical features of 69 patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in Wuhan, China. The authors provide a detailed description of major signs and symptoms of overt disease [2, 3], but fail to give an account of minor symptoms that may be present at earlier stage of the infection.

Keywords

COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Surge Capacity, Pandemics, Translational Science

Remote Treatment Delivery in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics

Wright, Jesse H.; Caudill, Robert.

Introduction

Because containment efforts for the COVID-19 pandemic include social distancing, quarantine, and isolation, if indicated, health care providers are confronted with major challenges in delivery of care. As we write this editorial, the situation in the USA is extremely fluid with some clinics shuttering their doors and delivering services only via telephone, telemedicine, or other technologies; other clinics are continuing some face-to-face visits while moving toward the use of alternatives. Email channels among health care professionals are pulsing with questions about the use of telemedicine and other technologies.

Keywords

Clinical aspects, diagnosis, treatment

Digital Mental Health and COVID-19: Using Technology Today to Accelerate the Curve on Access and Quality Tomorrow

JMIR Mental Health

Torous, John; Jän Myrick, Keris; Rauseo-Ricupero, Natali; Firth, Joseph

Abstract

As interest in and use of telehealth during the COVID-19 global pandemic increase, the potential of digital health to increase access and quality of mental health is becoming clear. Although the world today must “flatten the curve” of spread of the virus, we argue that now is the time to “accelerate and bend the curve” on digital health. Increased investments in digital health today will yield unprecedented access to high-quality mental health care. Focusing on personal experiences and projects from our diverse authorship team, we share selected examples of digital health innovations while acknowledging that no single piece can discuss all the impressive global efforts past and present. Exploring the success of telehealth during the present crisis and how technologies like apps can soon play a larger role, we discuss the need for workforce training, high-quality evidence, and digital equity among other factors critical for bending the curve further.

Keywords

Digital Health, Emergency Response, Telehealth, Apps

Management of Critically Ill Adults With COVID-19

JAMA

Poston, Jason T.; Patel, Bhakti K.; Davis, Andrew M.

Introduction

Infection Control and Testing
1. For health care workers performing aerosol-generating procedures (eg, endotracheal intubation, nebulized treatments, open suctioning) use of fitted respirator masks is recommended (N95 respirators, FFP2), instead of surgical masks, in addition to other personal protective equipment (PPE) (best practice statement).
2. For usual care of nonventilated patients, or for performing non–aerosolgenerating procedures on patients receiving mechanical ventilation, use of medical masks is recommended, instead of respirator masks, in addition to other PPE (weak recommendation, low-quality evidence [LQE]). 3. Diagnostic lower respiratory tract samples (endotracheal aspirates) are preferred over bronchial washings, bronchoalveolar lavage, and upper respiratory tract (nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal) samples (weak recommendation, LQE).

Keywords

Clinical aspects, diagnosis, treatment; Epidemiology

Can SARS-CoV-2 Infection Be Acquired In Utero?: More Definitive Evidence Is Needed

JAMA

Kimberlin, David W.; Stagno, Sergio

Introduction

Two articles reported in this issue of JAMA from separate research teams in China present details of 3 neonates who may have been infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in utero from mothers with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Evidence for such transmission is based on elevated IgM antibody values in blood drawn from the neonates following birth. All infants also had elevated IgG antibody values and cytokine levels, although these may have crossed the placenta from the mother to the infant. No infant specimen had a positive reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction test result, so there is not virologic evidence for congenital infection in these cases to support the serologic suggestion of in utero transmission. Nevertheless, the serologic data are provocative for a virus that is believed to be spread by respiratory secretions and—given the modeling showing that a significant percentage of the world’s population, many of them pregnant women, will be infected over the next weeks or months—it is one that deserves careful consideration. However, at this time, these data are not conclusive and do not prove in utero transmission.

Keywords

Clinical aspects, diagnosis, treatment

Gastrointestinal Endoscopy During COVID-19 Pandemic

Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Ang, Tiing Leong

Abstract

Performing gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy during the current COVID-19 pandemic is challenging. The ease of transmission at close proximity, especially in the context of aerosol generating procedures (AGP), raises the spectre of inadvertent healthcare worker (HCW) exposure and infection during GI endoscopy procedures, with further transmission to other HCW and patients, causing a nosocomial outbreak. Appropriate systematic processes must be put in place to enhance the safety of both HCW and patients, and limited resources must be utilized in a rationale manner. Although the practice of evidence-based medicine is advocated, objective scientific data may be lacking initially, and a judgment call has to be made. Even when key principles of safe practice are adhered to, specific approaches must be contextualized to actual needs on the ground.

Keywords

Clinical aspects, diagnosis, treatment; Epidemiology

Turbulent Gas Clouds and Respiratory Pathogen Emissions: Potential Implications for Reducing Transmission of COVID-19

JAMA

Bourouiba, Lydia

Introduction

he current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak vividly demonstrates the burden that respiratory infectious diseases impose in an intimately connected world. Unprecedented containment and mitigation policies have been implemented in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19, including travel restrictions, screening and testing of travelers, isolation and quarantine, and school closures.

Keywords

Coronavirus (COVID19), Infectious Diseases, Pulmonary Medicine, Public Health

Possible Vertical Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 From an Infected Mother to Her Newborn

JAMA

Dong, Lan; Tian, Jinhua; He, Songming; Zhu, Chuchao; Wang, Jian; Liu, Chen; Yang, Jing

Introduction

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is highly infectious, with multiple possible routes of transmission Controversy exists regarding whether SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted in utero from an infected mother to her infant before birth. A series of 9 pregnant women found no mother-child transmission. We report a newborn with elevated IgM antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 born to a mother with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Keywords

Clinical aspects, diagnosis, treatment

Minimally Invasive Surgery and the Novel Coronavirus Outbreak: Lessons Learned in China and Italy

Annals of Surgery

Zheng, Min Hua; Boni, Luigi; Fingerhut, Abe

Introduction

As elective operations are being canceled, and surgeons are called upon to perform only emergency or carcinological surgery, the precautions to take when operating on patients who are potentially or proven COVID-19 positive are of utmost importance. The novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak hit China in the beginning of December 2019 and ignited the headlines a few days later. Unexpected, unprecedented, and radical modifications have profoundly shaken the world since then. The economic shutdown in China cleared the map of China viewed from the sky, the halt in travel, counseled first within the country, then internationally, was too late to stop the diffusion outside of China, and meanwhile has destroyed enterprises such as Flybe, while changing the economy of airlines and airports the world over.

Keywords

Clinical aspects, diagnosis, treatment

Cutaneous Manifestations In COVID-19: A First Perspective

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology

Recalcati, S.

Abstract

In December 2019 unexplained pneumonia cases were initially reported in Wuhan, China. The pathogen, a novel coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), was isolated from lower respiratory tract samples of infected patients and the resultant disease was termed as COVID‐19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019)1. By Feb 15, COVID‐19 has rapidly spread throughout China and across the world, until a pandemic condition was announced by March 11

Keywords

COVID-19, cutaneous manifestations, skin, cutaneous

The COVID-19 Pandemic – Changing Lives and Lessons Learned

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open

Rohrich, Rod J.; Hamilton, Kristy L.; Avashia, Yash; Savetsky, Ira

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic is evolving rapidly, and its course is altering the landscape for all citizens of the world, including plastic surgeons. Much remains unknown. However, an increasing body of evidence is guiding swift global action against the virus. The novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, responsible for COVID-19, was identified in Wuhan, Hubei province, China in December 2019, notably close to a wet animal market that sells poultry, snakes and bats. The virus shares most of its genetic sequence with coronaviruses found in bats and is thought to arise from that animal, although an infected bat with SARS-CoV-2 has not yet been identified to confirm this theory.

Keywords

Epidemiology

Strengthening China's Public Health Response System: From SARS to COVID-19

American Journal of Public Health

Bouey, Jennifer.

Abstract

Today, the world is experiencing a pandemic caused by a novel coronavirus. COVID-19 is the third disease from a coronavirus to cause a global outbreak, after severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), and the second that emerged from China. During the 17 years between the SARS and the COVID-19 outbreaks, China has quadrupled its share of the world economy, lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, and established a national health insurance system covering 95% of its 1.4 billion people. Will China's public health response to a coronavirus epidemic be different this time? (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print March 26, 2020: e1-e2. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2020.305654).

Keywords

Epidemiology, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Treatment

A Primer on Biodefense Data Science for Pandemic Preparedness

Patterns

Perakslis, Eric

Introduction

The coronavirus outbreak is sweeping the globe with outbreaks reported on every continent except Antarctica as of March 2020. Data scientists are uniquely and diversely skilled in ways that can be highly effective in minimizing, combatting, and recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak. In this Opinion, the basics of biodefense as well as specific opportunities for the data science community to contribute are discussed.

Keywords

Epidemiology

COVID-19: Advice from the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology for Endoscopy Facilities, as of March 16, 2020

Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology

Tse, Frances; Borgaonkar, Mark; Leontiadis, Grigorios I.

Introduction

As the number of cases of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) rise in Canada and in the rest of the world, and with the designation of COVID-19 as a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020, the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology has issued the following guidance for endoscopy facilities to reduce and delay transmission of COVID-19. COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving global challenge. As endoscopists and physicians, we have the responsibility of protecting our patients, ourselves and other endoscopy personnel from this infection. To this end, we wish to emphasize the importance of following current guidance and advice from Public Health Agency of Canada on infection prevention and control for COVID-19. It is imperative that all endoscopy facilities, whether they are hospital endoscopy units, out-ofhospital premises or independent health facilities, develop institutional protocols and policies that are consistent with national, provincial and local municipal recommendations for infection control to reduce the spread of COVID-19 to both patients and personnel.

Keywords

Clinical aspects, diagnosis, treatment

Telehealth: Helping Your Patients and Practice Survive and Thrive During the COVID-19 Crisis with Rapid Quality Implementation

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

Lee, Ivy; Kovarik, Carrie; Tejasvi, Trilokraj; Pizarro, Michelle; Lipoff, Jules B.

To the Editor,

: Telehealth is an effective, efficient way to triage and deliver timely, quality medical care. In the setting of this public health emergency, telemedicine can maintain access and continuity of care for patients, support colleagues on the front line, optimize in-person services, and minimize infectious transmission of COVID-19 coronavirus. On March 17, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a 1135 Waiver and expanded telehealth coverage for all Medicare patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords

Ethics, social science, economics

Mental Health and Psychological Intervention Amid COVID-19 Outbreak: Perspectives from South Korea

Yonsei Med J

Volume 61, Issue 4, April 2020, Pages 271-272

Jung, Sun Jae; Jun, Jin Yong

Introduction

The 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV, COVID-19) has been identified as the pathogen behind the pneumonia outbreak in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, on December 8, 2019. In South Korea, the country’s first patient (who flew in from Wuhan) was identified on January 20, 2020.1 Until February 17, the number of confirmed cases remained relatively stable, with 30 diagnosed patients; however, the situation changed drastically after identification of the 31st patient, and the number of confirmed cases jumped to 2,022 by February 28.

Keywords

Mental health, COVID-19

Identification of Viral Etiology of Acute Respiratory Tract Infections in Children and Adults in Tabanan, Bali, Indonesia

Access Microbiology

Widhidewi, Ni Wayan; Wiyatno, Ageng; Dewantari, Aghnianditya Kresno; Paramasatiari, Lila; Aryastuti, Sri Agung; Artika, I. Nengah; Setiawan, Wayan Doddy; Soebandrio, Amin; Aye Myint, Khin Saw; safari, Dodi

Dear Editor,

Acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) is the most common infectious disease in humans worldwide. The morbidity and mortality rates are high, especially in developing countries from Southeast Asia and Africa. While ARTI is commonly associated with viruses, there is limited data on the spectrum of viruses causing ARTI in developing countries, including Indonesia. This study was based on utilizing molecular techniques targeting a panel of 11 endemic and emerging respiratory viral pathogens including zoonotic viruses in a cohort of children and adults presenting at Tabanan General Hospital, Bali, with acute respiratory illness, from January to November 2017. In total, 98 out of 200 samples (49.0 %) tested positive for viruses. Our study confirmed 64.3 % viral etiology in children and 12.2 % in adults. Viruses that were detected were Herpesviridae (15.0 %) followed by enteroviruses (12.0 %), influenza A virus (11.5 %), respiratory syncytial virus (8.0 %), Adenoviridae (6.5 %), human metapneumovirus (3.5 %), Paramyxoviridae (2.0 %), bocavirus (1.0 %) and Coronaviridae (0.5 %). The study sheds light on the viral spectrum of ARTI in children and adults in Tabanan, Bali, Indonesia

Keywords

Acute respiratory tract infection, etiology, virus, Bali

The different clinical characteristics of coronavirus disease cases between children and their families in China - the character of children with COVID-19

Emerging microbes & infections
Volume 9, 2020, Issue 3, pp 707-713

Su, L.; Ma, X.; Yu, H.; Zhang, Z.; Bian, P.; Han, Y.; Sun, J.; Liu, Y.; Yang, C.; Geng, J.; Gai, Z.

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the different clinical characteristics between children and their families infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Clinical data from nine children and their 14 families were collected, including general status, clinical, laboratory test, and imaging characteristics. All the children were detected positive result after their families onset. Three children had fever (22.2%) or cough (11.2%) symptoms and six (66.7%) children had no symptom. Among the 14 adult patients, the major symptoms included fever (57.1%), cough (35.7%), chest tightness/pain (21.4%), fatigue (21.4%) and sore throat (7.1%). Nearly 70% of the patients had normal (71.4%) or decreased (28.6%) white blood cell counts, and 50% (7/14) had lymphocytopenia. There were 10 adults (71.4%) showed abnormal imaging. The main manifestations were pulmonary consolidation (70%), nodular shadow (50%), and ground glass opacity (50%). Five discharged children were admitted again because their stool showed positive result in SARS-CoV-2 PCR. COVID-19 in children is mainly caused by family transmission, and their symptoms are mild and prognosis is better than adult. However, their PCR result in stool showed longer time than their families. Because of the mild or asymptomatic clinical process, it is difficult to recognize early for pediatrician and public health staff.

Keywords

Epidemiology

SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Pediatric Department in Milan: A Logistic Rather Than a Clinical Emergency

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal

Chidini, Giovanna; Villa, Cristina; Calderini, Edoardo; Marchisio, Paola; De Luca, Daniele

Introduction

The number of subjects infected with SARS-Cov-2 is dramatically increasing in Lombardy, Northern Italy, since February 21, 2020, leading to an infection chain that represents the largest coronavirus disease 2019 (CoVID-19) outbreak in Europe to date. Nowadays, few SARS-Cov-2–positive children have been admitted to pediatric departments. In winter season, a huge number of children with acute respiratory failure needs to be hospitalized in pediatric ward/ pediatric intensive care units if ventilated. This setting could be very difficult to have clinical criteria aiming to isolate suspected SARS-CoVID-2 children to avoid spreading of infection among health care professionals, other patients and visitors. The aim of this report is to document our experience in facing pediatric CoVID-19 emergency in Milan.

Keywords

Clinical aspects, diagnosis, treatment

Immediate Health Surveillance Response to COVID-19 Epidemic

Epidemiologia e servicos de saude: revista do Sistema Unico de Saude do Brasil
Volume 29, 2020, Issue 1, e2020002

Croda, J. H. R.; Garcia, L. P.

Introduction

On December 31st 2019 the World Health Organization (WHO) was notified of the occurrence of a pneumonia outbreak in the city of Wuhan, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China. The etiological agent was rapidly identified as a novel coronavirus: SARS-COV-2 The outbreak began in a seafood and live animals market and, as at the date of this publication, the animal reservoir is unknown.

The first Emergency Committee meeting about the novel coronavirus outbreak in China, convened by WHO in accordance with the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005), was held on January 23rd 2020. Consensus was not reached by that meeting as to whether the event was a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). At its second meeting, held on January 30th, the number of cases and countries reporting confirmed cases were seen to have increased and this lead to the outbreak being declared a PHEIC…

Keywords

Epidemiology