Knowledge And Attitudes Of Medical Staff In Chinese Psychiatric Hospitals Regarding COVID-19

Brain, Behavior, & Immunity - Health

Shi, Yudong; Wang, Juan; Yang, Yating; Wang, Zhiqiang; Wang, Guoqing; Hashimoto, Kenji; Zhang, Kai; Liu, Huanzhong.

Abstract

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the novel coronavirus COVID-19 a pandemic. There are patients in psychiatric hospitals in China who have been infected with COVID-19, however, the knowledge and attitudes of psychiatric hospital staff towards infectious diseases and their willingness to work during the COVID-19 outbreak has not yet been investigated. This study was performed to assess the knowledge and attitudes of medical staff in two Chinese mental health centers during the COVID-19 outbreak. We included 141 psychiatrists and 170 psychiatric nurses in the study. We found that during the COVID-19 epidemic, 89.51% of the medical staff of the psychiatric hospitals studied had extensive knowledge of COVID-19, and 64.63% of them received the relevant training in hospitals. Furthermore, about 77.17% of participants expressed a willingness to care for psychiatric patients suffering from COVID-19 virus infection. Independent predictors of willingness to care for patients included advanced training and experience of caring for patients with COVID-19. In conclusion, this study suggests that increased attention should be paid to the knowledge and attitudes of medical staff at psychiatric hospitals during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Keywords

COVID-19, Knowledge, Attitudes, Psychiatrists, Nurses

How could artificial intelligence aid in the fight against coronavirus?

Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy

Yassine, Hadi M.; Shah, Zubair.

Do you believe that artificial intelligence (AI) is the key to a cure for the coronavirus?

Dr Hadi: Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the means or avenues to understand the virus and develop preventative and control measures. This includes but is not limited to: the usage of mathematical modeling to understand virus transmission, structural biology to determine virus structure and develop vaccines, computational biology to understand virus evolution, as well as docking studies to screen for drugs and inhibitors

Keywords

COVID19, Artificial Intelligence, In-silico, Vaccines, Emerging Diseases

COVID-19, Diabetes Mellitus and ACE2: The Conundrum

Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice

Pal, Rimesh; Bhansali, Anil

Introduction

A novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has scourged the world since its outbreak in December 2019 at Wuhan, China resulting in the World Health Organization declaring it as a pandemic. As of March 22, 2020, COVID-19 has affected over 292,000 people in at least 185 countries worldwide with most of the cases being reported from China, Europe and the United States of America. The absolute number of deaths has already surpassed 12,750 globally and is expected to increase further as the disease spreads rapidly. The disease has also infiltrated the Indian masses and is spreading fast. India being a developing nation with more than 1.3 billion people, failure to contain the virus can lead to disastrous consequences with death toll perhaps surpassing all other nations.

Keywords

Clinical aspects, diagnosis, treatment

Herbal Medicine And Pattern Identification For Treating COVID-19: A Rapid Review Of Guidelines

Integrative Medicine Research
Volume 9, Issue 2, June 2020, 100407

Ang, Lin; Lee, Hye Won; Choi, Jun Yong; Zhang, Junhua; Lee, Myeong Soo

Introduction

Background:

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is pandemic and has caused illness to many people worldwide. This review aimed to summarize and analyze the herbal formulae provided by the guidelines for their pattern identifications (PIs) and compositions of herbs to treat patients with COVID-19.

Methods:

We searched 7 data sources for eligible traditional medicine guidelines up to March 6, 2020 and found a total of 28 traditional medicine guidelines that provide treatment measures for COVID-19.

Results:

Of the 28 guidelines, there were 26 government-issued Chinese guidelines and 2 Korean guidelines. After standardizing the terminology of the PIs and herbal formulae, there were 8 PIs and 23 herbal formulae for the mild stage, 11 PIs and 31 herbal formulae for the moderate stage, 8 PIs and 21 herbal formulae for the severe stage, and 6 PIs and 23 herbal formulae for the recovery stage in the Chinese guidelines. In the Korean guidelines, there were 4 PIs and 15 herbal formulae for the mild stage, 3 PIs and 3 herbal formulae for the severe stage, and 2 PIs and 2 herbal formulae for the recovery stage. In the frequency analysis of herbs, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma was found to be the herb with the highest frequency of usage in the Chinese guidelines.

Conclusion:

This review can be used as guidance for the traditional medicine treatment of COVID-19. Clinical evidence is needed in the future to evaluate the efficacy of traditional medicine.

Keywords

Clinical aspects, diagnosis, treatment

The Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) Of Severe COVID-19 And Interleukin-6 Receptor (IL-6R) Antagonist Tocilizumab May Be The Key To Reduce The Mortality

International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents

Zhang, Chi; Wu, Zhao; Li, Jia-Wen; Zhao, Hong; Wang, Gui-Qiang

Abstract

Since December 2019, a viral pneumonia (COVID-19) from Wuhan, China has swept the world. Although the case fatality rate is not high, the number of people infected is large, and there are still a large number of patients dying. With the collation and publication of more and more clinical data, a large number of data suggest that there are mild or severe cytokine storms in severe patients, which is also an important cause of death. Therefore, the treatment of cytokine storm has become an important part of rescuing severe patients. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays an important role in cytokine release syndrome (CRS). If it can block the signal transduction pathway of IL-6, it is expected to become a new method for the treatment of severe patients. Tocilizumab is a blocker of IL-6R, which can effectively block IL-6 signal transduction pathway. So, tocilizumab is likely to become an effective drug for patients with severe COVID-19.

Keywords

COVID-19, Cytokine release syndrome, Tocilizumab

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Current Status And Future Perspective

International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents

Li, Heng; Liu, Shang-Ming; Yu, Xiao-Hua; Tang, Shi-Lin; Tang, Chao-Ke

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) originated in the city of Wuhan, Hubei Province, Central China, and has spread quickly to 72 countries to date. COVID-19 is caused by a novel coronavirus, named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) [previously provisionally known as 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)]. At present, the newly identified SARS-CoV-2 has caused a large number of deaths with tens of thousands of confirmed cases worldwide, posing a serious threat to public health. However, there are no clinically approved vaccines or specific therapeutic drugs available for COVID-19. Intensive research on the newly emerged SARS-CoV-2 is urgently needed to elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms and epidemiological characteristics and to identify potential drug targets, which will contribute to the development of effective prevention and treatment strategies. Hence, this review will focus on recent progress regarding the structure of SARS-CoV-2 and the characteristics of COVID-19, such as the aetiology, pathogenesis and epidemiological characteristics.

Keywords

COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, 2019-nCoV, Coronavirus, Pneumonia

Recent Progress In Understanding 2019 Novel Coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2) Associated With Human Respiratory Disease: Detection, Mechanisms And Treatment

International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents

Kang, Shuntong; Peng, Wenyao; Zhu, Yuhao; Lu, Shiyao; Zhou, Min; Lin, Wei; Wu, Wenfang; Huang, Shu; Jiang, Liping; Luo, Xuan; Deng, Meichun

ABSTRACT

Viral respiratory diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) always pose a severe threat to people. First identified in late December 2019, a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV; SARS-CoV-2) has affected many provinces in China and multiple countries worldwide. The viral outbreak has aroused panic and a public-health emergency around the world, and the number of infections continues to rise. However, the causes and consequences of the pneumonia remain unknown. To effectively implement epidemic prevention, early identification and diagnosis are critical to disease control. Here we scrutinise a series of available studies by global scientists on the clinical manifestations, detection methods and treatment options for the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and also propose potential strategies for preventing the infection.

Keywords

2019 novel coronavirus, 2019-nCoV, SARS-CoV-2, Mechanism, Treatment, Detection

Preventing bat-born viral outbreaks in future using ecological interventions

Environmental Research
Volume 185, June 2020, 109460

Nabi, Ghulam; Siddique, Rabeea; Ali, Ashaq; Khan, Suliman

Introduction

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was reported for the first time in December 2019, Wuhan, China (Khan et al., 2020). The COVID-19 then rapidly spread from the epicentre globally, and now characterized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (World Health Organization, 2020). The high transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2, the lack of specific treatment and vaccines, and the unstoppable spread of infection have recently caused global health emergency, fear, and psychological stress among the public (Cohen and Kupferschmidt, 2020). Like SARS-CoV-2, other viruses including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), Marburg virus, and Ebola virus, have caused major outbreaks in history. These outbreaks caused large numbers of fatalities, morbidities, and cost billions of dollars, worldwide (Allocati et al., 2016; Fan et al., 2019). Bats are reported as a natural reservoir for these viruses, especially coronaviruses (CoVs) which constitute approximately, 31% of their virome (Allocati et al., 2016; Afelt et al., 2018). These viruses are transmitted to humans either directly or via intermediate hosts (Chan et al., 2013; Allocati et al., 2016). Furthermore, higher species diversity (over 1400), longer lifespan (over 30 years), resistance to viral infection, and migration make them a huge reservoir for pathogens and give them higher chances to transmit pathogens to other species in vast areas (Allocati et al., 2016; Frick et al., 2019; Banerjee et al., 2020). In 207 bat species, 5717 bat-associated animal viruses have been detected in 77 different countries (Allocati et al., 2016). However, the elusive and nocturnal habits make them difficult to be studied (Frick et al., 2019) therefore, there could be more deadly viruses with epidemic and pandemic potentials if other bats species are studied.

Keywords

Ethics, social science, economics

Progress and Prospects on Vaccine Development against SARS-CoV-2

Vaccines 2020
Volume 8, Issue 2, Page 153

Zhang, Jinyong; Zeng, Hao; Gu, Jiang; Li, Haibo; Zheng, Lixin; Zou, Quanming

Introduction

In December 2019, the outbreak of pneumonia caused by a novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has led to a serious pandemic in China and other countries worldwide. So far, more than 460,000 confirmed cases were diagnosed in nearly 190 countries, causing globally over 20,000 deaths. Currently, the epidemic is still spreading and there is no effective means to prevent the infection. Vaccines are proved to be the most effective and economical means to prevent and control infectious diseases. Several countries, companies, and institutions announced their programs and progress on vaccine development against the virus. While most of the vaccines are under design and preparation, there are some that have entered efficacy evaluation in animals and initial clinical trials. This review mainly focused on the progress and our prospects on field of vaccine development against SARS-CoV-2.

Keywords

SARS-CoV-2, Vaccine, Adjuvant, Animal model

Can China return to normalcy while keeping the coronavirus in check?

Science

Normile, Dennis

.

Introduction

Life is almost back to normal in much of China. Shops, restaurants, bars, and offices are open for business. Manufacturing activity is picking up. Traffic once again jams the highways of major cities. Three quarters of China's workforce was back on the job as of 24 March, according to one company’s estimate. Wuhan, where the COVID-19 pandemic originated, is lagging, as is the rest of Hubei province but even there, the lockdown is due to lift 8 April. China has done what few believed was possible: bring a blazing epidemic of a respiratory virus to a virtual standstill. On 18 March, the country reported zero locally transmitted cases of COVID-19 for the first time. Since then, only 6 of such infections have been reported, only one of them in Wuhan. Now, the key question is: Can China keep it that way?

Keywords

Epidemiology

Iran confronts coronavirus amid a˜battle between science and conspiracy theories’

The European respiratory journal

Stone, Richard.

Introduction

When Mehdi Variji fell ill with COVID-19 in early March, he holed up in his apartment in Tehran, Iran, to ride it out. The comforts of home didn’t seem to help. As he grew short of breath and oxygen levels in his blood ebbed, Variji, a 43-year-old physician who ran Tehran’s 21st District Clinic, knew he faced a bleak prognosis. “I’m taking three medicines, but they are not working on me,” he said in a cellphone video he shot a few days before his death. A somber cellphone video shot on 20 March shows four gowned and masked workers preparing his grave in the courtyard of a shrine in his hometown, Sari. His wife and children stayed away because of the infection risk. It was just after midnight on Nowruz, the first day of the Persian new year and normally the beginning of a joyous festival.

Keywords

COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Treatment

Covid-19: Doctors Are Told Not To Perform CPR On Patients In Cardiac Arrest

BMJ
Volume 368, 2020, m1282-m1282

Mahase, Elisabeth; Kmietowicz, Zosia.

Introduction

Healthcare staff in the West Midlands have been told not to start chest compressions or ventilation in patients who are in cardiac arrest if they have suspected or diagnosed covid-19 unless they are in the emergency department and staff are wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE).

The guidance from the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust says that patients in cardiac arrest outside the emergency department can be given defibrillator treatment if they have a “shockable” rhythm. But if this fails to restart the heart “further resuscitation is futile,” it says.

Keywords

COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Treatment

COVID-19 and the Otolaryngologist - Preliminary Evidence-Based Review

The Laryngoscope

Vukkadala, Neelaysh; Qian, Z. Jason; Holsinger, F. Christopher; Patel, Zara M.; Rosenthal, Eben.

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 virus which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly swept across the world since its identification in December 2019. Otolaryngologists are at unique risk due to the close contact with mucus membranes of the upper respiratory tract and have been among the most affected healthcare workers in Wuhan, China. We present information on COVID-19 management relevant to otolaryngologists on the frontlines of this pandemic and provide preliminary guidance based on practices implemented in China and other countries and practical strategies deployed at Stanford University. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Keywords

COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; clinical practice guidelines; evidence-based medicine; infectious disease.

Prolonged Viral Shedding in Feces of Pediatric Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019

Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection

Xing, Yu-Han; Ni, Wei; Wu, Qin; Li, Wen-Jie; Li, Guo-Ju; Wang, Wen-Di; Tong, Jian-Ning; Song, Xiu-Feng; Wing-Kin Wong, Gary; Xing, Quan-Sheng

Abstract

Objective

To determine the dynamic changes of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA in respiratory and fecal specimens in children with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods

From January 17, 2020 to February 23, 2020, three paediatric cases of COVID-19 were reported in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China. Epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics and treatment data were collected. Patients were followed up to March 10, 2020, and dynamic profiles of nucleic acid testing results in throat swabs and fecal specimens were closely monitored.

Results

Clearance of SARS-CoV-2 in respiratory tract occurred within two weeks after abatement of fever, whereas viral RNA remained detectable in stools of pediatric patients for longer than 4 weeks. Two children had fecal SARS-CoV-2 undetectable 20 days after throat swabs showing negative, while that of another child lagged behind for 8 days.

Conclusions

SARS-CoV-2 may exist in children's gastrointestinal tract for a longer time than respiratory system. Persistent shedding of SARS-CoV-2 in stools of infected children raises the possibility that the virus might be transmitted through contaminated fomites. Massive efforts should be made at all levels to prevent spreading of the infection among children after reopening of kindergartens and schools.

Keywords

SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, Pediatric patient, Fecal shedding

The Association Between International And Domestic Air Traffic And The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak

Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection

Lau, Hien; Khosrawipour, Veria; Kocbach, Piotr; Mikolajczyk, Agata; Ichii, Hirohito; Zacharksi, Maciej; Bania, Jacek; Khosrawipour, Tanja

Abstract

Background

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the current outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) a global pandemic. Many countries are facing increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases, which are, in their origin mostly attributed to regular international flight connections with China. This study aims to investigate this relation by analyzing available data on air traffic volume and the spread of COVID-19 cases.

Methods

and findings: We analyzed available data on current domestic and international passenger volume and flight routes and compared these to the distribution of domestic and international COVID-19 cases.

Results

Our data indicate a strong linear correlation between domestic COVID-19 cases and passenger volume for regions within China (r2 = 0.92, p = 0.19) and a significant correlation between international COVID-19 cases and passenger volume (r2 = 0.98, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

The number of flight routes as well as total passenger volume are highly relevant risk factors for the spread of current COVID-19. Multiple regions within Asia, as well as some in North America and Europe are at serious risk of constant exposure to COVID-19 from China and other highly infected countries. Risk for COVID-19 exposure remains relatively low in South America and Africa. If adequate measures are taken, including on-site disease detection and temporary passenger quarantine, limited but not terminated air traffic can be a feasible option to prevent a long-term crisis. Reasonable risk calculations and case evaluations per passenger volume are crucial aspects which must be considered when reducing international flights.

Keywords

International flights, Pandemic, Coronavirus, China, COVID-19, Air traffic

ASPHER Statement On The Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak Emergency

International Journal of Public Health

Middleton, John; Martin-Moreno, Jose M.; Barros, Henrique; Chambaud, Laurent; Signorelli, Carlo

Introduction

With the outbreak of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) we are currently experiencing a worldwide emergency affecting all societies. Fortunately, we have learnt much since the 1918/19 influenza pandemic, and we have come a long way towards controlling infectious diseases. Smallpox has been eradicated, cases of measles and poliomyelitis have been drastically reduced, and much has been achieved in mitigating HIV. Still, we now must coordinate efforts on a global scale to stop the spread of COVID-19, an epidemic with grave consequences. Globalization, ease of travel and open borders present challenges; but the degree of scientific progress and the free exchange of rapidly generated knowledge also afford important opportunities not available in previous outbreaks. These opportunities must be put to good use; this is where public health plays a critical role.

Keywords

Clinical aspects, diagnosis, treatment; Epidemiology

Q & A

New Scientist
Volume 245, Issue 3275, March 2020, Page 56

Troyer, John

Introduction

Victorian corpse displays sparked John Troyer's interest in how humans use technology around dead bodies. He explores our fascination with death and its impact on life.

Keywords

Epidemiology

Neurosurgery During The COVID-19 Pandemic: Update From Lombardy, Northern Italy

Acta Neurochirurgica

Zoia, Cesare; Bongetta, Daniele; Veiceschi, Pierlorenzo; Cenzato, Marco; Di Meco, Francesco; Locatelli, Davide; Boeris, Davide; Fontanella, Marco M.

Introduction

Since February, 21st 2020, when the first person infected was reported in Lombardy, Italy rapidly became home to a massive Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Currently, on 21th March, 53,578 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Italy. 6072 patients are now hospitalized. The number of deaths has risen to 4825 while 6072 were declared healed [4]. This data shows that Italy is, currently, the second most affected nation in the world by the epidemic, second only to China

Keywords

RCT; Clinical aspects, diagnosis, treatment

Social Media And Moral Panics: Assessing The Effects Of Technological Change On Societal Reaction

International Journal of Cultural Studies

Walsh, James P.

Abstract

Answering calls for deeper consideration of the relationship between moral panics and emergent media systems, this exploratory article assesses the effects of social media – web-based venues that enable and encourage the production and exchange of user-generated content. Contra claims of their empowering and deflationary consequences, it finds that, on balance, recent technological transformations unleash and intensify collective alarm. Whether generating fear about social change, sharpening social distance, or offering new opportunities for vilifying outsiders, distorting communications, manipulating public opinion, and mobilizing embittered individuals, digital platforms and communications constitute significant targets, facilitators, and instruments of panic production. The conceptual implications of these findings are considered.

Keywords

digital technologies, folk devils, moral panic, public communication, social media, social problems construction, societal reaction

Learning From History: Coronavirus Outbreaks In The Past

Dermatologic Therapy

Abdelmaksoud, Ayman; Kroumpouzos, George; Jafferany, Mohammad; Lotti, Torello; Sadoughifar, Roxanna; Goldust, Mohamad

Introduction

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." -George Santayana
Coronaviruses were considered relatively harmless pathogens until they caused three major outbreaks of severe respiratory disease in the last 20 years. The current pandemic has compelled us to scrutinize the break-outs that have occurred in the past and imposed global threat time and again. Coronavirus is a single stranded enveloped RNA virus that belongs to the subfamily Coronavirinae. Based on the genomic structure, 4 subtypes of this zoonotic virus have been recognized- alphacoronavirus, betacoronavirus, gammacoronavirus and delta coronavirus. Alphacoronavirus and beta coronaviruses infect only mammals whereas gammacoronavirus and delta coronavirus infect mainly birds. Out of the former group, seven viruses are known to cause human disease. Four of these viruses, HCoV 229E, HCoV OC43, HCoVNL63 and HCoVHKU1, cause mild infections whereas three, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and the recently identified SARS-CoV2 cause serious respiratory illnesses in humans (Marra et al., 2003).

Keywords

Epidemiology