Journal Description
COVID
COVID
is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal on the study of coronaviruses, coronavirus-related diseases and global impact, published monthly online by MDPI.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within ESCI (Web of Science), CAPlus / SciFinder, and other databases.
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 16.8 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 1.9 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the second half of 2023).
- Recognition of Reviewers: APC discount vouchers, optional signed peer review, and reviewer names published annually in the journal.
- COVID is a companion journal of Viruses.
Latest Articles
Insulin Adjustments for Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients on a Fixed Dexamethasone Protocol
COVID 2024, 4(4), 443-451; https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4040029 - 24 Mar 2024
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Introduction: COVID-19, in combination with steroid treatment, is known to propagate hyperglycemia in diabetic patients. The purpose of this study was to establish a new insulin protocol for diabetic patients with COVID-19 on the dexamethasone protocol for better glycemic control. Research Design and
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Introduction: COVID-19, in combination with steroid treatment, is known to propagate hyperglycemia in diabetic patients. The purpose of this study was to establish a new insulin protocol for diabetic patients with COVID-19 on the dexamethasone protocol for better glycemic control. Research Design and Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted at NYU Langone Long Island Hospital from 1 July 2020 to 1 July 2021. Eligible cases had to meet the following inclusion criteria: age of 18 years or greater, history of or new-onset diabetes, diagnosis of COVID-19 and receiving the 10 day dexamethasone treatment, length of stay of at least 3 days with a minimum of 48 h of glucose monitoring, and requiring basal and prandial insulin with correction during hospital stay. Data were collected using the hospital’s electronic record system. The total basal, prandial, and daily doses of insulin on the day at which glycemic control was achieved, or if glycemic control was not achieved by the discharge date, then on the completion date of the dexamethasone treatment, were collected and assessed. Results: A total of 145 patient cases were analyzed. About 46% of patients achieved glycemic control. The average insulin dose required was 0.67 (0.61–0.74) unit/kg. The mean total dose of insulin was 59 units. The mean total basal dose was 21 units. The mean total prandial dose was 38 units. The average prandial doses were higher than the basal doses for all participants. Conclusions: Diabetic patients with COVID-19 on dexamethasone should be initiated on at least 0.6–0.7 u/kg of insulin to achieve glycemic control.
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Open AccessArticle
Experiences and Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Thematic Analysis
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Catherine T. Lowe, Cheryl M. Trask, Maliha Rafiq, Lyndsay Jerusha MacKay, Nicole Letourneau, Cheuk F. Ng, Janine Keown-Gerrard, Trevor Gilbert and Kharah M. Ross
COVID 2024, 4(4), 429-442; https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4040028 - 23 Mar 2024
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The COVID-19 pandemic prompted global public health restrictions that impacted Canadians in multiple ways. The effects of the pandemic are well examined in specific populations and in researcher-defined areas (e.g., mental health, physical activity, social connections, and financial impacts). Few studies explore the
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The COVID-19 pandemic prompted global public health restrictions that impacted Canadians in multiple ways. The effects of the pandemic are well examined in specific populations and in researcher-defined areas (e.g., mental health, physical activity, social connections, and financial impacts). Few studies explore the complex perspectives of adults who experienced and were impacted by the pandemic. The purpose of this study was to understand Canadian adults’ perspectives of pandemic impacts over time. Methods: A sample of 347 Canadian adults were recruited during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic to respond to open-ended questions about the pandemic’s impacts, administered every two weeks between April 2020 and January 2021. The responses were amalgamated into epochs, defined by dates that paralleled infection rates and public health responses in Canada. Qualitative thematic analysis identified major themes for each epoch and changes in themes over time. Results: The participants predominately reported adverse impacts of the pandemic during each epoch assessed, particularly with respect to mental health, future-oriented worry, activity restrictions, and social, and employment disruptions. Key concerns were potentially driven by changes in infection rates and public health policy changes. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted individuals in predominantly negative and complex ways that varied over time with public health responses. Findings from the present study may direct future pandemic responses to mitigate adverse effects to best prevent infection while preserving wellbeing.
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A Case Study of Consumer’s Attitudes towards Agro-Food Markets in Danube Microregion in COVID-19 Pandemic
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Dario Iljkić, Olgica Klepač, Dubravka Užar, Ionel Samfira, Dušan Dunđerski, Daniel Haman, Catalin Zoican, Ivana Majić and Ivana Varga
COVID 2024, 4(3), 409-428; https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4030027 - 15 Mar 2024
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The COVID-19 pandemic affected many aspects of human life including consumer behavior. The main aim of this paper was to identify basic patterns of changes in consumer attitudes towards agri-food products under the influence of the 2020 pandemic and to better understand to
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The COVID-19 pandemic affected many aspects of human life including consumer behavior. The main aim of this paper was to identify basic patterns of changes in consumer attitudes towards agri-food products under the influence of the 2020 pandemic and to better understand to what extent and what kind of food market problems appeared for the inhabitants of the Danube microregion. For this purpose, an explorative study was elaborated. Assuming that the experience of COVID-19 affected consumer attitudes and sense of food security, a hybrid survey was conducted in the Danube microregion (Croatia, Serbia and Romania) during 2022. Data collected from a total of 903 respondents were statistically analyzed in SPSS. Descriptive statistics, PCA, ANOVA and t-Test were employed. The main results have shown that although the surveyed population of the Danube microregion during the pandemic in 2020 was generally not afraid of food shortages, food was in most part available for their families and their shopping habits have not changed to a large degree, the experience of the pandemic has raised the level of awareness about some issues related to food and specifically the prices of food products. Also, three different patterns of attitude and behavior towards food and agriculture, which emerged as a result of the experience of the pandemic in 2020, were identified. These patterns also proved to be different for different segments of the population. The findings suggest the need for stronger support for the development of locally affordable food systems with the use of ICT as a coping mechanism in crises.
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Open AccessArticle
Peritraumatic Distress among Chinese Canadians during the Early Lockdown Stage of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Sociodemographic and Pandemic-Related Predictors
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Alexandra Katsiris, Kesaan Kandasamy and Lixia Yang
COVID 2024, 4(3), 391-408; https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4030026 - 13 Mar 2024
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The current study investigates the peritraumatic distress of Chinese residents living in Canada and identifies the associated sociodemographic and pandemic-related predictors during the initial phases of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic lockdown (i.e., from April 2020 to June 2020). A final sample
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The current study investigates the peritraumatic distress of Chinese residents living in Canada and identifies the associated sociodemographic and pandemic-related predictors during the initial phases of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic lockdown (i.e., from April 2020 to June 2020). A final sample of 457 valid participants aged 18 or older completed an online survey in which peritraumatic distress was assessed with the COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI). The results showed 32.76% of the sample was in the mild to moderate range (i.e., 28–51) and 5.03% in the severe range (i.e., 52 to higher) for peritraumatic distress. The hierarchical regression models on the continuous CPDI score identified life satisfaction as a consistent protector for the CPDI (absolute values of βs = −1.21 to −0.49, ps < 0.001). After controlling for life satisfaction, the following sociodemographic risk factors were identified: being middle-aged, being employed (relative to retired people/students), living in Ontario (rather than elsewhere), and a poor health status. Furthermore, the following pandemic-related risk factors were identified: a higher self-contraction worry, more of a COVID-19 information authenticity concern, a higher future infection rate prediction, and a higher personal health hygiene appraisal. The results of our study shed light on cognitive, experiential, behavioural, and sociodemographic factors associated with peritraumatic distress for Chinese residents living in Canada during the early outbreak stage of the pandemic.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue How COVID-19 and Long COVID Changed Individuals and Communities 2.0)
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Evaluating Teachers’ Workplace Climate and Anxiety Response during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Information Seeking Platforms
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Medina Srem-Sai, Frank Quansah, Edmond Kwesi Agormedah, John Elvis Hagan, Jr. and Thomas Schack
COVID 2024, 4(3), 378-390; https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4030025 - 13 Mar 2024
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The COVID-19 disease affected the school workplace climate for teachers and led to psychological consequences. However, it is not clear how the workplace climate affected the anxiety levels of teachers. This study assessed the connection between workplace climate and COVID-19-related anxiety among senior
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The COVID-19 disease affected the school workplace climate for teachers and led to psychological consequences. However, it is not clear how the workplace climate affected the anxiety levels of teachers. This study assessed the connection between workplace climate and COVID-19-related anxiety among senior high school (SHS) teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study further examined the moderating role of professional and social media platform use on the relationship between workplace climate and COVID-19-related anxiety among teachers. Through a cross-sectional survey design, 395 high school teachers were conveniently sampled from various schools in the Central Region of Ghana. A questionnaire was used to survey participants, and the obtained data were analysed using descriptive statistics as well as simple linear regression and moderation analyses with Hayes’ PROCESS. This study revealed a negative association between workplace climate and anxiety. The relationship between workplace climate and anxiety was contingent on social media use but not professional platform use. Therefore, the consumption of unscrutinised COVID-19-related information on social media heightened fear and anxiety among teachers, even in the midst of a safe workplace environment. An effective strategy against teachers’ COVID-19-related anxiety required the provision of accurate science-driven information about the virus. School counselling psychologists, school welfare officers, and school health coordinators are encouraged to collaborate towards designed interventions that promote a safe working environment and the mental health of teachers.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue How COVID-19 and Long COVID Changed Individuals and Communities 2.0)
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Pro-Vaccination Flu and COVID-19 Messages: Evidence of Congenial Targeted and Spillover Effects
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James Price Dillard and Lijiang Shen
COVID 2024, 4(3), 363-377; https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4030024 (registering DOI) - 11 Mar 2024
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Given the plentitude of messages in the public arena that promote vaccination against different diseases or raise the possibility of vaccine mandates, we asked whether message effects in one disease domain might spill over into other domains. Our experiment exposed individuals (N
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Given the plentitude of messages in the public arena that promote vaccination against different diseases or raise the possibility of vaccine mandates, we asked whether message effects in one disease domain might spill over into other domains. Our experiment exposed individuals (N = 1755) recruited from an opt-in online panel (Qualtrics) on influenza or COVID-19 pro-vaccination messages then measured intentions to vaccinate for each disease and intentions to support a vaccine mandate for each disease. Messages that targeted flu (vs. COVID-19) exhibited stronger effects on intentions to vaccinate for corresponding (vs. noncorresponding) disease. We observed positive spillover from intention to vaccinate against one disease to intention to vaccinate against the other disease, as well as from vaccination intention type to support for corresponding and noncorresponding vaccine mandates. Although pro-vaccination flu and COVID-19 messages have multiple effects, those effects are congenial. The results adjudicate differences in spillover theory and suggest synergistic effects between pro-vaccination campaigns.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue How COVID-19 and Long COVID Changed Individuals and Communities 2.0)
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Changes in Need, Changes in Infrastructure: A Comparative Assessment of Rural Nonprofits Responding to COVID-19
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Margaret F. Sloan, Tina Switzer, Laura Hunt Trull, Claire Switzer, Melody Eaton, Kelly Atwood and Emily Akerson
COVID 2024, 4(3), 349-362; https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4030023 - 10 Mar 2024
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Due to the variance in community infrastructure and resources, COVID-19 impacted rural communities differently than their urban counterparts. This study examines two waves of data from a survey of rural residents in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia regarding how community organizations responded to
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Due to the variance in community infrastructure and resources, COVID-19 impacted rural communities differently than their urban counterparts. This study examines two waves of data from a survey of rural residents in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia regarding how community organizations responded to the pandemic, what strategies were most successful, and where needs shifted. The findings demonstrate that organizations with deeply embedded community leaders achieve higher levels of collaborative change in a timely manner. Additionally, mental health services have become a more pronounced need as a result of the pandemic. The interdependence of community needs, recognized by community members, calls for collaborative strategies for the future.
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What Was It like to Learn or Teach in the Health Professions during the COVID-19 Pandemic? Sombre and Tough: A Duoethnography
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Daniela Ruiz Cosignani and Tanisha Jowsey
COVID 2024, 4(3), 334-348; https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4030022 - 08 Mar 2024
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The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic proved challenging for people working and teaching in the health professions. What was it like to learn or teach in the health professions during the pandemic? What challenges were experienced, and how were these navigated? We undertook duoethnography to
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The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic proved challenging for people working and teaching in the health professions. What was it like to learn or teach in the health professions during the pandemic? What challenges were experienced, and how were these navigated? We undertook duoethnography to provide answers to these questions. The authors are an endodontist from Chile who undertook her Master of Clinical Education in New Zealand during the COVID-19 pandemic and one of her postgraduate supervisors. A dataset of 40 photo-reflection dyads and duoethnographic text are presented. We experienced this pandemic as isolating, sombre and tough, albeit for different reasons. Managing relationships and family needs from a distance or in the same space in which work was to occur proved difficult. Postgraduate research was slowed. The educator workload was significantly increased, especially for the first six months of the pandemic, whereby she was tasked with rapidly creating a lot of online virtual learning material. We draw on Emotional Labour theory to make sense of these experiences. Support for clinical educators during pandemics should cater to situational contexts. We recommend Communities of Practice, psychological supports, acts of care (including self-care), wellbeing initiatives, and arts-based practice as potential mechanisms to support educators and learners.
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Open AccessArticle
Prevalence and Levels of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in the Eswatini Population and Subsequent Severity of the Fourth COVID-19 Epidemic Wave
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Portia C. Mutevedzi, Vusie Lokotfwako, Gaurav Kwatra, Gugu Maphalala, Vicky Baillie, Lindiwe Dlamini, Senzokuhle Dlamini, Fortune Mhlanga, Tenelisiwe Dlamini, Nhlanhla Nhlabatsi, Marta C. Nunes, Simon Zwane and Shabir A. Madhi
COVID 2024, 4(3), 317-333; https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4030021 - 20 Feb 2024
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Background: Seroepidemiology studies are useful for quantifying the magnitude of past infections and estimating the extent of population-based immunity to inform risk mitigation strategies for the future. We report on the only national population-based survey of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) immunoglobulin
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Background: Seroepidemiology studies are useful for quantifying the magnitude of past infections and estimating the extent of population-based immunity to inform risk mitigation strategies for the future. We report on the only national population-based survey of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) immunoglobulin G (IgG) seroprevalence in Eswatini. Methods: The survey was undertaken from 31 August to 30 September 2021, following three earlier waves of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and preceded the onset of the fourth wave, which was dominated by the Omicron variant of concern. We also report on epidemiological trends of recorded COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations before and after the fourth COVID-19 wave through to March 2022. We evaluated the immunoglobulin G (IgG) seropositivity based on either anti-nucleocapsid (N) or anti-spike (S) antigens. Results: Of 4564 individuals, 58.5% were female, 36.0% were aged 18–50 years, and 863 (18.9%) of adults who were older than 18 years had received at least a single dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Overall, 2769 (60.7%) were seropositive with heterogeneity across sub-regions (53.7%; 95% CI:49.2–58.1 to 68.6%; 95% CI:64.5–72.4), with the highest rates occurring in sub-regions of the Manzini region. Seropositivity was higher in vaccinated individuals (84.5%; 95% CI: 81.9–86.7) compared to unvaccinated individuals (55.1%; 95% CI:53.5–56.7). Amongst unvaccinated individuals, seropositivity was highest in 18–50-year-olds (59.5%;95% CI: 56.9–62.1). Seropositivity was associated with female gender, previous positive SARS-CoV-2 NAAT status and being vaccinated, non-smoking, and being formally employed. We estimated as of 15 September 2021 that there had been 639,475 SARS-CoV-2 infections (95% CI; 620,824–658,003) in Eswatini, which was 25.5-fold greater than the 25,048 COVID-19 cases that had been recorded by then. The national case fatality rate (CFR) based on recorded cases was 4.8%, being 25-fold greater than the infection fatality rate (0.19; 95% CI: 0.18–0.19) based on recorded deaths and extrapolating the force of infection from seroprevalence. Nationally and across all four regions, we report the decoupling of COVID-19 cases from hospitalisations and deaths, observed as early as during the third wave, which was dominated by the Delta variant compared with earlier waves. Conclusions: We identified that 60.7% of people in Eswatini had been infected by SARS-CoV-2 at least once and before the onset of the Omicron wave in mid-November 2021. Despite a modest uptake of COVID-19 vaccines, the evolution of population immunity from infection has likely contributed to the decoupling of infection and severe COVID-19 in Eswatini.
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Open AccessArticle
Modeling COVID-19 Disease with Deterministic and Data-Driven Models Using Daily Empirical Data in the United Kingdom
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Janet O. Agbaje, Oluwatosin Babasola, Kabiru Michael Adeyemo, Abraham Baba Zhiri, Aanuoluwapo Joshua Adigun, Samuel Adefisoye Lawal, Oluwole Adegoke Nuga, Roseline Toyin Abah, Umar Muhammad Adam and Kayode Oshinubi
COVID 2024, 4(2), 289-316; https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4020020 - 18 Feb 2024
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The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on countries worldwide, including the United Kingdom (UK). The UK has faced numerous challenges, but its response, including the rapid vaccination campaign, has been noteworthy. While progress has been made, the study of the pandemic
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The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on countries worldwide, including the United Kingdom (UK). The UK has faced numerous challenges, but its response, including the rapid vaccination campaign, has been noteworthy. While progress has been made, the study of the pandemic is important to enable us to properly prepare for future epidemics. Collaboration, vigilance, and continued adherence to public health measures will be crucial in navigating the path to recovery and building resilience for the future. In this article, we propose an overview of the COVID-19 situation in the UK using both mathematical (a nonlinear differential equation model) and statistical (time series modeling on a moving window) models on the transmission dynamics of the COVID-19 virus from the beginning of the pandemic up until July 2022. This is achieved by integrating a hybrid model and daily empirical case and death data from the UK. We partition this dataset into before and after vaccination started in the UK to understand the influence of vaccination on disease dynamics. We used the mathematical model to present some mathematical analyses and the calculation of the basic reproduction number ( ). Following the sensitivity analysis index, we deduce that an increase in the rate of vaccination will decrease . Also, the model was fitted to the data from the UK to validate the mathematical model with real data, and we used the data to calculate time-varying . The homotopy perturbation method (HPM) was used for the numerical simulation to demonstrate the dynamics of the disease with varying parameters and the importance of vaccination. Furthermore, we used statistical modeling to validate our model by performing principal component analysis (PCA) to predict the evolution of the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak in the UK on some statistical predictor indicators from time series modeling on a 14-day moving window for detecting which of these indicators capture the dynamics of the disease spread across the epidemic curve. The results of the PCA, the index of dispersion, the fitted mathematical model, and the mathematical model simulation are all in agreement with the dynamics of the disease in the UK before and after vaccination started. Conclusively, our approach has been able to capture the dynamics of the pandemic at different phases of the disease outbreak, and the result presented will be useful to understand the evolution of the disease in the UK and future and emerging epidemics.
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(This article belongs to the Topic New Advances in Pathophysiology and Therapy of COVID-19 and Other Coronavirus Diseases)
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Equitable Vaccine Access in Light of COVID-19 Vaccine Procurement Strategies in Africa
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George L. O’Hara, Sam Halabi and Olohikhuae Egbokhare
COVID 2024, 4(2), 276-288; https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4020019 - 17 Feb 2024
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(1) Background: This study addresses two weaknesses in current international efforts to prevent and prepare for the next pandemic: the lack of robust evidence supporting global policy measures and the corresponding extent to which those measures advance equity. (2) Methods: Using UNICEF’s publicly
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(1) Background: This study addresses two weaknesses in current international efforts to prevent and prepare for the next pandemic: the lack of robust evidence supporting global policy measures and the corresponding extent to which those measures advance equity. (2) Methods: Using UNICEF’s publicly available but underused COVID-19 Market Dashboard database, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis of vaccine deliveries as of mid-2022 and vaccine procurement strategies used by African low- and lower middle-income countries (LMICs) over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. (3) Results: Pooled procurement of the kind typified by COVAX (a clearinghouse for high-income-country contributions of vaccines and financing toward the end of equitable LMIC procurement) crowded out alternative strategies that must be supported in future: regional procurement, donation, and bilateral procurement (binding agreement between two parties: one seller (i.e., a national government or a vaccine manufacturer) and one recipient (i.e., national government)), which showed a significant relationship with technology transfer and advancing local production capacity. (4) Conclusions: Expanding the scope of vaccine procurement alternatives to COVAX such as regional pooled procurement and bilateral procurement can stratify risk of supply agreements not materializing in actual supply. Sharing the technology necessary to produce vaccines with LMICs can mitigate obstacles to bilateral procurement. A pooled purchase alliance to procure vaccine doses on behalf of participating countries within a given region can benefit LMICs by accounting for infrastructure limitations that these countries share. Finally, donations bolster global redistributed supply essential to LMICs.
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Open AccessArticle
Measuring the Impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic on Mobility Aspirations and Behaviours
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Davide J. Testa, Zaheer A. S. H. Nagarwala, João P. Vale, Andres E. Carrillo, Cagney T. Sargent, Sharon Amollo, Mutono Nyamai, Belén Carballo-Leyenda, Blessing N. Onyima, Ibukun Afolabi, Tiago S. Mayor, Sally Hargreaves, Marija Marković and Andreas D. Flouris
COVID 2024, 4(2), 261-275; https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4020018 - 14 Feb 2024
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The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic prompted tens of thousands of people worldwide to migrate from cities in its early stages, leading to an increased spread of the virus. Understanding the factors driving relocation during a pandemic is crucial for effective outbreak control.
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The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic prompted tens of thousands of people worldwide to migrate from cities in its early stages, leading to an increased spread of the virus. Understanding the factors driving relocation during a pandemic is crucial for effective outbreak control. We investigated how the pandemic influenced people’s aspirations and preparations to move, both domestically and internationally, surveying individuals in Greece, India, Italy, Kenya, Nigeria, Portugal, Serbia, Spain, and the United States of America. Out of 4448 eligible responses, 765 participants (17.2%) had a strong aspiration to move due to COVID-19, and 155 (3.5%) had already prepared. Those considering relocation were statistically significantly more likely to perceive moving to an area with fewer COVID-19 cases as protective against the virus (OR = 1.3, p < 0.05) or to know others who intended to relocate because of COVID-19 (OR = 1.5, p < 0.05). Conversely, a strong sense of being ‘at home’ reduced statistically significantly the strength of mobility aspirations (OR = 0.7, p < 0.01). Social alienation, social imitation, and the perceived efficacy of mobility increased aspirations to move due to COVID-19. This study emphasizes the rapid population movements at pandemic onset and their potential contribution to disease transmission, urging future pandemic planning to take account of such mobility dynamics.
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Open AccessReview
Differential Diagnosis in the Management of Acute Respiratory Infections through Point-of-Care Rapid Testing in a Post-Pandemic Scenario in Latin America: Special Focus on COVID-19, Influenza, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus
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Carlos Arturo Alvarez-Moreno, Evaldo Stanislau Affonso de Araújo, Elsa Baumeister, Katya A. Nogales Crespo, Alexis M. Kalergis, José Esteban Muñoz Medina, Pablo Tsukayama and Cesar Ugarte-Gil
COVID 2024, 4(2), 221-260; https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4020017 - 10 Feb 2024
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This review provides a comprehensive summary of evidence to explore the role and value of differential diagnosis in the management of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs) through point-of-care (POC) rapid testing in a post-pandemic scenario, paying particular attention to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), influenza,
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This review provides a comprehensive summary of evidence to explore the role and value of differential diagnosis in the management of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs) through point-of-care (POC) rapid testing in a post-pandemic scenario, paying particular attention to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The document builds on a review of literature and policies and a process of validation and feedback by a group of seven experts from Latin America (LATAM). Evidence was collected to understand scientific and policy perspectives on the differential diagnosis of ARIs and POC rapid testing, with a focus on seven countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Peru. The evidence indicates that POC rapid testing can serve to improve ARI case management, epidemiological surveillance, research and innovation, and evidence-based decision-making. With multiple types of rapid tests available for POC, decisions regarding which tests to use require the consideration of the testing purpose, available resources, and test characteristics regarding accuracy, accessibility, affordability, and results turnaround time. Based on the understanding of the current situation, this document provides a set of recommendations for the implementation of POC rapid testing in LATAM, supporting decision-making and guiding efforts by a broad range of stakeholders.
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Open AccessArticle
Development of Mouse Hepatitis Virus Chimeric Reporter Viruses Expressing the 3CLpro Proteases of Human Coronaviruses HKU1 and OC43 Reveals Susceptibility to Inactivation by Natural Inhibitors Baicalin and Baicalein
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Elise R. Huffman, Jared X. Franges, Jayden M. Doster, Alexis R. Armstrong, Yara S. Batista, Cameron M. Harrison, Jon D. Brooks, Morgan N. Thomas, Butler Student Virology Group, Sakshi Tomar, Christopher C. Stobart and Dia C. Beachboard
COVID 2024, 4(2), 208-220; https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4020016 - 09 Feb 2024
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The recent emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in 2019 has highlighted the necessity of antiviral therapeutics for current and future emerging coronaviruses. Recently, the traditional herbal medicines baicalein, baicalin, and andrographolide have shown inhibition against the main protease of SARS-CoV-2. This provides a promising new
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The recent emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in 2019 has highlighted the necessity of antiviral therapeutics for current and future emerging coronaviruses. Recently, the traditional herbal medicines baicalein, baicalin, and andrographolide have shown inhibition against the main protease of SARS-CoV-2. This provides a promising new direction for COVID-19 therapeutics, but it remains unknown whether these three substances inhibit other human coronaviruses. In this study, we describe the development of novel chimeric mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) reporters that express firefly luciferase (FFL) and the 3CLpro proteases of human coronaviruses HKU1 and OC43. These chimeric viruses were used to determine if the phytochemicals baicalein, baicalin, and andrographolide are inhibitory against human coronavirus strains HKU1 and OC43. Our data show that both baicalein and baicalin exhibit inhibition towards the chimeric MHV strains. However, andrographolide induces cytotoxicity and failed to demonstrate selective toxicity towards the viruses. This study reports the development and use of a safe replicating reporter platform to investigate potential coronavirus 3CLpro inhibitors against common-cold human coronavirus strains HKU1 and OC43.
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Open AccessArticle
Patient-Perceived Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Medication Adherence and Access to Care for Long-Term Diseases: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey
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Beatriz Santos, Younes Boulaguiem, Helene Baysson, Nick Pullen, Idris Guessous, Stephane Guerrier, Silvia Stringhini and Marie P. Schneider
COVID 2024, 4(2), 191-207; https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4020015 - 08 Feb 2024
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The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with lifestyle changes, reduced access to care and potential impacts on medication self-management. Our main objectives are to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on patient adherence and access to care and long-term medications and determine its
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The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with lifestyle changes, reduced access to care and potential impacts on medication self-management. Our main objectives are to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on patient adherence and access to care and long-term medications and determine its association with sociodemographic and clinical factors. This study is part of the Specchio-COVID-19 longitudinal cohort study in Geneva, Switzerland, conducted through an online questionnaire. Among the 982 participants (median age: 56; 61% female), 827 took long-term medications. There were 76 reported changes in medication dosages, of which 24 (31%) were without a physician’s recommendation, and 51 delays in initiation or premature medication interruptions, of which 24 (47%) were without a physician’s recommendation. Only 1% (9/827) of participants faced medication access issues. Participants taking a respiratory medication had a four-times greater odds of reporting more regular medication (OR = 4.27; CI 95%: 2.11–8.63) intake, whereas each year increase in age was significantly associated with 6% fewer relative risks of discontinuation (OR = 0.94; CI 95%: 0.91–0.97) and 3% fewer relative risks of changes in medication dosage (OR = 0.97; CI 95%: 0.95–1.00). Despite the limited impact of the pandemic on adherence and access to medications, our results emphasize the need for understanding patient challenges when self-managing their long-term medication, notably during public health crises.
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Open AccessReview
Addressing Inequality in the COVID-19 Pandemic in Africa: A Snapshot from Clinical Symptoms to Vaccine Distribution
by
Ana Catarina Pêgo, Illyane Sofia Lima and Raffaella Gozzelino
COVID 2024, 4(2), 170-190; https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4020014 - 25 Jan 2024
Abstract
On 30 January 2020, WHO declared COVID-19 a public health emergency of global concern. COVID-19 became pandemic on 11 March 2020, and spread unprecedently. No country was prepared to face its impact. Major fears started to be expressed for Africa, where dramatic consequences
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On 30 January 2020, WHO declared COVID-19 a public health emergency of global concern. COVID-19 became pandemic on 11 March 2020, and spread unprecedently. No country was prepared to face its impact. Major fears started to be expressed for Africa, where dramatic consequences were expected, due to the weakness of health systems. In this review, we related major concerns, at that time but still present, regarding the limited resources in terms of qualified physicians and researchers, as well as the scarce funds to purchase essential medical equipment and improve hospital infrastructures. The difficulties to provide proper care became an undeniable mark of inequality, highlighting the need to empower local capacity and raise preparedness against infection outbreaks. The transmissibility of genetic variants affecting African nations, the immunopathology underlying comorbidities, sequelae, and pre-existing conditions, often related to changes in iron metabolism and enhancing COVID-19 severity, were described. The obstacles in adopting standardized prevention measures were highlighted, along with testing capacity biases and inequity of healthcare access and vaccine distribution. By providing a better understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa, we draw attention to the need for collaborative efforts to leverage the quality of healthcare and research in this continent.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue How COVID-19 and Long COVID Changed Individuals and Communities)
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The Effects of a Collegiate Recovery Community Psychotherapy Program Incorporating Equine Interaction during the COVID-19 Pandemic on Young Adults with Substance Abuse Disorder
by
Katie Holtcamp, Molly C. Nicodemus, Tommy Phillips, David Christiansen, Brian J. Rude, Peter L. Ryan and Karen Galarneau
COVID 2024, 4(2), 151-169; https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4020013 - 25 Jan 2024
Abstract
While psychotherapy incorporating equine interaction (PIE) has proven to be a viable therapeutic intervention, it is not a common mental health service found on college campuses. Nevertheless, with the rise of mental health challenges on campuses after the COVID-19 pandemic, a need for
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While psychotherapy incorporating equine interaction (PIE) has proven to be a viable therapeutic intervention, it is not a common mental health service found on college campuses. Nevertheless, with the rise of mental health challenges on campuses after the COVID-19 pandemic, a need for effective therapeutic solutions is warranted. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of a collegiate recovery community (CRC) PIE program for substance abuse disorder (SUD) compared to that of traditional cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and to determine whether physiological synchronization occurs between the human and horse during the therapy process. College-aged adults were recruited during the COVID-19 pandemic for two types of short-term SUD therapeutic interventions, CRC-PIE and CBT. Both groups completed a self-reporting survey assessing emotional safety. Vital signs measurements for human and horse participants within the CRC-PIE were collected prior to and after the first and last therapeutic sessions. Results concluded that although emotional safety did not improve significantly for PIE participants by the last therapy session (p = 0.85), emotional safety scores were significantly different between therapy types, with lower post-therapy scores for PIE (p = 0.04). As for physiological measures for PIE participants, respiratory rates (Human: p = 0.01; Horse: p = 0.01) and pain rating scores (Human: p = 0.03; Horse: p = 0.01) significantly decreased post-therapy and a strong positive correlation (R = 0.73, R2 = 0.53) associated with vital signs was observed between humans and horses. This human–horse physiological synchronization during the therapeutic intervention suggests that the horse may be a viable tool within campus CRC programs for the development of therapeutic alliances within the therapy process.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue How COVID-19 and Long COVID Changed Individuals and Communities 2.0)
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A Comparative Analysis of COVID-19 Response Measures and Their Impact on Mortality Rate
by
Tomokazu Konishi
COVID 2024, 4(2), 130-150; https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4020012 - 24 Jan 2024
Abstract
(1) Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly affected the population worldwide, with varying responses implemented to control its spread. This study aimed to compare the epidemic data compiled by the World Health Organization (WHO) to understand the impact of the measures
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(1) Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly affected the population worldwide, with varying responses implemented to control its spread. This study aimed to compare the epidemic data compiled by the World Health Organization (WHO) to understand the impact of the measures adopted by each country on the mortality rate. (2) Methods: The increase or decrease in the number of confirmed cases was understood in logarithmic terms, for which logarithmic growth rates “K” were used. The mortality rate was calculated as the percentage of deaths from the confirmed cases, which was also used for logarithmic comparison. (3) Results: Countries that effectively detected and isolated patients had a mortality rate 10 times lower than those who did not. Although strict lockdowns were once effective, they could not be implemented on an ongoing basis. After their cancellation, large outbreaks occurred because of medical breakdowns. The virus variants mutated with increased infectivity, which impeded the measures that were once effective, including vaccinations. Although the designs of mRNA vaccines were renewed, they could not keep up with the virus mutation rate. The only effective defence lies in steadily identifying and isolating patients. (4) Conclusions: these findings have crucial implications for the complete containment of the pandemic and future pandemic preparedness.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Modeling and Statistics for COVID-19)
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Haematological Profile and ACE2 Levels of COVID-19 Patients in a Metropolis in Ghana
by
Ezekiel B. Ackah, Michael Owusu, Benedict Sackey, Justice K. Boamah, Japhet S. Kamasah, Albert A. Aduboffour, Debora Akortia, Gifty Nkrumah, Andrews Amaniampong, Nicholas Klevor, Lawrence D. Agyemang, Nana K. Ayisi-Boateng, Augustina Sylverken, Richard O. Phillips and Ellis Owusu-Dabo
COVID 2024, 4(2), 117-129; https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4020011 - 23 Jan 2024
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Background: Several studies have linked coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) risk to age and ABO blood groups. Variations in plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) levels and blood counts have been reported, suggesting an association between disease severity and low lymphocyte levels. Aim: this study
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Background: Several studies have linked coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) risk to age and ABO blood groups. Variations in plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) levels and blood counts have been reported, suggesting an association between disease severity and low lymphocyte levels. Aim: this study aimed to understand how these factors relate to COVID-19 in Ghanaian patients, considering geographical and demographic differences. Methods: Participants were recruited from six hospitals in Kumasi, Ghana, between June 2020 and July 2021. Nasopharyngeal swabs were taken to test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and blood samples were collected for complete blood count testing, ABO/Rhesus typing, and assessment of plasma ACE2 levels. Demographic and COVID-19 severity data were gathered, and IBM SPSS version 25.0 was used for analysis. Results: Overall, 515 patients were enrolled, out of which 55.9% (n = 288/515) were males and 50.3% (n = 259/515) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. The median age was 37 years (IQR = 26–53). Age was significantly associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection (p = 0.002). The severe COVID-19 group was the oldest (70 years, IQR = 35–80) and presented with anaemia (haemoglobin, g/dL: 9.55, IQR = 7.85–11.93), leukocytosis (WBC × 103/μL: 15.87, IQR = 6.68–19.80), neutrophilia (NEUT × 106/μL: 14.69, IQR = 5.70–18.96) and lymphocytopenia (LYMPH × 106/μL: 0.47, IQR = 0.22–0.66). No association was found between SARS-CoV-2 positivity and ABO (p = 0.711) or Rh (p = 0.805) blood groups; no association was also found between plasma ACE2 levels and SARS-CoV-2 status (p = 0.079). However, among COVID-19 participants, plasma ACE2 levels were significantly reduced in the moderate illness group (40.68 ng/mL, IQR = 34.09–48.10) compared with the asymptomatic group (50.61 ng/mL, IQR = 43.90–58.61, p = 0.015). Conclusions: While there may be no real association between the ABO blood group, as well as plasma ACE2 levels, and SARS-CoV-2 infection in Ghanaian patients, older individuals are at a higher risk of severe disease. Anaemia, and leukocytosis with lymphocytopenia may be indicators of poor disease progression.
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Impact of COVID-19 on ‘Start Smart, Then Focus’ Antimicrobial Stewardship at One NHS Foundation Trust in England Prior to and during the Pandemic
by
Rasha Abdelsalam Elshenawy, Nkiruka Umaru and Zoe Aslanpour
COVID 2024, 4(1), 102-116; https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4010010 - 21 Jan 2024
Cited by 1
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Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a major global public health threat that has caused 1.2 million deaths, calls for immediate action. Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) promotes judicious antibiotic use, but the COVID-19 pandemic increased AMR by 15%. Although there are paramount data on the impact
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Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a major global public health threat that has caused 1.2 million deaths, calls for immediate action. Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) promotes judicious antibiotic use, but the COVID-19 pandemic increased AMR by 15%. Although there are paramount data on the impact of COVID-19 on AMS, empirical data on AMS implementation during the pandemic are lacking. This study aimed to investigate antibiotic prescribing and AMS implementation prior to the pandemic (PP) in 2019 and during the pandemic (DP) in 2020 at one NHS Foundation Trust in England. Method: This cross-sectional study involved adult patients admitted to one NHS Foundation Trust in England, focusing on those prescribed antibiotics for respiratory tract infections (RTIs). This included cases of pneumonia in both years under study and COVID-19 cases in 2020. Data were retrospectively extracted from medical records using a validated data extraction tool, which was developed based on the ‘Start Smart, Then Focus’ (SSTF) approach of the AMS Toolkit. Results: This study included 640 patients. The largest age group in the study was 66–85 years, comprising 156 individuals (48.8%) PP in 2019 and 148 (46.3%) DP in 2020. CAP was the predominant diagnosis, affecting approximately 126 (39.4%) PP and 136 (42.5%) DP patients. Regarding the timing of antibiotic review post-admission, reviews were typically conducted within 48–72 h, with no significant difference between 2019 and 2020, with an odds ratio of 1.02 (95% CI 0.97 to 1.08, p-Value = 0.461). During the pandemic, there was a significant difference in both AMS interventions, ‘Continue Antibiotics’ and ‘De-escalation’, with odds ratios of 3.36 (95% CI 1.30–9.25, p = 0.015) and 2.77 (95% CI 1.37–5.70, p = 0.005), respectively. Conclusion: This study emphasises the need for robust AMS to ensure adherence to guidelines. It acknowledges the impact of comorbidities and advocates for sustained stewardship efforts to combat resistance both during and after the pandemic era.
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