Since December 7, 2022, China relaxed the strict dynamic zero COVID-19 policy. Here we quantitatively analyze its potential impacts on COVID-19 trend with the epidemiological model SUVQC using the population and parameter settings of Beijing as a case. Our results indicate that if non-pharmacological interventions are completely ceased, the ICU bed demand number will peak in 26 days at ~23.88 thousand, which is 18 times the total number of ICU beds in Beijing. COVID-19 Omicron will cause 31,817 deaths in Beijing in the first year. We urge that the flattening curve strategy is necessary to slow down the infection and avoid overwhelming the healthcare system.
Background: Low-dose corticosteroids have been shown to reduce mortality for hypoxic COVID-19 patients requiring oxygen or ventilatory support (non-invasive mechanical ventilation, invasive mechanical ventilation or extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation). We evaluated the use of a higher dose of corticosteroids in this patient group. Methods: This randomised, controlled, open-label platform trial (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy [RECOVERY]) is assessing multiple possible treatments in patients hospitalised for COVID-19. Eligible and consenting adult patients with clinical evidence of hypoxia (i.e. receiving oxygen or with oxygen saturation <92% on room air) were randomly allocated (1:1) to either usual care with higher dose corticosteroids (dexamethasone 20 mg once daily for 5 days followed by 10 mg once daily for 5 days or until discharge if sooner) or usual standard of care alone (which includes dexamethasone 6 mg once daily for 10 days or until discharge if sooner). The primary outcome was 28-day mortality. On 11 May 2022, the independent Data Monitoring Committee recommended stopping recruitment of patients receiving no oxygen or simple oxygen only to this comparison due to safety concerns. We report the results for these participants only. Recruitment of patients receiving ventilatory support continues. The RECOVERY trial is registered with ISRCTN (50189673) and clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04381936). Findings: Between 25 May 2021 and 12 May 2022, 1272 COVID-19 patients with hypoxia and receiving no oxygen (1%) or simple oxygen only (99%) were randomly allocated to receive usual care plus higher dose corticosteroids versus usual care alone (of whom 87% received low dose corticosteroids during the follow-up period). Of those randomised, 745 (59%) were in Asia, 512 (40%) in the UK and 15 (1%) in Africa. 248 (19%) had diabetes mellitus. Overall, 121 (18%) of 659 patients allocated to higher dose corticosteroids versus 75 (12%) of 613 patients allocated to usual care died within 28 days (rate ratio [RR] 1.56; 95% CI 1.18-2.06; p=0.0020). There was also an excess of pneumonia reported to be due to non-COVID infection (10% vs. 6%; absolute difference 3.7%; 95% CI 0.7-6.6) and an increase in hyperglycaemia requiring increased insulin dose (22% vs. 14%; absolute difference 7.4%; 95% CI 3.2-11.5). Interpretation: In patients hospitalised for COVID-19 with clinical hypoxia but requiring either no oxygen or simple oxygen only, higher dose corticosteroids significantly increased the risk of death compared to usual care, which included low dose corticosteroids. The RECOVERY trial continues to assess the effects of higher dose corticosteroids in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 who require non-invasive ventilation, invasive mechanical ventilation or extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation.
Background The Invasive Respiratory Infection Surveillance (IRIS) Consortium was established to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on invasive diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus agalactiae. Here we analyse the incidence and distribution of disease during the first two years of the pandemic. Methods Laboratories in 30 countries/territories representing five continents submitted case data from 2018-2021 to private projects within databases in PubMLST. The impact of COVID-19 containment measures on the overall number of cases was analysed, and changes in disease distributions by patient age and serotype/group were examined. Interrupted time series analyses quantified the impact of pandemic response measures and their relaxation on disease rates, and autoregressive integrated moving average models estimated effect sizes and forecasted counterfactual trends by hemisphere. Findings Overall, 116,841 cases were analysed: 76,481 (2018-2019, pre-pandemic) plus 40,360 (2020-2021, pandemic). During the pandemic there was a significant reduction in the risk of disease caused by S pneumoniae (risk ratio: 0.47; 95% confidence interval: 0.40-0.55), H influenzae (0.51; 0.40-0.66) and N meningitidis (0.26; 0.21-0.31), whereas no significant changes were observed for the non-respiratory-transmitted pathogen S agalactiae (1.02; 0.75-1.40). No major changes in the distribution of cases were observed when stratified by patient age or serotype/group. An estimated 36,289 (17,145-55,434) cases of invasive bacterial disease were averted during the first two years of the pandemic among IRIS participating countries/territories. Interpretation COVID-19 containment measures were associated with a sustained decrease in the incidence of invasive disease caused by S pneumoniae, H influenzae and N meningitidis during the first two years of the pandemic, but cases began to increase in some countries as pandemic restrictions were lifted.
The omicron variant is thought to cause less olfactory dysfunction than previous variants of SARS-CoV-2, but the reported prevalence differs greatly between populations and studies. Our systematic review and meta-analysis provide information about regional differences in prevalence as well as an estimate of the global prevalence of olfactory dysfunction based on 41 studies reporting on nearly 600,000 patients infected with the omicron variant. Our estimate of the omicron-induced prevalence of olfactory dysfunction in populations of European ancestry is 11.6%, while it is significantly lower in all other populations, at 2.9-5.4%. When ethnic differences and population sizes are taken into account, the global prevalence of omicron-induced hyposmia in adults is estimated at 5.2%. Omicron9s effect on olfaction is 3-4fold lower than that of the alpha or delta variant, according to previous meta-analyses and our analysis of studies that directly compared prevalence of olfactory dysfunction between omicron and previous variants. The profile of prevalence differences between ethnicities mirrors the results of a recent genome-wide association study that implicated a gene locus encoding an odorant-metabolizing enzyme, UDP glycosyltransferase, to be linked to the extent of COVID-related loss of smell. Our analysis is consistent with the hypothesis that this enzyme contributes to the observed population differences.
We tracked the effective reproduction number Rt of Omicron BF.7 in Beijing in November-December 2022 by fitting a transmission dynamic model parameterized with real-time mobility data to (i) the daily number of new symptomatic cases on November 1-11 (when the zero-covid interventions were still strictly enforced) and (ii) the proportion of individuals who participated in online polls on December 10-14 and self-reported to have been previously test-positive. After the announcement of “20 measures”, we estimated that Rt increased to 3.42 (95% CrI: 2.79-4.17) on November 18. Infection incidence peaked on December 10, and the cumulative infection attack rate was 42.5% (95% CrI: 20.3-63.9) on December 14. Surveillance programmes should be rapidly set up to monitor the evolving epidemiology and evolution of SARS-CoV-2 across China.
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated containment measures had a substantial impact on pathogens causing pneumonia in adults. The objective of this study was to determine the etiology of hospitalized community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) among adults in Germany in 2021, the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Since January 2021, this on-going, prospective, population-based surveillances study enrolled adult patients with clinically and radiographically confirmed CAP at three hospitals in Thuringia, Germany, serving a population of approximately 280,000. Urine samples were collected from patients and tested for S. pneumoniae using the pneumococcal urinary antigen test (PUAT, BinaxNOW S. pneumoniae) and the proprietary serotype-specific urinary antigen detection (UAD) assays. Nasopharyngeal swabs were tested for 10 respiratory viruses by PCR. Results: A total of 797 patients were enrolled, of whom 760 were included in the analysis. The median age of patients with CAP was 67 years; in-hospital case-fatality rate was 8.4%. A respiratory pathogen was detected in 553 (72.8%) patients. The most common pathogen was SARS-CoV-2 (n=498, 68.2%), followed by S. pneumoniae (n=40, 6.4%). Serotypes contained in the 13-valent, 15-valent and 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine were detected in 42.5%, 45.0%, and 70.0% of the pneumococcal CAP cases. Between the first and second half of 2021, the proportion of CAP cases associated with S. pneumoniae increased from 1.1% to 5.6% in patients aged 18-59 years and from 2.5% to 12.4% in those aged ≥60 years; coinfection of SARS-CoV-2 and S. pneumoniae among COVID-19 patients increased from 0.7% (2/283 cases) to 6.0% (13/215) in patients aged ≥18 years, and from 1.0% (2/195) to 8.7% (11/127) in those aged ≥60 years. Conclusion: In Germany, the proportion of CAP cases associated with S. pneumoniae rebounded to a near-pandemic level in the second half of 2021 and many pneumococcal infections occurred in patients with COVID-19. Vaccination uptake against respiratory pathogens, including S. pneumoniae, should be strengthened.
Vaccination against COVID-19 has mitigated the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection, decreasing the probability of progression to severe disease and death in vaccinated people. Parallel to the development and administration of COVID-19 vaccines, the immune response induced by the different vaccine platforms has been investigated, mainly, in the adult population. However, since the approval of the vaccines for use in pediatric individuals was a posteriori, vaccination began later in this population. This, added to the difficulty in obtaining blood samples from pediatric individuals, has led to less knowledge about the humoral immune response following vaccination in children. In this work, we analyzed the humoral response induced by vaccination in children through a non-invasive approach such as the measurement of specific salivary antibodies. Our results showed a high prevalence of specific salivary antibodies (81%), with the highest levels of antibodies being observed in those children who had three doses, a greater number of exposures and a shorter interval time between the last exposure to SARS-CoV-2 antigens and saliva collection. These results agree with those reported for the systemic humoral immune response in vaccinated adults, suggesting the administration of booster doses in children to maintain high antibody levels. Therefore, determination of salivary antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 could be a non-invasive tool for disease surveillance, vaccination follow-up and to assist vaccination strategies against COVID-19.
Introduction: COVID-19 survivors who have mental health issues are more likely to have a lower quality of life, reduced work productivity, social troubles, and other health issues. However, information on the mental health of COVID-19 survivors is scarce. Therefore, we aimed to determine the COVID-19 survivors9 mental health status in the form of depression and its associated factors. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Malaysia, from July to September 2021, during a nationwide lockdown. Data was collected using an online questionnaire shared on social and news media. Socio-demographic variables, comorbidities, self-perception of health, information on the person’s acute condition during COVID-19 infection, symptoms and duration of symptoms post-COVID, and state of depression were gathered. The Patient Health Questionnaire 9 was used to assess depression. Factors associated with mild to severe depression were analysed using both univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Results: A total of 732 COVID-19 survivors responded to the survey. The respondents were mainly females and of younger age (in their 20s and 30s). Two-thirds perceived themselves to be in good health. One in five reported to have experienced Long COVID. Slightly less than half (47.3%) of the respondents had mild to severe depression (total PHQ-9 score of 5 -27). In the multivariable analysis, being female (aOR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.08,2.62), of younger age (20s – aOR: 3.26; 95% CI: 1.47, 7.25; 30s – aOR: 2.08; 95% CI: 1.05, 4.15; and 40s – aOR: 2.43; 95% CI: 1.20, 4.90; compared to those in the 50s and above), being overweight/obese (aOR: 1.83; 95% CI: 1.18, 2.83), having Long COVID (aOR: 2.45; 95% CI: 1.45, 4.16) and perceiving to have poorer health (aOR: 4.54; 95% CI: 2.89, 7.13) were associated with mild to severe depression. Conclusion: Females, younger age groups, being overweight/obese, having Long COVID and perceiving to be in poor health were factors associated with higher odds for mild to severe depression.
A Study for Immunocompromised Patients for Pre Exposure Prophylaxis of COVID-19 With AZD5156. - Condition: COVID 19
Interventions: Biological: Placebo; Biological: AZD5156; Biological: AZD7442 (EVUSHELD™)
Sponsor: AstraZeneca
Not yet recruiting
COVID-19 Huashi Baidu Formula Clinical Study - Condition: COVID-19
Interventions: Drug: Huashi Baidu Granule; Drug: Monapiravir
Sponsors: Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences; Beijing YouAn Hospital; Kossamak Hospital; Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
Not yet recruiting
Shaping Care Home COVID-19 Testing Policy - Condition: COVID-19
Intervention: Diagnostic Test: Lateral Flow Device
Sponsor: University College, London
Not yet recruiting
Baldachin: Ceiling HEPA-filtration to Prevent Nosocomial Transmission of COVID-19 - Condition: COVID-19
Intervention: Device: Baldachin
Sponsor: University Hospital Inselspital, Berne
Not yet recruiting
Asunercept for the Treatment of Patients With Moderate to Severe COVID-19 Disease - Condition: COVID-19
Interventions: Biological: Asunercept; Other: Placebo
Sponsor: Apogenix AG
Recruiting
Study in Adults to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Inhaled IBIO123, for Post-exposure Prophylaxis of COVID-19 - Condition: COVID-19
Interventions: Biological: IBIO123; Other: Placebo
Sponsor: Immune Biosolutions Inc
Not yet recruiting
A PhaseⅡ Study to Evaluate the Safety & Immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 Alpha/Beta/Delta/Omicron Variants COVID-19 Vaccine - Condition: COVID-19 Pandemic
Interventions: Biological: SCTV01E; Biological: Placebo (normal saline)
Sponsor: Sinocelltech Ltd.
Not yet recruiting
The Efficacy of Azvudine and Paxlovid in High-risk Patients With COVID-19: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial - Condition: SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Interventions: Drug: Azvudine; Drug: Paxlovid group
Sponsors: Southeast University, China; Hohhot First Hospital, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
Recruiting
Post-COVID-19 Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Conditions: Post-COVID-19 Syndrome; Post-COVID Syndrome
Intervention: Drug: Synthetic Vitamin B1
Sponsors: ClinAmygate; As-Salam Center, Maadi, Cairo, Egypt
Not yet recruiting
Effectiveness of Supportive Psychotherapy Through Internet-Based Teleconsultation on Psychological and Somatic Symptoms, Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio, and Heart Rate Variability in Post Covid-19 Syndrome Patients - Condition: Post-COVID-19 Syndrome
Intervention: Behavioral: Supportive Psychotherapy
Sponsor: Indonesia University
Not yet recruiting
Graphene Photothermal Adjuvant Therapy for Mild Corona Virus Disease 2019: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial - Condition: COVID-19
Intervention: Device: Graphene spectrum light wave therapy room
Sponsors: Southeast University, China; Hohhot First Hospital
Recruiting
A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety, and Immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 Variant (BA.4 /5) mRNA Vaccine - Condition: COVID-19
Interventions: Biological: ABO1020; Biological: Placebo
Sponsor: Suzhou Abogen Biosciences Co., Ltd.
Active, not recruiting
Prednisolone and Vitamin B1/6/12 in Patients With Post-Covid-Syndrome - Condition: Post-COVID-19 Syndrome
Interventions: Drug: Prednisolone 20 mg/ 5 mg; Drug: Vitamin B compound (100mg B1, 50 mg B6, 500 µg B12); Drug: Placebo for Vitamin B compound; Drug: Placebo for Prednisolon
Sponsors: Wuerzburg University Hospital; University Hospital Tuebingen; University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein
Recruiting
Effects of an Immersive Virtual Reality Intervention - Conditions: Nurse’s Role; COVID-19 Pandemic; Mental Stress
Interventions: Behavioral: Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction by Therapeutic VR; Behavioral: Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction
Sponsor: Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Active, not recruiting
COVID-19 Booster Incentives - Conditions: Booster Message; Booster Message + Financial Incentive
Interventions: Behavioral: Messaging; Behavioral: Financial Incentive; Other: Placebo
Sponsors: University of Southern California; J-PAL North America
Not yet recruiting
Non-anticoagulant heparin derivatives for COVID-19 treatment - No abstract
Heme Oxygenase-1/High Mobility Group Box 1 Pathway May Have a Possible Role in COVID-19 ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome): A Pilot Histological Study - No abstract
Neuraminidase is a host-directed approach to regulate neutrophil responses in sepsis and COVID-19 - No abstract
The conserved L1089 in the S2 subunit of avian infectious bronchitis virus determines viral kidney tropism by disrupting virus-cell fusion - No abstract
The mechanism and significance of the conversion of xanthine dehydrogenase to xanthine oxidase in mammalian secretory gland cells - No abstract
SARS-CoV-2 viral protein ORF3A injures renal tubules by interacting with TRIM59 to induce STAT3 activation - No abstract
In vitro screening of anti-viral and virucidal effects against SARS-CoV-2 by Hypericum perforatum and Echinacea - No abstract
Serum 25-hydroxycholesterol levels are increased in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 - No abstract
A leap towards personalised therapy of acute lung injury - No abstract
Ginkgolic acids inhibit SARS-CoV-2 and its variants by blocking the spike protein/ACE2 interplay - No abstract
COVID-19 signalome: Potential therapeutic interventions - No abstract
Astegolimab or Efmarodocokin Alfa in Patients With Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Randomized, Phase 2 Trial - No abstract
Prophylactic Administration of the Monoclonal Antibody Adintrevimab Protects against SARS-CoV-2 in Hamster and Non-Human Primate Models of COVID-19 - No abstract
Inhibited personality traits, internalizing symptoms, and drinking to cope during the COVID-19 pandemic among emerging adults - No abstract
Pattern enrichment analysis for phage selection of stapled peptide ligands - No abstract