To determine distribution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in hospital wards in Wuhan, China, we tested air and surface samples. Contamination was greater in intensive care units than general wards. Virus was widely distributed on floors, computer mice, trash cans, and sickbed handrails and was detected in air ≈4 m from patients.
Since 2003, outbreaks of Coronavirus have caused multiple public health epidemics including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). The first case of infection in response to a new strain of Coronaviridae, designated Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) was recorded in Wuhan, China [1]. This virus appears to be weaker than SARS, in terms of pathogenesis but more sustained in its transmission behavior [2]. COVID-19 is transmittedthrough droplet inhalation, saliva, nasal and mucous membranes of eyes. Symptoms include fever, continuous coughing and shortness of breath.
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COVID-19 is a novel disease caused by a member of the coronavirus family that originated in Wuhan, Hubei, China in December 2019. Over the last few months, the infection has spread to several countries worldwide. Coronaviruses are described by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a large family of viruses, which may cause illness in animals or humans (https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/ q-a-coronaviruses). Although COVID-19 infections in humans most often present with mild symptoms, in a variable percentage of cases, it can cause an acute
respiratory syndrome, which has led to patient fatalities (Phan 2020, Lu et al. 2020). COVID-19 appears to be a particular risk for patient with pre existing medical conditions (such as high blood pressure, heart disease, lung disease, cancer or diabetes; https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses).
Mercury (Hg) is widely recognized as a neurotoxic metal, besides it can also act as a proinflammatory agent and immunostimulant, depending on individual exposure and susceptibility. Mercury exposure may arise from internal body pathways, such as via dental amalgams, preservatives in drugs and vaccines, and seafood consumption, or even from external pathways, i.e., occupational exposure, environmental pollution, and handling of metallic items and cosmetics containing Hg. In susceptible individuals, chronic low Hg exposure may trigger local and systemic inflammation, even exacerbating the already existing autoimmune response in patients with autoimmunity. Mercury exposure can trigger dysfunction of the autoimmune responses and aggravate immunotoxic effects associated with elevated serum autoantibodies titers. The purpose of the present review is to provide a critical overview of the many issues associated with Hg exposure and autoimmunity. In addition, the paper focuses on individual susceptibility and other health effects of Hg
In late December of 2019, a new coronavirus was discovered in China. On 11 February 2020, the World Health Organization named the disease caused by this virus COVID-19. The disease quickly spread to Chinese cities and other parts of the world, including Thailand, Japan, Taiwan and Iran.1 The number of infected patients increased daily until the World Health Organization in June declared the outbreak a serious and urgent threat to public health. Most people infected with the virus recover well, but some also may experience fatal complications, such as acute organ failure, septic shock, acute pulmonary edema, acute pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress syndrome.1 As infection has been transmitted from individual to individual,2 the first cases of the disease in areas outside of Wuhan, occurred in travelers from Wuhan; as The First Case of COVID-19 was confirmed to be a 35-year-old woman living in Wuhan who traveled to Korea.3 On January 20, 2020, a 55-year-old woman working in Wuhan, arrived at Taiwan and was referred to quarantine authorities with symptoms of sore throat, dry cough, fatigue, and feeling low-grade fever on January 11.4 While COVID-19 infection seems to be more prevalent in adults than in children, rare cases of children infection are being reported, mainly seen in family clusters.5 The presented case is a 75-day-old infant that was referred to the pediatric emergency department, with a history of severe dry cough and abnormal noisy breathing sound (heard without a stethoscope) during the last 11 days.
Background: Since December 2019, when coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) emerged in Wuhan city and rapidly spread throughout China, data have been needed on the clinical characteristics of the affected patients.
Methods: We extracted data regarding 1099 patients with laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 from 552 hospitals in 30 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in mainland China through January 29, 2020. The primary composite end point was admission to an intensive care unit (ICU), the use of mechanical ventilation, or death.
Results: The median age of the patients was 47 years; 41.9% of the patients were female. The primary composite end point occurred in 67 patients (6.1%), including 5.0% who were admitted to the ICU, 2.3% who underwent invasive mechanical ventilation, and 1.4% who died. Only 1.9% of the patients had a history of direct contact with wildlife. Among nonresidents of Wuhan, 72.3% had contact with residents of Wuhan, including 31.3% who had visited the city. The most common symptoms were fever (43.8% on admission and 88.7% during hospitalization) and cough (67.8%). Diarrhea was uncommon (3.8%). The median incubation period was 4 days (interquartile range, 2 to 7). On admission, ground-glass opacity was the most common radiologic finding on chest computed tomography (CT) (56.4%). No radiographic or CT abnormality was found in 157 of 877 patients (17.9%) with nonsevere disease and in 5 of 173 patients (2.9%) with severe disease. Lymphocytopenia was present in 83.2% of the patients on admission.
Conclusions: During the first 2 months of the current outbreak, Covid-19 spread rapidly throughout China and caused varying degrees of illness. Patients often presented without fever, and many did not have abnormal radiologic findings. (Funded by the National Health Commission of China and others.).
Health services across the world face an unprecedented situation as a result of a global COVID-19 outbreak. Urgent joined research efforts regarding the SARS-COV-2 rapid tests, accurate diagnosis, especially early recognition, and effective treatment of life-threatening complications would be highly desirable for humanity and medical workforce all over the world that try to combat a current global pandemic threat. Due to indirect complex effect, intensified COVID-19 therapies and multi-drug treatment, it is believed that some oral conditions could be aggravated by COVID-19 disease, particularly those with autoimmune aetiology, linked to compromised immune system or long-term pharmacotherapy
A novel human coronavirus that is now named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (formerly called HCoV-19) emerged in Wuhan, China, in late 2019 and is now causing a pandemic.1 We analyzed the aerosol and surface stability of SARS-CoV-2 and compared it with SARS-CoV-1, the most closely related human coronavirus.2
In this paper, we describe the potential of simulation to improve hospital responses to the COVID-19 crisis. We provide tools which can be used to analyse the current needs of the situation, explain how simulation can help to improve responses to the crisis, what the key issues are with integrating simulation into organisations, and what to focus on when conducting simulations. We provide an overview of helpful resources and a collection of scenarios and support for centre-based and in situ simulations.
In the recent months, reality has changed for most of us due to the sudden outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.