[Metabolic alterations observed in patients undergoing endocrinological follow-up during the first year of confinement due to Covid-19] / Alteraciones metabólicas observadas en pacientes en seguimiento clínico durante el primer año de confinamiento por Covid-19.

Introduction: At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, confinement measures were applied in many states around the world, producing changes in lifestyle and health habits, whose metabolic impact was different in different populations. Objectives: Describe the metabolic and anthropometric changes in office patients in the City of Córdoba during the confinement period and determine possible associated factors. Methods: Retrospective analytical observational study based on the review of the medical records of patients seen in an endocrinology clinic in Córdoba, Argentina. They were followed up during the 1-year period by evaluating metabolic and anthropometric characteristics. Results: 149 patients were included, of which 116 (77.9%) were female and the median:IQR age was 50:36.5-58 years. At the end of follow-up, a significant increase in alcohol consumption (18.1% vs 11.4%, p=0.001) was observed, as well as the number of diabetic patients (diagnosis of 20 new cases). 49.67% of patients increased their body weight, with a median of 3.1 kg (IQR 25-75%: 1.4-7.5 kg). Patients who had longer follow-up (3 or more controls during the year) decreased their Body Mass Index and increased physical activity. Conclusions: Although confinement was generally associated with an increase in obesity, diabetes and consumption of toxic substances, in patients who were monitored more frequently, better control of body weight and increased activity was observed. physical.

Introducción: Al comienzo de la pandemia por COVID-19 se aplicaron medidas de confinamiento en muchas estados del mundo, produciendo cambios en los hábitos de vida y salud, cuyo impacto metabólico fue diferente en distintas poblaciones. Objetivos: Describir los cambios metabólicos y antropométricos en pacientes de consultorio en la Ciudad de Córdoba durante el período de confinamiento y determinar posibles factores asociados. Métodos: Estudio observacional retrospectivo analítico a partir de la revisión de las historias clínicas de pacientes atendidos en consultorio de endocrinología en Córdoba, Argentina. Se realizó el seguimiento de estos durante el período de 1 año evaluando características metabólicas y antropométricas. Métodos: Estudio observacional retrospectivo analítico a partir de la revisión de las historias clínicas de pacientes atendidos en consultorio de endocrinología en Córdoba, Argentina. Se realizó el seguimiento de estos durante el período de 1 año evaluando características metabólicas y antropométricas. Resultados: Se incluyeron 149 pacientes, de los cuales 116(77,9%) eran de sexo femenino y la mediana:RIC de edad fue 50:36,5-58 años. Al final del seguimiento se observó un aumento significativo del consumo de alcohol (18,1% vs 11,4%, p=0,001), así como también el número de pacientes diabéticos (diagnóstico de 20 nuevos casos). El 49,67% de los pacientes incrementó su peso corporal, con una mediana de 3,1Kg(RIC 25-75%: 1,4-7,5 kg). Los pacientes que tuvieron mayor seguimiento (3 o más controles durante el año), disminuyeron su Índice de masa corporal y aumento de actividad física. Conclusiones: Si bien el confinamiento se asoció en términos generales a un aumento del obesidad, diabetes y consumo de sustancias tóxicas, en los pacientes a los cuales se les realizó un seguimiento más frecuente, se observó mejor control del peso corporal y aumento de la actividad física.

Changes in household use of disinfectant and cleaning products during the first lockdown period in France.

BACKGROUND: Few studies evaluated the use of Household Disinfectant and Cleaning Products (HDCPs) during the COVID-19 pandemic, but no population-based cohorts used longitudinal data. We studied changes in HDCPs during the first lockdown, based on longitudinal data from the French population-based NutriNet-Santé and CONSTANCES cohorts. METHODS: Based on standardized questionnaires on household cleaning tasks in 2018-2019 and around the first lockdown in France (March17-May3 2020), we compared the duration of weekly use of HDCPs (< 1 day/week, < 10 min/week; 10-30 min/week; > 30 min/week) and the household cleaning help (yes/no) before and during the lockdown period by Bhapkar and McNemar's tests. Moreover, we assessed self-reported changes in the frequency of HDCPs during the lockdown from before (unchanged/increased). RESULTS: Analyses were carried on 31,105 participants of NutriNet-Santé (48 years, 75% women, 81% ≥ high school diploma) and 49,491 of CONSTANCES (47 years, 51% women, 87% ≥ high school diploma). During the lockdown, compared with 2018-2019, duration of HDCPs use increased (> 30 min; NutriNet-Santé: 44% versus 18%; CONSTANCES: 63% versus 16%) and household help decreased (NutriNet-Santé: 5% versus 40%; CONSTANCES: 3% versus 56%). Regarding the frequency of HDCPs use, 55% of participants of NutriNet-Santé (57% women/49% men) and 83% of CONSTANCES (86% women/81% men) reported an increased use since the beginning of the lockdown, significantly higher among women (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency and duration of weekly use of HDCPs has significantly increased since the pandemic. As the use of HDCPs is associated with health issues, further studies are now needed to evaluate the potential health impacts of these changes.

Project Vayoraksha: Implementation of novel mHealth technology for healthcare delivery during COVID-19 in geriatric population of Kerala.

Background & objectives mHealth technologies, with their potential in improving public health, have recently gained considerable interest in India, offering an opportunity to deliver tailored and low cost interventions to the selected populations, especially in resource-poor settings. Project Vayoraksha aimed at developing and pilot testing mHealth technology-assisted strategies (Vayoraksha mobile application and field Vayoraksha network) to improve healthcare delivery and reverse quarantine at the field level among the geriatric population. Methods This field operational research study was implemented in Pathanamthitta, Kerala, from October 2020 to July 2021. The Vayoraksha mobile phone application for the geriatric users and a web interface used by healthcare workers involved in the field Vayoraksha network was developed with multisectoral expertise. Vayoraksha had facilities for symptom surveillance, teleconsultation and assessment of needs and included a community-based system to monitor and meet their needs that can help in reverse quarantine of the geriatric population. Results The project was implemented using the field Vayoraksha campaign involving frontline health workers and community volunteers. A baseline survey of 4782 geriatric population in the study area was conducted in Phase I, and 2383 (49.8%) had access to a smartphone facility to use Vayoraksha. Of these, 1257 (52.7%) were covered under the 'field Vayoraksha campaign' using intersectoral coordination and community participation. A total of 750 (59.6%) geriatric individuals downloaded the application of whom, 452 (60.3%) used the services of Vayoraksha. Needs were registered by 56 (12.3%) individuals of which 46 (82.1%) were medical needs related to the management of chronic diseases. More than 70 per cent of the needs were met through the Vayoraksha field network under the local primary health centre. More than 80 per cent of the geriatric individuals reported symptoms related to COVID-19 during the intervention period. Compliance with quarantine was observed in 77.7 per cent of the geriatric populations. Among those who used Vayoraksha, 26 (5.7%) availed tele-counselling services, and 3 (0.6%) used teleconsultation facilities. It was observed that Vayoraksha users had a higher proportion of the geriatric population who were young, educated, having chronic morbidity and living with family. Regular symptom surveillance was done within this group; only 12 (2.6%) of them tested positive for COVID-19 during this study. Interpretation & conclusions Results of this pilot study are promising, with 60 per cent of the geriatric population downloading and using Vayoraksha within a short time. Technology-assisted interventions can supplement the existing system for improved healthcare delivery among the vulnerable groups and have good potential for scale-up in the near future in developing countries.

A quarantine paradox: understanding Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in post-COVID-19 era: insights from Golden Valley mining community, Zimbabwe.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges globally, with a notable surge in gender-based violence (GBV) incidents. This descriptive, exploratory study conducted in the Golden Valley mining community in Kadoma, Mashonaland West Province, Zimbabwe, delves into the challenges faced by GBV survivors during and after the pandemic, alongside community perceptions of GBV in the post-COVID-19 era. Guided by Bronfenbrenner's Social-Ecological Model which offers insights into the various levels of influence on GBV behavior and experiences,aiding in the development of contextually relevant prevention strategies. The study used qualitative methods such as interviews and focus group discussions, there were 24 study participant classified by random and convenient sampling techniques including traditional and community leaders, gbv surviours medical personnel and male and female, community members. The research followed the COREQ guidelines to transparently document the research process and findings. The research sheds light on the multifaceted nature of GBV exacerbated by societal norms and economic instability in a low-income, masculine-dominated work culture experience in the COVID-19 period. Findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive prevention programs, effective legislation, and community engagement to address GBV in post-pandemic communities. The research provides valuable lessons for enhancing GBV prevention efforts globally, emphasizing the significance of survivor voices and addressing root causes of GBV.

The adoption of international travel measures during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: a descriptive analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the adoption of international travel measures during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: To comprehensively analyze the measures adopted, we constructed a dataset based on the WHO's Public Health and Social Measures (PHSM) database, which covered 252 countries, territories, or other areas (CTAs), including all 194 WHO Member States, from December 31, 2019, to December 31, 2020. We examined the adoption of measures by type, over time, and by the implementing and targeted CTA, including their levels of income. FINDINGS: We identified 11,431 international travel measures implemented during the first year of the pandemic. The adoption of measures was rapid and widespread: over 60% of Member States had adopted a travel measure before the WHO declared COVID-19 a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on January 30, 2020. Initially, health screening and travel restrictions were the most adopted measures; however, quarantine and testing became more widely adopted over time. Although only a small portion of the total measures adopted constituted full border closure, approximately half of all Member States implemented this measure. Many travel measures targeted all CTAs but were unlikely to have been adopted universally enough to provide public health benefits. Low-income countries relied more on more universal measures, including full border closure, and were slower in scaling up testing compared to higher-income countries. CONCLUSION: The adoption of international travel measures during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic varied across jurisdictions and over time. Lower-income countries used a different mix and scaled-up measures slower than higher-income countries. Understanding what measures were used is crucial for assessing their effectiveness in controlling the spread of COVID-19, reviewing the usefulness of the International Health Regulations, and informing future pandemic preparedness and response activities.

Health impact of the COVID-19 in Spanish non-healthcare workers by gender: Use of sickness absence for surveillance.

INTRODUCTION: At the beginning of the pandemic, the identification of transmission chains was biased towards more closely monitored sectors, such as healthcare and sociosanitary centers. OBJECTIVE: The objective of our research is to describe the impact of the pandemic on the Spanish non-healthcare workers measured through health-related workplace absences. METHODS: A descriptive study of the cases of COVID-19-related temporary disability (TD) between February 15th and September 17th, 2020, was carried out. TD quarantine/infection ratios were calculated for every economic sector of activity. Rates of COVID-19 TDs per 100,000 affiliated workers were obtained, by gender, age, economic activity of the company or occupation of the worker. RESULTS: A total of 1,126,755 TDs were recorded, 45.4% in women. The overall TD rates were 5,465 quarantines and 1,878 illnesses per 100,000 women, and 4,883 quarantines and 1,690 illnesses per 100,000 men. The highest incidence rates of TD due to illness were observed in younger age groups, under 30. The median TD quarantine/infection ratio was 2.6 (Interquartile range [IQR] 1.5-3.9), and Postal and Courier activities had the highest value: 4.7 quarantines per case (IQR: 3.75-6.12). The TD rates were higher in female workers in most sectors of activity and occupations compared to men in the same sectors and with the same occupations. The results show the uneven impact of COVID-19 by occupation, with a higher rates in less qualified occupations (unskilled workers and laborers) versus the first categories of the table (directors, managers, technicians, and professionals). CONCLUSIONS: The results confirmed the high impact of COVID-19 on Spanish non-healthcare workers and it's inequalities. They also confirmed the potential use of TDs as an alternative source for epidemiological, public health surveillance and early warning of new emerging infections.

Research on Tropical Medicine and Germ Theory in Colonial Hong Kong: Focusing on Malaria and Plague Prevention.

At the end of the nineteenth century, Hong Kong was in the midst of a malaria and plague epidemic which caused a fierce dispute within the medical community over disease theories and quarantine practices. However, the Hong Kong colonial authorities and medical community did not immediately accept the theory of etiology based on germ theory. Although germ theory was becoming scientifically established through research on plague and malaria in the 1890s, the Hong Kong colonial authorities and medical community did not immediately accept it. Patrick Manson (1844-1922) began studying tropical medicine based on germ theory by studying elephantiasis and malaria in Amoi and Hong Kong during the 1880s. However, he was unable to strongly advocate for a quarantine policy based on germ theory because the exact transmission routes of these diseases were not yet fully understood. Although the scientific community began to shift towards germ theory after the discovery of causative bacteria for diseases like malaria and plague in the 1880s and 1890s, many medical and colonial health officials in Hong Kong still held on to the quarantine policy based on miasma theory. However, a series of infectious diseases and destructive miasma theory-based quarantine measures were pushing Hong Kong society into chaos, and the existing quarantine measures was no longer sustainable. In the twentieth century, colonial authorities and medical community in Hong Kong adopted tropical medicine and quarantine measures based on germ theory as their prominent position. Despite the establishment of tropical disease theory based on germ theory, racial perceptions of disease did not change significantly. Instead, the theory of tropical medicine reinforced orientalist views of disease.

Impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures on mother and child health - the case of Ghana.

BACKGROUND: The lockdown measures in response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have led to a wide range of unintended consequences for women and children. Until the outbreak of COVID-19, attention was on reducing maternal and infant mortality due to pregnancy and delivery complications. The aim of this study was to interrogate the impact of lockdown measures on women and children in two contrasting districts in Ghana - Krobo Odumase and Ayawaso West Wuogon. METHODS: This study adopted the mixed-method approach using both qualitative and quantitative data. The qualitative study relied on two data collection methods to explore the impacts of COVID-19 control measures on women and children in Ghana. These were: Focus Group Discussions (FGDs; n = 12) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs; n = 18). The study complemented the qualitative data with survey data - household surveys (n = 78) which were used to support the nutrition and school closure data; and policy data gathered from government websites consisting of government responses to COVID-19. The qualitative data was analysed using the thematic approach with codes generated apriori with the NVIVO software. The quantitative data used percentages and frequencies. RESULTS: Engagements with participants in the study revealed that the lockdown measures implemented in Ghana had consequences on child and maternal health, and the health care system as a whole. Our study revealed, for example, that there was a decrease in antenatal and postnatal attendance in hospitals. Childhood vaccinations also came to a halt. Obesity and malnutrition were found to be common among children depending on the location of our study participants (urban and rural areas respectively). Our study also revealed that TB, Malaria and HIV treatment seeking reduced due to the fear of going to health facilities since those ailments manifest similar symptoms as COVID 19. CONCLUSION: Government responded to COVID-19 using different strategies however the policy response resulted in both intended and unintended consequences especially for women and children in Ghana. It is recommended that national policy directions should ensure the continuous provision of child and maternal healthcare services which are essential health services during lockdowns.

SARS-CoV-2 Quarantine Mandated by Contact Tracing: Burden and Infection Rate Among Close Contacts in Zurich, Switzerland, 2020-2021.

Objectives: Before vaccines and effective treatments were available, quarantine of close contacts was important to limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2. To evaluate potential benefits and harms of quarantine, we aimed to estimate infection rates and describe experiences and mental health among persons in mandated quarantine during the early SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Methods: We invited adults in mandated quarantine after an exposure to SARS-CoV-2 identified through contact tracing of the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland, between August 2020 and January 2021. Participants completed two questionnaires and received up to two SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction tests, during and at the end of quarantine. Results: Among 395 participants, quarantine duration ranged from 2 to 20 days. By day 11 since the last contact, 11.1% [95% CI 8.4%-14.7%] were infected with SARS-CoV-2. The proportion of participants with symptoms of depression doubled from 9.3% before quarantine to 18.9% during quarantine, and 12.1% reported quarantine was very or extremely difficult. Conclusion: Although quarantine was only moderately burdensome for most participants, some experienced significant difficulties and burden. Policymakers need to balance infection control with potential harms placed on individuals.

Local governance of the 2014 ebola Epidemic: a PhD synthesis.

BACKGROUND: The doctoral dissertation examines how local response efforts were integrated into overall emergency management. OBJECTIVES: It seeks to understand the role and effectiveness of community-based actors in addressing collective action problems. METHODS: Sixty-seven semi-structured interviews were conducted from January to July 2017 in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Key informants include healthcare workers, traditional leaders, and community stakeholders, such as non-governmental organization representatives and volunteers. RESULTS: Findings show that traditional and community leaders responded to the public health emergency via rulemaking, quarantine, travel limitation, healthcare referrals, health sensitization, and door-to-door contact tracing. These actions by local leaders helped to change behaviors and improve cooperation. Sierra Leone had 32.3% more Ebola cases than Liberia but 18% fewer deaths. Sierra Leone had integrated traditional and community leaders before the scale up of international aid resources. CONCLUSION: This suggests that actions taken by traditional and community leaders improved overall efforts, and in some areas, before scaled-up humanitarian interventions. Bilateral engagement with local community actors should be integrated in every public health response to improve cooperation, and it should be done before an intervention is conceived and executed.

Main findings: Bottom-up legislation and community-led action were significant in containing the EVD spread in Liberia and Sierra Leone.Contribution to knowledge: Theoretical contribution centers on the governance patterns of Traditional Local Institutions. Evidence-based contribution was the observation of polycentric governance patterns of demand and supply-side barriers between traditional, state, and aid institutions.Global health impact for policy and action: Policymakers should contextualize soft factors such as trust, which can hamper technical advice. Any intervention should include bilateral engagement with local community leaders.

[The establishment, development and change to the modern quarantine system at Swatow seaport].

The right of seaports to quarantine in modern China was lost to western colonists in the 1880s. The establishment of the quarantine system at Swatow seaport made Swatow the first city in modern Guangdong to have such a system. This paper examines the content and development of the quarantine system at Swatow seaport and found the two main periods of the quarantine system development. 1883 -1926 was the period for the preliminary development of the quarantine system, which was under the management of the westerners. 1926 - 1949 was the period when it was regained by the then Chinese government but it was caught in a bid of multiple political powers before new China evolved. In such a process of power shifts and system changes, the benefits to the public were not valued and guaranteed. The development history of the quarantine system in modern Swatow seaport in the Republic of China Period mirrored the development of the quarantine system in China at that time.

Characterization of core microbiota of barley seeds from different continents for origin tracing and quarantine pathogen assessment.

Seeds are important microbial vectors, and seed-associated pathogens can be introduced into a country through trade, resulting in yield and quality losses in agriculture. The aim of this study was to characterize the microbial communities associated with barley seeds, and based on which, to develop technical approaches to trace their geographical origins, and to inspect and identify quarantine pathogens. Our analysis defined the core microbiota of barley seed and revealed significant differences in the barley seed-associated microbial communities among different continents, suggesting a strong geographic specificity of the barley seed microbiota. By implementing a machine learning model, we achieved over 95% accuracy in tracing the origin of barley seeds. Furthermore, the analysis of co-occurrence and exclusion patterns provided important insights into the identification of candidate biocontrol agents or microbial inoculants that could be useful in improving barley yield and quality. A core pathogen database was developed, and a procedure for inspecting potential quarantine species associated with barley seed was established. These approaches proved effective in detecting four fungal and three bacterial quarantine species for the first time in the port of China. This study not only characterized the core microbiota of barley seeds but also provided practical approaches for tracing the regional origin of barley and identifying potential quarantine pathogens.

Falls in focus: an analysis of the rate of falls in 25 Australian residential aged care facilities from 2019 to 2021, pre- and during COVID-19 lockdowns.

INTRODUCTION: During 2020-2021 Australia maintained comparatively low rates of COVID-19 in the community and residential aged care facilities (RAC) due to stringent public health measures such as lockdowns. However, the public health measures implemented may have had unintended impacts on critical RAC resident health outcomes, such as falls, due to routine care disruptions and aged care resident isolation. We utilised a longitudinal data to assess the association between COVID-19 lockdowns and the rate of falls in RAC settings. METHODS: A longitudinal cohort study was conduct using routinely collected data from 25 RAC facilities from one non-profit aged care provider in Sydney, Australia. The study included 2,996 long term residents between March 2019 and March 2021. The outcome measures were all falls, injurious falls, and falls assessed as requiring hospitalisation. Generalised estimating equations (GEE) were applied to determine the association between COVID-19 lockdown periods and fall-related outcomes while adjusting for confounders and seasonality. RESULTS: During the study period 11,658 falls were recorded. Residents frequently experienced at least one fall during the study period (median: 1, interquartile range: 0-4). During Lockdown 1 (March-June 2020) the rate of all falls increased 32% (IRR 1.32, 95% CI 1.19-1.46, p < 0.01) and the rate of injurious falls increased by 28% (IRR 1.28, 95% CI 1.12-1.46, p < 0.01) compared to pre-pandemic rates. The rate of falls assessed as requiring hospitalisation remained unchanged during Lockdown 1 (IRR 1.07, 95% CI 0.86-1.32, p = 0.519). During Lockdown 2 (Dec 2020-Jan 2021) the rate of all falls, injurious falls, and falls assessed as requiring hospitalisation did not change significantly compared to pre-pandemic rates. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the consequences of stringent COVID-19 restrictions, as seen in Lockdown 1, produced changes in residents' care which contributed to more falls and associated harm. The subsequent lockdown, which were less restrictive and occurred after staff had gained experience, was associated with no significant increase in falls rate. The nature and extent of lockdowns implemented for infection control in RAC need to balance multiple potential adverse effects. Factors which facilitated resilience during this period require exploration in future research.

Sleeping behaviors are determined by lockdown and not work-from-home arrangements.

Lockdowns and work-from-home arrangements became abrupt realities for people at an unprecedented scale during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, considering the case of Singapore, we study how peoples' sleep behaviors-which are closely linked to their mental health-varied as a result. However, different from most studies, this paper uses household electricity consumption data to estimate the sleeping behaviors of nearly 10,000 households in the city-state. With this, we study how the residents' daily sleep durations changed dynamically during the lockdown and afterwards when restrictions were progressively eased, and show their strong connection to major changes in the public health policy and current events during this period. Our results add to the evidence for the stress endured by the populace during the lockdown; we find that sleep durations for all demographics, while higher than before the lockdown, became more fluctuating across days. A major, and surprising, finding is that it was the lockdown that determined the residents' sleeping duration, rather than simply working-from-home arrangements. That is, the sleeping durations largely reverted back to their pre-pandemic levels when the lockdown was lifted-with small variations based on demographic factors-although a vast majority of people continued to work from home. This highlights the resilience of the daily routines of the Singapore populace. While providing insights into how a pandemic influences the dynamics of urban sleep patterns, our finding also has broader implications regarding the efficiency of the workforce, suggesting that concerns about asynchronous work routines and productivity may be overblown.

Bidirectional associations between sleep and anxiety among Chinese schoolchildren before and after the COVID-19 lockdown.

The COVID-19 pandemic has critical implications for mental health in children. This study examined how the COVID-19 lockdown affected sleep duration and anxiety symptoms in Chinese school-aged children and the bidirectional association between sleep and anxiety before and during the COVID-19 lockdown. A school-based longitudinal cohort study was conducted to examine the relationship between sleep duration and anxiety scores before and after the COVID-19 lockdown from January to May 2020. Generalized estimating equations model was used to identify variables that contributed to the changes in sleep duration. The bidirectional relationship between sleep duration and anxiety symptoms was explored by cross-lagged analysis. 7681 children completed two waves of surveys were included in the analysis. The daily exercise duration, anxiety symptoms, and sleep duration decreased significantly during the lockdown compared with that before the lockdown. Based on generalized estimating equations model, older age, secondary school, and higher anxiety scores of participants were positively associated with sleep duration, while female and no COVID-19 infection history were negatively associated with it. Cross-lagged analysis showed higher anxiety score of children before the lockdown was significantly associated with shorter sleep duration during the lockdown; and shorter sleep duration of children before the lockdown was also significantly associated with a higher anxiety score during the lockdown. Under the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were longitudinal, bidirectional associations between children's anxiety symptoms and sleep duration. For school students, mental health services and sleep education should be considered in the daily health education curriculum.

The Impacts of COVID-19 Lockdowns on Road Transport Air Pollution in London: A State-Space Modelling Approach.

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to the implementation of legal restrictions on individual activities, significantly impacting traffic and air pollution levels in urban areas. This study employs a state-space intervention method to investigate the effects of three major COVID-19 lockdowns in March 2020, November 2020, and January 2021 on London's air quality. Data were collected from 20 monitoring stations across London (central, ultra-low emission zone, and greater London), with daily measurements of NOx, PM10, and PM2.5 for four years (January 2019-December 2022). Furthermore, the developed model was adjusted for seasonal effects, ambient temperature, and relative humidity. This study found significant reductions in the NOx levels during the first lockdown: 49% in central London, 33% in the ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ), and 37% in greater London. Although reductions in NOx were also observed during the second and third lockdowns, they were less than the first lockdown. In contrast, PM10 and PM2.5 increased by 12% and 1%, respectively, during the first lockdown, possibly due to higher residential energy consumption. However, during the second lockdown, PM10 and PM2.5 levels decreased by 11% and 13%, respectively, and remained unchanged during the third lockdown. These findings highlight the complex dynamics of urban air quality and underscore the need for targeted interventions to address specific pollution sources, particularly those related to road transport. The study provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of lockdown measures and informs future air quality management strategies.

Comparative Assessment of the Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Air Quality: A Multinational Study of SARS-CoV-2 Hotspots.

In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, nations implemented lockdown measures to contain the virus. This study assessed air pollution levels during and after lockdowns, focusing on the following heavily affected locations: Oulu and Helsinki in Finland, Paris in France, Madrid in Spain, Milan in Italy, and Wuhan in China. Air Quality Index (AQI) data from these locations over two years were analyzed to understand the effects of lockdowns. The study compared COVID-19 lockdowns in these six cities with SARS-CoV-2 measurements using statistical methods. Variations in outdoor pollutants were evaluated through tests, revealing significant differences. Parametric analyses and regression were employed to study the impacts of lockdown measures on pollution and their relationships. The study comprehensively analyzed the effects of COVID-19 lockdowns on air quality, identifying differences, quantifying changes, and exploring patterns in each city. Pollutant correlations varied among cities during the lockdowns. Regression analysis highlighted the impact of independent variables on pollutants. Decreases in NO2 were observed in Helsinki, Madrid, Oulu, Paris, and Milan, reflecting reduced traffic and industrial activities. Reductions in PM2.5 and PM10 were noted in these cities and in Wuhan, except for O3 levels, which increased. The reduction in human activities improved air quality, particularly for NO2 and PM10. Regional variations underscore the need for tailored interventions. The study observed a substantial decrease in both PM2.5 and NO2 levels during the COVID-19 lockdowns, indicating a direct correlation between reduced human activities, such as transportation and industrial operations, and improved air quality. This underscores the potential impact of environmental measures and suggests the need for sustainable practices to mitigate urban pollution.

Sensitivity analysis and global stability of epidemic between Thais and tourists for Covid -19.

This study employs a mathematical model to analyze and forecast the severe outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2), focusing on the socio-economic ramifications within the Thai population and among foreign tourists. Specifically, the model examines the impact of the disease on various population groups, including susceptible (S), exposed (E), infected (I), quarantined (Q), and recovered (R) individuals among tourists visiting the country. The stability theory of differential equations is utilized to validate the mathematical model. This involves assessing the stability of both the disease-free equilibrium and the endemic equilibrium using the basic reproduction number. Emphasis is placed on local stability, the positivity of solutions, and the invariant regions of solutions. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis of the model is conducted. The computation of the basic reproduction number (R0) reveals that the disease-free equilibrium is locally asymptotically stable when R0 is less than 1, whereas the endemic equilibrium is locally asymptotically stable when R0 exceeds 1. Notably, both equilibriums are globally asymptotically stable under the same conditions. Through numerical simulations, the study concludes that the outcome of COVID-19 is most sensitive to reductions in transmission rates. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the model to all parameters is thoroughly considered, informing strategies for disease control through various intervention measures.

Meeting Social Needs in a Crisis Context: Lessons Learned from Integrating the 'Take Care Initiative' into New York City's Testing and Contact Tracing Program.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of addressing social needs in a crisis context. Some US jurisdictions integrated a social service component into case investigation and contact tracing (CI/CT) programs, including the New York City (NYC) Test & Trace (T2) Program; the Take Care initiative referred NYC residents who tested positive or were exposed to COVID-19 to services to support isolation and quarantine and meet basic needs. More research is needed to determine effective implementation strategies for integrating social needs provision into CI/CT programs. To identify barriers and facilitators to the implementation of the Take Care initiative, we conducted key informant interviews with program staff, community-based organization partners, and cases and contacts as part of a larger evaluation of the T2 program. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using rapid qualitative methods. Key facilitators to implementation included utilizing a case management software system, employing strategies to encourage service uptake, leveraging cross-agency collaborations, and partnering with community-based organizations for resource navigation. Barriers identified included external management of the software system, challenges reaching and engaging the public, administrative complications due to shifting collaborations, and management of CBO partners' structure and hiring. Based on our findings, we provide recommendations to support effective planning and implementation of social needs service provision in a crisis context. Future research should focus on testing promising implementation strategies highlighted in this study and applying them to varied contexts and crisis situations.

Social and Health-related Changes in Hispanic Cancer Patients during the COVID-19 Lockdown.

OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to explore changes in health-related behaviors and social practices in Hispanic cancer patients during a government-mandated lockdown and their relationship to sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. METHODS: Secondary analyses were conducted on data gathered by a longitudinal cohort study to describe the unmet needs of Hispanic cancer patients living in Puerto Rico exposed to Hurricane Maria in 2017, earthquakes in 2020, and COVID-19. However, our study solely focuses on the data from the COVID-19 pandemic period. RESULTS: Most participants were women (n = 72) with breast cancer (81.2%). Participants exhibited changes in religious practices (60%), physical activity (58.4%), and sedentary behavior (50%); 31.4% experienced changes in eating habits and sleeping patterns. Responses to the study questionnaire involved staying connected with family (85.5%) through phone calls (78.2%); 69.9% of the participants reported observing shifts in the family dynamics. A strong majority endorsed the government-imposed isolation measures (95.6%). Patients not undergoing treatment were likelier (r = -0.324; P = .010) to support the measures. Finally, younger patients experienced more work-related changes (r = -0.288; P = .017) and were less inclined (r = -0.293; P = .011) to find the isolation measures appropriate. CONCLUSION: This paper describes the lockdown related changes in health and social behaviors sustained by cancer patients, changes which could potentially impact their overall health and health-related quality of life. Our results fill an existing gap in our findings and contribute to understanding the experiences of cancer patients (in particular, Hispanic patients) during the COVID-19 pandemic.