How effective were Australian Quarantine Stations in mitigating transmission aboard ships during the influenza pandemic of 1918-19?

The influenza pandemic of 1918-19 was the most devastating pandemic of the 20th century. It killed an estimated 50-100 million people worldwide. In late 1918, when the severity of the disease was apparent, the Australian Quarantine Service was established. Vessels returning from overseas and inter-state were intercepted, and people were examined for signs of illness and quarantined. Some of these vessels carried the infection throughout their voyage and cases were prevalent by the time the ship arrived at a Quarantine Station. We study four outbreaks that took place on board the Medic, Boonah, Devon, and Manuka in late 1918. These ships had returned from overseas and some of them were carrying troops that served in the First World War. By analysing these outbreaks under a stochastic Bayesian hierarchical modeling framework, we estimate the transmission rates among crew and passengers aboard these ships. Furthermore, we ask whether the removal of infectious, convalescent, and healthy individuals after arriving at a Quarantine Station in Australia was an effective public health response.

[The plans of Ernesto Ottoni to Combat the "affliction of lepers:" lazarettos, treatments, and endeavors to tackle leprosy in nineteenth century São Paulo]. / Os planos de Ernesto Ottoni contra o "mal dos lázaros": lazaretos, terapêuticas e trabalho no combate à lepra em São Paulo, século XIX.

This article presents the plans for a lazaretto in the city of São Paulo in the mid-nineteenth century. It consists of the transcription and analysis of an opinion prepared by the physician Ernesto Benedicto Ottoni, addressed to the president of the province of São Paulo. The article includes an analysis of the plans for the building, bearing in mind the prevailing miasma theory; the contemporary conceptions of leprosy treatment, especially beliefs regarding the transmissibility of the disease; and the physician's idealization of the routines for the treatment, work, leisure, and recovery of patients.

O trabalho a seguir objetiva apresentar o projeto de estabelecimento de um lazareto para morféticos na cidade de São Paulo em meados do século XIX. Trata-se da transcrição e análise de um parecer elaborado pelo médico Ernesto Benedicto Ottoni e endereçado ao presidente da província de São Paulo. Analisamos os planos da construção do prédio, principalmente levando em consideração a teoria dos miasmas; concepções sobre as terapêuticas da lepra na época, sobretudo quanto à transmissibilidade da doença; e, por fim, a idealização do médico acerca das rotinas de tratamento, trabalho, lazer e recuperação dos doentes.

Experiencia del personal de salud frente a la COVID-19 en las zonas rojas de Santiago de Cuba / Experiences of the Health Personnel Confronting COVID-19 in the Red Zones of Santiago de Cuba

Introducción: En Cuba, la lucha contra la COVID-19 ha sido tarea de todos los que están relacionados a la atención sanitaria, con su consagración continúa, exponiendo sus capacidades y habilidades profesionales en el tratamiento y atención especializadas a los pacientes hospitalizados. Objetivo: Valorar las principales vivencias del personal de salud que trabajó en las zonas rojas, en los centros de aislamiento con casos sospechosos y positivos a la COVID-19. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo. Para realizar el análisis de las vivencias se aplicaron las técnicas de entrevista y observación. Se trabajó con una muestra de 43 sujetos, de ellos se seleccionaron 17 médicos, 10 enfermeras, siete técnicos y nueve del personal de servicio que participaron en los centros de aislamiento. Resultados: Las vivencias del personal de salud que laboraron en las zonas rojas se basaron en la expresión de los sentimientos, emociones, relaciones interpersonales, percepción de riesgo y vivencias únicas durante la labor realizada. Los principales sentimientos y emociones fueron: alegría, cooperación, altruismo, apoyo, gratitud, admiración, compromiso y las negativas fueron: miedo, ansiedad, estrés, depresión, rechazo y desesperanza en menor medida. Las relaciones interpersonales se desarrollaron en colaboración y aprendizaje grupal, la percepción de riesgo fue alto por la carga viral de la enfermedad. Conclusiones: Las vivencias de los sujetos investigados se expresaron en manifestaciones negativas al principio del tratamiento con los pacientes y evolucionaron hasta la conversión a estados positivos que permitieron elevar la calidad del trabajo realizado(AU)

Introduction: In Cuba, the fight against COVID-19 has been a task for everyone related to healthcare, with their continuous consecration, showing their professional capacities and skills in the specialized treatment of and care for hospitalized patients. Objective: To assess the main experiences of the health personnel who worked in red zones, in isolation centers, with suspected or positive cases of COVID-19. Methods: A descriptive study was carried out. The interview and observation techniques were used to analyze the experiences. The sample consisted of 43 subjects, of whom 17 physicians, 10 nurses, 7 technicians and 9 service employees who participated in isolation centers were selected. Results: The experiences of the health personnel who worked in the red zones were based on the expression of feelings, emotions, interpersonal relationships, perception of risk, and unique experiences during the work performed. The main feelings and emotions were joy, cooperation, altruism, support, gratitude, admiration, commitment; while the negative ones were fear, anxiety, stress, depression, rejection, and hopelessness to a lesser extent. Interpersonal relationships were developed in collaboration and group learning, while the perception of risk was high due to the viral load of the disease. Conclusions: The experiences of the studied subjects were expressed through negative events at the beginning of involvement with patients, and evolved until conversion to positive states that allowed raising the quality of the work performed(AU)

Wastewater-based epidemiology for tracking bacterial diversity and antibiotic resistance in COVID-19 isolation hospitals in Qatar.

BACKGROUND: Hospitals are hotspots for antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), and play a significant role in their emergence and spread. Large numbers of ARGs will be ejected from hospitals via wastewater systems. Wastewater-based epidemiology has been consolidated as a tool to provide real-time information, and represents a promising approach to understanding the prevalence of bacteria and ARGs at community level. AIMS: To determine bacterial diversity and identify ARG profiles in hospital wastewater pathogens obtained from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) isolation hospitals compared with non-COVID-19 facilities during the pandemic. METHODS: Wastewater samples were obtained from four hospitals: three assigned to patients with COVID-19 patients and one assigned to non-COVID-19 patients. A microbial DNA quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to determine bacterial diversity and ARGs. FINDINGS: The assay recorded 27 different bacterial species in the samples, belonging to the following phyla: Firmicutes (44.4%), Proteobacteria (33.3%), Actinobacteria (11%), Bacteroidetes (7.4%) and Verrucomicrobiota (3.7%). In addition, 61 ARGs were detected in total. The highest number of ARGs was observed for the Hazem Mebaireek General Hospital (HMGH) COVID-19 patient site (88.5%), and the lowest number of ARGs was found for the HMGH non-patient site (24.1%). CONCLUSION: The emergence of contaminants in sewage water, such as ARGs and high pathogen levels, poses a potential risk to public health and the aquatic ecosystem.

Os planos de Ernesto Ottoni contra o "mal dos lázaros": lazaretos, terapêuticas e trabalho no combate à lepra em São Paulo, século XIX / The plans of Ernesto Ottoni to Combat the "affliction of lepers: "lazarettos, treatments, and endeavors to tackle leprosy in nineteenth century São Paulo

Resumo O trabalho a seguir objetiva apresentar o projeto de estabelecimento de um lazareto para morféticos na cidade de São Paulo em meados do século XIX. Trata-se da transcrição e análise de um parecer elaborado pelo médico Ernesto Benedicto Ottoni e endereçado ao presidente da província de São Paulo. Analisamos os planos da construção do prédio, principalmente levando em consideração a teoria dos miasmas; concepções sobre as terapêuticas da lepra na época, sobretudo quanto à transmissibilidade da doença; e, por fim, a idealização do médico acerca das rotinas de tratamento, trabalho, lazer e recuperação dos doentes.

Abstract This article presents the plans for a lazaretto in the city of São Paulo in the mid-nineteenth century. It consists of the transcription and analysis of an opinion prepared by the physician Ernesto Benedicto Ottoni, addressed to the president of the province of São Paulo. The article includes an analysis of the plans for the building, bearing in mind the prevailing miasma theory; the contemporary conceptions of leprosy treatment, especially beliefs regarding the transmissibility of the disease; and the physician's idealization of the routines for the treatment, work, leisure, and recovery of patients.

Epidemiology and Risk of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Among Travelers at Airport and Port Quarantine Stations Across Japan: A Nationwide Descriptive Analysis and an Individually Matched Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiology and risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among travelers at international borders remain unclear. METHODS: We conducted descriptive and individually matched case-control studies using a nationwide register for COVID-19 testing of travelers from 3 August to 31 October 2020 at airport/port quarantine stations across Japan. Case patients, defined as travelers positive for COVID-19 on arrival, were individually matched with 4 controls for arrival date and airport or port. We assessed associations between test positivity and traveler characteristics using conditional logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 157 507 travelers arriving from 146 countries/areas at 17 quarantine stations across Japan were tested for COVID-19. The percentage of test positivity during the study period was 0.35%. In the case-control study, with 536 case patients and 2144 controls, we found evidence of lower test positivity in travelers aged 3-19 years, female travelers, and travel corridor users (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 0.36 [.22-.60], 0.71 [.56-.89], and 0.48 [.30-.77], respectively), whereas higher positivity was associated with arrival from South-East Asia (1.88 [1.33-2.65]) or lower-middle- or low-income countries (2.46 [1.69-3.58] and 7.25 [2.22-23.66], respectively), any symptom (4.08 [1.43-11.65]), and nasopharyngeal compared with saliva sampling (2.75 [1.85-4.09]). A higher 14-day average incidence in the countries of stay was also associated with higher test positivity (1.64 [1.16-2.33] and 3.13 [1.88-5.23] for those from countries and areas where the 14-day average incidence was from 10 to <100 and ≥100 cases per million, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These findings justify travel restrictions based on the epidemic situation in countries of stay, although underestimation of the epidemic in lower-income countries should be considered. A strict travel corridor could also reduce the risk of COVID-19 importation.

Medidas sanitárias de que a Bahia precisa: as Delegacias de Saúde, o Hospital de isolamento e a Reforma Sanitária em Salvador (1921-1930) / Sanitary measures that Bahia needs: the Health Police Stations, the Isolation Hospital and the Sanitary Reform in Salvador (1921-1930)

Analisa o papel das Delegacias de Saúde e do Hospital de Isolamento de Mont'Serrat, no processo da Reforma Sanitária que ocorreu na Bahia na década de 1920

Medidas sanitárias de que a Bahia precisa: as Delegacias de Saúde, o Hospital de isolamento e a Reforma Sanitária em Salvador (1921-1930) / Sanitary measures that Bahia needs: the Health Police Stations, the Isolation Hospital and the Sanitary Reform in Salvador (1921-1930)

Analisa o papel das Delegacias de Saúde e do Hospital de Isolamento de Mont'Serrat, no processo da Reforma Sanitária que ocorreu na Bahia na década de 1920

Chest radiography evaluation in patients admitted with confirmed COVID-19 infection, in a resource limited South African isolation hospital

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the subsequent global outbreak (coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]) was declared a public health emergency in January 2020. Recent radiologic literature regarding COVID-19 has primarily focused on Computed Tomography (CT) chest findings, with chest radiography lacking in comparison. Objectives: To describe the demographic profile of adult patients with COVID-19 pneumonia requiring hospital admission. To describe and quantify the imaging spectrum on chest radiography using a severity index, and to correlate the severity of disease with prognosis. Method: Retrospective review of chest radiographs and laboratory records in patients admitted to a South African tertiary hospital with confirmed COVID-19 infection. The chest X-rays were systematically reviewed for several radiographic features, which were then quantified using the Brixia scoring system, and correlated to the patient's outcome. Results: A total of 175 patients (mean age: 53.34 years) admitted with COVID-19 were included. Ground glass opacification (98.9%), consolidation (86.3%), and pleural effusion (29.1%) was commonly found. Involvement of bilateral lung fields (96.6%) with no zonal predominance (61.7%), was most prevalent. Correlation between the Brixia score and outcome was found between severe disease and death (odds ratio [OR]: 12.86; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.58­104.61). Many patients had unknown TB (71.4%) and HIV (72.6%) statuses. Conclusion: In this study population, ground glass opacification, consolidation, and pleural effusions, with bilateral lung involvement and no zonal predominance were the most prevalent findings in proven COVID-19 infection. Quantification using the Brixia scoring system may assist with timeous assessment of disease severity in COVID-19 positive patients, as an overall predicator of clinical outcome.

Lecciones aprendidas en la atención a pacientes con COVID-19 en el Centro Integral Provisional de Figali, Panamá / Lessons learned in the care of patients with COVID-19 at the Provisional Comprehensive Center of Figali, Panama

Introducción: La conversión de diversas edificaciones como centros hospitalarios para la atención médica a pacientes con COVID-19 es una solución necesaria ante la alta demanda de casos y limitación de camas hospitalarias. Objetivo: Determinar las lecciones aprendidas y los puntos de mejora en el proceso de atención médica del Centro Integral de Atención Provisional para Pacientes Moderados con COVID-19 en Figali. Métodos: Estudio prospectivo, descriptivo, realizado del 1 al 15 de marzo 2021. Universo, total de médicos, licenciados enfermería y jefes administrativos. Muestreo por conglomerados del 36,5 por ciento. Se utilizó metodología cualitativa (cuestionario, entrevista semiestructurada y taller grupo focal). Resultados: En sus primeros tres meses el centro ingresó a 548 pacientes (máximo diario de 124); de estos, 309 (56,4 por ciento) con categoría de moderado o grave. La institución dispuso de hasta 74 médicos (incluidos 41 especialistas cubanos) y 91 enfermeros. Se consideró por los encuestados de muy alta o alta la atención médica (100 por ciento), satisfacción de pacientes (90,9 por ciento), higiene (93,2 por ciento) y función social del centro (97,7 por ciento). Las mayores enseñanzas fueron sobre bioseguridad, oxigenoterapia, manejo integral de la enfermedad y la integración de colectivos diferentes; entre quienes se destacó la profesionalidad, humanismo y sentido de pertenencia. Conclusiones: Las principales lecciones aprendidas se centran en capacitación, bioseguridad, flujos, oxigenoterapia, calidad y sentido de pertenencia del personal. Los trabajadores perciben que el centro cumple adecuadamente con su misión. Los principales puntos de mejora son la comunicación, el confort para los pacientes, la evaluación colectiva de los casos y el apoyo psicológico(AU)

Introduction: The conversion of various buildings as hospital centers for the medical care of patients with COVID-19 is a necessary solution in light of the high demand of cases and the limitation of hospital beds. Objective: Determine the lessons learned and the points of improvement in the medical care process of the Comprehensive Center of Provisional Care for Patients with moderate COVID-19 in Figali. Methods: Prospective, descriptive study, conducted from March 1 to 15, 2021. Total of workers, total of doctors, nursing graduates and administrative heads were assessed. Cluster sampling of 36,5percent. Qualitative methodology (questionnaire, semi-structured interview and focal group workshop) was used. Results: In the first three months, the center admitted 548 patients (daily maximum of 124); of these, 309 (56.4percent) with moderate or severe category. The institution had up to 74 doctors (including 41 Cuban specialists) and 91 nurses. Medical care was rated by the respondents as very high or high (100percent), and other rates were: patient satisfaction (90.9percent), hygiene (93.2percent) and social function of the center (97.7percent). The greatest learnings were on biosafety, oxygen therapy, comprehensive management of the disease and the integration of different groups; among whom professionalism, humanism and a sense of belonging stood out. Conclusions: The main lessons learned focus on training, biosecurity, flows, oxygen therapy, quality and sense of belonging of the staff. Workers perceive that the center adequately fulfills its mission. The main points of improvement are communication, comfort for patients, collective evaluation of cases and psychological support(AU)

Practice in Information Technology Support for Fangcang Shelter Hospital during COVID-19 Epidemic in Wuhan, China.

In confronting the sudden epidemic of COVID-19, China and other countries have been under great deal of pressure to block virus transmission and reduce death cases. Fangcang shelter hospital, which is converted from large-scale public venue, is proposed and proven to be an effective way for administering medical care and social isolation. This paper presents the practice in information technology support for a Fangcang shelter hospital in Wuhan, China. The experiences include the deployment strategy of IT infrastructure, the redesign of function modules in the hospital information system (HIS), equipment maintenance and medical staff training. The deployment strategy and HIS modules have ensured smoothness and efficiency of clinical work. The team established a quick response mechanism and adhered to the principle of nosocomial infection control. Deployment of network and modification of HIS was finished in the 48 hours before patient admittance. A repair hotline and remote support for equipment and software were available whenever medical workers met with any questions. No engineer ever entered the contaminated areas and no one was infected by the coronavirus during the hospital operation. Up to now, Fangcang shelter hospital is adopted by many regions around the world facing the collapse of their medical systems. This valuable experience in informatization construction and service in Wuhan may help participators involving in Fangcang shelter hospital get better information technology support, and find more practical interventions to fight the epidemic.

The effects of psychological intervention on anxiety symptoms of COVID19-positive patients isolated in hospital wards.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to explore the effects of psychological intervention on alleviating anxiety in patients in novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) isolation wards. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 24th, 2020 and March 5th, 2020, 103 patients were studied. Among these, 32 were patients in the isolation ward of the Infectious Disease Department in Baoding Second Hospital with suspected 2019-nCoV, and 71 patients diagnosed with 2019-nCoV were in the Tangshan Infectious Disease Hospital. Of the 103 patients included, 97 cases were observed in isolation. Using a self-control study design, each patient's anxiety was scored on a self-rating anxiety scale before receiving the psychological intervention (on the 7th day of isolation) and after receiving the intervention (on the 14th day of isolation). The severity of anxiety was evaluated based on the anxiety score before receiving the intervention. The anxiety scores before and after receiving the intervention were then compared using the paired t-test, and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: After receiving the psychological intervention once or twice a week, the anxiety of the patients improved significantly after one week. CONCLUSIONS: The anxiety of patients with 2019-nCoV in isolation wards can be alleviated through psychological intervention. By alleviating patient anxiety, this intervention also helps patients maintain their psychological wellbeing, which promotes rehabilitation and helps with the control of 2019-nCoV.

Clinical characteristics and impacts of traditional Chinese medicine treatment on the convalescents of COVID-19.

Objectives: A significant proportion of discharged COVID-19 patients still have some symptoms. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has played an important role in the treatment of COVID-19, but whether it is helpful for discharged patients is still unknown. The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze the impacts of TCM treatment on the convalescents of COVID-19. Methods: A total of 372 COVID-19 convalescents from February 21 to May 3 in Shenzhen, China were retrospectively analyzed, 291 of them accepted clinically examined at least once and 191 convalescents accepted TCM. Results: After retrospective analysis of the clinical data of convalescents accepted TCM treatment or not, we found that the white blood cell count, as well as serum interleukin-6 and procalcitonin decreased in TCM group. Serum γ-glutamyl transpeptidase was significantly decreased, while prealbumin and albumin increased in TCM group. Red blood cell, hemoglobin, and platelet count increased in TCM group. The mechanisms of TCM treatment might be the overall regulations, including balanced immune response, improved hematopoiesis and coagulation systems, enhanced functions of liver and heart, increased nutrient intake and lipid metabolism. Conclusions: This study suggested that TCM treatment would be beneficial for discharged COVID-19 patients. However, long-term medical observation and further study with randomized trial should be done to confirm this result. Besides, the potential molecular mechanisms of TCM treatment should be further revealed.