Estimation of disease burden and clinical severity of COVID-19 caused by Omicron BA.2 in Shanghai, February-June 2022

BackgroundAn outbreak of COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2 sublineage occurred in Shanghai, China from February to June 2022. The government organized multiple rounds of molecular test screenings for the entire population, providing a unique opportunity to capture the majority of subclinical infections and better characterize disease burden and the full spectrum of Omicron BA.2 clinical severity. MethodsUsing daily reports from the websites of the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission, we estimated the incidence of infections, severe/critical infections, and deaths to assess the disease burden. By adjusting for right censoring and Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT{square}PCR) sensitivity, we provide estimates of clinical severity, including the infection fatality risk, symptomatic case fatality risk, and risk of developing severe/critical disease upon infection. FindingsFrom February 26 to June 30, 2022, the overall infection rate, severe/critical infection rate, and mortality rate were 2.74 (95% CI: 2.73-2.74) per 100 individuals, 6.34 (95% CI: 6.02-6.66) per 100,000 individuals and 2.42 (95% CI: 2.23-2.62) per 100,000 individuals, respectively. The severe/critical infection rate and mortality rate increased with age with the highest rates of 125.29 (95% CI: 117.05-133.44) per 100,000 and 57.17 (95% CI: 51.63-62.71) per 100,000 individuals, respectively, noted in individuals aged 80 years or older. The overall fatality risk and risk of developing severe/critical disease upon infection were 0.09% (95% CI: 0.08-0.10%) and 0.23% (95% CI: 0.20-0.25%), respectively. Having received at least one vaccine dose led to a 10-fold reduction in the risk of death for infected individuals aged 80 years or older. InterpretationUnder the repeated population-based screenings and strict intervention policies implemented in Shanghai, our results found a lower disease burden and mortality of the outbreak compared to other settings and countries, showing the impact of the successful outbreak containment in Shanghai. The estimated low clinical severity of this Omicron BA.2 epidemic in Shanghai highlight the key contribution of vaccination and availability of hospital beds to reduce the risk of death. FundingKey Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82130093). Research in contextO_ST_ABSEvidence before this studyC_ST_ABSWe searched PubMed and Europe PMC for manuscripts published or posted on preprint servers after January 1, 2022 using the following query: ("SARS-CoV-2 Omicron") AND ("burden" OR "severity"). No studies that characterized the whole profile of disease burden and clinical severity during the Shanghai Omicron outbreak were found. One study estimated confirmed case fatality risk between different COVID-19 waves in Hong Kong; other outcomes, such as fatality risk and risk of developing severe/critical illness upon infection, were not estimated. One study based on 21 hospitals across the United States focused on Omicron-specific in-hospital mortality based on a limited sample of inpatients (565). In southern California, United States, a study recruited more than 200 thousand Omicron-infected individuals and estimated the 30-day risk of hospital admission, intensive care unit admission, mechanical ventilation, and death. None of these studies estimated infection and mortality rates or other indictors associated with disease burden. Overall, the disease burden and clinical severity of the Omicron BA.2 variant have not been fully characterized, especially in populations predominantly immunized with inactivated vaccines. Added value of this studyThe large-scale and multiround molecular test screenings conducted on the entire population during the Omicron BA.2 outbreak in Shanghai, leading to a high infection ascertainment ratio, provide a unique opportunity to capture the majority of subclinical infections. As such, our study provides a comprehensive assessment of both the disease burden and clinical severity of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2 sublineage, which are especially lacking for populations predominantly immunized with inactivated vaccines. Implications of all the available evidenceWe estimated the disease burden and clinical severity of the Omicron BA.2 outbreak in Shanghai in February-June 2022. These estimates are key to properly interpreting field evidence and assessing the actual spread of Omicron in other settings. Our results also provide support for the importance of strategies to prevent overwhelming the health care system and increasing vaccine coverage to reduce mortality.

Epidemiological characteristics and transmission dynamics of the outbreak caused by the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in Shanghai, China: a descriptive study

BackgroundIn early March 2022, a major outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant spread rapidly throughout Shanghai, China. Here we aimed to provide a description of the epidemiological characteristics and spatiotemporal transmission dynamics of the Omicron outbreak under the population-based screening and lockdown policies implemented in Shanghai. MethodsWe extracted individual information on SARS-CoV-2 infections reported between January 1 and May 31, 2022, and on the timeline of the adopted non-pharmacological interventions. The epidemic was divided into three phases: i) sporadic infections (January 1-February 28), ii) local transmission (March 1-March 31), and iii) city-wide lockdown (April 1 to May 31). We described the epidemic spread during these three phases and the subdistrict-level spatiotemporal distribution of the infections. To evaluate the impact on the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 of the adopted targeted interventions in Phase 2 and city-wide lockdown in Phase 3, we estimated the dynamics of the net reproduction number (Rt). FindingsA surge in imported infections in Phase 1 triggered cryptic local transmission of the Omicron variant in early March, resulting in the largest coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in mainland China since the original wave. A total of 626,000 SARS-CoV-2 infections were reported in 99.5% (215/216) of the subdistricts of Shanghai. The spatial distribution of the infections was highly heterogeneous, with 40% of the subdistricts accounting for 80% of all infections. A clear trend from the city center towards adjacent suburban and rural areas was observed, with a progressive slowdown of the epidemic spread (from 544 to 325 meters/day) prior to the citywide lockdown. During Phase 2, Rt remained well above 1 despite the implementation of multiple targeted interventions. The citywide lockdown imposed on April 1 led to a marked decrease in transmission, bringing Rt below the epidemic threshold in the entire city on April 14 and ultimately leading to containment of the outbreak. InterpretationOur results highlight the risk of widespread outbreaks in mainland China, particularly under the heightened pressure of imported infections. The targeted interventions adopted in March 2022 were not capable of halting transmission, and the implementation of a strict, prolonged city-wide lockdown was needed to successfully contain the outbreak, highlighting the challenges for successfully containing Omicron outbreaks. FundingKey Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82130093). Research in contextO_ST_ABSEvidence before this studyC_ST_ABSOn May 24, 2022, we searched PubMed and Europe PMC for papers published or posted on preprint servers after January 1, 2022, using the following query: ("SARS-CoV-2" OR "Omicron" OR "BA.2") AND ("epidemiology" OR "epidemiological" OR "transmission dynamics") AND ("Shanghai"). A total of 26 studies were identified; among them, two aimed to describe or project the spread of the 2022 Omicron outbreak in Shanghai. One preprint described the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 376 pediatric SARS-CoV-2 infections in March 2022, and the other preprint projected the epidemic progress in Shanghai, without providing an analysis of field data. In sum, none of these studies provided a comprehensive description of the epidemiological characteristics and spatiotemporal transmission dynamics of the outbreak. Added value of this studyWe collected individual information on SARS-CoV-2 infection and the timeline of the public health response. Population-based screenings were repeatedly implemented during the outbreak, which allowed us to investigate the spatiotemporal spread of the Omicron BA.2 variant as well as the impact of the implemented interventions, all without enduring significant amounts of underreporting from surveillance systems, as experienced in other areas. This study provides the first comprehensive assessment of the Omicron outbreak in Shanghai, China. Implications of all the available evidenceThis descriptive study provides a comprehensive understanding of the epidemiological features and transmission dynamics of the Omicron outbreak in Shanghai, China. The empirical evidence from Shanghai, which was ultimately able to curtail the outbreak, provides invaluable information to policymakers on the impact of the containment strategies adopted by the Shanghai public health officials to prepare for potential outbreaks caused by Omicron or novel variants.

Global diversity of policy, coverage, and demand of COVID-19 vaccines: a descriptive study

BackgroundHundreds of millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered globally, but progress in vaccination varies considerably between countries. We aim to provide an overall picture of COVID-19 vaccination campaigns, including policy, coverage, and demand of COVID-19 vaccines. MethodsWe conducted a descriptive study of vaccination policy and doses administered data obtained from multiple public sources as of 23 October 2021. We used these data to develop coverage indicators and explore associations of vaccine coverage with socioeconomic and healthcare-related factors. We estimated vaccine demand as numbers of doses required to complete vaccination of countries target populations according to their national immunization program policies. FindingsUse of both mRNA and adenovirus vectored vaccines was the most commonly used COVID-19 vaccines formulary in high-income countries, while adenovirus vectored vaccines were the most widely used vaccines worldwide (176 countries). Almost all countries (98.3%, 173/176) have authorized vaccines for the general public, with 53.4% (94/176) targeting individuals over 12 years and 33.0% (58/176) targeting those [≥]18 years. Forty-one and sixty-seven countries have started additional-dose and booster-dose vaccination programs, respectively. Globally, there have been 116.5 doses administered per 100 target population, although with marked inter-region and inter-country heterogeneity. Completed vaccination series coverage ranged from 0% to more than 95.0% of country target populations, and numbers of doses administered ranged from 0 to 239.6 per 100 target population. Doses administered per 100 total population correlated with healthcare access and quality index (R2 = 0.58), socio-demographic index (R2 = 0.56), and GDP per capita (R2 = 0.65). At least 5.54 billion doses will be required to complete interim vaccination programs - 4.65 billion for primary immunization and 0.89 billion for additional/booster programs. Globally, 0.84 and 0.96 dose per individual in the target population are needed for primary immunization and additional/booster programs, respectively. InterpretationThere is wide country-level disparity and inequity in COVID-19 vaccines rollout, suggesting large gaps in immunity, especially in low-income countries. FundingKey Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the US National Institutes of Health. Research in contextO_ST_ABSEvidence before this studyC_ST_ABSWe searched PubMed for articles in any language published up to October 21, 2021, using the following search terms: ("COVID-19" OR "SARS-CoV-2") AND ("vaccination" OR "vaccine") AND ("inequalit*" OR "inequity" OR "disparit*" OR "heterogeneity"). We also searched for dashboards associated with vaccine rollout from public websites. We identified several studies on tracking global inequalities of vaccine access, one of which constructed a COVID-19 vaccine dashboard (Our World in Data), and another that explored disparities in COVID-19 vaccination among different-income countries. However, we found no studies that depict global COVID-19 vaccination policies country-by-country and estimate demand for vaccine necessary to completely vaccinate countries designated target populations. Added value of this studyTo our knowledge, our study provides the most recent picture of COVID-19 vaccination campaigns, focusing on global vaccination policy and target-population demand. We found a diverse portfolio of vaccines in five technical platforms being administered globally, with 173 countries having authorized administration of vaccines to the general public in various age groups. We observed inter-region and inter-country heterogeneity in one-or-more-dose and full-dose coverage; countries with higher socio-demographic or health resource-related levels had higher coverage. We estimated dose-level demand for completing primary immunization programs and additional/booster dose programs separately. Implications of all the available evidenceWorldwide disparity and inequity of vaccine rollout implies that susceptibility among unvaccinated populations in some countries may impede or reverse pandemic control, especially in face of the emergence of variants and the dilemma of waning antibodies. Our findings suggest that global-level responses to the pandemic - financially, politically, and technically - are needed to overcome complex challenges that lie ahead.

Intraoperative opioid-sparing effect of different duration transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation in video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective To evaluate the intraoperative opioid?sparing effect of different duration transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation ( TEAS ) in video?assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy. Methods Seventy?five patients, aged 18-64 yr, weighing 40-96 kg, of ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ, scheduled for elective video?assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy under general anesthesia, were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=25 each) using a random number table: control group (group C), 30 min of stimulation before induction of anesthesia group ( group B) , and stimulation throughout surgery ( group T) . In group B, the patients received TEAS ( frequency 2∕100 Hz ) on acupoints Xinshu ( BL15 ) , Feishu (BL13), Neiguan (PC6), Hegu (LI4) on the operated side starting from 30 min before induction of anesthesia until the beginning of induction, and the intensity was the maximum current that could be tolerated. The intensity for Neiguan ( PC6) and Hegu ( LI4) was 6-12 mA, and for Xinshu ( BL15) and Feishu ( BL13 ) was 9-18 mA. In group T, the patients received TEAS on the four acupoints mentioned above starting from 30 min before induction of anesthesia until the end of surgery. The patients had the electrodes applied, but received no stimulation in group C. After anesthesia was induced with propofol?sufentanil?cisatracurium, double lumen endotracheal tube was inserted. Propofol was given by target?controlled infusion to maintain BIS value within the range of 40-60. Cisatracurium was infused continuously to facilitate muscle relaxation. The infusion rate of remifentanil was adjusted to maintain analgesia nociception index value within the range of 50-70. The intraoperative consumption of remifentanil ( the intraoperative consumption of sufentanil was converted to the consumption of remifentanil producing the equivalent effect by 1∶ 10) was recorded. Results Compared with group C, the intraoperative consumption of remifentanil was significantly decreased in B and T groups. The intraoperative consumption of remifentanil was significantly lower in group T than in group B. Conclusion TEAS on Xinshu ( BL15 ) , Feishu (BL13), Neiguan ( PC6) and Hegu acupoints throughout surgery and for 30 min before induction of anesthesia significantly reduces intraoperative opioid consumption in the patients undergoing video?assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy, while TEAS throughout surgery provides better effect.

Abnormal Brain Activity Changes in Patients with Migraine: A Short-Term Longitudinal Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Whether or not migraine can cause cumulative brain alterations due to frequent migraine-related nociceptive input in patients is largely unclear. The aim of this study was to characterize longitudinal changes in brain activity between repeated observations within a short time interval in a group of female migraine patients, using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. METHODS: Nineteen patients and 20 healthy controls (HC) participated in the study. Regional homogeneity (ReHo) and functional interregional connectivity were assessed to determine the focal and global features of brain dysfunction in migraine. The relationship between changes in headache parameters and longitudinal brain alterations were also investigated. RESULTS: All patients reported that their headache activity increased over time. Abnormal ReHo changes in the patient group relative to the HC were found in the putamen, orbitofrontal cortex, secondary somatosensory cortex, brainstem, and thalamus. Moreover, these brain regions exhibited longitudinal ReHo changes at the 6-week follow-up examination. These headache activity changes were accompanied by disproportionately dysfunctional connectivity in the putamen in the migraine patients, as revealed by functional connectivity analysis, suggesting that the putamen plays an important role in integrating diverse information among other migraine-related brain regions. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained in this study suggest that progressive brain aberrations in migraine progress as a result of increased headache attacks.

Clinical value of analgesia/nociception index in evaluating analgesic effect during lobectomy performed via video-assisted thoracoscope / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective To primarily investigate the clinical value of analgesia/nociception index (ANI) in evaluating the analgesic effect during lobectomy performed via video-assisted thoracoscope.Methods Forty ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients,aged 25-64 yr,weighing 45-80 kg,undergoing elective lobectomy performed via video-assisted thoracoscope,were enrolled in this study.After induction of anesthesia with propofol,sufentanil and cisatracurium,patients received double lumen endotracheal intubation.Anesthesia was maintained with targetcontrolled infusion of propofol,and iv infusion of remifentanil and cisatracurium.The concentration of propofol was adjusted to maintain the bispectral index (BIS) value in the range of 40-60.ANI,HR,systolic blood pressure (SBP),diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and BIS value were recorded within 5 min before and after the predefined time points including posture change between lateral and supine position,ventilatory pattern change between onelung and double-lung ventilation,skin incision and trocars insertion,lymph node dissection and pleural lavage.At skin incision and during trocars insertion,lymph node dissection and pleural lavage,the development of hemodynamic responses (increase in HR and SBP ＞ 20％ of baseline value) were recorded.Results The incidence of hemodynamic responses was 100％ at skin incision and trocars insertion,and 84 ％ during No.4,7,10 groups of lymph node dissection and after pleural lavage and difference was found in ANI during these stimuli.ANI was significantly decreased within 5 min after skin incision,trocars insertion,No.4,7,10 groups of lymph node dissection and pleural lavage than that before the procedures (P ＜ 0.05).The BIS value was maintained at 40-60,and no significant changes were found between before and after the procedures (P ＞ 0.05).No significant changes were found in ANI,HR,SBP,and DBP between before and after the changes of posture and respiratory pattern (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion ANI can be used to evaluate the analgesic effect during lobectomy performed via video-assisted thoracoscope in patients and is unaffected by the changes of posture and ventilatory pattern.