Challenges Faced in Large-Scale Nucleic Acid Testing during the Sudden Outbreak of the B.1.617.2 (Delta)

Impact of different nucleic acid testing scenarios on COVID-19 transmission

In the past three years, waves of COVID-19 infections have emerged one after another, and may enter a small-scale wave-like recurrent epidemic pattern in the future. When COVID-19 infections occur in small-scale, how to efficiently detect and prevent the disease has become the main problem. In this study, based on the characteristics of the Omicron variant and China's pandemic prevention and control strategies, the following three nucleic acid testing scenarios were simulated: scenario 1 (baseline scenario) included conducting nucleic acid testing at administrative region; scenario 2 included conducting nucleic acid testing at the community; and scenario 3 included conducting nucleic acid testing at the health facility closest to households. The model calibration showed that the baseline scenario was consistent with the actual transmission scenario of the disease. The simulation results revealed that compared with scenario 1, the cumulative cases in scenarios 2 and 3 were reduced by 9.52 % and 46.83 %, respectively. Compared with scenario 2, the cumulative cases in scenario 3 were reduced by 41.23 %. Thus, adopting nucleic acid testing measures at the household level can effectively limit the spread of COVID-19 and should be given a priority when local emergency occurs in the future.

The impact of community nucleic acid testing on infection in residential compounds during a city-wide lockdown

The question of whether community nucleic acid testing contributes to an increase in infections within residential compounds has not been definitively answered. Shanghai, one of the largest cities in China, conducted city-wide community testing during its lockdown from late March to May 2022. This situation provided a unique opportunity to examine the effect of community testing on infection rates, as the lockdown largely eliminated confounding factors such as citizen mobility. In our study, based on a survey of 208 residential compounds in Shanghai and the daily infection data during the lockdown period, we found a significant correlation between community testing and infection risk in these compounds. However, after addressing potential issues of reverse causality and sampling bias, we found no significant causal link between community testing and infection risk. Furthermore, we discovered that increased awareness of mask-wearing correlated with a decrease in infections within the residential compounds during community testing. This suggests that the perceived correlation between community testing and infection risk may be confounded by residents' adherence to mask-wearing practices. Our findings emphasize the need for public health decision-makers to reinforce the importance of mask-wearing during community testing, as a means to prevent infections among citizens.

Trajectory analysis of the work and life experience of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal qualitative study

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a global health threat and has had a profoundly negative impact on the work and lives of healthcare workers. However, few people know how their experiences have evolved over time.

AIMS

To describe healthcare workers' experiences during clinical responses to COVID-19 and how they changed over time.

DESIGN

A longitudinal qualitative study.

METHODS

We undertook a series of four semi-structured qualitative interviews of 14 healthcare workers called as 1st responders to the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were recruited through purposive snowball sampling. Interviews were undertaken between May 2020 and May 2022 and trajectory approach was used to reveal individual experiences over time. This paper follows the COREQ (Consolidated criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research) guidance.

RESULTS

Data analysis yielded the following four themes: (1) Changes in emotions; (2) Changes in organization and management of care; (3) Changes in knowledge and capabilities; and (4) Changes in outlook on life and career.

CONCLUSION

Healthcare workers have become stronger in the pandemic and have demonstrated a high degree of professional loyalty and responsibility. However, there is a need to focus on the issue of jealousy and create a harmonious and safe work environment to reduce harm to healthcare workers. Additionally, human resource management strategies must support well-being of healthcare workers and maximize the efficiency of human resource utilization to enable them to respond to current and future needs and emergencies.

Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern by Genomic Surveillance Techniques

This chapter describes the application of genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic methods in the study of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. We also describe the important role of machine learning tools to identify the most significant biomarker signatures and discuss the latest point-of-care devices that can be used to translate these findings to the physician's office or to bedside care. The main emphasis is placed on increasing our diagnostic capacity and predictability of disease outcomes to guide the most appropriate treatment strategies.