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Caylà JA, Bellmunt JM, Jansà JM, Marco A, Millet JP. Epidemiological evolution and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the European Union and worldwide and effects of control strategies on them: An ecological study. Semergen 2024; 50:102274. [PMID: 38865758 DOI: 10.1016/j.semerg.2024.102274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the epidemiological evolution and economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic in the European Union (EU) and worldwide, and the effects of control strategies on them. MATERIAL AND METHODS We collected incidence, mortality, and gross domestic product (GDP) data between the first quarter of 2020 and of 2023. Then, we reviewed the effectiveness of the mitigation and zero-COVID control strategies. The statistical analysis was done calculating the incidence rate ratio (IRR) of two rates and its 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS In the EU, COVID-19 presented six epidemic waves. The sixth one at the beginning of 2022 was the biggest. Globally, the biggest wave occurred at the beginning of 2023. Highest mortality rates were observed in the EU during 2020-2021 and globally at the beginning of 2021. In mitigation countries, mortality was much higher than in zero-COVID countries (IRR=6.82 [95% CI: 6.14-7.60]; p<0.001). A GDP reduction was observed worldwide, except in Asia. None of the eight zero-COVID countries presented a GDP growth percentage lower than the EU percentage in 2020, and 3/8 in 2022 (p=0.054). COVID-19 pandemic caused epidemic waves with high mortality rates and a negative impact on GDP. CONCLUSION The zero-COVID strategy was more effective in avoiding mortality and potentially had a lower impact on GDP in the first pandemic year.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Caylà
- Tuberculosis Research Unit Foundation of Barcelona, Provença 286°-2-1ª, 08008 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - J M Bellmunt
- ABS Barceloneta, Pg. Marítim de la Barceloneta, 25, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University, Dr. Aiguader, 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; Hospital del Mar Institute for Medical Research (IMIM), Dr. Aiguader, 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - J M Jansà
- Epidemiology Service, Public Health Agency of Barcelona, Pl. Lesseps, 1, 08023 Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Marco
- Tuberculosis Research Unit Foundation of Barcelona, Provença 286°-2-1ª, 08008 Barcelona, Spain; Infectious Diseases, Prison Health Program, Catalan Health Institute, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 587, 08007 Barcelona, Spain; CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Carlos III Health Institute, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - J P Millet
- Tuberculosis Research Unit Foundation of Barcelona, Provença 286°-2-1ª, 08008 Barcelona, Spain; Epidemiology Service, Public Health Agency of Barcelona, Pl. Lesseps, 1, 08023 Barcelona, Spain; CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Carlos III Health Institute, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Tang J, Wang Y, Lu W, Gao Z, Xu M, Wu L, Jin J. High SARS-CoV-2 infection rate in children unvaccinated with COVID-19 vaccine in Changzhou, China, shortly after lifting zero-COVID-19 policy in December 2022. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:560. [PMID: 38840046 PMCID: PMC11151613 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09445-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND China experienced an overwhelming COVID-19 pandemic from middle December 2022 to middle January 2023 after lifting the zero-COVID-19 policy on December 7, 2022. However, the infection rate was less studied. We aimed to investigate the SARS-CoV-2 infection rate in children shortly after discontinuation of the zero-COVID-19 policy. METHODS From February 20 to April 10, 2023, we included 393 children aged 8 months to less than 3 years who did not receive COVID-19 vaccination and 114 children aged 3 to 6 years who received inactivated COVID-19 vaccines based on the convenience sampling in this cross-sectional study. IgG and IgM antibodies against nucleocapsid (N) and subunit 1 of spike (S1) of SARS-CoV-2 (anti-N/S1) were measured with commercial kits (Shenzhen YHLO Biotech, China). RESULTS Of the 393 unvaccinated children (1.5 ± 0.6 years; 52.2% boys), 369 (93.9%) were anti-N/S1 IgG positive. Of the 114 vaccinated children (5.3 ± 0.9 years; 48.2% boys), 112 (98.2%) were anti-N/S1 IgG positive. None of the unvaccinated or vaccinated children was anti-N/S1 IgM positive. The median IgG antibody titers in vaccinated children (344.91 AU/mL) were significantly higher than that in unvaccinated children (42.80 AU/mL) (P < 0.0001). The positive rates and titers of anti-N/S1 IgG had no significant difference between boys and girls respectively. CONCLUSION Vast majority of children were infected with SARS-CoV-2 shortly after ending zero-COVID-19 policy in China. Whether these unvaccinated infected children should receive COVID-19 vaccine merits further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Tang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wujin Hospital Affiliated with Jiangsu University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, 213017, China.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Wujin Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, 213017, China.
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Wujin People's hospital, Changzhou, Jiangsu, 213017, China
| | - Weiqin Lu
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Changzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changzhou, Jiangsu, 213003, China
| | - Zhihong Gao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Wujin People's hospital, Changzhou, Jiangsu, 213017, China
| | - Mingfeng Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Wujin People's hospital, Changzhou, Jiangsu, 213017, China
| | - Lin Wu
- Department of Infection Management, Changzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changzhou, Jiangsu, 213003, China
| | - Jianhua Jin
- Department of Oncology, Wujin Hospital Affiliated with Jiangsu University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, 213017, China.
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Su Z, Bentley BL, McDonnell D, Cheshmehzangi A, Ahmad J, Šegalo S, da Veiga CP, Xiang YT. The dangers of having only one pandemic exit strategy. J Infect Public Health 2024; 17:1007-1012. [PMID: 38636311 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2024.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND When it comes to pandemic response, preparation can be the key. Between 2020 and 2024, the fast-paced development of COVID-19-often compounded by pubic policies' failures to reflect the latest reality and the public's divergent reactions to the pandemic and the policies-means that society should prepare for exit strategies that can reflect the reality of the pandemic and the interests of the people. Yet oftentimes societies only have one exit strategy with limited scope. This paper investigates the dangers of having only one pandemic exit strategy for pandemics like COVID-19. METHODS Analyses were based on a review of the literature on COVID-19 exit strategies and our own research. The PubMed literature search focused on two concepts-"COVID-19″ and "exit strategy"-and was limited to peer-reviewed papers published between 2020 and 2024 in English. RESULTS A total of 31 articles were included in the final review. Analyses showed that existing studies on COVID-19 exit strategies often focused on using the modelling method to gauge one exit strategy. Exit strategies were often discussed in the context of implementing, easing, or lifting specific pharmaceutical or non-pharmaceutical interventions. Staged and country-wide coordinated exit strategies were also discussed in the literature, both of which were often deemed as comparatively rigorous options compared to single or stand-alone exit strategies. Drawing on the overall development of COVID-19 and our own research, we presented and discussed the importance of having multiple exit strategies that are considerate of all possible pandemic trajectories, diverse interests of the public, and the communication challenges officials might face in introducing or implementing pandemic policies. CONCLUSION This paper underscored the importance of having multiple exit strategies for societies to prepare for pandemics. The insights of this study can help inform health policies so that they can more comprehensively and compassionately protect the needs and wants of the "public" in public health, particularly in grave times like COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaohui Su
- School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Barry L Bentley
- Cardiff School of Technologies, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, UK; Collaboration for the Advancement of Sustainable Medical Innovation, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Dean McDonnell
- Department of Humanities, South East Technological University, R93 V960, Ireland.
| | - Ali Cheshmehzangi
- Network for Education and Research on Peace and Sustainability (NERPS), Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 739-8530, Japan; School of Architecture, Design and Planning, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia.
| | - Junaid Ahmad
- School of Public Affairs, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
| | - Sabina Šegalo
- Faculty of Health Studies, University of Sarajevo, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
| | - Claudimar Pereira da Veiga
- Fundação Dom Cabral - FDC, Av. Princesa Diana, 760 Alphaville, Lagoa dos Ingleses, Nova Lima, MG 34018-006, Brazil.
| | - Yu-Tao Xiang
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China; Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China.
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Martignoni MM, Arino J, Hurford A. Is SARS-CoV-2 elimination or mitigation best? Regional and disease characteristics determine the recommended strategy. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 11:240186. [PMID: 39100176 PMCID: PMC11295893 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.240186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Public health responses to the COVID-19 pandemic varied across the world. Some countries (e.g. mainland China, New Zealand and Taiwan) implemented elimination strategies involving strict travel measures and periods of rigorous non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) in the community, aiming to achieve periods with no disease spread; while others (e.g. many European countries and the USA) implemented mitigation strategies involving less strict NPIs for prolonged periods, aiming to limit community spread. Travel measures and community NPIs have high economic and social costs, and there is a need for guidelines that evaluate the appropriateness of an elimination or mitigation strategy in regional contexts. To guide decisions, we identify key criteria and provide indicators and visualizations to help answer each question. Considerations include determining whether disease elimination is: (1) necessary to ensure healthcare provision; (2) feasible from an epidemiological point of view and (3) cost-effective when considering, in particular, the economic costs of travel measures and treating infections. We discuss our recommendations by considering the regional and economic variability of Canadian provinces and territories, and the epidemiological characteristics of different SARS-CoV-2 variants. While elimination may be a preferable strategy for regions with limited healthcare capacity, low travel volumes, and few ports of entry, mitigation may be more feasible in large urban areas with dense infrastructure, strong economies, and with high connectivity to other regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria M. Martignoni
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Canada
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, A. Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Julien Arino
- Department of Mathematics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Amy Hurford
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Canada
- Biology Department and Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Canada
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Wu X, Li J, Ma J, Liu Q, Wang L, Zhu Y, Cui Y, Wang A, Wen C, Qiu L, Yang Y, Lu D, Xu X, Zhu X, Cheng C, Wang D, Jing Z. Vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 in patients with pulmonary hypertension: A national prospective cohort study. Chin Med J (Engl) 2024; 137:669-675. [PMID: 37439342 PMCID: PMC10950192 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has potential risks for both clinically worsening pulmonary hypertension (PH) and increasing mortality. However, the data regarding the protective role of vaccination in this population are still lacking. This study aimed to assess the safety of approved vaccination for patients with PH. METHODS In this national prospective cohort study, patients diagnosed with PH (World Health Organization [WHO] groups 1 and 4) were enrolled from October 2021 to April 2022. The primary outcome was the composite of PH-related major adverse events. We used an inverse probability weighting (IPW) approach to control for possible confounding factors in the baseline characteristics of patients. RESULTS In total, 706 patients with PH participated in this study (mean age, 40.3 years; mean duration after diagnosis of PH, 8.2 years). All patients received standardized treatment for PH in accordance with guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of PH in China. Among them, 278 patients did not receive vaccination, whereas 428 patients completed the vaccination series. None of the participants were infected with COVID-19 during our study period. Overall, 398 patients received inactivated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine, whereas 30 received recombinant protein subunit vaccine. After adjusting for baseline covariates using the IPW approach, the odds of any adverse events due to PH in the vaccinated group did not statistically significantly increase (27/428 [6.3%] vs. 24/278 [8.6%], odds ratio = 0.72, P = 0.302). Approximately half of the vaccinated patients reported at least one post-vaccination side effects, most of which were mild, including pain at the injection site (159/428, 37.1%), fever (11/428, 2.6%), and fatigue (26/428, 6.1%). CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 vaccination did not significantly augment the PH-related major adverse events for patients with WHO groups 1 and 4 PH, although there were some tolerable side effects. A large-scale randomized controlled trial is warranted to confirm this finding. The final approval of the COVID-19 vaccination for patients with PH as a public health strategy is promising.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohan Wu
- Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Jingyi Li
- Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Jieling Ma
- Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Qianqian Liu
- Department of Echocardiography, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100037, China
| | - Lan Wang
- Department of Pulmonary Circulation, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yongjian Zhu
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Yue Cui
- Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Anyi Wang
- Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Cenjin Wen
- Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Luhong Qiu
- Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Yinjian Yang
- Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Dan Lu
- Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Xiqi Xu
- Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Xijie Zhu
- Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Chunyan Cheng
- Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Duolao Wang
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Zhicheng Jing
- Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
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Hsieh E, Dey D, Grainger R, Li M, Machado PM, Ugarte-Gil MF, Yazdany J. Global Perspective on the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Rheumatology and Health Equity. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2024; 76:22-31. [PMID: 37277949 DOI: 10.1002/acr.25169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Although the public health emergency associated with the COVID-19 pandemic has ended, challenges remain, especially for individuals with rheumatic diseases. We aimed to assess the historical and ongoing effects of COVID-19 on individuals with rheumatic diseases and rheumatology practices globally, with specific attention to vulnerable communities and lessons learned. We reviewed literature from several countries and regions, including Africa, Australia and New Zealand, China, Europe, Latin America, and the US. In this review, we summarize literature that not only examines the impact of the pandemic on individuals with rheumatic diseases, but also research that reports the lasting changes to rheumatology patient care and practice, and health service use. Across countries, challenges faced by individuals with rheumatic diseases during the pandemic included disruptions in health care and medication supply shortages. These challenges were associated with worse disease and mental health outcomes in some studies, particularly among those who had social vulnerabilities defined by socioeconomic, race, or rurality. Moreover, rheumatology practice was impacted in all regions, with the uptake of telemedicine and changes in health care utilization. While many regions developed rapid guidelines to disseminate scientific information, misinformation and disinformation remained widespread. Finally, vaccine uptake among individuals with rheumatic diseases has been uneven across the world. As the acute phase of the pandemic wanes, ongoing efforts are needed to improve health care access, stabilize rheumatology drug supplies, improve public health communication, and implement evidence-based vaccination practices to reduce COVID-19 morbidity and mortality among individuals with rheumatic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn Hsieh
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, and VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut
| | - Dzifa Dey
- Korle-bu Teaching Hospital and the University of Ghana Medical School, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Mengtao Li
- Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, National Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases, Ministry of Science & Technology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Pedro M Machado
- University College London, NIHR University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Northwick Park Hospital, and London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Manuel F Ugarte-Gil
- Universidad Científica del Sur and Hospital Nacional Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen - EsSalud, Lima, Perú
| | - Jinoos Yazdany
- San Francisco General Hospital and University of California, San Francisco
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Ward S, Restrepo AC, McHugh L. Area-level geographic and socioeconomic factors and the local incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections in Queensland between 2020 and 2022. Aust N Z J Public Health 2023; 47:100094. [PMID: 37820533 DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Calculate the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection notifications and the influence of area-level geographic and socioeconomic factors in Queensland using real-time data from the COVID-19 Real-time Information System for Preparedness and Epidemic Response (CRISPER) project. DESIGN AND SETTING Population-level ecological study and spatial mapping of the incidence of COVID-19 infection notifications in Queensland, by postcode, 2020-2022. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Proportions and distribution of COVID-19 infection notifications by year, age-group, socioeconomic disadvantage, and geospatial mapping. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were calculated. RESULTS Between 28 January 2020 and 30 June 2022, a total of 609,569 cases of COVID-19 associated with a Queensland postcode were recorded. The highest proportion of cases occurred in 2022 (96.5%), and in the 20- to 24-year age category (IRR = 1.787). In non-Major City areas, there was also a higher incidence of COVID-19 cases in lower socioeconomic areas (IRR = 0.84) than in higher socioeconomic areas (IRR = 0.66). CONCLUSIONS Queensland experienced its highest proportion of COVID-19 cases once domestic and international borders opened. However, geographic and socioeconomic factors may have still contributed to a higher incidence of COVID-19 cases across some Queensland areas. IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH Although Australia has moved from the emergency response phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to ensure ongoing prevention strategies target groups and areas that we have identified with the highest incidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selina Ward
- School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Herston, Australia.
| | | | - Lisa McHugh
- School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Herston, Australia
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Ba Z, Li Y, Ma J, Qin Y, Tian J, Meng Y, Yi J, Zhang Y, Chen F. Reflections on the dynamic zero-COVID policy in China. Prev Med Rep 2023; 36:102466. [PMID: 38116286 PMCID: PMC10728318 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed a serious threat to global healthcare and economy. In order to curb its spread, China adopted the dynamic zero-COVID policy, aiming to diagnose and isolate cases and close contacts as soon as possible. However, there is a controversy about the impact of isolation measures on social order, including the economy, personal employment and public mental health. Therefore, this review discusses and analyzes in detail the advantages and challenges of implementing dynamic zero-COVID policy. Although this public health policy might cause a shock to the economy in the short term, China still achieved a continued healthy economic performance with stable unemployment and strong export growth. Moreover, the rates of infection and mortality in China were lower than those in the United States and the European Union. However, due to the high transmissibility and low pathogenicity of the Omicron variant and prolonged lockdown-induced psychological damage, people questioned the effectiveness and necessity of this policy. Now that China has adjusted its policy in a timely manner, but many problems still remain unsolved. Some practical suggestions in terms of mental health, vaccine development, drugs supply, and economic recovery are put forward at the end of our paper to minimize negative impacts and provide a reference for future efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaihua Ba
- Jining Medical University, 133 Hehua Rd, Jining 272067, China
| | - Yuqi Li
- Jining Medical University, 133 Hehua Rd, Jining 272067, China
| | - Jiao Ma
- Jining Medical University, 133 Hehua Rd, Jining 272067, China
| | - Yining Qin
- Jining Medical University, 133 Hehua Rd, Jining 272067, China
| | - Jinzhu Tian
- Jining Medical University, 133 Hehua Rd, Jining 272067, China
| | - Yixiang Meng
- Jining Medical University, 133 Hehua Rd, Jining 272067, China
| | - Jiarong Yi
- Jining Medical University, 133 Hehua Rd, Jining 272067, China
| | - Yingze Zhang
- Jining Medical University, 133 Hehua Rd, Jining 272067, China
| | - Fei Chen
- Jining Medical University, 133 Hehua Rd, Jining 272067, China
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Yu E, Jin F, Zhou W, Chen J, Cai H, Hu J, Xuan L. The impact of Chinese COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of peripheral facial nerve paralysis after optimizing policies. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1236985. [PMID: 38026328 PMCID: PMC10654624 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1236985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the occurrence of Peripheral Facial Nerve Paralysis (PFNP) in Chinese patients, identify contributing factors, and explore the relationship between COVID-19 and PFNP. Methods We conducted a retrospective study covering the years 2020 to 2023, categorizing patients into three groups based on their visit dates: Group 1 (December 8, 2020 to February 28, 2021), Group 2 (December 8, 2021 to February 28, 2022), and Group 3 (December 8, 2022 to February 28, 2023). We collected and compared data on disease onset and patient characteristics among these groups. Results In Group 3, following the widespread COVID-19 outbreak, there was a significant increase of 22.4 and 12.1% in PFNP cases compared to the same periods in the preceding 2 years (p < 0.001). Group 3 patients were more likely to be aged between 30 and 60 years, experience onset within 7 days, present with Hunter syndrome, and have a higher H-B score of VI compared to the previous 2 years (p < 0.017). Logistic regression analysis revealed a strong association between the COVID-19 pandemic and the incidence of Hunter syndrome in PFNP (OR = 3.30, 95% CI 1.81-6.03, p < 0.001). Conclusion The incidence of PFNP increased in China after the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in patients with Hunter syndrome, indicating that COVID-19 infection can trigger and worsen PFNP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erhui Yu
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fanyuan Jin
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenhui Zhou
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Junkang Chen
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huafeng Cai
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jinhua Hu
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lihua Xuan
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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Su Y, Guo Z, Gu X, Sun S, Wang K, Xie S, Zhao S. Influenza vaccine effectiveness against influenza A during the delayed 2022/23 epidemic in Shihezi, China. Vaccine 2023; 41:5683-5686. [PMID: 37604724 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.08.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
After the temporary end of COVID-19 in China in February 2023, the influenza epidemic peaked in March across many Chinese places. We recruited a total of 258 all-age subjects presenting influenza-like illness (ILI) in Shihezi city, China from January 1 to March 16, 2023, and tested for influenza virus infection. Using a test-negative design, we assessed influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) of 56.3% (95% CrI: 13.6, 73.6) against medically attended, influenza illness during the delayed 2022/23 influenza epidemic. The findings contributed to the continuous monitoring of the influenza vaccine performance across the world, especially in the "post-COVID" pandemic era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinxia Su
- Department of Medical Engineering and Technology, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830017, China.
| | - Zihao Guo
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China.
| | - Xiu Gu
- School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832000, China.
| | - Shengzhi Sun
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Medical Engineering and Technology, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830017, China.
| | - Songsong Xie
- NHC Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Central Asia High Incidence Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University, Shihezi 832000, China.
| | - Shi Zhao
- Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China.
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11
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Wu Q, Chan SCL, Lee TTL, So KWL, Tsui OWK, Kuo YH, Rainer TH, Wai AKC. Evaluating the Patient Boarding during Omicron Surge in Hong Kong: Time Series Analysis. J Med Syst 2023; 47:76. [PMID: 37462766 DOI: 10.1007/s10916-023-01964-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
The fifth wave of COVID-19 outbreaks in Hong Kong (HK) from January to March 2022 has the highest confirmed cases and deaths compared with previous waves. Severe hospital boarding (to inpatient wards) was noted in various Emergency Departments (EDs). Our objective is to identify factors associated with hospital boarding during Omicron surge in HK. We conducted a retrospective cohort study including all ED visits and inpatient (IP) ward admissions from January 1st to March 31st, 2022. Vector Autoregression model evaluated the effects of a single variable on the targeted hospital boarding variables. Admissions from elderly homes with 6 lag days held the highest positive value of statistical significance (t-stat = 2.827, P < .05) caused prolonged admission waiting time, while medical patients with 4 lag days had the highest statistical significance (t-stat = 2.530, P < .05) caused an increased number of boarding patients. Within one week after impulses, medical occupancy's influence on the waiting time varied from 0.289 on the 1st day to -0.315 on the 7th day. While occupancy of medical wards always positively affected blocked number of patients, and its response was maximized at 0.309 on the 2nd day. Number of confirmed COVID-19 cases was not the sole significant contributor, while occupancy of medical wards was still a critical factor associated with patient boarding. Increasing ward capacity and controlling occupancy were suggested during the outbreak. Moreover, streamlining elderly patients in ED could be an approach to relieve pressure on the healthcare system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qihao Wu
- Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Teddy Tai-Loy Lee
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kevin Wang-Leong So
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Omar Wai-Kiu Tsui
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yong-Hong Kuo
- Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- HKU Musketeers Foundation Institute of Data Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Timothy Hudson Rainer
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Accident & Emergency Department, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Abraham Ka-Chung Wai
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
- Accident & Emergency Department, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
- Accident & Emergency Department, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
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12
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Qin Z, He Z, Yang Q, Meng Z, Lei Q, Wen J, Shi X, Liu J, Wang Z. Prevalence and correlators of burnout among health professionals during different stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in China. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1156313. [PMID: 37181868 PMCID: PMC10169669 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1156313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Persistently increased workload and stress occurred in health professionals (HPs) during the past 3 years as the COVID-19 pandemic continued. The current study seeks to explore the prevalence of and correlators of HPs' burnout during different stages of the pandemic. Methods Three repeated online studies were conducted in different stages of the COVID-19 pandemic: wave 1: after the first peak of the pandemic, wave 2: the early period of the zero-COVID policy, and wave 3: the second peak of the pandemic in China. Two dimensions of burnout, emotional exhaustion (EE) and declined personal accomplishment (DPA), were assessed using Human Services Survey for Medical Personnel (MBI-HSMP), a 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and a 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) to assess mental health conditions. An unconditional logistic regression model was employed to discern the correlators. Results There was an overall prevalence of depression (34.9%), anxiety (22.5%), EE (44.6%), and DPA (36.5%) in the participants; the highest prevalence of EE and DPA was discovered in the first wave (47.4% and 36.5%, respectively), then the second wave (44.9% and 34.0%), and the third wave had the lowest prevalence of 42.3% and 32.2%. Depressive symptoms and anxiety were persistently correlated with a higher prevalence risk of both EE and DPA. Workplace violence led to a higher prevalence risk of EE (wave 1: OR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.16-1.63), and women (wave 1: OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.00-1.42; wave 3: OR =1.20, 95% CI:1.01-1.44) and those living in a central area (wave 2: OR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.20-2.31) or west area (wave 2: OR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.26-1.87) also had a higher prevalence risk of EE. In contrast, those over 50 years of age (wave 1: OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.39-0.96; wave 3: OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.38-0.95) and who provided care to patients with COVID-19 (wave 2: OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.57-0.92) had a lower risk of EE. Working in the psychiatry section (wave 1: OR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.01-1.89) and being minorities (wave 2: OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.04-1.58) had a higher risk of DPA, while those over 50 years of age had a lower risk of DPA (wave 3: OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.36-0.88). Conclusion This three-wave cross-sectional study revealed that the prevalence of burnout among health professionals was at a high level persistently during the different stages of the pandemic. The results suggest that functional impairment prevention resources and programs may be inadequate and, as such, continuous monitoring of these variables could provide evidence for developing optimal strategies for saving human resources in the coming post-pandemic era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengshan Qin
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health at Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Zhehao He
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health at Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Qinglin Yang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health at Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Zeyu Meng
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health at Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Qiuhui Lei
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health at Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Jing Wen
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health and Management, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Xiuquan Shi
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health at Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Zhizhong Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health at Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
- The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
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13
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Malamitsi-Puchner A, Briana DD. Did the 'lockdown' during the historic Plague of Athens mirror current day efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19? Acta Paediatr 2023; 112:383-384. [PMID: 36377388 DOI: 10.1111/apa.16595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Despina D Briana
- NICU, 3rd Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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14
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Wang H. Reflection and Foresight on Personal Information Protection and Optimization in Public Health Emergencies in China-From the Perspective of Personal Information Collection during the Period of China's Dynamic-Zero COVID-19 Prevention and Control Policy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1290. [PMID: 36674045 PMCID: PMC9858992 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Public health emergencies threaten the overall public health security of the country. Based on the need to control the ways of infection, the collection and processing of personal information by the government have become an important part of epidemic prevention and control. However, personal information related to the epidemic is highly sensitive, which contains other personal information and even private information in addition to information on personal health. In the early days of China's response to the public health emergency of COVID-19, a great deal of non-desensitized information was transmitted in an unaccredited manner. With the implementation of epidemic prevention and control measures, the collection and processing of personal information in China have gradually transited from the initial disorder and chaos to the current orderly, legal, and effective situation, continuously optimizing the processing paths of personal information. Serious summary and reflection on the optimization path of China's epidemic-related information collection and processing methods by looking for a border at which the way and scope of personal information disclosure in future major public health emergencies are compatible with its purpose and role may help to improve the development of China's personal information protection legal system from a long-term perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Wang
- School of Civil and Commercial Law, Shandong University of Political Science and Law, Jinan 250014, China
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15
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Su Z, Bentley BL, Cheshmehzangi A, McDonnell D, Ahmad J, Šegalo S, Chen H, da Veiga CP, Xiang YT. Post-pandemic policy imperatives to stem violence against women in China. Prev Med 2023; 166:107379. [PMID: 36495926 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2022.107379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Violence against women is rampant in China. Even though meaningful strides have been made in the country, it remains disturbingly common for men to assault women-verbally or physically, who may or may not be their partners-in broad daylight in China. To make the situation worse, COVID-19, along with its restrictions, has both undermined women's ability to escape from abuse or violence and society's ability to provide timely help to victims. In light of the rising violence against women post-COVID, in this paper, we discuss the policy imperatives for countries like China to establish effective guardrails and support systems to protect women from the dehumanizing and destabilizing crime that is violence against women-a social malaise that not only harms and undermines the safety of society's daughters, mothers, and grandmothers, but also the integrity of local communities and social contract, let along shared humanity and global solidarity at large.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaohui Su
- School of Public Health, Institute for Human Rights, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China.
| | - Barry L Bentley
- Cardiff School of Technologies, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, United Kingdom; Collaboration for the Advancement of Sustainable Medical Innovation, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Ali Cheshmehzangi
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315100, China; Network for Education and Research on Peace and Sustainability (NERPS), Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 739-8530, Japan.
| | - Dean McDonnell
- Department of Humanities, South East Technological University, R93 V960, Ireland.
| | | | - Sabina Šegalo
- Faculty of Health Studies, University of Sarajevo, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
| | - Hengcai Chen
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo 315100, China.
| | - Claudimar Pereira da Veiga
- Fundação Dom Cabral - FDC, Av. Princesa Diana, 760 Alphaville, Lagoa dos Ingleses, Nova Lima, MG 34018-006, Brazil.
| | - Yu-Tao Xiang
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Institute of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China.
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16
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Hernandez N, Caetano-Anollés G. Worldwide Correlations Support COVID-19 Seasonal Behavior and Impact of Global Change. Evol Bioinform Online 2023; 19:11769343231169377. [PMID: 37155556 PMCID: PMC10113908 DOI: 10.1177/11769343231169377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Many viral diseases exhibit seasonal behavior and can be affected by environmental stressors. Using time-series correlation charts extrapolated from worldwide data, we provide strong support for the seasonal development of COVID-19 regardless of the immunity of the population, behavioral changes, and the periodic appearance of new variants with higher rates of infectivity and transmissibility. Statistically significant latitudinal gradients were also observed with indicators of global change. Using the Environmental Protection Index (EPI) and State of Global Air (SoGA) metrics, a bilateral analysis of environmental health and ecosystem vitality effects showed associations with COVID-19 transmission. Air quality, pollution emissions, and other indicators showed strong correlations with COVID-19 incidence and mortality. Remarkably, EPI category and performance indicators also correlated with latitude, suggesting cultural and psychological diversity in human populations not only impact wealth and happiness but also planetary health at latitudinal level. Looking forward, we conclude there will be a need to disentangle the seasonal and global change effects of COVID-19 noting that countries that go against the health of the planet affect health in general.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gustavo Caetano-Anollés
- Gustavo Caetano-Anollés, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 332 NSRC, 1101W Peabody Drive, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
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17
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de Souza LEPF, Castro MC, Hage Carmo E, Polidoro M. The global failure of facing the pandemic. Glob Health Action 2022; 15:2124645. [PMID: 36285582 PMCID: PMC9621274 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2022.2124645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in late 2019 has had social, political, and economic consequences worldwide. However, its emergence was not a surprise. In 2015, a Panel organised by the World Health Organization highlighted the importance of learning about the crisis caused by the Ebola epidemic. In 1992, the Committee on Emerging Microbial Threats to Health of the US Institute of Medicine warned of the possibility of an emerging global microbial threat. In this text, we point out five arguments that reveal the global failure in facing the pandemic: (1) deficiency in the global alert system and the fragility of the International Health Regulations (IHR-2005), (2) problems of the international response to the pandemic, related to global health governance, (3) the dispersed global adoption of the elimination strategy (zero Covid) widely seen as a policy of restriction of freedom instead as a strategy of inequities reduction, (4) fragile control of the disease with a narrow reading of the associated problems, and (5) global setbacks in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in the context of ongoing neoliberal national policies. Finally, we argue that overcoming the weaknesses discussed requires strengthening health systems in all their components and expanding social welfare policies.![]() ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marcia Caldas Castro
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eduardo Hage Carmo
- Institute of Saúde Coletiva, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Maurício Polidoro
- Environmental Sciences Area, Federal Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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