Articles: coronavirus.
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Interdiscip Neurosurg · Dec 2020
ReviewThe neurological significance of COVID-19: Lesson learn from the pandemic.
Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2; previously known as 2019 novel coronavirus) is an emerging and rapidly evolving health issue that has been widespread globally and become a pandemic. The typical symptoms of COVID-19 are: a cough, shortness of breath and a fever; from the initial estimates, about 15% of COVID-19 patients present with severe respiratory symptoms and requires hospitalization and intensive care. Recent accumulated evidences showed that the neurological insults also occurred in patients with COVID-19, ranging from mild headache to severe neurological symptoms. In this review, we summarize the COVID-19 and neurological significance of COVID-19.
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The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak affected health care systems at different levels with important consequences on health, economy, and social structures. This paper aims to analyse the impact on surgical block utilisation and efficiency in an orthopaedics reference centre in Northern Italy. ⋯ These data clearly show the deep impact of COVID-19 pandemic on OR facilities. Efficiency indicators fell dramatically in April 2020 compared with the corresponding period in 2019. This scenario will deeply affect both the waiting lists and the economic burden of the hospital. Regaining efficiency and maintaining the quality and safety of the process while restoring elective orthopaedic surgery are among the main challenges that surgeons will face in the next time.
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The global spread of COVID-19 has put increased pressure on the NHS. The Government has put in a number of strategies to cope with this pandemic, which includes increasing funding for the NHS. ⋯ These are unprecedented times and are placing strains on our health service. Nonetheless, we as healthcare professionals have taken oaths that we are honouring and will continue to do so, till this virus is put to rest.
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Emerging Infect. Dis. · Dec 2020
Detection and Characterization of Bat Sarbecovirus Phylogenetically Related to SARS-CoV-2, Japan.
Epidemiology of bat Betacoronavirus, subgenus Sarbecovirus is largely unknown, especially outside China. We detected a sarbecovirus phylogenetically related to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 from Rhinolophus cornutus bats in Japan. The sarbecovirus' spike protein specifically recognizes angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 of R. cornutus, but not humans, as an entry receptor.
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Exposure of respiratory therapists (RTs) during aerosol-generating procedures such as endotracheal intubation is an occupational hazard. Depending on the hospital, RTs may serve as laryngoscopist or in a role providing ventilation support and initiating mechanical ventilation. This study aimed to evaluate the potential exposure of RTs serving in either of these roles. ⋯ Of the 3 techniques, the coronavirus flexible enclosure contained the fluorescent marker more effectively during endotracheal intubation than PPE alone or the intubating box based on exposure of the laryngoscopist and supporting RT. Optimizing containment during aerosol-generating procedures like endotracheal intubation is a critical component of minimizing occupational and nosocomial spread of SARS-CoV-2 to RTs who may serve as either the laryngoscopist or a support role.