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Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first detected in December 2019, and shortly after pandemic has been declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) due to its unstoppable global spread. Considerable amount of effort has beenput around the World in order to develop a safe and effective vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. Inactivated and RNA vaccines have already passed phase three studies showing sufficient efficacy and safety, respectively. Nowadays, there is a noticeable dominance of SARS-CoV-2 variants with various mutations over the wild type SARS-CoV-2. However, there is no report showing the efficacy of these vaccines on these variants. This case study describes a thirty-eight-year-old male reported to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 alpha variant following two doses of inactive CoronaVac administration with a protective level of SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies. The variant analysis of the virus reported to be positive for N501Y mutation.This is the first case in the literature demonstrating that inactive SARS-CoV-2 vaccine might have a lower efficacy on alpha variant.

Highlights • Of the 1001 influenza positive samples, 3 outpatients and 1 inpatient were co-infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Wuhan in January, 2020. • Clinical and laboratory features indicate the 3 outpatients showed mild symptoms, and the inpatient experienced malignant tumor and had worse outcomes from COVID-19. • In January, when the testing capacity is insufficient, co-infection of SARS-CoV-2 with influenza viruses in winter influenza activity peak season may contribute the expansion of SARS-CoV-2 in the local population.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a membrane-bound zinc metallopeptidase that generates the vasodilatory peptide angiotensin 1–7 and thus performs a protective role in heart disease. It is considered an important therapeutic target in controlling the COVID-19 outbreak, since SARS-CoV-2 enters permissive cells via an ACE2-mediated mechanism. The present in silico study attempted to repurpose existing drugs for use as prospective viral-entry inhibitors targeting human ACE2. Initially, a clinically approved drug library of 7,173 ligands was screened against the receptor using molecular docking, followed by energy minimization and rescoring of docked ligands. Finally, potential binders were inspected to ensure molecules with different scaffolds were engaged in favorable contacts with both the metal cofactor and the critical residues lining the receptor’s active site. The results of the calculations suggest that lividomycin, burixafor, quisinostat, fluprofylline, pemetrexed, spirofylline, edotecarin, and diniprofylline emerge as promising repositionable drug candidates for stabilizing the closed (substrate/inhibitor-bound) conformation of ACE2, thereby shifting the relative positions of the receptor’s critical exterior residues recognized by SARS-CoV-2. This study is among the rare ones in the relevant scientific literature to search for potential ACE2 inhibitors. In practical terms, the drugs, unmodified as they are, may be introduced into the therapeutic armamentarium of the ongoing fight against COVID-19 now, or their scaffolds may serve as rich skeletons for designing novel ACE2 inhibitors in the near future., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • A drug library of 7173 ligands was screened against ACE2 using molecular docking. • The predicted ACE2–ligand complexes were optimized via molecular mechanics. • On closer examination, eight promising repositionable drug candidates were proposed. • The drugs, unmodified as they are, may serve as entry inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2. • Their scaffolds may serve as rich skeletons for designing novel ACE2 inhibitors.

The public health burden of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is expected to increase and urgent strict measures by decision-makers is critical for the containment of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak worldwide.This study aimed to give a real-time analysis of COVID-19 presence in northern Cyprus.All official SARS-CoV-2 positive cases were tracked and reported in terms of the origin, nationality, and transmission routes. Preventive measures taken after the first reported case were analyzed for their effectiveness as control strategies.The index case of SARS-CoV-2 in northern Cyprus was identified as a female German tourist. First local case had travel history from the United Kingdom after which local transmission occurred. Rapid and strict containment measures have currently delayed a peak in observed cases.Rapid implementation of social-distancing measures, good hygiene measures and travel/gathering bans in northern Cyprus has been effective in controlling the outbreak.الحالة الراهنة لكوفيد-19 في شمال قبرص.نظيف سلطانوجلو، بوكت بادال، كايا سوار، تامر سانليداج.من المتوقع أن يزداد العبء الصحي العام لمرض فيروس كورونا المستجد 2019 (كوفيد-19)، ومن المهم أن يتخذ صانعو القرارات تدابير صارمة وعاجلة لاحتواء فاشية الفيروس التاجي المستجد (فيروس كورونا سارس- 2) في جميع أنحاء العالم.هدفت هذه الدراسة إلى تقديم تحليل آني لوجود فيروس كوفيد-19 في شمال قبرص.تُتُبعت جميع الحالات الإيجابية لفيروس كورونا سارس-2 الرسمية وأُبلغ عنها من حيث المنشأ والجنسية وطرق انتقال العدوى للمصابين. وحُللت التدابير الوقائية المتخذة بعد الإبلاغ عن الحالة الأولى من حيث فعاليتها كاستراتيجيات للمكافحة.حُددت الحالة الدالة لمتلازمة «فيروس كورونا سارس-2» في شمال قبرص وكانت لسائحة ألمانية. وكان لأول حالة محلية تاريخ سفر إلى المملكة المتحدة وبعدها حدثت العدوى محليًا. وقد أدت تدابير الاحتواء الصارمة والسريعة في الوقت الآني إلى تأخير حدوث الذروة في الحالات المُلاحَظة.إن التنفيذ السريع لتدابير التباعد الاجتماعي (البدني) وتدابير النظافة الصحية الجيدة وحظر السفر والتجمع في شمال قبرص كان فعا لً في مكافحة فاشية المرض.Situation actuelle de la COVID-19 dans la partie nord de Chypre.La charge de morbidité de la maladie à nouveau coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) devrait augmenter. De ce fait, des mesures strictes et urgentes prises par les décideurs sont essentielles pour endiguer la flambée épidémique de nouveau coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) dans le monde.La présente étude visait à fournir une analyse en temps réel de la présence de la COVID-19 dans le nord de Chypre.Tous les cas positifs officiels au SARS-CoV-2 ont été suivis et signalés en termes d’origine, de nationalité et de voies de transmission. Les mesures préventives prises après le premier cas notifié ont été analysées pour établir leur efficacité en tant que stratégies de lutte.Le cas indicateur de SARS-CoV-2 dans la partie nord de Chypre a été identifié comme étant une touriste allemande. Le premier cas local avait des antécédents de voyage en provenance du Royaume-Uni, ce qui a ensuite entraîné une transmission locale. Des mesures de confinement rapides et strictes ont actuellement retardé un pic dans le nombre des cas observés.La mise en oeuvre rapide de mesures de distanciation sociale, de bonnes mesures d’hygiène et l’interdiction de voyages/rassemblements dans la partie nord de Chypre ont été efficaces pour endiguer la flambée.