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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has catalyzed a move from face-to-face to digital delivery of services by hospitals and primary care. However, little is known about the impact of digital transformation on organizations supporting unpaid caregivers. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the value of care provided by such informal caregivers is estimated to be £111 billion (US$ 152.7 billion) in England., Objective: This study aims to analyze service uptake patterns (including digital service options) over the pandemic period in an English caregivers' support organization covering a population of 0.98 million; measure changes in organizational performance, service efficiency, and quality; and identify the views of caregivers on service provision and future digital delivery., Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of the use of digital versus nondigital support services (January 2019 to June 2021) by caregivers in city and rural geographic areas. We compared organizational performance and service quality indicators for 2 financial years (2019-2020 and 2020-2021). A survey was conducted to identify barriers and facilitators to digital service uptake, the computer proficiency of caregivers (the Computer Proficiency Questionnaire, 12-item version), and preferences for future digital service provision. Quantitative data were analyzed using Stata 13 (StataCorp LLC). Thematic analysis was used for open-text survey responses., Results: The number of caregivers registered with the organization rose from 14,817 in 2019 to 20,237 in 2021. Monthly contacts rose from 1929 to 6741, with remote contacts increasing from 48.89% (943/1929) to 86.68% (5843/6741); distinctive patterns were observed for city versus rural caregivers. There was an increase in one-to-one contacts (88.8%) and caregiver assessments (20.9%), with no expansion in staffing. Service quality indicators showed an improvement in 5 of 8 variables (all P<.05). The 152 carers completing the survey had similar demographics to all registered caregivers. The Computer Proficiency Questionnaire, 12-item version, mean score of 25.61 (SD 4.40) indicated relatively high computer proficiency. The analysis of open-text responses identified a preference for the organization to continue to offer face-to-face services as well as web-based options. The digital services that were the most highly rated were carers' well-being assessments, support needs checks, and peer support groups., Conclusions: Our findings show that staff in the caregiver support organization were agile in adapting their services to digital delivery while dealing with increased numbers of registered clients and higher monthly contacts, all without obvious detriment to service quality. Caregivers indicated a preference for blended services, even while recording high computer proficiency. Considering the economic importance of unpaid caregivers, more attention should be given to organizations funded to provide support for them and to the potential for technology to enhance caregivers' access to, and engagement with, such services., (©Ala Szczepura, Amir Jahan Khan, Deidre Wild, Sara Nelson, Sonja Woodhouse, Mark Collinson. Originally published in JMIR Aging (https://aging.jmir.org), 13.05.2024.)

In recent years, COVID-19 has evolved into many variants, posing new challenges for disease control and prevention. The Omicron variant, in particular, has been found to be highly contagious. In this study, we constructed and analyzed a mathematical model of COVID-19 transmission that incorporates vaccination and three different compartments of the infected population: asymptomatic [Formula: see text], symptomatic [Formula: see text], and Omicron [Formula: see text]. The model is formulated in the Caputo sense, which allows for fractional derivatives that capture the memory effects of the disease dynamics. We proved the existence and uniqueness of the solution of the model, obtained the effective reproduction number, showed that the model exhibits both endemic and disease-free equilibrium points, and showed that backward bifurcation can occur. Furthermore, we documented the effects of asymptomatic infected individuals on the disease transmission. We validated the model using real data from Thailand and found that vaccination alone is insufficient to completely eradicate the disease. We also found that Thailand must monitor asymptomatic individuals through stringent testing to halt and subsequently eradicate the disease. Our study provides novel insights into the behavior and impact of the Omicron variant and suggests possible strategies to mitigate its spread., (© 2023. Springer Nature Limited.)

This study explores the use of numerical simulations to model the spread of the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus using fractional-order COVID-19 models and Haar wavelet collocation methods. The fractional order COVID-19 model considers various factors that affect the virus's transmission, and the Haar wavelet collocation method offers a precise and efficient solution to the fractional derivatives used in the model. The simulation results yield crucial insights into the Omicron variant's spread, providing valuable information to public health policies and strategies designed to mitigate its impact. This study marks a significant advancement in comprehending the COVID-19 pandemic's dynamics and the emergence of its variants. The COVID-19 epidemic model is reworked utilizing fractional derivatives in the Caputo sense, and the model's existence and uniqueness are established by considering fixed point theory results. Sensitivity analysis is conducted on the model to identify the parameter with the highest sensitivity. For numerical treatment and simulations, we apply the Haar wavelet collocation method. Parameter estimation for the recorded COVID-19 cases in India from 13 July 2021 to 25 August 2021 has been presented.

We formulated a Coronavirus (COVID-19) delay epidemic model with random perturbations, consisting of three different classes, namely the susceptible population, the infectious population, and the quarantine population. We studied the proposed problem to derive at least one unique solution in the positive feasweible region of the non-local solution. Sufficient conditions for the extinction and persistence of the proposed model are established. Our results show that the influence of Brownian motion and noise on the transmission of the epidemic is very large. We use the first-order stochastic Milstein scheme, taking into account the required delay of infected individuals.

Introduction: The role of plasma therapy in the management of the COVID-19, pandemic has been speculated. However, in view of the varied response regarding its effectiveness from various multicenter studies, there is a need to conduct more single center population-specific studies. We, thus, aimed to assess the role of convalescent plasma therapy in COVID-19 patient management in a single -center., Methods: This retrospective study was conducted using records of all COVID-19 patients who received plasma therapy over a period of 6 months in a dedicated COVID-19 hospital in Delhi. Information pertaining to transfusion, disease severity, associated comorbidities, the treatment given and patient outcome were recorded. Data was analyzed using SPSSv23., Results: Of the141 patients who received plasma therapy, 62% were discharged after treatment. Mortality was found to be significantly higher in patients > 60 years of age (p < 0.001), those with severe COVID-19 infection (p < 0.05) and pre-existing renal disease (p < 0.05). The admission-transfusion interval was significantly correlated to mortality and was a sensitive parameter for predicting outcome at cut off value of < 5 days (p < 0.001). There was no significant association of mortality with patient blood group, plasma antibody levels or donor hemoglobin levels., Conclusions: We report improvement and recovery in a large number of patients who received convalescent plasma within the first 5 days of hospitalization with moderate to severe disease. Further research to compare dosage and administration protocols to delineate role of CCP in survival of COVID-19 patients is needed before it is prematurely shelved., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

In this research, COVID-19 model is formulated by incorporating harmonic mean type incidence rate which is more realistic in average speed. Basic reproduction number, equilibrium points, and stability of the proposed model is established under certain conditions. Runge-Kutta fourth order approximation is used to solve the deterministic model. The model is then fractionalized by using Caputo-Fabrizio derivative and the existence and uniqueness of the solution are proved by using Banach and Leray-Schauder alternative type theorems. For the fractional numerical simulations, we use the Adam-Moulton scheme. Sensitivity analysis of the proposed deterministic model is studied to identify those parameters which are highly influential on basic reproduction number.

We reformulate a stochastic epidemic model consisting of four human classes. We show that there exists a unique positive solution to the proposed model. The stochastic basic reproduction number R 0 s is established. A stationary distribution (SD) under several conditions is obtained by incorporating stochastic Lyapunov function. The extinction for the proposed disease model is obtained by using the local martingale theorem. The first order stochastic Runge-Kutta method is taken into account to depict the numerical simulations., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The use of cloth face coverings and face masks has become widespread in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper presents a method of using low cost wirelessly connected carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) sensors to measure the effects of properly and improperly worn face masks on the concentration distribution of exhaled breath around the face. Four types of face masks are used in two indoor environment scenarios. CO 2 as a proxy for exhaled breath is being measured with the Sensirion SCD30 CO 2 sensor, and data are being transferred wirelessly to a base station. The exhaled CO 2 is measured in four directions at various distances from the head of the subject, and interpolated to create spatial heat maps of CO 2 concentration. Statistical analysis using the Friedman's analysis of variance (ANOVA) test is carried out to determine the validity of the null hypotheses (i.e., distribution of the CO 2 is same) between different experiment conditions. Results suggest CO 2 concentrations vary little with the type of mask used; however, improper use of the face mask results in statistically different CO 2 spatial distribution of concentration. The use of low cost sensors with a visual interpolation tool could provide an effective method of demonstrating the importance of proper mask wearing to the public.

COVID-19 has now emerged from a respiratory illness to a systemic viral illness with multisystem involvement. There is still a lot to learn about this illness as new disease associations with COVID-19 emerge consistently. We present a unique case of a neurological manifestation of a patient with structural brain disease who was COVID-19 positive and developed mental status changes, new-onset seizures and findings suggestive of viral meningitis on lumbar puncture. We also review the literature and discuss our case in the context of the other cases reported. We highlight the value of considering seizures and encephalopathy as one of the presenting features of COVID-19 disease., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2021. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Purpose: The majority of pregnancies affected by maternal coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) do not result in fetal transmission. However, several studies have identified parenchymal changes in their placental tissues, suggesting a placental response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) at the maternal-fetal interface. Although many COVID-19 placental studies have focused on the expression of the canonical SARS-CoV-2 entry proteins angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane serine protease 2, further characterization of subcellular molecules involved in viral trafficking have not yet been investigated in these tissues. Of interest are Rab proteins, a family of small GTPase proteins that direct intracellular transport between different endocytic organelles. Rab5 and Rab7 in particular have previously been implicated in HIV and cytomegalovirus invasion of placental trophoblast cells in vitro; the localization of these molecules has not been fully characterized within the human maternal-fetal interface, however, or within placental tissues from SARS-CoV-2-infected pregnancies., Methods: Using fluorescent immunohistochemistry, Rab5 and Rab7 placental localization and comparative fluorescence intensity were explored in a cohort of placental tissues from pregnancies affected by maternal COVID-19 disease (COVID, n = 15) compared with contemporary control subjects (Control, n = 10). Fluorescence intensity was quantified by using corrected total cell fluorescence values., Findings: Within placental villi, Rab5 was consistently localized in syncytiotrophoblast and cytotrophoblast cells. Rab5 had significantly higher mean (SEM) fluorescence intensity in the COVID cohort (Control, 1.96 [0.16]; COVID, 2.62 [0.09]; P = 0.0014). In contrast, although Rab7 was also localized within placental villous syncytiotrophoblast and cytotrophoblast cells, mean (SEM) Rab7 fluorescence intensity was significantly downregulated in COVID vs Control placentas (Control, 35.9 [4.1]; COVID, 20.1 [0.52]; P = 0.0001)., Implications: This differential expression of Rab5 and Rab7 suggests that placental endocytic pathways may be altered at the maternal-fetal interface in pregnancies affected by maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection. As key molecules governing intracellular vesicle transport, including viral trafficking, Rab GTPase proteins may be of interest for ongoing studies examining placental responses to COVID-19 in pregnancy., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The article deals with the analysis of the fractional COVID‐19 epidemic model (FCEM) with a convex incidence rate. Keeping in view the fading memory and crossover behavior found in many biological phenomena, we study the coronavirus disease by using the noninteger Caputo derivative (CD). Under the Caputo operator (CO), existence and uniqueness for the solutions of the FCEM have been analyzed using fixed point theorems. We study all the basic properties and results including local and global stability. We show the global stability of disease‐free equilibrium using the method of Castillo‐Chavez, while for disease endemic, we use the method of geometrical approach. Sensitivity analysis is carried out to highlight the most sensitive parameters corresponding to basic reproduction number. Simulations are performed via first‐order convergent numerical technique to determine how changes in parameters affect the dynamical behavior of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spread of COVID-19 started in late December 2019 and is still ongoing. Many countries around the world have faced an outbreak of COVID-19, including Thailand, which must keep an eye on the spread and find a way to deal with this extreme outbreak. Of course, we are unable to determine the number of people who will contract this disease in the future. Therefore, if there is a tool that helps to predict the outbreak and the number of people infected, it will be able to find preventive measures in time. This paper aims to develop a mathematical model suitable for the lifestyle of the Thai population facing the COVID-19 situation. It has been established that after close contact with an infected person, a group of individuals will be quarantined and non-quarantined. If they contract COVID-19, they will enter the incubation period of the infection. The incubation period is divided into the quarantine class and the exposed class. Afterwards, both classes will move to the hospitalized infected class and the infected class, wherein the infected class is able to spread the disease to the surrounding environment. This study describes both classes in the SQEIRP model based on the population segmentation that was previously discussed. After that, the positive and bounded solutions of the model are examined, and we consider the equilibrium point, as well as the global stability of the disease-free point according to the Castillo-Chavez method. The SQEIRP model is then numerically analyzed using MATLAB software version R2022a. The cumulative percentage of hospitalized and non-hospitalized infections after 7 days after the commencement of the infection was determined to be 11 and 34 percent of the entire population, respectively. The Next-Generation Matrix approach was used to calculate the Basic Reproduction Numbers ( R 0 ). The SQEIRP model's R 0 was 3.78, indicating that one infected individual can result in approximately three additional infections. The results of this SQEIRP model provide a preliminary guide to identifying trends in population dynamics in each class. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is a known fact that there are a particular set of people who are at higher risk of getting COVID-19 infection. Typically, these high-risk individuals are recommended to take more preventive measures. The use of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and the vaccine are playing a major role in the dynamics of the transmission of COVID-19. We propose a COVID-19 model with high-risk and low-risk susceptible individuals and their respective intervention strategies. We find two equilibrium solutions and we investigate the basic reproduction number. We also carry out the stability analysis of the equilibria. Further, this model is extended by considering the vaccination of some non-vaccinated individuals in the high-risk population. Sensitivity analyses and numerical simulations are carried out. From the results, we are able to obtain disease-free and endemic equilibrium solutions by solving the system of equations in the model and show their global stabilities using the Lyapunov function technique. The results obtained from the sensitivity analysis shows that reducing the hospitals' imperfect efficacy can have a positive impact on the control of COVID-19. Finally, simulations of the extended model demonstrate that vaccination could adequately control or eliminate COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To conduct a systematic review of the effectiveness of facial exercise therapy for facial palsy patients, updating an earlier broader Cochrane review; and to provide evidence to inform the development of telerehabilitation for these patients. Data Sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, PEDro and AMED for relevant studies published between 01 January 2011 and 30 September 2020. Methods: Predetermined inclusion/exclusion criteria were utilised to shortlist abstracts. Two reviewers independently appraised articles, systematically extracted data and assessed the quality of individual studies and reviews (using GRADE and AMSTAR-2, respectively). Thematic analysis used for evidence synthesis; no quantitative meta-analysis conducted. The review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42017073067). Results: Seven new randomised controlled trials, nine observational studies, and three quasi-experimental or pilot studies were identified (n = 854 participants). 75% utilised validated measures to record changes in facial function and/or patient-rated outcomes. High-quality trials (4/7) all reported positive impacts; as did observational studies rated as high/moderate quality (3/9). The benefit of therapy at different time points post-onset and for cases of varying clinical severity is discussed. Differences in study design prevented data pooling to strengthen estimates of therapy effects. Six new review articles identified were all rated critically low quality. Conclusion: The findings of this targeted review reinforce those of the earlier more general Cochrane review. New research studies strengthen previous conclusions about the benefits of facial exercise therapy early in recovery and add to evidence of the value in chronic cases. Further standardisation of study design/outcome measures and evaluation of cost-effectiveness are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The newly emerged severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has deteriorated the global order economically, socially and politically. As an emergency of global concern, the disease continuously spread havoc with its dreadful health manifestations with no regard for any race, religion and region. The mortality rates in different countries are surprisingly variable and there is debate about population-wise differential response to virus. Different countries have imposed lock-down to reduce the spread of virus; however, the positive outcomes of lock-down in terms of reducing mortality rate and transmission of virus are still questioned. Further, public accusations and debate of world powers regarding the origin of virus has created regional hate sentiments and political chaos which could result is serious repercussions following miscalculation of actual facts. Scientific communities are struggling to cope with the disease by developing potential vaccines against the S protein of SARS-CoV-2 and were testing the already marketed drugs against this coronavirus. Therefore, several medicinal plants and various vaccinations have been used against Covid-19. This review highlights the origin, virulence, vaccination but most importantly the plants extracts used against the causative agent of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the impending threat of future COVID-19 waves, it is imperative that teaching hospitals develop, implement, and evaluate a systematic training program to render HCW elastic in delivering COVID-19 related services. We present our experience in developing, implementing, and evaluating a sustainable and scalable COVID-19 patient management training package for healthcare workers. Materials and Methods: A mixed-methods study design was used. Rapid assessment to understand the need of the trainees and identify the available resources was done followed by planning of the training module and its implementation. The program was evaluated for effectiveness and sustainability. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and qualitative data generated from open-ended questions in the feedback forms and the discussions were analyzed using rapid content analysis. Results: A total of 66.8% of the doctors and 18.9% of the nurses were trained by online synchronous mode while 55.0% of the nursing officers and 47.1% of the nursing orderlies and paramedical staff were trained in onsite skill development sessions. Need assessment identified that healthcare workers were ill-prepared to use medical devices such as Bipap machines, ventilators, and oxygen delivery devices. The participants mentioned that the multidisciplinary approach and video-based demonstrations facilitated their online learning while the incremental learning approach, easy-to-understand terminology and hands-on experience facilitated their onsite skill development sessions. Conclusion: The COVID-19 training package developed was multidisciplinary, effective, sustainable, and scalable in a resource-limited setting. We suggest that this model can be adapted by healthcare organizations to develop and implement such training packages for their healthcare workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is a serious disease that affects the lives of millions around the globe. During COVID-19 pandemic, cancer patients were neglected and due to their miss management in hospitals, they presented in advanced stages of their primary disease specifically due to the suspension of elective services. The current study aimed to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer patients. The current study was designed at the department of surgery in Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH) Peshawar from 1st April 2020 to 30th March 2021 in Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar. A total of 160-cancer patients were divided equally into 2 groups i.e. Group-A (pre-COVID-19 era patients) and Group-B (COVID-19 era patients). These two groups were selected on basis of non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Different statistic tools like SPSS and Origin 2018 soft ware were used for means, standard deviation and percentages. Results: During April and December a total of 160 cancer patients were studied in both years i.e. 2019 (pre-COVID-19 period) and 2020 (COVID-19 period). The mean age of presentation for patients in 2019 was 46.11 and in 2020 it was 50.38. Patients who were hospitalized to surgical wards during the COVID-19 tenure had comparatively longer mean duration of hospital stay with around 8 days (CI 2.49-13.39) hence showing significance with a p-value of 0.011. Breast cancer (n=32 [40% in 2019], n=17 [21.2% in 2020]) and rectal cancer (n=11 [13.8% in 2019], n=18 [22.5% in 2020]) were the two most common entities observed. Most importantly, study sample was analyzed and results showed that 57.5% (n=46) of the patients presented to surgical wards with less aggressive tumors in 2019 as opposed to 2020 where 67.5% (n=54) of patients came to the hospital with advanced stage malignancies; this indicates a significant p-value of 0.001. Conclusion: We are of the opinion that the pandemic is not over yet. Problems such as the global spread of cancer due to COVID-19 and its long term effects on the quality of life of patients worldwide is still being investigated. It is stipulated that the long-term consequences of decreased cancer screening, delayed hospital visits as well as the rise in elective surgery waiting times on cancer stage progression and outcomes, are anticipated to be significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide, university teachers are coping with and adjusting to online teaching platforms. In this concurrent mixed-methods study, 10 science and technology universities as the research sites were first chosen, and educational planning in these sites during the pandemic was examined; then, eight selected teacher participants in these sites were interviewed to report how their beliefs and practices changed during the pandemic echoing the examined educational planning. The results show that educational planning and policies assisted teachers in accommodating the new demands and changes during the pandemic; teachers' beliefs and practices generally echoed the educational planning and policies, with certain tensions still existing. The discussion part of the study is centered around emergency remote teaching and planning, tensions between teacher beliefs and practices, and the shift from emergency remote teaching to regular, sustainable online schooling. The study provides administrators and teacher educators with insights on how emergency remote teaching can be planned and implemented during an unprecedented time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to model corona-virus (COVID-19) taking into account random perturbations. The suggested model is composed of four different classes i.e. the susceptible population, the smart lockdown class, the infectious population, and the recovered population. We investigate the proposed problem for the derivation of at least one unique solution in the positive feasible region of nonlocal solution. For one stationary ergodic distribution, the necessary result of existence is developed by applying the Lyapunov function and the condition for the extinction of the disease is also established. The obtained results show that the effect of Brownian motion and noise terms on the transmission of the epidemic is very high. If the noise is large the infection may decrease or vanish. For validation of our obtained scheme, the results for all the classes of the problem have been simulated numerically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to specify the passage and mathematical model of COVID-19. The infectious disease COVID-19 originated in China and has affected the whole world. In the present study, we have considered, the SEIR model to evaluate the spread of COVID-19 in Malaysia. In this article, we have explored the gesture of COVID-19 accurately by applying the newly advanced fractional operator of Atangana-Baleanu to the classical SEIR model. Based on (WHO) reported data in this study, we discussed the corona's virus's behaviour in Malaysia. We have taken the available infection cases from 1st May 2020 to 14th May 2020. We have matched our problem to Malaysia's actual data, which shows a firm agreement with the actual data. Based on data gathered by the World Health Organization (WHO), we have determined the basic reproduction number for the studied disease. Furthermore, we conducted a stability analysis for both the Disease Free Equilibrium (DFE) and the Endemic Equilibrium (EE) in order to understand the behavior of the model in terms of disease spread and persistence. The fractional model provided was solved through numerical methods using MATLAB software. We visually depicted and extensively discussed the impact of various parameters. Notably, our study projected the disease progression for the next 300 days through an approximation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid spread of COVID‐19 pandemic has caused a severe disorder in the global economy. The sudden imposition of lockdown is expected to largely impact the global as well as Indian economy. To overcome serious economic fallouts, the honorable Prime Minister of India, Sri Narendra Modi in his address to the nation called for "Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan" or "Self‐reliant India" as self‐reliance would help in making pragmatic developments of the economy. According to WHO, COVID‐19 is a new strain found among humans that are caused by SARS‐CoV‐2, mainly a respiratory tract infection. As a consequence, the COVID‐19 pandemic gives India a unique situation to face this period of crisis boldly for optimum utilization of the available resources, and shift towards a more resilient and sustainable economy. Attainment of self‐reliance and sustainable resource management will also help the nation to overcome various global challenges. The present study mainly focuses on two objectives: Firstly, to understand the different possibilities which will secure India to become self‐reliant; and secondly, to know the prospects of self‐reliant of India in the post‐COVID‐19 scenario. It has to be kept in mind that Covid‐19 may not be the last viral infection that the world might see. Therefore, Novel Coronavirus sets a distinctive chance for India and the countries alike to utilize the available resources strategically and transform its dreams of "local" India into "Glocal" India for a better and brighter future of her people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel coronavirus disease is a burning issue all over the world. Spreading of the novel coronavirus having the characteristic of rapid transmission whenever the air molecules or the freely existed virus includes in the surrounding and therefore the spread of virus follows a stochastic process instead of deterministic. We assume a stochastic model to investigate the transmission dynamics of the novel coronavirus. To do this, we formulate the model according to the charectersitics of the corona virus disease and then prove the existence as well as the uniqueness of the global positive solution to show the well posed-ness and feasibility of the problem. Following the theory of dynamical systems as well as by constructing a suitable stochastic Lyapunov function, we establish sufficient conditions of the extinction and the existence of stationary distribution. Finally, we carry out the large scale numerical simulations to demonstrate the verification of our analytical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 pandemic compelled medical schools to opt for online mode in medical education. The competency-based curriculum started in India last year onwards allotted more hours to practical teaching than lectures. As the lockdown extended, there was a need to shift laboratory teaching to online mode. We describe our experience of developing and implementing a framework to rapidly shift practical lab teaching of preclinical subjects to online mode. A mixed method study was conducted during the COVID-19 lockdown period in a public funded medical institute of India. A framework utilizing the principles of small group teaching using the available resources was developed and implemented. Online feedback was obtained from students, while in-depth telephonic interview was conducted for teachers. A D emonstrate- E ngage- A ssess framework for online P ractical teaching of P reclinical subjects (DEAPP) was developed and implemented. Feedback was obtained from 103 first year students and six teachers from preclinical subjects. Around 62%–80% students were satisfied with online practical teaching or agreed with benefits of various online tools used in the teaching sessions. Teachers found the framework more planned, and resource efficient, while students found it to be more engaging, enjoyable, and motivated for learning. No face-to-face interaction, non-experiential learning, and adaptation to newer technology were the main barriers perceived in online practical laboratory teaching. DEAPP framework was found to be feasible for rapid online transition of practical lab teaching and reported by the students and teachers as engaging, enjoyable and motivated learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Routine immunizations (RI) keep the infectious diseases under control in the community. However, during the coronavirus pandemic, to prevent the associated exponential rise in the number of cases, it became necessary to stop routine health services across the country. Routine Immunization also had to be discontinued. It is to be realized however that the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases is gradually increasing in direct proportion to the delay in administering vaccinations to eligible children. It's likely that we will face outbreaks of VPD if we keep RI halted for weeks together. Various dimensions of RI need to be examined from the perspective of the COVID-19 pandemic ranging from vaccine hesitancy to operationalization of services. In this article, we highlight this hidden problem, which has the potential to further challenge our already challenged health and healthcare-related situation. The domains which deserve careful consideration are discussed to supporting policymakers in making informed decisions in this regard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic spread in India is steeply rising. A 21-day lockdown has been imposed by the Government of India, to curtail its spread. This has impacted all walks of life, including availability of food and nutrition related services which would affect nutritional status of children throughout India. The two major schemes, i.e. Integrated Child Development Services Scheme and Mid-day Meal Scheme have been affected leading to risk of worsening of child nutrition. Some states have evolved their own strategies to mitigate the effect of lockdown. Here we discuss the challenges and way forward for ensuring availability of food for child nutrition during this health crisis. No single, optimal response to a public health emergency exists. The government and non-government partners must coordinate and scale up child nutrition services in the community through strengthening of public distribution system and home delivery of food parcels wherever feasible for beneficiaries of child nutrition programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, we provide a mathematical analysis for the novel coronavirus responsible for COVID-19, which continues to be a big source of threat for humanity. Our fractional-order analysis is carried out using a non-singular kernel type operator known as the Atangana-Baleanu-Caputo (ABC) derivative. We parametrize the model adopting available information of the disease from Pakistan in the period 9 April to 2 June 2020. We obtain the required solution with the help of a hybrid method, which is a combination of the decomposition method and the Laplace transform. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis is carried out to evaluate the parameters that are more sensitive to the basic reproduction number of the model. Our results are compared with the real data of Pakistan and numerical plots are presented at various fractional orders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current work is of interest to introduce a detailed analysis of the novel fractional COVID-19 model. Non-local fractional operators are one of the most efficient tools in order to understand the dynamics of the disease spread. For this purpose, we intend as an attempt at investigating the fractional COVID-19 model through Caputo operator with order χ ∈ (0 , 1). Employing the fixed point theorem, it is shown that the solutions of the proposed fractional model are determined to satisfy the existence and uniqueness conditions under the Caputo derivative. On the other hand, its iterative solutions are indicated by making use of the Laplace transform of the Caputo fractional operator. Also, we establish the stability criteria for the fractional COVID-19 model via the fixed point theorem. The invariant region in which all solutions of the fractional model under investigation are positive is determined as the non-negative hyperoctant R + 7 . Moreover, we perform the parameter estimation of the COVID-19 model by utilizing the non-linear least squares curve fitting method. The sensitivity analysis of the basic reproduction number R 0 c is carried out to determine the effects of the proposed fractional model's parameters on the spread of the disease. Numerical simulations show that all results are in good agreement with real data and all theoretical calculations about the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Facial nerve palsy leaves people unable to move muscles on the affected side of their face. Challenges exist in patients accessing facial neuromuscular retraining (NMR), a therapy used to strengthen muscle and improve nerve function. Access to therapy could potentially be improved through the use of digital technology. However, there is limited research available on patients' and clinicians' views about the potential benefits of such telerehabilitation based on their lived experiences of treatment pathways.Objective: This study aims to gather information about facial palsy treatment pathways in the United Kingdom, barriers to accessing NMR, factors influencing patient adherence, measures used to monitor recovery, and the potential value of emerging wearable digital technology.Methods: Separate surveys of patients with facial palsy and facial therapy specialists were conducted. Questionnaires explored treatment pathways and views on telerehabilitation, were co-designed with users, and followed a similar format to enable cross-referencing of responses. A follow-up survey of national specialists investigated methods used to monitor recovery in greater detail. Analysis of quantitative data was conducted allowing for data distribution. Open-text responses were analyzed using thematic content analysis.Results: A total of 216 patients with facial palsy and 25 specialist therapists completed the national surveys. Significant variations were observed in individual treatment pathways. Patients reported an average of 3.27 (SD 1.60) different treatments provided by various specialists, but multidisciplinary team reviews were rare. For patients diagnosed most recently, there was evidence of more rapid initial prescribing of corticosteroids (prednisolone) and earlier referral for NMR therapy. Barriers to NMR referral included difficulties accessing funding, shortage of specialist therapists, and limited awareness of NMR among general practitioners. Patients traveled long distances to reach an NMR specialist center; 9% (8/93) of adults reported traveling ≥115 miles. The thematic content analysis demonstrates positive attitudes to the introduction of digital technology, with similar incentives and barriers identified by both patients and clinicians. The follow-up survey of 28 specialists uncovered variations in the measures currently used to monitor recovery and no agreed definitions of a clinically significant change for any of these. The main barriers to NMR adherence identified by patients and therapists could all be addressed by using suitable real-time digital technology.Conclusions: The study findings provide valuable information on facial palsy treatment pathways and views on the future introduction of digital technology. Possible ways in which emerging sensor-based digital technology can improve rehabilitation and provide more rigorous evidence on effectiveness are described. It is suggested that one legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic will be lower organizational barriers to this introduction of digital technology to assist NMR delivery, especially if cost-effectiveness can be demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2). It was declared on March 11, 2020, by the World Health Organization as a pandemic disease. Regrettably, the spread of the virus and mortality due to COVID-19 have continued to increase daily. The study is performed using the Atangana–Baleanu–Caputo operator with a harmonic mean type incidence rate. The existence and uniqueness of the solutions of the fractional COVID-19 epidemic model have been developed using the fixed point theory approach. Along with stability analysis, all the basic properties of the given model are studied. To highlight the most sensitive parameter corresponding to the basic reproductive number, sensitivity analysis is taken into account. Simulations are conducted using the first-order convergent numerical approach to determine how parameter changes influence the system’s dynamic behavior.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been declared as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization (WHO). During this phase of the health crisis posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, news in print, electronic as well as the social media is abuzz with several emerging and reemerging terminologies. Some of them, such as “social distancing,” “infodemic,” “flattening the curve,” “quarantine,” “cluster containment,” and others were not in routine use but have suddenly reemerged and become the key toward understanding the disease and its prevention. Many of these terms have been a part of public health strategies used for centuries for containment of the spread of infectious diseases. These terms span across social, epidemiological, and administrative contexts concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. Our article aims to present a better understanding of the meaning and origin of these terms and their application in the context of the current pandemic based on a review of the available literature such as chapters from textbooks, published guidelines of the WHO and Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and published articles in journals and newspapers through a comprehensive search of the electronic database in English.