1.How can we better support the public health emergency response workforce during crises?
Amy Elizabeth Parry ; Samantha M Colquhoun ; Emma Field ; Martyn D Kirk ; David N Durrheim ; Tambri Housen
Western Pacific Surveillance and Response 2021;12(4):01-03
For public health response to be effective, it is essential that we identify support mechanisms for people working in challenging response environments. The Regional Office for the Western Pacific needs programmes, such as Field Epidemiology Training Programmes, to ensure sustained workforce development. However, during crises a modified mentorship-like program may foster temporary support and empowerment within the workforce.
2.Contribution of the Australian field epidemiology training workforce to the COVID-19 response, 2020
Amy Elizabeth Parry ; Charlee Law ; Davoud Pourmarzi ; Florian Vogt ; Emma Field ; Samantha Colquhoun
Western Pacific Surveillance and Response 2022;13(4):86-90
The aim of this study was to describe the scope of the Australian Field Epidemiology Training Programme's contributions to the COVID-19 response during the first 10 months of the pandemic, to assist with quantifying the impact they have had during the pandemic and inform future Master of Applied Epidemiology programme learning priorities.
3.Re-positive testing, clinical evolution and clearance of infection: results from COVID-19 cases in isolation in Viet Nam
Ngoc-Anh Hoang ; Thai Quang Pham ; Ha-Linh Quach ; Khanh Cong Nguyen ; Samantha Colquhoun ; Stephen Lambert ; Huy Luong Duong ; Dai Quang Tran ; Cong Dinh Phung ; Nhu Duong Tran ; Duy Nghia Ngu ; Anh Tu Tran ; Hue Bich Thi Nguyen ; Duc-Anh Dang ; Florian Vogt
Western Pacific Surveillance and Response 2021;12(4):82-92
Objectives:
Asymptomatic infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and test re-positivity after a negative test have raised concerns about the ability to effectively control the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of COVID-19 asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic infections during the second wave of COVID-19 in Viet Nam, and to better understand the duration of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the dynamics between the evolution of clinical symptoms and SARS-CoV-2 test positivity among confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Methods:
We conducted a cohort analysis on the first 50 confirmed cases during the second COVID-19 wave in Viet Nam using clinical, laboratory and epidemiological data collected from 9 March to 30 April 2020. Kaplan-Meier estimates were used to assess time to clearance of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and log-rank tests were used to explore factors related to time to SARS-CoV-2 infection clearance.
Results:
Most cases (58%) had no typical signs or symptoms of COVID-19 at the time of diagnosis. Ten cases (20%) were re-positive for SARS-CoV-2 during infection. Eight cases (16%) experienced COVID-19 symptoms after testing negative for SARS-CoV-2. The median duration from symptom onset until clearance of infection was 14 days (range: 6–31); it was longer in re-positive and older patients and those with pre-existing conditions.
Conclusion
Asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic infections were common during the second wave of COVID-19 in Viet Nam. Re-positivity was frequent during hospitalization and led to a long duration of SARS-CoV-2 infection.