Aims: During the Covid-19 pandemic, adaptation, flexibility and creativity is paramount in conducting Service-Learning courses. The study aims to evaluate the feasibility of a hybrid mode service-learning in Microbiology course conducted over a semester which involved undergraduate students being strewn all over the country, with highly diversified conditions varying from local movement control laws and availability of facilities such as internet access. Methodology and results: A cohort of undergraduate students conducted the course from the comfort of their own homes to teach underprivileged school students. The undergraduate students engaged school students in the proximity of their location, then conducted STEM activities over the course of a few weeks either via face-to-face, online or hybrid mode. Microbiology activities included microscopy using a Foldscope (paper microscope), isolation and growth of microbes, preparation of microbe-related food and others. Surveys were conducted with school students pre- and postprogramme, parents and the undergraduate students conducting the programme. While the school students benefitted from highly engaging STEM modules, the undergraduate students underwent a steep learning curve, mentoring school students in STEM whilst juggling challenges presented by the pandemic but finally achieved all learning outcomes. Conclusion, significance and impact of study Service-learning for life sciences subjects can be conducted efficiently during a pandemic when flexibility and freedom is given to students to achieve the learning outcomes.
Microbiological Phenomena ; COVID-19--epidemiology

Humans ; Pandemics ; COVID-19/epidemiology*

Humans ; COVID-19 ; China/epidemiology*

Humans ; COVID-19 ; Vaccination ; Neoplasms/epidemiology*

Autoantibodies ; COVID-19 ; Humans ; Singapore/epidemiology*

ABSTRACT Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) which caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV2) is the prevailing global health issue at this time, spreading rapidly despite various containment efforts. It is first reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and the total number of cases has reached 7,064,230 with 404,585 total deaths globally to date (June 7, 2020). SARS-CoV-2 is reported closely related to SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, the virus causes only mild symptoms in the majority of cases. However, it can progress to pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), eventually leading to multiple organ dysfunction, the major cause of mortality among affected patients. The primary modes of transmission include droplet and contact infection, and possibly respiratory aerosols in settings where aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs) occur. Diagnosis mainly relies on detecting the viral RNA in nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal specimens, combined with imaging techniques such as chest X-ray and computerized tomography (CT) scan. Currently, no empirical therapy or vaccine is available yet for the virus, and supportive measures remain the mainstay of treatment. Information about the virus is being updated every day. This review article summarizes the current knowledge surrounding the outbreak, including epidemiology, virological facts, pathogenesis, clinical findings, diagnostic criteria, and currently available therapeutics and vaccines, with a special emphasis on Middle Eastern countries including Saudi Arabia.
SARS-CoV-2 ; COVID-19--epidemiology

Humans ; COVID-19/epidemiology* ; Education, Medical

Humans ; Hong Kong/epidemiology* ; COVID-19

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may have increased the rate of presenteeism among front-line physicians. Presenteeism is the term used to describe attendance at work despite ill health that would normally prompt rest or absence from work. This study aimed to examine the associations between COVID-19 clinical practice and presenteeism among physicians. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2021 to January 2022. The questionnaires were distributed to 21,737 employed physicians who were members of the Japan Medical Association. Presenteeism was measured by the Work Functioning Impairment Scale. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between COVID-19 clinical practice and presenteeism. RESULTS: Overall, 3,968 participants were included in the analysis, and presenteeism was observed in 13.9% of them. The rate of presenteeism significantly increased with both the number of COVID-19 patients treated and the percentage of work time spent treating these patients (both P values for trend < 0.001). In comparison to those not currently engaged in the treatment of COVID-19 patients, presenteeism was significantly higher among front-line (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.71, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16-2.53) and second-line physicians supporting those in the front-line (aOR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.17-1.78). There was no association between involvement in COVID-19 vaccination services and presenteeism. CONCLUSIONS The burden on front-line and second-line physicians in COVID-19 clinical practice must be minimized. Employed physicians also need to recognize the importance of communicating with their workplaces about presenteeism.
Humans ; COVID-19/epidemiology* ; Presenteeism ; Japan/epidemiology* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Physicians ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective: To investigate the source and the transmission chain of a cold-chain product associated COVID-19 epidemic caused by 2019-nCoV Delta variant in Beijing. Methods: Epidemiological investigation were used to verify the exposure points of the cases. Close contacts were traced from the exposure points, and human and environmental samples were collected for nucleic acid tests. Positive samples were analyzed by gene sequencing. Results: A total of 112 cases of COVID-19 were reported in the epidemic from January 18 to February 6, 2022 in Beijing. Except for 1 case was uncertain, there were epidemiological links among 111 cases. The source of infection was the packages of imported cold-chain products from Southeast Asia, which were harvested and stored in a local cold-storage in January 2021, and packaged and sent to the cold-storage A in A district in June 2021, and then sold in batches in cold-storage B in B district from January 2022. The first case was infected in the handling of positive frozen products, and then 77 cases occurred due to working, eating and living together with the index case in the cold-storage B, cold-storage C and restaurant D. Besides the cold-storage B, C and the restaurant D, there were 16 sub-transmission chains, resulting in additional 35 cases. Conclusion: The epidemic indicated that the risk of 2019-nCoV infection from imported cold-chain products contaminated by package and highlighted the importance to strengthen the management of cold-chain industry in future.
Beijing/epidemiology* ; COVID-19/epidemiology* ; Epidemics ; Humans ; SARS-CoV-2