BACKGROUND: Governments and public health agencies worldwide experienced difficulties with social media-mediated infodemics on the internet during the COVID-19 pandemic. Existing public health crisis communication strategies need to be updated. However, crisis communication experiences of governments and public health agencies worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic have not been systematically compiled, necessitating updated crisis communication strategies.
OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aims to collect and organize the crisis communication experiences of senders (ie, governments and public health agencies) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our focus is on exploring the difficulties that governments and public health agencies experienced, best practices in crisis communication by governments and public health agencies during the COVID-19 pandemic in times of infodemic, and challenges that should be overcome in future public health crises.
METHODS: We plan to begin the literature search on May 1, 2024. We will search PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, Communication Abstracts, and Web of Science. We will filter our database searches to search from the year 2020 and beyond. We will use a combination of keywords by referring to the SPIDER (Sample, Phenomenon of Interest, Design, Evaluation, and Research type) tool to search the abstracts in databases. We intend to include qualitative studies on crisis communication by governments and public health agencies (eg, officials, staff, health professionals, and researchers) to the public. Quantitative data-based studies will be excluded. Only papers written in English will be included. Data on study characteristics, study aim, participant characteristics, methodology, theoretical framework, object of crisis communication, and key results will be extracted. The methodological quality of eligible studies will be assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist for qualitative research. A total of 2 independent reviewers will share responsibility for screening publications, data extraction, and quality assessment. Disagreement will be resolved through discussion, and the third reviewer will be consulted, if necessary. The findings will be summarized in a table and a conceptual diagram and synthesized in a descriptive and narrative review.
RESULTS: The results will be systematically integrated and presented in a way that corresponds to our research objectives and interests. We expect the results of this review to be submitted for publication by the end of 2024.
CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this will be the first systematic review of the experiences of governments and public health agencies regarding their crisis communication to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic. This review will contribute to the future improvement of the guidelines for crisis communication by governments and public health agencies to the public.
BACKGROUND: PROSPERO CRD42024528975; https://tinyurl.com/4fjmd8te.
UNASSIGNED: PRR1-10.2196/58040.

BACKGROUND: Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the main technique used to identify COVID-19 from respiratory samples. It has been suggested in several articles that chest CTs could offer a possible alternate diagnostic tool for COVID-19; however, no professional medical body recommends using chest CTs as an early COVID-19 detection modality. This literature review examines the use of CT scans as a diagnostic tool for COVID-19.
METHODS: A comprehensive search of research works published in peer-reviewed journals was carried out utilizing precisely stated criteria. The search was limited to English-language publications, and studies of COVID-19-positive patients diagnosed using both chest CT scans and RT-PCR tests were sought. For this review, four databases were consulted: these were the Cochrane and ScienceDirect catalogs, and the CINAHL and Medline databases made available by EBSCOhost.
RESULTS: In total, 285 possibly pertinent studies were found during an initial search. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, six studies remained for analysis. According to the included studies, chest CT scans were shown to have a 44 to 98% sensitivity and 25 to 96% specificity in terms of COVID-19 diagnosis. However, methodological limitations were identified in all studies included in this review.
CONCLUSIONS: RT-PCR is still the suggested first-line diagnostic technique for COVID-19; while chest CT is adequate for use in symptomatic patients, it is not a sufficiently robust diagnostic tool for the primary screening of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy and safety of adjunctive statin therapy in hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) remains uncertain.
METHODS: We systematically searched Medline, Embase, Cochrane, and ClinicalTrial.gov databases from March 2020 to late April 2024 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing statin versus no statin use in patients hospitalized with Covid-19. We pooled risk ratios (RRs) and hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) applying a random-effects model. R version 4.3.1 was used for statistical analyses.
RESULTS: We included 7 RCTs comprising 4,262 patients, of whom 2,645 (62%) were randomized to receive statin therapy. Compared with no statin, statin use significantly reduced case-fatality rate (RR 0.88; 95% CI 0.80-0.98; I2=0%). In a time-to-event analysis, we found similar results (HR 0.86; 95% CI 0.75-0.99; I2=0%). Statin use also significantly reduced World Health Organization (WHO) scale at 14 days (mean difference -0.27; 95% CI -0.54 to -0.01; I2=0%). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in length of hospital stay, elevation of liver enzymes, and C-reactive protein levels.
CONCLUSIONS: In patients hospitalized with Covid-19, statins significantly reduced case-fatality rate and WHO scale score.
BACKGROUND: No funding was used for this work.
BACKGROUND: A prospective register was recorded in International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) with the number CRD42023479007.

There have been 774,075,242 cases of COVID-19 and 7,012,986 deaths worldwide as of January 2024. In the early stages of the pandemic, there was an urgent need to reduce the severity of the disease and prevent the need for hospitalization to avoid stress on healthcare systems worldwide. The repurposing of drugs to prevent clinical deterioration of COVID-19 patients was trialed in many studies using many different drugs. Fluvoxamine (an SSRI and sigma-1 receptor agonist) was initially identified to potentially provide beneficial effects in COVID-19-infected patients, preventing clinical deterioration and the need for hospitalization. Fourteen clinical studies have been carried out to date, with seven of those being randomized placebo-controlled studies. This systematic review and meta-analysis covers the literature from the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 in late 2019 until January 2024. Search terms related to fluvoxamine, such as its trade names and chemical names, along with words related to COVID-19, such as SARS-CoV-2 and coronavirus, were used in literature databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and the ClinicalTrials.gov database from NIH, to identify the trials used in the subsequent analysis. Clinical deterioration and death data were extracted from these studies where available and used in the meta-analysis. A total of 7153 patients were studied across 14 studies (both open-label and double-blind placebo-controlled). 681 out of 3553 (19.17%) in the standard care group and 255 out of 3600 (7.08%) in the fluvoxamine-treated group experienced clinical deterioration. The estimated average log odds ratio was 1.087 (95% CI 0.200 to 1.973), which differed significantly from zero (z = 2.402, p = 0.016). The seven placebo-controlled studies resulted in a log odds ratio of 0.359 (95% CI 0.1111 to 0.5294), which differed significantly from zero (z = 3.103, p = 0.002). The results of this study identified fluvoxamine as effective in preventing clinical deterioration, and subgrouping analysis suggests that earlier treatment with a dose of 200 mg or above provides the best outcomes. We hope the outcomes of this study can help design future studies into respiratory viral infections and potentially improve clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUND: This review aims to study the clinical characteristics, diagnostic results, treatments, and outcomes in patients with heterotopic ossification following COVID-19 infection.
METHODS: A literature search for eligible articles was conducted using MEDLINE/Pubmed, Global Health, and Scopus databases (January 12th, 2023), including all case reports and case series from any country and language. The criteria for inclusion in this review were cases of COVID-19 infection subsequently developing heterotopic ossification.
RESULTS: This systematic review analysed 15 reports (n = 20 patients) documenting cases of heterotopic ossification following COVID-19 infection. 80% of the patients were male, with a median age of 59 years. All patients required intensive care unit stay with an average duration of 48.5 days. Mechanical ventilation was necessary for all patients and 30% of them underwent tracheostomy. Common symptoms included stiffness and pain, most frequently affecting multiple locations (70%), with the hips and shoulders being predominantly involved. X-rays were the most commonly used imaging modality, followed by computed tomography. Although treatment was given, some of the patients continued to experience symptoms, particularly stiffness.
CONCLUSIONS: 20 patients who developed heterotopic ossification after COVID-19 have been reported, the majority of which had at least two independent risk factors for this condition. The link between those two clinical entities is therefore uncertain, requiring further investigation. It is nonetheless important to suspect heterotopic ossification in patients with severe COVID-19 infection, prolonged immobilisation, mechanical ventilation, who develop joint pain and stiffness, as this condition can significantly impact patients\' quality of life.
BACKGROUND: CRD42023393516.

UNASSIGNED: Amidst the ongoing global impact of COVID-19 on public health, there is an increasing focus on holistic strategies encompassing integrative therapies and rehabilitation techniques, particularly in addressing the challenges posed by Long-COVID-19. This review investigates the potential of Qigong, an ancient Chinese practice characterized by gentle movements, controlled breathing, and meditative elements, within the context of COVID-19.
UNASSIGNED: A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar was conducted to identify pertinent clinical studies.
UNASSIGNED: Following thorough database scrutiny, nine studies were identified as meeting the eligibility criteria. Across the spectrum of COVID-19 severity, individuals engaging in qigong practice exhibited notable enhancements in both physical and psychological wellbeing, evidenced by ameliorated respiratory symptoms, reduced anxiety levels, enhanced sleep quality, bolstered mental wellbeing, and augmented health-related quality of life. Moreover, qigong training, whether employed independently or in conjunction with other therapies, demonstrated beneficial effects on Long-COVID-19 symptoms, encompassing persistent respiratory issues, dizziness, sleep disturbances, and compromised health-related quality of life.
UNASSIGNED: This review underscores the necessity for further investigation to quantify and standardize the contribution of Qigong to COVID-19 recovery and rehabilitation. Such endeavors aim to integrate this accessible and low-impact practice into public health strategies and comprehensive treatment regimens.
UNASSIGNED: The review protocol was registered in the Open Science Framework under the following doi: 10.17605/OSF.IO/7K5X6 (URL: https://osf.io/7k5x6).

This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to investigate students\' understanding of COVID-19 in Ethiopia and identify associated factors. The primary goal is to pinpoint key contributors shaping students\' perception and comprehension of the virus. The study aims to offer valuable insights for developing targeted educational interventions, ultimately enhancing students\' overall knowledge and awareness of the pandemic in the specific context of Ethiopia.
The study adhered rigorously to PRISMA criteria, ensuring a standardized methodology. Data from reputable databases like Google Scholar and PubMed were systematically collected. Ten relevant articles were meticulously analyzed using STATA version 11, with heterogeneity assessed by the I2 test. A funnel plot and Egger\'s test were used to check for publication bias. The determination of the pooled effect size utilized a random-effect model meta-analysis, offering a robust 95% confidence interval.
This meta-analysis, based on 10 articles, reveals an overall prevalence of 61.58% (95% CI: 47.26-75.89). Significant contributors to students\' comprehension include Social media users (AOR) = 2.38, urban residence AOR = 3.31, news media followers AOR = 2.51, fathers\' educational status AOR = 2.35, watching television AOR = 4.71, and health science students AOR = 4.21. These findings underscore crucial elements shaping students\' understanding of COVID-19 in Ethiopia.
Our analysis indicates that 61.58% of Ethiopian students possess a good understanding of COVID-19. Factors such as active social media engagement, geographic location, frequency of news consumption, father\'s level of education, television viewing habits, and enrollment in health science programs significantly influence their comprehension. These findings underscore the importance of implementing targeted interventions to enhance health literacy and education among students, thereby facilitating a more effective response to pandemics.

BACKGROUND: The disproportionate effect of COVID-19 on long term care facility (LTCF) residents has highlighted the need for clear, consistent guidance on the management of pandemics in such settings. As research exploring the experiences of LTCFs during the pandemic and the implications of mass hospital discharge, restricting staff movement, and limiting visitation from relatives are emerging, an in-depth review of policies, guidance and recommendations issued during this time could facilitate wider understanding in this area.
OBJECTIVE: To identify policies, guidance, and recommendations related to LTCF staff and residents, in England issued by the government during the COVID-19 pandemic, developing a timeline of key events and synthesizing the policy aims, recommendations, implementation and intended outcomes.
METHODS: A scoping review of publicly available policy documents, guidance, and recommendations related to COVID-19 in LTCFs in England, identified using systematic searches of UK government websites. The main aims, recommendations, implementation and intended outcomes reported in included documents were extracted. Data was analysed using thematic synthesis following a three-stage approach: coding the text, grouping codes into descriptive themes, and development of analytical themes.
RESULTS: Thirty-three key policy documents were included in the review. Six areas of recommendations were identified: infection prevention and control, hospital discharge, testing and vaccination, staffing, visitation and continuing routine care. Seven areas of implementation were identified: funding, collaborative working, monitoring and data collection, reducing workload, decision making and leadership, training and technology, and communication.
CONCLUSIONS: LTCFs remain complex settings, and it is imperative that lessons are learned from the experiences during COVID-19 to ensure that future pandemics are managed appropriately. This review has synthesized the policies issued during this time, however, the extent to which such guidance was communicated to LTCFs, and subsequently implemented, in addition to being effective, requires further research. In particular, understanding the secondary effects of such policies and how they can be introduced within the existing challenges inherent to adult social care, need addressing.

The ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) poses a serious threat to global public health and there is currently no effective antiviral therapy. It has been suggested that chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), which were primarily employed as prophylaxis and treatment for malaria, could be used to treat COVID-19. CQ and HCQ may be potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells, which are mediated via the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), and may also inhibit subsequent intracellular processes which lead to COVID-19, including damage to the cardiovascular (CV) system. However, paradoxically, CQ and HCQ have also been reported to cause damage to the CV system. In this review, we provide a critical examination of the published evidence. CQ and HCQ could potentially be useful drugs in the treatment of COVID-19 and other ACE2 involved virus infections, but the antiviral effects of CQ and HCQ need to be tested in more well-designed clinical randomized studies and their actions on the CV system need to be further elucidated. However, even if it were to turn out that CQ and HCQ are not useful drugs in practice, further studies of their mechanism of action could be helpful in improving our understanding of COVID-19 pathology.

UNASSIGNED: With real-time communication crucial to both healthcare professionals (HCPs) and the public in infectious diseases (ID), social media networking sites has become even more important. Twitter is the most popular form of social media used for ID communication. We will review the power of Twitter in ID.
UNASSIGNED: Twitter allows for real-time sharing of educational resources at ID scientific conferences, enabling individuals that are not able to attend conferences to follow conferences anytime anywhere and stimulate discussion around topics of interest with experts from across the globe. Further, Twitter chats are a valuable tool for stewardship, with different accounts periodically hosting chats on various stewardship topics. Several studies have also demonstrated the strong relationship between dissemination and citation impact of publications with the help of Twitter. There is great value in engaging with non-ID people on Twitter via dissemination of ID knowledge to other disciplines. Lastly, when used appropriately, Twitter is a useful site for distributing vaccine information, whether informally (by advocates and physicians) or formally (by government entities) and allows one to keep up with ongoing ID outbreaks in real time.
UNASSIGNED: Twitter has transformed how we communicate in healthcare. Particularly in ID, where bacteria and viruses can enter/exit borders anytime anywhere, global real-time information about outbreaks and antimicrobial resistance for clinicians and the public is critical. Twitter has no hierarchy or barriers, is a conduit for global collaboration, and is a way for HCPs and the public to \"social\"ize on healthcare topics, if used appropriately.