Purpose COVID-19 severity, characteristics of psychiatric symptoms using a brief psychiatric rating scale, and sociodemographic variables were explored and evaluated. Methods An exploratory study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, from July 13th to July 26th 2020, in an isolation facility at the COVID-designated Sola hospital in Ahmedabad, India. A total of 201 inpatients diagnosed with COVID-19 by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were included in this study. We assessed the presence and severity of psychiatric symptoms using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). Results Of the 201 COVID-19 patients, 63 (31.3%), 36 (18%), 16 (8%) and 14 (7%) experienced anxiety, tension, somatic concern and depressed mood respectively. The effect of the severity of COVID-19 on the mean of the total BPRS score was statistically signi- ficant ( F = 17.2, p = 0.000). In the severe COVID-19 group, the mean of the total BPRS score (22.6 ± 4.8) was significantly higher than in the moderate (20.3 ± 4.0) and mild (19.1 ± 2.2) COVID-19 groups. High levels of serum ferritin, IL-6 and D-dimer were associated with the presence of neuropsychiatric symptoms like hallucinatory behavior and disorientation. Conclusions The majority of COVID-19 patients experienced anxiety, tension and somatic concern. The presence of serious psy- chiatric symptoms like hallucinatory behavior and disorientation were predominantly seen in severe COVID-19 patients with signi- ficantly high serum inflammation and coagulation markers.

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has notably changed the working and community environment for health-care workers (HCWs) leading to burnout and feeling of being stigmatized by the community due to their work. This study aims at assessing the prevalence of burnout, perceived social stigma, and their demographic and work-related predictors. Methods: A cross-sectional study using Oldenburg Burnout Inventory and perceived stigma scale was carried out among 348 HCWs in COVID-19 designated hospital at Ahmedabad about 6 months after the onset of the outbreak in September 2020. The prevalence of burnout was assessed in two dimensions: disengagement and exhaustion. Severity of each was measured on low, moderate, and high levels. Results: Total 348 HCWs participated in study with a mean age of 28.05 ± 6.75 years. Two hundred and sixty-five (76.15%) HCWs experienced burnout and 200 (57.47%) high levels of perceived stigma. The level of burnout was measured on three severities. Factors which predict high burnout are female gender, lower education, unmarried status, living in a nuclear family, and high perceived stigma. Work characteristics such as duty hours, days of working, monthly income, and work experience does not predict burnout. Intern doctors had high burnout (87.25%, χ 2 = 28.067, P < 0.001) while nurses had high perceived stigma (70.97%, χ 2 = 14.307, P < 0.05). Perceived stigma is positively correlated with burnout (r = 0.26, P < 0.001) with its both components, disengagement (r = 0.19, P < 0.001) and exhaustion (r = 0.30, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Burnout and stigmatization are prevalent among HCWs. Psychological interventions needed to reduce their burden and improve quality care during pandemic.