Introduction The epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rapidly spread worldwide, and the various infection control measures have a significant influence on the spread of many infectious diseases. However, there have been no multicenter studies on how the number of hospitalized children with various infectious diseases changed before and after the outbreak of COVID-19 in Japan. Methods We conducted a multicenter, prospective survey for hospitalized pediatric patients in 18 hospitals in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan, from July 2019 to February 2021. We defined July 2019 to February 2020 as pre-COVID-19, and July 2020 to February 2021 as post-COVID-19. We surveyed various infectious diseases by sex and age. Results In total, 5,300 patients were hospitalized during the study period. The number of patients decreased from 4,266 in the pre-COVID-19 period to 701 (16.4%) post-COVID-19. Patients with influenza and RSV decreased from 308 and 795 pre-COVID-19 to zero and three (0.4%) post-COVID-19. However, patients with adenovirus (respiratory infection) only decreased to 60.9% (46 to 28) of pre-COVID levels. Patients with rotavirus, norovirus, and adenovirus gastroenteritis decreased markedly post-COVID-19 to 2.6% (38 to 1), 27.8% (97 to 27) and 13.5% (37 to 5). The number of patients with UTIs was similar across the two periods (109 and 90). KD patients decreased to 31.7% (161 to 51) post-COVID-19. Conclusions We suggest that current infection control measures for COVID-19 such as wearing masks, washing hands, and disinfecting hands with alcohol are effective against various infectious diseases. However, these effects vary by disease.

Digital transformation is a topical theme in shipping research and professional practice, today. Our paper aims at developing a comprehensive framework of digitalization technologies and their maritime business implications, grounded on available evidence. In order to understand the full complexity of shipping digitalization activities, we addressed technology and management aspects in a coalesced framework. Our research follows a qualitative, case study approach. Five cases of advanced, shipping incumbents' digitalization activities were investigated. Our research outcome is an overarching theoretical model, which systematizes the technological components (technology typology), the prevailing management rationales (strategic drivers) and determinant factors (practices) of shipping digitalization.

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