Early COVID‐19 testing is critical to end the pandemic

Shimizu, Kazuki; Kondo, Kanako; Osugi, Yasuhiro; Negita, Masataka; Mase, Hiromi; Kondo, Tsuneo; Aoki, Makoto; Taniguchi, Kiyosu; Shibuya, Kenji; Tokuda, Yasuharu

doi:10.1002/jgf2.420

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…It is critical to have a quick and accurate strategy for detecting and controlling SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks in communities and hospitals in LMICs [ 64 ]. In LMICs, prioritizing certain individuals for testing of SARS-CoV-2 infection should be considered.…”

Section: Results and Overall Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The challenges of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing in low-middle income countries and possible cost-effective measures in resource-limited settings

et al. 2022

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Diagnostic testing for the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection remains a challenge around the world, especially in low-middle-income countries (LMICs) with poor socio-economic backgrounds. From the beginning of the pandemic in December 2019 to August 2021, a total of approximately 3.4 billion tests were performed globally. The majority of these tests were restricted to high income countries. Reagents for diagnostic testing became a premium, LMICs either cannot afford or find manufacturers unwilling to supply them with expensive analytical reagents and equipment. From March to December 2020 obtaining testing kits for SARS-CoV-2 testing was a challenge. As the number of SARS-CoV-2 infection cases increases globally, large-scale testing still remains a challenge in LMICs. The aim of this review paper is to compare the total number and frequencies of SARS-CoV-2 testing in LMICs and high-income countries (HICs) using publicly available data from Worldometer COVID-19, as well as discussing possible interventions and cost-effective measures to increase testing capability in LMICs. In summary, HICs conducted more SARS-CoV-2 testing (USA: 192%, Australia: 146%, Switzerland: 124% and Canada: 113%) compared to middle-income countries (MICs) (Vietnam: 43%, South Africa: 29%, Brazil: 27% and Venezuela: 12%) and low-income countries (LICs) (Bangladesh: 6%, Uganda: 4% and Nigeria: 1%). Some of the cost-effective solutions to counteract the aforementioned problems includes using saliva instead of oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal swabs, sample pooling, and testing high-priority groups to increase the number of mass testing in LMICs.

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Section: Results and Overall Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The challenges of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing in low-middle income countries and possible cost-effective measures in resource-limited settings

et al. 2022

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“…Diagnosis is based on the exposure history, clinical symptoms, laboratory test results, X-ray imaging findings, and a positive real-time reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) result for COVID-19. RT-PCR test is the current gold standard for identifying SARS-CoV-2 from respiratory specimens with suspected COVID-19 patients [13]. The purpose of this article is to analyze the maternal, fetal, and obstetric outcomes of pregnancies diagnosed with COVID-19 in the third trimester [14,15].…”

Section: Early Onlinementioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of COVID-19 disease on obstetric outcomes in the third trimester of pregnancy

Karaşin

Bayram

2023

The European Research Journal

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Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) diagnosed in the third trimester of pregnancy on maternal, fetal, and obstetric outcomes. Methods: This retrospective study included 109 pregnant women hospitalized with a diagnosis of COVID-19 during the third trimester of pregnancy (28-40 weeks) in a tertiary center between March 1 and December 31, 2020. Demographic characteristics, clinical signs, and obstetric outcomes of the patients were searched for analysis. Laboratory and x-ray results were reported, and treatment methods were summarized. Finally, mother-newborn results were recorded. Results: We included one hundred nine pregnant women in this study. We divided the patients into two groups as those with positive PCR test (n = 59) and negative PCR test and possible covid patients (n = 50) whose symptoms and histories meet the covid criteria. The mean age of the patients was 28.90 ± 6.21 years, and the mean week of gestation was 37.45 ± 2.29 weeks. Half of the patients were asymptomatic (n = 57, 47.7%), and 69% of all patients were delivered by cesarean section. The hospitalization time of antigen-positive cases was between 2-9 days. The mean lymphocyte count was 1.37 ± 0.45 ×103/mL in the PCR positive patient group, and this value was 1.67 ± 0.54 103/mL in the PCR negative patients (p = 0.007). While the mean neutrophil count was 8.13±3.16 ×103/mL in the PCR positive patient group, this value was 10.99 ± 4.14 ×103/mL in the PCR negative patients (p < 0.001). Fifteen patients required intensive care unit follow-up, and 2 of them died while receiving mechanical ventilator support. Conclusions: COVID-19 infection in the third trimester of pregnancy does not affect fetal and maternal outcomes if the disease is under control at an early stage. In hospitalized patients, symptoms are more precious than antigen testing.

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“…Racial and economic disparities in COVID-19 are multifactorial, influenced by social determinants of health and the cumulative impact of structural racism 4–6. Early testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is critical to protect against the viral spread by facilitating early isolation and allows for earlier intervention to improve COVID-19 outcomes 7,8. Early data indicated disparate access to SARS-CoV-2 testing, with Black patients being more likely to be tested in an emergency department (ED) or inpatient setting compared with an ambulatory setting and less likely to receive any testing compared with White patients 2,9,10.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[4][5][6] Early testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is critical to protect against the viral spread by facilitating early isolation and allows for earlier intervention to improve COVID-19 outcomes. 7,8 Early data indicated disparate access to SARS-CoV-2 testing, with Black patients being more likely to be tested in an emergency department (ED) or inpatient setting compared with an ambulatory setting and less likely to receive any testing compared with White patients. 2,9,10 Disparities in testing access may reflect barriers to health care unequally impacting racial/ethnic minority populations, such as less health insurance coverage, transportation difficulties, or living in neighborhoods lacking medical facilities.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Health Care Setting Choice for Adults Seeking Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Testing

Sparling

Walls²,

Mayfield³

et al. 2021

Medical Care

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Objectives: Equitable access to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing is important for reducing disparities. We sought to examine differences in the health care setting choice for SARS-CoV-2 testing by race/ethnicity and insurance. Options included traditional health care settings and mobile testing units (MTUs) targeting communities experiencing disproportionately high coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rates.Methods: We conducted a retrospective, observational study among patients in a large health system in the Southeastern US. Descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression analyses were employed to evaluate associations between patient characteristics and health care setting choice for SARS-CoV-2 testing, defined as: (1) outpatient (OP) care; (2) emergency department (ED); (3) urgent care (UC); and (4) MTUs. Patient characteristics included race/ ethnicity, insurance, and the existence of an established relationship with the health care system.Results: Our analytic sample included 105,386 adult patients tested for SARS-CoV-2. Overall, 55% of patients sought care at OP, 24% at ED, 12% at UC, and 9% at MTU. The sample was 58% White, 24% Black, 11% Hispanic, and 8% other race/ethnicity. Black patients had a higher likelihood of getting tested through the ED compared with White patients. Hispanic patients had the highest likelihood of testing at MTUs. Patients without a primary care provider had a higher relative risk of being tested through the ED and MTUs versus OP.Conclusions: Disparities by race/ethnicity were present in health care setting choice for SARS-CoV-2 testing. Health care systems may consider implementing mobile care delivery models to reach vulnerable populations. Our findings support the need for systemic change to increase primary care and health care access beyond shortterm pandemic solutions.

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Early COVID‐19 testing is critical to end the pandemic

Cited by 4 publications

References 5 publications

The challenges of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing in low-middle income countries and possible cost-effective measures in resource-limited settings

The challenges of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing in low-middle income countries and possible cost-effective measures in resource-limited settings

Impact of COVID-19 disease on obstetric outcomes in the third trimester of pregnancy

Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Health Care Setting Choice for Adults Seeking Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Testing

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