key: cord-0798965-8h8y8b13
authors: Zhao, Jing-Ya; Zhang, Jing; Xu, Yan-Ping; Yan, Jia-Yang; Xu, Jin-Fu; Qu, Jie-Ming
title: Battling against the novel coronavirus: control strategies for and clinical management of the 2019 novel coronavirus infection in Shanghai, China
date: 2020-10-20
journal: Chin Med J (Engl)
DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000000904
sha: d166eba0a64d591f00be6dfcd7ecf988bdb8b12f
doc_id: 798965
cord_uid: 8h8y8b13

nan

At the end of 2019, presentation of viral pneumonia due to a novel coronavirus (2019 novel coronavirus) was reported in a group of patients in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. [1] Now, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has posed a significant threat to global health. Shanghai, the economic metropolis of China-with 344 confirmed cases, 320 recoveries, and three deaths as of March 11, 2020-is an area with low COVID-19 incidence. [2] In this study, we summarize several points on control strategies for and clinical management of COVID-19, which have a great impact on the overall control of the disease. We hope to present some valuable insights for the benefit of other areas worldwide.

The establishment of fever clinics for triaging patients is an effective strategy to control this emerging infectious disease. Available data show that confirmed COVID-19 cases in area of low infection incidence are mainly imported cases. [3] In these areas, most patients who present with symptoms of acute respiratory tract infection (eg, fever and cough) have no specific exposure history. These patients likely have the common cold or influenza and bacterial respiratory tract infections, which are prevalent in winter and spring seasons. Non-selectively admitting these patients into fever clinics is a waste of medical resources and would result in cross-infections, increasing the difficulty in distinguishing patients with COVID-19 for further isolation and treatment. Thus, in Shanghai, we have taken complete advantage of the telemedicine platform and have developed an online consultation service to advise patients to self-isolate at home or receive medical advice on the basis of their epidemiological history and symptoms. Providing patients with full access to healthcare visits and telemedicine services helps ease the burden on offline clinics and emergency departments and allocate healthcare resources in an equitable manner. Recent studies revealed that the median duration from disease onset to hospital admission for patients with COVID-19 in Shanghai is 5.5 days, which is much shorter than the median duration of 12.5 days initially reported in Wuhan. [3, 4] This may partially be attributed to the effective diagnostic workflow based on local epidemiology [ Figure 1 ].

Pathogen identification is the gold standard for the diagnosis of infectious diseases. Improvements in the diagnostic ability are of great importance in controlling the emerging epidemic. In a designated hospital in Shanghai, the quick RT-PCR kit for COVID-19 detection is widely used, which significantly shortens the diagnostic time frame.

In fever clinics of most hospitals in Shanghai, besides complete blood count and C-reactive protein measurements, chest computed tomography (CT) is used for screening suspected cases. Patients with characteristic imaging findings should undergo a respiratory viral test. If the pathogen identification result is negative, the patients should be individually treated, and RT-PCR testing for COVID-19 as well as chest CT should be repeated in the subsequent 48 to 72 h.

Various prediction models, such as the pneumonia severity index and confusion, uremia, respiratory rate, blood pressure, age ≥65 years score (CURB-65), have been widely used in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of community-acquired pneumonia and could provide guidance in choosing the optimal treatment location and optimizing individual therapy. However, most models lack specific indicators of viral infection and exhibit poor sensitivity in predicting the severity and prognosis of viral pneumonia. Through analysis of the clinical data of 528 patients diagnosed with viral pneumonia, an early warning model for predicting mortality in patients with viral pneumonia, namely, the MuLBSTA score, was constructed. [5] In general, the characteristics and prognosis of 99 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia in Wuhan were in line with those predicted on the basis of MuLBSTA scores detailed in the article published in The Lancet on January 30, 2020. [6] The Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center is the designated center for the treatment of COVID-19 infections. All diagnosed patients are safely transferred to the center and admitted to the general ward or intensive care unit (ICU). Currently, the cure rate has reached 80% in Shanghai. The Shanghai Expert Consensus on the Comprehensive Treatment of COVID-19 was officially released on March 2, 2020. It highlights the early indicators of disease progression, including advanced age, complications with other systemic diseases, progressive worsening of lung parenchymal pathology >50% for 2 to 3 days, cluster of differentiation (CD)4 + T cell count <250/mL, significantly increased serum interleukin-6 levels, lactate dehydrogenase level greater than two times the upper limit of the normal ranges, a serum lactic acid level ≥3 mmol/L, and metabolic alkalosis. [7] More importantly, medical experts tend to administer personalized and precise therapies on the basis of individual characteristics and continuously make adjustments and optimizations during diagnosis and treatment. Patients with a high risk of developing severe disease are followed up with continuous supervision for changes in vital signs, laboratory parameters, and chest imaging findings. Meanwhile, early interventions to prevent the development of severe disease are implemented, including early administration of anti-viral drugs (hydroxychloroquine is recommended), effective oxygen therapy and monitoring, maintenance of the immune system, enhanced supportive care, and a focus on internal homeostasis. Patients without potential risk factors are admitted to general wards with relatively minimally intensive but indispensable surveillance and support so that medical resources are allocated equitably.

Actively preventing nosocomial infections plays a key role in epidemic control in hospitals. The health authorities in Shanghai implemented a series of measures for the integrated management of both medical staff and patients. For medical staff, training to improve knowledge on COVID-19 and skills for protection was organized, especially for those working in high-risk departments such as fever clinics, emergency departments, ICUs, and respiratory departments. Access to sufficient protective equipment and reasonable distribution of medical resources were also of great importance. Meanwhile, doctors and nurses were provided nutrients and drugs to strengthen their immune systems to prevent infection. For patients, combined with megadata, the Shanghai government applied a color-based Quick Response code system during the epidemic period as a dynamic and real-time health status certificate for every citizen. Traditional questionnaires were substituted by electronic ones, which are a more accurate approach for obtaining epidemiological information. Moreover, family members were strictly restricted from visiting patients in order to reduce the risk of nosocomial infection spread.

A decreasing trend in COVID-19 cases has been observed since February 4, 2020. [3] The number of new cases in Shanghai from February 19 to March 11 was only 11, and no new cases have been reported since March 7, reflecting the significant contribution of effective prevention and control measures throughout the society in controlling the transmission speed of COVID-19. The epidemic emerged around the Spring Festival, the most important traditional Chinese festival, making it more complicated and challenging for the government to prevent its dissemination. First, all rallies and events were canceled, along with strict limitations on business hours and customer visits to public areas such as shopping malls and restaurants, reduction of passenger flow, and implementation of very strong propaganda. The Shanghai government also educated the public on wearing masks and emphasized hand hygiene through the internet and social media. Second, the government reduced public transportation, including flight, train, and bus services, and monitored all airports, train stations, and entrances to Shanghai. Individuals suspected of having the disease were isolated in a timely manner for observation. Individuals presenting with fever were referred to designated fever clinics. According to the data from the National Transportation Department, passenger flow markedly decreased by about 70% in Shanghai during the Spring Festival of 2020. Third, communities played an important role, from screening residents for symptoms (such as fever and cough) before community entry and conducting door-to-door checks to identify individuals who are infected or are suspected of being infected to provide assistance to those who are quarantined at home. It is worth mentioning that asymptomatic infection is also considered an important source of infection. Apart from the aforementioned strategies, one of the most effective management strategies for asymptomatic infection is sufficient testing for the detection of COVID-19 in individuals who have an epidemiological risk or are suspected of exposure and even exhibit mild or no symptoms.

None.

A novel coronavirus emerging in China -key questions for impact assessment

Shanghai: Shanghai Municipal Health Commission

A Descriptive Study of the Impact of Diseases Control and Prevention on the Epidemics Dynamics and Clinical Features of SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak in Shanghai, Lessons Learned for Metropolis Epidemics Prevention

Early transmission dynamics in Wuhan, China, of novel coronavirusinfected pneumonia

Clinical features predicting mortality risk in patients with viral pneumonia: the MuLBSTA score

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 99 cases of 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia in Wuhan, China: a descriptive study

Shanghai Expert Consensus on the Comprehensive Treatment of COVID-19

Battling against the novel coronavirus: control strategies for and clinical management of the 2019 novel coronavirus infection in Shanghai, China