Clinical Characteristics and Risk Factors for COVID-19 among Health Care Workers in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objectives: The study explores the main health care workers (HCWs) clinical characteristics and related behaviors with procedures that impose risk of acquiring COVID.19 infection.&#x0D; Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at East Jeddah Hospital. 100 Health Care worker participants who were detected as COVID-19 cases from March to July 2020 was obtained from the infection control department, and these HCWs were asked to fill out a questionnaire designed for this study. Data was analyzed using SPSS, and categorical data presented as counts and proportions.&#x0D; Results: Among the100 HCWs who contracted COVID-19, there was a marked predominance of females (69.0%) over males (31.0%). When dealing with COVID-19 cases, 93.1% of HCWs reported wearing a surgical mask and 61% an N95 mask, while only 69–80% reported wearing gloves, a disposable gown and eye protection. The procedures found to increase the risk of infection were taking nasopharyngeal swabs (23.0%), inserting nasogastric tubes (22.0%), ventilation (17.0%), and tracheal intubation (14.0%).&#x0D; Conclusion: This study confirms that noncompliance with the use of PPE as well as performing a specific procedure and working in close contact (&lt;1.5 meters) for longer than 20 minutes increased the risk of infection. No minimal protective measures against SARS-CoV-2 infection.&#x0D; Recommendation: Analysis of the data obtained in this study demonstrates the significant of using personal protective equipment's effectively among health care workers and its vital role in reducing rate of infection transmission. However, further cohort study required in the same field to obtain a comprehensive outcomes.</jats:p

Measuring the Factors of Hesitancy in Saudi Population toward COVID-19 Vaccines

COVID-19 has major effects on the population, enforcing lockdowns and strict precautions across the world to deter the virus from spreading. The pandemic presents a significant threat to our health and well-being. As vaccines become available, COVID-19 lethality may be reduced by promoting widespread immunization. To achieve herd immunity thresholds for COVID-19, an estimated 70% of the population must be vaccinated. The public’s approval determines the success of the vaccination program. Understanding the factors that contribute to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is important. Therefore, this cross-sectional study was conducted on the Saudi population from all the regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to evaluate the level of knowledge about COVID-19 vaccines, estimate the turnout level for receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, and understand the reasons behind hesitancy toward COVID-19 vaccines. A total of 1,148 adults completed a web-based questionnaire, and the study tested several sociocultural and environmental variables that affect the community’s hesitancy toward vaccination. Results showed that gender characteristics had almost no effect on acceptance of the vaccination. Individuals of the younger age group &lt; 30 demonstrated an increase in the rate of vaccine hesitancy (53%) compared with individuals from the older age groups &gt; 40 (34.43%). In addition, middle and higher education groups were found to have significant vaccine hesitancy (77.4%) compared with the less educated group (41.1%). The most common concern among the non-vaccine takers in this questionnaire was that of vaccine safety: these participants believed the vaccine would result in health problems (49.3%), and most participants agreed (64%) that this was due to the insufficient duration of vaccine administration for safety evaluation.</jats:p

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population