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The present study was conducted from July 1, 2020 to September 25, 2020 in a dedicated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hospital in Delhi, India to provide evidence for the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus in atmospheric air and surfaces of the hospital wards. Swabs from hospital surfaces (patient's bed, ward floor, and nursing stations area) and suspended particulate matter in ambient air were collected by a portable air sampler from the medicine ward, intensive care unit, and emergency ward admitting COVID-19 patients. By performing reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for E-gene and RdRp gene, SARS-CoV-2 virus was detected from hospital surfaces and particulate matters from the ambient air of various wards collected at 1 and 3-m distance from active COVID-19 patients. The presence of the virus in the air beyond a 1-m distance from the patients and surfaces of the hospital indicates that the SARS-CoV-2 virus has the potential to be transmitted by airborne and surface routes from COVID-19 patients to health-care workers working in COVID-19 dedicated hospital. This warrants that precautions against airborne and surface transmission of COVID-19 in the community should be taken when markets, industries, educational institutions, and so on, reopen for normal activities., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

With COVID-19 paralyzing street food businesses, street food vendors are trying to sustain their operations. The current study helps them by identifying the importance of five prominent stimuli viz. authenticity, quality, staff-service, ambience, and value for money in developing desire for street food in individuals in India. Furthermore, the study contributes by identifying the role of street food nostalgia (as a mediator) and perceived risk of COVID-19, age, and gender (as moderators) on the direct impact of each stimulus on the desire for street food. The study uses partial least squares path modelling to validate the hypotheses using SmartPLS. The findings are comparable to other developing Asian countries, as the proposed associations are validated with perceptual responses from three prominent cities and well-known street food destinations in India. The study showed the relative importance of the five-stimuli based on the stimulus-organism-response framework in developing a desire for street food. The findings suggest partial to complete mediation of street food nostalgia across the three samples. Lastly, the perceived risk of COVID-19 along with age and gender emerged as prominent moderators for many of the direct effects of stimuli on desires for street food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed consumer buying behavior across the world. COVID-19 crisis brought a behavioral change in consumers' attitudes toward health, financial and social well-being. The current research work highlights the factors influencing consumer buying behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic considering saving and safety perspectives. Design/methodology/approach: This study attempts to understand the gap in buying behavior with reference to saving and safety. Survey-based study was conducted during the second phase of COVID-19, and the respondents were those who lived in highly affected COVID cities in India. Exploratory factor analysis and multiple regression analysis were carried out for testing the hypotheses. Findings: Seven factors became the prominent factors in consumer buying patterns during the pandemic. Consumers in the times of COVID-19 pandemic spend only on essential items as compared to nice-to-have and non-essential items. Research limitations/implications: Respondents considered in the research were millennials aged 25–40. The current research is limited to specific geographic location. Practical implications: The study assessed how savings and safety influence consumer buying behavior. The 2S framework model for consumer buying behavior during pandemic has been developed. The findings of the study provides a road map to the companies, policy makers, managers and consumers in understanding the consumer buying behavior during pandemic. Originality/value: The current research work observe the changes in the behavioral patterns of consumers in the context of 2S framework, i.e. saving and safety. This study offer novel contribution as there is no available literature that examined the saving and safety aspects together for consumer buying behavior during crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study focuses on work from home (WFH) issues faced by faculty members of higher education institutes in India during the coronavirus infection (COVID-19) pandemic. The study aims to understand the impact of these issues on faculty productivity. The study also analyzes the moderating effect of information technology (IT) training on the relationship between work- from-home issues and faculty productivity. Design/methodology/approach: This study is quantitative. Data were collected from 215 faculty members working in higher education institutes in India. Correlation and hierarchical regression analysis have been used to analyze the data. Findings: The analysis revealed that online teaching, lack of technology acceptance, poor working environment and work–life conflict negatively impacts faculty productivity. Thus, IT training work as a moderator plays an important role in reducing the WFH issues mainly Online Teaching, Lack of Technology acceptance & Poor Working Enviornment by increasing faculty productivity. IT training work does not moderate the relationship between work–life conflict and faculty productivity. Research limitations/implications: This research is limited to the higher education sector; the research limits the generalization of the higher education sector's finding to other sectors. Practical implications: The findings would help policymakers and educational institutes to explore the use of digital technology to break boundaries of workplace and education institutes to disseminate knowledge to a global level. The findings also help to understand how the workplace is essential for the smooth functioning of tasks of the institute. Social implications: The study will also help management, institute, organization, society and individuals to change their mindset that education can be imparted through online mode in a better way with the help of digital technology. Originality/value: There is a scarcity of research work examining WFH issues in conducting mandatory online classes due to COVID-19 pandemic and COVID-19's relation to faculty productivity in the higher education sector. This study contributes to the knowledge regarding the impact of COVID-19 on faculty productivity in the education sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (CoVID-19), primarily thought of as a respiratory system disease is actually a multi-system disease with immunological implications. CNS involvement in COVID has been explained in recent literature mainly for stroke, encephalopathy, encephalitis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis and myelopathy. There are few studies characterizing clinical spectrum of COVID autoimmune encephalitis. We present a unique case of post-COVID autoimmune encephalitis in a diabetic male presenting with language dysfunction and novel radiologic findings. Case presentation: Patient admitted to inpatient department of a tertiary care hospital of India was evaluated by bedside clinical examination, routine blood tests, CSF study with intrathecal SARS-Cov-2 antibody detection, commercially available tests for autoimmune encephalitis, neuroviral panel with HSV PCR, EEG, 3-Tesla MRI and PET scan. Patient was found to have personality change and transcortical sensory aphasia in the outset of COVID encephalitis. MRI findings like temporal involvement and insular ribboning are also being reported. The patient was treated with IV immunoglobulin and is on an improving course. Conclusions: This case reports dysphasia due to COVID-mediated injury to the language networks, with novel radiologic findings. Role of parainfectious versus immune etiology is also discussed. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanism and clinical spectrum of post-COVID autoimmune encephalitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Mucormycosis is a rare but serious fungal infection which has dramatically increased in post-COVID patients. There is a paucity of safety data on amphotericin B (amphoB) used for mucormycosis treatment. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this prospective, observational, active safety surveillance study was to evaluate the safety profile of amphoB in a cohort of hospitalized patients who were on the drug for suspected mucormycosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in hospitalized mucormycosis patients who had received amphoB were analyzed. The nature, severity, outcome of the ADRs were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 77 patients enrolled, 70% had documented history of prior COVID-19 infection. 96% had comorbidities, the most common being diabetes. Majority received conventional amphotericin B deoxycholate formulation. 97% experienced at least one suspected ADR and the median ADR/patient was 3. Out of 214 ADRs, 91 were serious but there were no ADR-related deaths. The most common ADRs were hypokalemia (31.78%), infusion-related reactions (22.43%), and anemia (17.29%). Thirty-three patients had serum potassium <2.5 mEq/L, while 11 had serum magnesium <1.25 mg/dL. Doubling of pretreatment creatinine level was noted in 15 patients. Seventy percent ADRs were of "possible" category as per the World Health Organization Uppsala Monitoring Centre categorization. CONCLUSION: AmphoB deoxycholate use in mucormycosis patients was associated with a high incidence of electrolyte abnormalities and infusion-related reactions. All ADRs subsided with medical management and none were fatal. The safety data generated from this study may be useful in resource-limited settings where the far more expensive liposomal formulation is not being used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The development of barotrauma in COVID-19 patients who were ventilated and admitted to the intensive treatment unit seemed to have been a problematic issue in the COVID era. This study aimed to explore the possibility of developing the barotrauma-related issues with mechanical ventilation in the cases of individuals suffering from COVID-19. Results: Out of 48 patients who developed barotrauma, 30 (62.5%) presented with pneumothorax, 22 (45.8%) with pneumomediastinum, 10 (20.8%) with subcutaneous emphysema, and 2 (4.1%) with pneumopericardium. Of those that developed barotrauma, 45 (93.7%) patients were in acute respiratory distress syndrome. In patients with and without barotrauma, significant factors were white blood cell count (p = 0.001), neutrophil percentage (p = 0.012), and lymphocyte percentage (p = 0.014). There were no statistically significant differences in CRP, procalcitonin, d-dimer test, LDH, or ferritin. Conclusions: Patients infected with COVID-19 have a high risk of barotrauma when on mechanical ventilation. As a result, the death rate in this patient group is higher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Literature suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in poor sleep quality, especially among the infected population. However, literature regarding the effect of COVID-19 pandemic and SARS-CoV-2 infection on occurrence of insomnia, restless legs syndrome and dream enactment behavior is either scarce or unavailable. Methods: This study was planned to assess the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the occurrence of insomnia, restless legs syndrome (RLS) and dream enactment behavior (DEB). For this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire comprising of items related to demographic details, past medical history, and information related to SARS-CoV-2 infection was distributed through social media. Insomnia was diagnosed using clinical criteria. RLS, DEB, sleep quality, depression and anxiety were assessed using a validated questionnaire. Information regarding the use of hypnotic medications was also gathered. Results: Of the 1596 respondents, 37.2% reported disturbed sleep while insomnia was reported by 22.6% respondents. 27.3% of respondents reported RLS and 17.4% suffered DEB. The odds of insomnia were greater among males (OR = 1.27; 95% CI: 1.03–1.58; P < 0.02) and among those who had SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR = 1.76; 95% CI = 1.42–2.19; P < 0.001). Similarly, SARS-CoV-2 infection was also associated with increased odds of RLS (OR = 2.48; 95% CI = 1.98–3.11; P < 0.001) and DEB (OR = 1.58; 95%CI = 1.21–2.06; P < 0.001). Insomnia, RLS and DEB were more frequent among respondents who required oxygen therapy, those who experienced loss of taste and/or smell, depression and anxiety. Prevalence of insomnia, DEB and RLS was higher than said prevalence among respondents with no history of SARS-CoV-2 infection, but lower than that of those with positive history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. 5.3% of respondents reported taking hypnotic medications before infection, 7% during infection and 5.3% after infection. Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2-infection-related factors in association with environmental factors have increased the prevalence of insomnia, DEB and RLS among subjects having infection. SARS-CoV-2-associated immunological changes, hypoxia and neurotropism may play a role in occurrence of insomnia, DEB and RLS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During pandemic, eye banks worldwide faced drastic reduction of corneal retrieval. Since precut tissues are uncommon in India, the onus is on corneal surgeons to maximize the donor corneal usage. The stumbling block making the stromal part unusable in the graft preparation of the Descemet membrane endothelial Keratoplasty is the stromal window creation to place the orientation mark on the stromal side of the folded graft. To overcome this, we simply marked directly on the folded Descemet graft, after partly stripping it from the donor cornea. Then, we unfolded, punched, and created two grafts after completely stripping it, retaining the Descemet part for the endothelial Keratoplasty and the stromal part for lamellar Keratoplasty. Initially, we used a special F marker, and later we marked an L using just a spatula. This simple technique needing no extra donor tissue or instrumentation maximizes the tissue utility with proper patient selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the patient demographics, risk factors, which include comorbidities, medications used to treat COVID-19, and presenting symptoms and signs, and the management outcome of COVID-19-associated invasive fungal sinusitis. A retrospective, propensity score-matched, comparative study was conducted at a tertiary care center, involving 124 patients with invasive fungal sinusitis admitted between April 2021 and September 2021, suffering from or having a history of COVID-19 infection. Among the 124 patients, 87 were male, and 37 were female. A total of 72.6% of patients received steroids, while 73.4% received antibiotics, and 55.6% received oxygen during COVID-19 management. The most common comorbidities were diabetes mellitus (83.9%) and hypertension (30.6%). A total of 92.2% had mucor, 16.9% had aspergillus, 12.9% had both, and one patient had hyalohyphomycosis on fungal smear and culture. The comparative study showed the significant role of serum ferritin, glycemic control, steroid use, and duration in COVID-19-associated invasive fungal disease (p < 0.001). Headache and facial pain (68, 54.8%) were the most common symptoms. The most involved sinonasal site was the maxillary sinus (90, 72.6%). The overall survival rate at the three-month follow-up was 79.9%. COVID-19-related aggressive inflammatory response, uncontrolled glycemic level, and rampant use of steroids are the most important predisposing factors in developing COVID-19-associated invasive fungal sinusitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aerococcus viridans is a rare Gram positive microorganism identified largely as environmental or skin contaminants. With the advent of an increase in the immunosuppressed population due to diabetes, the use of steroids and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, this bacteria caused a variety of infections like bacteraemia, urinary tract infections, and endocarditis. The use of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation Time-of-Flight Mass-Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), a unique technique of microorganism identification, has placed Aerococci among human pathogens, capable of causing infection among immunocompromised patients. The present case was of a 48-year-old female presented with dry cough, high-grade fever associated with chills and rigors, and generalised body ache and weakness for the past one week. She was a known case of bronchial asthma. She tested positive for COVID-19 and over the course of hospital stay, her BACTEC blood culture performed due to high fever which flagged positive indicated her as a case of Aerococcus viridans bacteraemia. Despite of all the efforts she developed respiratory distress followed by an episode of asystole following which she could not be revived. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: COVID-19 mediated immune dysregulation and cytokine storm can precipitate and aggravate Moyamoya angiopathy (MMA), influencing its disease course. This index study was undertaken to prospectively evaluate the status of neurological symptoms of MMA in relation to COVID-19 affection. Methodology and results: Follow-up MMA patients of institute's Stroke-clinic were telephonically interview from 24th March to 30th September, 2020. The first call familiarized them with COVID-19 symptoms and neurological manifestations of MMA, followed by monthly-calls with predesigned questionnaire. Patients with suggestion of COVID-19 underwent nasopharyngeal-swab-testing for COVID-19 Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) positive cases were subjected to antibody levels for COVID-19 Enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) 8–12 weeks after recovery. During symptomatic phase till 14 days of asymptomatic, they were contacted daily/alternate day. Any new onset/worsening of neurological symptoms were noted. The baseline clinico-radiological details were obtained from stroke-clinic registery. Subsequently, all data were analyzed and compared using descriptive statistics. Seventy four of 104 MMA patients could be contacted and enrolled. The mean age, time since last follow-up and compliance to previously prescribed medication were 23.5 ± 16.1 years, 9.2 ± 1.7 months and 90.5% (n = 67), respectively. Aggravation/new onset neurological symptom were seen in 64.3% (n = 9) of COVID-19 positive MMA (n = 14), of which 8 were seen among the 11 pediatric COVID-19 positive MMA [(Transient ischemic attacks) TIA-4, TIA with headache-1, seizure-2, stroke causing mortality-1]. Conclusion: COVID-19 infection can potentiate MMA causing significant morbidity and mortality, especially in children. Providing optimal care for severe diseases (such as MMA) in developing countries during pandemic remains a challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microfinance sector has played a vital role in economic development and financial inclusion in India. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic affecting economic activities, microfinance institutions (MFIs) were impacted adversely. The Government of India introduced a moratorium to borrowers for loan repayments. This study examines the impact of the government's initiative of easing borrowers' financial burdens and the number of active COVID-19 cases on the operational efficiency of MFIs in Indian states. Additionally, the analysis explores the macro-economic determinants of MFI performance. The study incorporates the random effects robust regression model. The findings suggest that interest rate and inflation impact every MFI performance criterion while national income only affects the loan penetration efficiency of MFIs. It is also found that the moratorium significantly helped borrowers, whereas, it had adverse effects on the loan penetration by MFIs. Lastly, it is shown that MFIs remained resilient to COVID-19 cases, except in the case of reduced number of borrowers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a large number of publications to inform, understand, conduct more research and control the situation. Although the researchers are analyzing the bibliometrics on this condition, no bibliometric studies are available on the publications related to post-covid mucormycosis. This study is aimed at bibliometric assessment of the publications related to post-covid mucormycosis. Methods: In the presented study, authors have performed the bibliometric analysis of the World health organization (WHO) database named ‘Global literature on coronavirus disease.’ WHO is maintaining this database since the pandemic, and it contains thousands of reports. Two simple search terms, ‘Covid’ and ‘mucormycosis’ used to search the entire database in ‘title, abstract, subject’ mode with the search string was tw:(mucormycosis covid). The search was not restricted to any date range. Results: Only 51 reports (40 articles and 01 clinical trials) were obtained with the above search terms. The study found that there is considerable growth in such publication in the last 6 months. Interestingly only three such reports were published in the year 2020. Database wise 38 of these 51 reports were available in Medline. Most of such reports were published by Indian authors. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology emerged as the most productive journal contributing the highest number (10) of these reports. Conclusions: The highly acclaimed publications were the reviews. This study suggests that India is the most productive country for publications related to post-covid mucormycosis. This resembles the fact that the country, faced the excessive emergence of post-covid-19 mucormycosis cases reported the secondhighest number of Covid 19 cases in the substantial worldwide outbreak in the second wave, which is followed by post covid mucormycosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 infections and deaths have largely been uneven within and between countries. With 17% of the world's population, India has so far had 13% of global COVID-19 infections and 8.5% of deaths. Maharashtra accounting for 9% of India's population, is the worst affected state, with 19% of infections and 33% of total deaths in the country until 23rd December 2020. Though a number of studies have examined the vulnerability to and spread of COVID-19 and its effect on mortality, no attempt has been made to understand its impact on mortality in the states of India.Method: Using data from multiple sources and under the assumption that COVID-19 deaths are additional deaths in the population, this paper examined the impact of the disease on premature mortality, loss of life expectancy, years of potential life lost (YPLL), and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) in Maharashtra. Descriptive statistics, a set of abridged life tables, YPLL, and DALY were used in the analysis. Estimates of mortality indices were compared pre- and during COVID-19.Result: COVID-19 attributable deaths account for 5.3% of total deaths in the state and have reduced the life expectancy at birth by 0.8 years, from 73.2 years in the pre-COVID-19 period to 72.4 years by the end of 2020. If COVID-19 attributable deaths increase to 10% of total deaths, life expectancy at birth will likely reduce by 1.4 years. The probability of death in 20-64 years of age (the prime working-age group) has increased from 0.15 to 0.16 due to COVID-19. There has been 1.06 million additional loss of years (YPLL) in the state, and DALY due to COVID-19 has been estimated to be 6 per thousand.Conclusion: COVID-19 has increased premature mortality, YPLL, and DALY and has reduced life expectancy at every age in Maharashtra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic has been a curse for cancer patients. The lack of understanding and unawareness in handling cancer patients during this pandemic has worsened their conditions. To analyze the real-world scenario, we studied 13 patients who were given immunotherapy during this COVID pandemic era and tried to analyze their outcome or any serious adverse effect that they suffered. This was a pilot study which would pave the way for further bigger studies in future. The aim of the study was to collect the details of patient receiving immunotherapy during COVID-19 pandemic. The data collected included the diagnosis, certain investigations, and the effects of the immunotherapy drugs and its side effects. Results: During this COVID pandemic period starting from March 20 to June 20, we have been regularly giving immunotherapy drugs such as nivolumab, pembrolizumab, and atezolizumab to our patients. We had given six patients nivolumab, six patients pembrolizumab, and one patient atezolizumab. Of the 13 patients who continued to receive immunotherapy in COVID pandemic era, 4 patients were receiving immunotherapy for lung cancer, 3 for head-and-neck malignancy, 2 for relapse lymphoma, and 1 each for hepatocellular carcinoma, renal cell cancer, malignant melanoma, and soft-tissue cancer. One of the patients receiving atezolizumab had actually progressed after receiving pembrolizumab. There was no Grade 3 or 4 toxicity to these drugs and most of our patients continued to be in stable disease/partial remission. One patient had died just after receiving one cycle of nivolumab. Conclusion: COVID-19 infection has posed an unforeseen predicament both for the patients and the treating oncologist. In absence of any previous data, it is very difficult to manage cancer patients where the treatment itself is thought to harm the patients. This is a humble effort to bring to the notice of the world that immunotherapy can be continued during COVID pandemic, provided we take all due precautions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current global pandemic caused by COVID-19 has brought about an immense effect on the mental health of the general public. Considering the escalation in number of cases, mankind is facing a myriad of psychological problems, ranging from those related to taking precautions and maintaining safety to the ones caused by separation and bereavement. The current study aims to explore whether there is a significant difference between individuals with excellent, good, fair and vague knowledge of COVID-19 with respect to depression, anxiety, stress, level of mindfulness, specific cognitive emotion regulation strategies and psychological flexibility; to find out whether there is any significant relationship among these variables; and to determine whether knowledge of COVID-19, level of mindfulness, specific cognitive emotion regulation strategies and psychological flexibility are significant predictors of depression, anxiety and stress in the sample of the current study. The sample consisted of 402 individuals selected from the community following the research criteria. Data was collected using digital consent form, information schedule and questionnaires, from 3rd May to 13th May, 2020. The questionnaires consisted of a semi-structured interview schedule to assess knowledge of COVID-19, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale – 21, Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire-Short Form, Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire-Short version and Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II. The data was statistically analyzed using analysis of variance test, correlational analysis and linear regression. The findings show that significant differences were present among individuals having varying degrees of knowledge of COVID-19 with respect to anxiety, level of mindfulness and psychological flexibility. Significant relationships were found to be present among the variables of the present study, having differing trends brought forward by the COVID-19 crisis. Certain socio-demographic characteristics and study variables were found to significantly predict the existing levels of depression, anxiety and stress in the current sample. The study suggests the necessity to formulate and implement appropriate mindfulness-based therapeutic interventions to address the mental health concerns arising as a result of the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Studies on host-pathogen interaction have identified human ACE2 as a host cell receptor responsible for mediating infection by coronavirus (COVID-19). Subsequent studies have shown striking difference of allele frequency among Europeans and Asians for a polymorphism rs2285666, present in ACE2. It has been revealed that the alternate allele (TT-plus strand or AA-minus strand) of rs2285666 elevate the expression level of this gene upto 50%, hence may play a significant role in SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility. Therefore, we have first looked the phylogenetic structure of rs2285666 derived haplotypes in worldwide populations and compared the spatial frequency of this particular allele with respect to the COVID-19 infection as well as case-fatality rate in India. For the first time, we ascertained a significant positive correlation for alternate allele (T or A) of rs2285666, with the lower infection as well as case-fatality rate among Indian populations. We trust that this information will be useful to understand the role of ACE2 in COVID-19 susceptibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In May 2021, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was detected in Asiatic lions in a zoological park in India. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses showed the SARS-CoV-2 strains were the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant. To reduce transmission of variants of concern, surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in wild animal populations should be increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With an increasing number of COVID-19 cases and a lack of definitive treatment, there is an increasing burden on already stressed health care sector in India.The patients that require medical and surgical intervention need to be triaged and provided with adequate treatment. India has a major chunk of head and neck malignancy in the world attributable to tobacco use. These patients when diagnosed early have a fair survival rate. Health personals bear the responsibility to provide early and adequate treatment to these patients and at the same time, need to follow all measures to contain the spread of the virus. The present review highlights the various issues and newer guidelines in the management of head and neck malignancy patients during the COVID pandemic. The current review aims to present a comprehensive outlook of the updated evidence base available from PUBMED and other search engines. In India, treatment of head and neck malignancy patients are severely affected at this time of COVID-19, due to the long waiting period, delayed diagnosis, limited dedicated centres for head and neck cancer.The pandemic had diverted resources and manpower leading to potentially poor outcome of the head and neck malignancy patients. Triage policy, safety precautions for health care staff is the need of the hour and should be imbibed in regular practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID -19 (Corona Virus Disease of 2019) what is known to be first incidence from Wuhan, China has now discovered its spread & threat to every other country. Protective measurements and better addressing policies seem to be the only way of fighting against COVID-19 progression till the vaccination to be invented. Study aims at finding the estimated progression of COVID -19 spread in India at different rates of transmission (R0) by using Susceptible, Exposed, Infected, Recovered (SEIR) model using online data COVID -19 registered cases in India collected from 30th January 2020 to 28th April 2020 for earlier phase of the research & then till June 30th 2020 for later part of the study. Also the data of around 206 countries for BCG vaccine coverage & 155 countries for temperature effect were assessed for finding correlation with COVID-19 morbidity. Reproduction number for COVID -19 for India was found at R0 =2.51 with transmission rate (β) = 0.24560 per day, latent period α = 0.19231 & recovery rate γ = 0.09785 for earlier date 28 th April 2020, then found to be decreased at R0 = 2.03 & β = 0.19865 per day later for June 30 th 2020 while recovery and latency time assumed to be constant. Weak negative correlation found for BCG & temperature rise with COVID -19 morbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When on March 24, 2020 the Government of India ordered a complete lockdown of the country as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it had serious unwanted implications for farmers and the supply chains for agricultural produce. This was magnified by the fact that, as typically in developing countries, India's economy is strongly based on farming, industrialization of its agricultural systems being only modest. This paper reports on the various consequences of the COVID-19 lockdown for farming systems in India, including the economy, taking into account the associated emergency responses of state and national governments. Combining quantitative and qualitative sources of information with a focus on the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, including expert elicitation and a survey of farmers, the paper identifies and analyzes the different factors that contributed to the severe disruption of farming systems and the agricultural sector as a whole following the lockdown. Among other issues, our study finds that the lack of migrant labor in some regions and a surplus of workers in others greatly affected the April harvest, leading to a decline in agricultural wages in some communities and an increase in others, as well as to critical losses of produce. Moreover, the partial closure of rural markets and procurement options, combined with the insufficient supply of products, led to shortages of food supplies and dramatically increased prices, which particularly affected urban dwellers and the poor. We argue that the lessons learned from the COVID-19 crisis could fuel the development of new sustainable agro-policies and decision-making in response not only to future pandemics but also to the sustainable development of agricultural systems in India and in developing countries in general. • The lockdown in response to COVID-19 has seriously disrupted Indian farms. • Farms have been less profitable amid rising food prices, putting pressure on food security. • A lack of migrant labor has led to a loss of produce and affected the spring harvest. • Experience and relief packages may help to develop Indian agriculture sustainably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]