Prevalence and Outcomes of COVID-19 among Hematology/Oncology Patients and Providers of a Community-Facing Health System during the B1.1.529 (Omicron) SARS-CoV-2 Variant Wave

Article Public, Environmental & Occupational Health

Reported exposure trends among healthcare personnel COVID-19 cases, USA, March 2020-March 2021

Rachael M. Billock et al.

Summary: This study reveals the exposure settings of healthcare personnel during high community COVID-19 incidence. The findings suggest that workplace exposure may be a major contributing factor to healthcare personnel acquiring COVID-19.

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INFECTION CONTROL (2022)

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Article Immunology

Universal Use of N95 Respirators in Healthcare Settings When Community Coronavirus Disease 2019 Rates Are High

Michael Klompas et al.

Summary: The greatest threat of transmission in healthcare facilities may come from patients and healthcare workers with early occult infection. Universal use of N95 respirators when community incidence rates are high can help decrease nosocomial transmission.

CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES (2022)

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Letter Oncology

Enhanced SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections in patients with hematologic and solid cancers due to Omicron

Maximilian J. Mair et al.

CANCER CELL (2022)

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Article Oncology

Parallel evolution and differences in seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody between patients with cancer and health care workers in a tertiary cancer centre during the first and second wave of COVID-19 pandemic: canSEROcov-II cross-sectional study

Sylvain Ladoire et al.

Summary: This study investigated the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in cancer patients and healthcare workers (HCWs) before and after the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study found that the seroprevalence was higher in HCWs compared to cancer patients, possibly due to better self-protection measures among the patients. The risk factors for infection identified among HCWs suggest intra-hospital spread, especially among HCWs in contact with high-risk patients.

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER (2022)

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Article Oncology

Outcomes of the SARS-CoV-2 omicron (B.1.1.529) variant outbreak among vaccinated and unvaccinated patients with cancer in Europe: results from the retrospective, multicentre, OnCovid registry study

David J. Pinato et al.

Summary: During the omicron outbreak, COVID-19 outcomes in cancer patients in Europe improved compared to the prevaccination period and the alpha-delta waves. However, unvaccinated cancer patients remained highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, our findings support universal vaccination of cancer patients as a protective measure against COVID-19 morbidity and mortality.

LANCET ONCOLOGY (2022)

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Article Oncology

Psychological distress of cancer patients caused by treatment delay during the COVID-19 pandemic in China: A cross-sectional study

Yingjun Ye et al.

Summary: This study aimed to explore the impact of treatment delay on the mental health of cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results showed a positive correlation between treatment delays and increased levels of psychological distress and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. Effective communication with doctors and cancer-care professionals significantly reduced psychological distress levels and PTSD symptoms.

PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY (2022)

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Article Hematology

Early report on the severity of COVID-19 in hematologic patients infected with the SARS-CoV2 omicron variant

Fabian Ullrich et al.

Summary: Patients with hematologic diseases infected with the SARS-CoV2 omicron variant tend to experience milder symptoms or remain asymptomatic.

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY (2022)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Universal healthcare as pandemic preparedness: The lives and costs that could have been saved during the COVID-19 pandemic

Alison P. Galvani et al.

Summary: The fragmented and inefficient healthcare system in the United States leads to many preventable deaths and unnecessary costs. A single-payer universal healthcare system would save more lives and bring economic benefits during a pandemic.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (2022)

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Letter Medicine, General & Internal

Leading Causes of Death in the US During the COVID-19 Pandemic, March 2020 to October 2021

Meredith S. Shiels et al.

Summary: This cross-sectional study analyzes the leading causes of death in the US, overall and in various age groups, using national death certificate data for 2020 and provisional data for 2021 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

JAMA INTERNAL MEDICINE (2022)

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Article Medicine, General & Internal

Awareness of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant Infection Among Adults With Recent COVID-19 Seropositivity

Sandy Y. Joung et al.

Summary: This study examined awareness of infectious status among individuals during the recent Omicron variant surge in Los Angeles County. The results showed that more than half of adults with recent Omicron variant infection were unaware of their infectious status, and awareness was higher among healthcare employees than non-employees.

JAMA NETWORK OPEN (2022)

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Article Medicine, General & Internal

Factors Associated With Cancer Treatment Delay Among Patients Diagnosed With COVID-19

Samyukta Mullangi et al.

Summary: This study investigates the impact of COVID-19 on treatment delays among cancer patients. The results demonstrate associations between individual patient factors, social determinants of health, COVID-19 severity, and diagnosis date with treatment delays. Patients with multiple comorbidities, metastatic disease, and COVID-19 complications are more likely to experience treatment delays.

JAMA NETWORK OPEN (2022)

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Review Oncology

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes in Patients with COVID-19 and Cancer: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

P. Zarifkar et al.

Summary: The study systematically reviewed the prevalence, presentation, and outcome of COVID-19 in cancer patients. The pooled prevalence of cancer as a comorbidity in COVID-19 hospitalised patients was 2.6%, with higher rates in Western countries than in China. Common clinical symptoms in cancer patients with COVID-19 include fever, dyspnea, chest tightness, and decreased arterial oxygen saturation. The in-hospital mortality risk among COVID-19 patients with cancer was 14.1%.

CLINICAL ONCOLOGY (2021)

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Article Oncology

Immunoglobin G/total antibody testing for SARS-CoV-2: A prospective cohort study of ambulatory patients and health care workers in two Belgian oncology units comparing three commercial tests

Peter van Dam et al.

Summary: The study found that COVID-19 is heavily impacting the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer patients. Seroprevalence was low among cancer patients, and there were divergent results in antibody tests. The immune responses of cancer patients varied, with some showing poor humoral immune responses.

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER (2021)

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Article Oncology

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among the staff and patients of a French cancer centre after first lockdown: The canSEROcov study

Sylvain Ladoire et al.

Summary: A study conducted at a large cancer center showed low seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among both staff and patients, despite more high-risk factors among patients. None of the tested risk factors were statistically associated with seroprevalence in either group. Only fever, loss of smell, and loss of taste were significantly more frequent among seropositive patients.

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER (2021)

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Review Oncology

Supportive care in patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic

M. Aapro et al.

Summary: Cancer care has faced unprecedented challenges during the global COVID-19 pandemic, with supportive care being crucial for managing complications and minimizing hospital visits. Medical oncology societies are providing updated guidelines to help healthcare professionals devise and modify supportive care strategies for cancer patients during the pandemic.

ESMO OPEN (2021)

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Article Oncology

Impact of COVID-19 on healthcare organisation and cancer outcomes

Aurelie Bardet et al.

Summary: This study simulated the impact of changes in the management of cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic on hospital resource utilization and patient mortality, finding that pandemic-related diagnostic and treatment delays could increase the risk of cancer patient mortality.

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER (2021)

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Article Otorhinolaryngology

Treatment delay and tumor size in patients with oral cancer during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic

Karl Metzger et al.

Summary: This study retrospectively analyzed the treatment delay and tumor size of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results showed longer treatment delay and more advanced tumor staging in 2020, emphasizing the importance of not neglecting the treatment of oral cancer patients in the context of the pandemic.

HEAD AND NECK-JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES AND SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK (2021)

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Article Medicine, General & Internal

Risk prediction of covid-19 related death and hospital admission in adults after covid-19 vaccination: national prospective cohort study

Julia Hippisley-Cox et al.

Summary: This study derived and validated risk prediction algorithms to estimate the risk of covid-19 related mortality and hospital admission in UK adults after one or two doses of covid-19 vaccination. The study found that the risk of covid-19 mortality and hospital admission was associated with age, sex, ethnic origin, deprivation, body mass index, a range of comorbidities, and SARS-CoV-2 infection rate. Various conditions, such as Down's syndrome, kidney transplantation, sickle cell disease, and certain other diseases, were identified as having higher risk of covid-19 mortality.

BMJ-BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL (2021)

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Review Public, Environmental & Occupational Health

Clinical outcomes and risk factors for COVID-19 among migrant populations in high-income countries: A systematic review

Sally E. Hayward et al.

Summary: Migrants in high-income countries are at increased risk of exposure to and infection with COVID-19, with disproportionate representation among cases and specific predisposing risk factors. Urgent attention is needed on gathering robust data on testing uptake and clinical outcomes in migrants, as well as barriers and facilitators to COVID-19 vaccination, in order to strengthen engagement with diverse migrant groups in public health and policy responses to the pandemic.

JOURNAL OF MIGRATION AND HEALTH (2021)

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Article Oncology