Background
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Indonesia has led to an increase in mental health problems, especially among those with comorbid hypertension. Uncontrolled hypertension is the primary comorbidity of COVID-19. Thus, this study aimed to determine the pattern of uncontrolled hypertension at two time points during the pandemic and to confirm its relationship with common mental disorders (CMDs).
Methods
This longitudinal study was conducted at two time points (2019 and 2021), and the data of individuals with hypertension was sourced from the Bogor of Noncommunicable Diseases Risk Factors Cohort Study. Data of 1,231 respondents who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the analyses. The Self-Reported Questionnaire-20 was used to measure CMDs (score of >6). This study used a generalized estimating equation to analyze the data.
Results
The percentage of those with uncontrolled hypertension increased from 57.6% to 66.4%, whereas those with CMDs increased from 6.1% to 11.5%, from 2019 to 2021. The risk of uncontrolled hypertension was higher in patients with CMDs than in those without CMDs. The risk of uncontrolled hypertension increased from twice (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.071–2.069) in 2019 to 3 times (aOR, 2.765; 95% CI, 2.243–3.287) in 2021.
Conclusion
Since stress increases the risk of developing uncontrolled hypertension, individuals with hypertension must be able to manage their stress. Apropos this, the governments should provide mental health consultation services in treating patients with hypertension, especially during adverse events such as pandemics.

Metformin is widely used drugs in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, the mechanisms of action are complex and are still not fully understood yet. Metformin has a dose-dependent blood sugar-lowering effect. The most common adverse reactions of metformin are gastrointestinal symptoms, and women tend to be more experienced than men. A positive correlation between the administration of duration and the daily dose of metformin and the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency is confirmed. Novel glucose-lowering mechanism through the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase and alteration of gut microbiota composition is identified. In addition, metformin has immunomodulatory properties in various mechanisms, including anti-inflammatory actions, and so forth. Metformin improves insulin sensitivity, which may reduce the risk of tumor growth in certain cancers. The antiviral effects of metformin may occur through several mechanisms, including blocking angiotensin converting enzyme 2 receptor, and so forth. These potential mechanisms of metformin are promising in various clinical settings, such as inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, cancer, and coronavirus disease 2019.

Citations

• USING BIOPELLETS WITH METFORMIN IN THE EXPERIMENTAL METABOLIC SYNDROME
  N. I. Voloshchuk, V. G. Zolotareva, A. V. Hara, O. S. Pashynska, I. V. Taran, A. V. Melnyk, V. O. Denysiuk
  World of Medicine and Biology.2024; 20(89): 220.     CrossRef
• Metformin in Antiviral Therapy: Evidence and Perspectives
  Iryna Halabitska, Pavlo Petakh, Oleh Lushchak, Iryna Kamyshna, Valentyn Oksenych, Oleksandr Kamyshnyi
  Viruses.2024; 16(12): 1938.     CrossRef

Background
No disease-specific, reliable, and valid self-assessment tools exist for athletes with mild coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to self-return to sports. This study aimed to develop a self-assessment screening method for athletes with mild COVID-19.
Methods
Item generation, item reduction, and pretesting were used to develop a questionnaire that served as a screening tool to detect severe post-COVID-19 complications. The questionnaire was validated by both internal and external reviewers, and the final version consisted of 11 items. Face validity was assessed through direct interviews with 11 athletes. Severe COVID-19 complications were identified for criterion validity and correlation analysis. A total score of 11 indicates that there is no risk of severe COVID-19 complications and gradual return to play is recommended; results <11 indicate a need for further evaluation by trained medical personnel. For reliability test, 50 respondents were chosen and asked to answer the questionnaires 7 days after their first responses.
Results
Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaires for post-COVID-19 athletes (PAR-COVID-Q) demonstrated excellent internal consistency (r=1, P<0.05) and test-retest reliability (r=1, P<0.05). A total of 118 athletes scored 11, had normal health screening, normal electrocardiogram and chest X-ray, and successfully returned to sports without any reported complications (r=1, P<0.05). Two athletes scored <11 and underwent further medical evaluation.
Conclusion
The PAR-COVID-Q is a valid and reliable self-assessment tool with a low burden for athletes to return to sports following mild COVID-19.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is notable among infectious diseases for its distinctive impact, which has halted millions of livelihoods owing to strict social distancing rules and lockdowns. Consequently, millions of individuals have turned to online sources, particularly social media, to remain informed about the virus. The transition to digital sources has resulted in an abundance of information, including both accurate and misleading or false content being shared and consumed on online platforms, contributing to what is commonly referred to as an “infodemic.” Although these platforms have been valuable tools for healthcare professionals and public health authorities in disseminating crucial public health messages, they have also aided in the spread of misleading and false information. The widespread dissemination of false information has been instrumental in propagating harmful beliefs and behaviors such as vaccine hesitancy, promoting discriminatory attitudes, and endorsing false beliefs about the efficacy of certain therapeutic products for treating COVID-19. False information has undoubtedly become a challenge and burden for governments, health professionals, and the general population. This review has three main objectives: (1) to assess the scope of the “infodemic” issue, including investigating the factors contributing to the spread of false information online; (2) to examine the multifaceted consequences resulting from false information; and (3) to argue that an interdisciplinary, multi-layered approach, encompassing a focus on prevention, deterrence, and education, should be adopted to prevent the conception and dissemination of false information in this modern digital age.

Citations

• Reflecting on progress and challenges: the Korean Journal of Family Medicine in 2024
  Seung-Won Oh
  Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2025; 46(2): 55.     CrossRef
• Clustering vaccine hesitancy and social media use of nurses and nursing students: a cross-sectional study
  Dania Comparcini, Valentina Simonetti, Melania Totaro, Letizia Governatori, Francesco Pastore, Antonio Di Lorenzo, Silvio Tafuri, Jeremia Keisala, Kristina Mikkonen, John Unsworth, Marco Tomietto, Giancarlo Cicolini
  Applied Nursing Research.2025; : 151976.     CrossRef
• The Interconnected Nature of Smoking, Depression, and Obesity in Behavioral Medicine
  Joung Sik Son
  Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2024; 45(4): 181.     CrossRef

Background
Since the World Health Organization’s pandemic declaration in March 2020, Korea has witnessed shifts in lifestyle behaviors, impacting habits tied to socioeconomic status and contributing to metabolic syndrome (MetS). To investigate this issue, the current study aimed to investigate changes in MetS prevalence, particularly based on income levels before and after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Methods
This study used data from the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2019–2020). A total of 6,840 individuals aged 30–65 years were included in this study. Household income was divided into high (≥75th percentile), middle (25–75th percentile), and low (≤25th percentile). A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the interaction between this association before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Results
A statistically significant difference was found in the prevalence of MetS before and after the COVID-19 pandemic (26.7% to 30.2%, P=0.001). These changes differed based on income levels. The increase in the prevalence of MetS was statistically significant in the low- and high-income groups but not in the middle-income group (low: 8.0%p increase [P=0.039], middle: 1.0%p increase [P=0.522], high: 6.4%p increase [P<0.001]). The interaction between household income and the COVID-19 pandemic on MetS was statistically significant (P for interaction=0.032).
Conclusion
This study revealed that P for interaction between household income, MetS, and the period before and after the COVID-19 pandemic was significant. Changes in physical activity and eating habits during the COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to these differences.

Background
This study aimed to improve the clinical course of patients through rapid response by analyzing the characteristics of critically ill patients with confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Busan between December 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021.
Methods
We divided patients diagnosed with COVID-19 into mild-to-moderate and critical groups based on their clinical severity. The critically ill patients were further sub-divided into delta and delta variant non-epidemic group.
Results
The following factors were significantly more frequent in critically ill patients than in patients with mild-tomoderate symptoms: male sex, age ≥60 years, symptoms at the time of diagnosis, and those with underlying diseases. The following factors were significantly more common in the non-delta variant epidemic group than in the delta variant epidemic group in critically ill patients: male sex, age ≥60 years, underlying diseases, and not being vaccinated. In the delta variant epidemic group, the duration between confirmation of disease and its progression to critically ill status was significantly shorter than that in the non-delta variant epidemic group.
Conclusion
COVID-19 is characterized by the emergence of new variants and repeated epidemics. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the characteristics of critically ill patients to efficiently distribute and manage medical resources.

The incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing exponentially globally, with 90% of the confirmed cases being type 2 DM. The global incidence of DM is expected to increase by 48% during 2017–2045. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to have a massive impact on human health, causing sudden lifestyle changes through quarantine measures, such as lockdown, social distancing, various curfews, and isolation at home. This in turn might increase the risk of developing numerous chronic diseases, such as DM, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases, which increase the severity of COVID-19. To this end, we performed a comprehensive review to determine viable measures for the prevention of DM and its subsequent upsurge globally. Additionally, we have determined strategies that should be adopted globally to ensure a healthy lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic and later.

Citations

• Enhancement of Virtues: Key to a Healthy Lifestyle against Chronic Diseases and Future Health Crisis
  Dalmacito A. Cordero Jr.
  Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2023; 44(4): 244.     CrossRef

Background
A total of 8,303 individuals (4.3%) with adverse reactions (n=191,860) after vaccination developed serious conditions or died. Such health developments could cause people not vaccinated yet or waiting for a booster shot to become fearful of the vaccination.
Methods
The 3-month (July–September 2021) clinical data of 41 patients from the family medicine department of a single medical center were analyzed retrospectively to determine risk factors and to investigate the clinical course to identify the cause of symptoms in detail.
Results
A significant number of older adults aged over 50 years reported experiencing general weakness (P=0.026) but fewer incidences of fever than patients aged 50 years or younger (P=0.011). Eighteen of the 41 patients were requested to visit more than twice or consult a specialist. In 14 patients, the symptoms were explained by other medical causes.
Conclusion
The primary physician has a pivotal role in thoroughly evaluating patients who complain of adverse effects after vaccination, considering the broad multitude of symptoms and medical conditions presented. To thoroughly evaluate and appropriately advise patients with adverse reactions to their chosen vaccine, taking detailed medical history and nutritional counseling are required to identify possible underlying causes, resolve symptoms, and educate them on self-care and regarding vaccines.

Citations

• Correspondence: Clinical Course of Adverse Effects after COVID-19 Vaccination
  Amnuay Kleebayoon, Viroj Wiwanitkit
  Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2023; 44(5): 299.     CrossRef

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected several countries worldwide, including Malaysia, with the first reported case occurring in January 2020. Terengganu, a state on the east coast of Malaysia, is finding it challenging to contain the disease by aggressively instituting all public health measures to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases and community transmission. Our primary health clinic, which is situated in a semi-rural district in Terengganu, is also involved in the implementation of containment measures, community risk measurement, and the initial management of COVID-19 cases. The health clinic changed the clinic system for the delivery of healthcare services to avoid overcrowding of patients and adapted innovative ways of providing medical services, such as telemedicine and “drive-through” pharmacy. It also provided continuous health education and awareness regarding COVID-19 to both patients and clinic attendees. The essential element of combating the infection is the effective control of infection in a small, isolated clinic in which space and adequate facilities are known challenges. This study aimed to highlight the flow of COVID-19 management starting from screening, triaging, and management based on protocol, implementation of infection control measures, and training of healthcare workers in our health clinic. The mental health of these workers was managed by the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Unit, as recommended by the Ministry of Health Malaysia. The role of primary care clinics in the ongoing pandemic is currently increasing. Hence, higher authority and the government must increase the number of facilities, human resources, and financial budget to ensure that all initiatives can be implemented effectively.

Citations

• Promoting Health Literacy: Preparing for Future Health Crises
  Dalmacito A. Cordero Jr.
  Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2023; 44(2): 124.     CrossRef
• Post-pandemic period in N. Macedonia: an opportunity to expand the role of pharmacist
  Iskra Jordanovska, Katerina Anchevska Netkovska, Aleksandra Kapedanovska Nestorovska, Aleksandra Grozdanova
  Macedonian Pharmaceutical Bulletin.2022; 68(03): 577.     CrossRef

Background
Effect of meteorological factors such as air temperature, humidity, and sunlight exposure on transmission dynamics of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains controversial. We investigated the association of these factors on COVID-19 incidence in Japan.
Methods
We analyzed data on reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction confirmed COVID-19 cases for each prefecture (total=47) in Japan and incidence rate was defined as the number of all reported cumulative cases from January 15 to March 17, 2020. Independent variables of each prefecture included three climatic variables (mean values of air temperature, relative humidity, and sunlight exposure), population elderly ratio, and the number of inbound travelers from China during February 2020. Multivariable-adjusted Poisson regression model was constructed to estimate COVID-19 incidence rate ratio (IRR) of independent variables.
Results
There was a total of 702 cases during the study period in Japan (population=125, 900,000). Mean±standard deviation values of meteorological variables were 7.12°C±2.91°C for air temperature, 67.49%±7.63% for relative humidity, and 46.77±12.55% for sunlight exposure. Poisson regression model adjusted for climate variables showed significant association between the incidence and three climatic variables: IRR for air temperature 0.854 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.804–0.907; P<0.0001), relative humidity 0.904 (95% CI, 0.864–0.945; P<0.0001), and sunlight exposure 0.973 (95% CI, 0.951–0.997; P=0.026).
Conclusion
Higher values of air temperature, relative humidity and sunlight exposure were associated with lower incidence of COVID-19. Public health interventions against COVID-19 epidemic in a country should be developed by considering these meteorological factors.

Citations

• Effect of Long-Distance Domestic Travel Ban Policies in Japan on COVID-19 Outbreak Dynamics During Dominance of the Ancestral Strain: Ex Post Facto Retrospective Observation Study
  Junko Kurita, Yoshitaro Iwasaki
  Online Journal of Public Health Informatics.2024; 16: e44931.     CrossRef
• Improvement of the software for modeling the dynamics of epidemics and developing a user-friendly interface
  Igor Nesteruk
  Infectious Disease Modelling.2023; 8(3): 806.     CrossRef

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly infectious disease that has caused a pandemic devastating many countries worldwide. It is a complex and multifaceted disease with a unique coronavirus etiology, pathogenesis, zoonotic, and human-to-human transmission, causing acute respiratory distress syndrome with high mortality. Accurate and timely diagnosis is of utmost importance. In this study, we discussed the complexities of COVID-19 diagnostic elements in the context of pandemicity, drawing from our awareness, observations, and lessons learned from two previous coronavirus pandemics, namely SARS-CoV (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus) in 2002 and MERS-CoV (Middle East respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus) in 2012, and how they applied to the diagnosis of COVID-19 today. Diagnosis of COVID-19 takes place without physician-patient personal contact due to isolation or quarantine or in the hospital setting, emergency units, and critical care units with the cumbersome barriers of personal protective equipment. Technical diagnosis is important, but we also emphasized the human impact of diagnosing COVID-19. Conveying the diagnosis of a critical disease to patients and families requires aspects of excellence in professionalism: ethics, empathy, and humility. Diagnostic skills in COVID-19 should extend to prognostication for patients suffering at the end of life, so that they will not be deprived of high-quality palliative care and comfort.

Citations

• Experience of caring for patients with COVID-19 and educational achievement among Japanese resident physicians: a nationwide survey with general medicine in-training examination
  Sho Nishiguchi, Yuji Nishizaki, Miki Hamaguchi, Atshushi Goto, Masahiko Inamori, Kiyoshi Shikino, Tomohiro Shinozaki, Koshi Kataoka, Taro Shimizu, Yu Yamamoto, Sho Fukui, Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Yasuharu Tokuda
  BMC Medical Education.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef

Background
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused a large number of deaths along with severe socio-economic effects. The vaccine is considered to be the last hope to control viral transmission. This study aimed to explore the determinants of health care workers’ (HCWs) willingness to take the COVID-19 vaccination.
Methods
A structured, pre-validated, and pre-tested questionnaire was administered online to 599 HCWs including physicians, residents, and nurses from different types of healthcare set-ups across India. Information was collected regarding vaccine acceptability, attitude toward vaccination, and reasons for hesitancy. The chi-square test, followed by multinomial regression analysis, was applied to determine the factors associated with HCWs’ vaccination willingness.
Results
It was found that 73 % (n=437) of HCWs were willing to accept the vaccines, while 10.85% (n=65) refused and 16.2% (n=96) needed more time to decide. Gender (P<0.001), occupation (P=0.040), working as front-line workers (P=0.008), vaccine manufacturing country preferences (P<0.001), and perceived risk of catching COVID-19 in the next 6 months (P=0.005) had a significant association with intent to receive vaccination (the response were “yes” vs. “no” and “not sure”). The reasons for vaccine hesitancy were vaccine safety and efficacy concerns, antivaccine attitude and beliefs, personal choice, and not wanting to take a vaccine before others.
Conclusion
The majority of HCWs agreed to take COVID-19 vaccines once available. Nevertheless, providing support to manage evolving vaccine environments will help change the perception of HCWs who refuse or are reluctant to take the vaccines.

Citations

• Willingness to take Mpox vaccine and associated factors among health professionals in Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study
  Getahun Fetensa, Tadesse Tolossa, Marga Besho, Girma Yadesa, Jilcha Gugsa, Derara Girma Tufa, Feyiso Bati, Kitesa Biresa Duftu, Bizuneh Wakuma
  Vaccine.2025; 49: 126822.     CrossRef
• Knowledge, attitude, intentional practice and individualized determinants of COVID‐19 vaccine uptake among adults: A cross‐sectional study in Tanzania
  Amimu A. Nassoro, Walter C. Millanzi, Patricia Z. Herman
  Nursing Open.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among Adults in India: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
  M. D. Sangeetha, P. K. Sreenath Menon, Bhalangki Kupar Kharmawphlang, Darshan Hoysanahalli Shivashankarappa, Sharath Burugina Nagaraja
  Indian Journal of Public Health.2024; 68(4): 534.     CrossRef
• Determinants of vaccine acceptance, knowledge, attitude, and prevention practices against COVID‐19 among governmental healthcare workers in Addis Ababa and Adama, Ethiopia: A cross‐sectional study
  Aderajew M. Girmay, Mesaye G. Weldegebriel, Melaku G. Serte, Daniel A. Dinssa, Tsigereda A. Alemayehu, Moa A. Kenea, Abel Weldetinsae, Kirubel T. Teklu, Sisay D. Mengesha, Zinabu A. Alemu, Belaynesh Demisie, Bedasa Wagari, Martin R. Evans, Masresha Tessem
  Health Science Reports.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Evaluation of Short-Term Side Effects Following the First Dose of COVID-19 Vaccines Among Physicians and Dentists: A Cross-Sectional Study from India
  Md Anwarul Azim Majumder, Keerti Singh, WMS Johnson, Archana Rajasundaram, Subir Gupta, Uma Gaur, Santosh Kumar, Madhuri Chatterjee, Ahbab Mohammad Fazle Rabbi, Vijay Prasad Sangishetti, Sayeeda Rahman, Michael H Campbell, Heather Harewood, Ambadasu Bhara
  Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare.2023; Volume 16: 161.     CrossRef
• Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccines in India: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
  Gunjan Kumar, Samikshya Jena, Niher Tabassum Snigdha, Sakeenabi Basha, Jayaraj Kodangattil Narayanan, Alexander Maniangat Luke
  Vaccines.2023; 11(5): 964.     CrossRef
• Perception and Mental Health Status Regarding COVID-19 Vaccination Among Taiwanese Adolescents and Their Caregivers
  Jade Winjei Hwang, Shao Ju Chien, Chih-Chi Wang, Kuang-Che Kuo, Kuo-Shu Tang, Yu Lee, Yi-Chun Chen, Mao-Hung Lo, Ing-Kit Lee, Seng-Kee Chuah, Chien-Te Lee, Chia-Te Kung, Liang-Jen Wang
  Adolescent Health, Medicine and Therapeutics.2023; Volume 14: 195.     CrossRef
• Factors Associated With Psychological Outcomes Among Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Health Care Workers Against COVID-19 Infection in Bangladesh
  Md. Dhedharul Alam, Sujan Kumer Paul, Mahmuda Momi, Li Ni, Yi Xu
  Frontiers in Medicine.2022;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Contested bodies and delayed decisions: Attitudes to COVID-19 vaccines among Jamaicans
  Aieka Yasheva Smith
  Opera.2022; (32): 185.     CrossRef
• COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among Health Care Workers
  Seung-Won Oh
  Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2021; 42(6): 411.     CrossRef

The year 2020 saw the emergence of a novel coronavirus—the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2— which has led to an unprecedented pandemic that has shaken the entire world. The pandemic has been a new experience for Malaysia, especially during the implementation of large-scale public health and social measures called the Movement Control Order (MCO). This paper seeks to describe the experiences of the Malaysian healthcare system thus far in combatting the pandemic. The Malaysian healthcare system comprises two main arms: public health and medicine. The public health arm focuses on early disease detection, contact tracing, quarantines, the MCO, and risk stratification strategies in the community. The medical arm focuses on the clinical management of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients; it encompasses laboratory services, the devising of clinical setting adjustments, and hospital management for COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients. Malaysia experienced intense emotions at the beginning of the pandemic, with great uncertainty regarding the pandemic’s outcome, as the world saw a frighteningly high COVID-19 mortality. As of writing (May 30, 2020), Malaysia has passed the peak of its second wave of infections. The experience thus far has helped in preparing the country’s healthcare system to be vigilant and more prepared for future COVID-19 waves. To date, the pandemic has changed many aspects of Malaysia’s life, and people are still learning to adapt to new norms in their lives.

Citations

• Unveiling the Nexus Between Intellectual Capital Efficiency and Financial Performance in Malaysia's Healthcare Sector Amidst the Covid-19 Crisis
  Noor Sharida Badri Shah, Roslan Ja’afar
  Information Management and Business Review.2024; 16(1(I)): 262.     CrossRef
• An Online Survey of the Perceptions of Clinical and Non-Clinical Professionals on Healthcare for Non-Communicable Diseases and COVID-19 Measures During the Pandemic in Malaysia
  Sugitha Sureshkumar, Feisul Mustapha, Haironi Yusoff, Kibachio Joseph Mwangi, Kailing Marcus, Bogomil Kohlbrenner, David Issom, Mohamed-Rida Benissa, Sigiriya Aebischer-Perone, Nirit Braha, Egidio Candela, Kumar Gaurav Chhabra, B. R. Desikachari, Arianna
  International Journal of Public Health.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef

Background
The rapid rise in coronavirus disease worldwide has drastically limited the availability of hospital facilities for patients. Residential treatment centers were opened in South Korea for the admission of asymptomatic or patients with mild symptoms. This study discusses the appropriateness of the admission criteria set by the centers in a pandemic situation, the prioritization of patients for admission, and ways to minimize the risk of self-isolation.
Methods
A total of 217 low-risk patients (n=217) were admitted to the Nowon Residential Treatment Center between August 22 and October 14, 2020. The following criteria were met at the time of admission: patients (1) were asymptomatic or had mild symptoms, (2) had either a controlled or no underlying chronic disease, and (3) did not need oxygen treatment. Among them, 202 patients who were eligible for inclusion in the study were retrospectively investigated through periodic interviews.
Results
Of the 202 patients, 153 satisfied the criteria for symptomatic isolation standards, and 25 for asymptomatic isolation standards. The clinical conditions of 24 patients were aggravated, and these patients were transferred to other hospitals, among which 12 had persistent fever and 13 were suffering dyspnea with oxygen saturation (SpO₂) <95%.
Conclusion
In the event of another large-scale epidemic, it would be appropriate to prioritize accommodating patients who are elderly or have underlying diseases and self-isolate young patients with no underlying diseases and provide them with SpO₂ meters and thermometers to self-measure SpO₂ and body temperature.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a novel coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The world is currently challenged to handle this pandemic. The common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, fatigue, and shortness of breath. There are few reports on the association of SARS-CoV-2 with ocular abnormalities including conjunctivitis. We report a case of a 54-year-old woman who presented solely with conjunctivitis subsequently diagnosed with COVID-19. A lack of full history of her travel abroad was another issue leading to a delay in evaluating her COVID-19 status that increased the infection risk to her managing team. Thus, primary care practitioners should be suspicious of this atypical feature of COVID-19, thus enabling us to identify such patients at entry points. Maintaining safety measures while managing patients is also crucial.

Citations

• Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Conjunctival Swab Samples Among Patients Presenting with Conjunctivitis During the COVID-19 Pandemic
  Sezen Karakus, James Foster, Xi Dai, Anthony Gonzales, Xi Zhu, Charles Eberhart, William Hsu
  Clinical Ophthalmology.2022; Volume 16: 127.     CrossRef
• COVID-19 and the Eye: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature
  Yilin Feng, Stephen T. Armenti, Shahzad I. Mian
  International Ophthalmology Clinics.2021; 61(1): 1.     CrossRef
• A Year of Living Dangerously: Challenges and Recommendations for Safely Performing Ophthalmic Surgery During the COVID-19 Pandemic, from Start to Finish
  Juan Pablo Salica, Constanza Potilinski, Marcia Querci, Ignacio Navarro, Juan Sebastián Rivero, Pablo Daponte, Roberto Pineda ll, Juan E Gallo
  Clinical Ophthalmology.2021; Volume 15: 261.     CrossRef
• Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 Transmission Through the Ocular Route
  Jing-Yu Qu, Hua-Tao Xie, Ming-Chang Zhang
  Clinical Ophthalmology.2021; Volume 15: 687.     CrossRef
• Conjunctivitis as a Sentinel of SARS-CoV-2 Infection: a Need of Revision for Mild Symptoms
  Alexios A. Panoutsopoulos
  SN Comprehensive Clinical Medicine.2020; 2(7): 859.     CrossRef
• Are eyes the windows to COVID-19? Systematic review and meta-analysis
  Rina La Distia Nora, Ikhwanuliman Putera, Dhiya Farah Khalisha, Indah Septiana, Asri Salima Ridwan, Ratna Sitompul
  BMJ Open Ophthalmology.2020; 5(1): e000563.     CrossRef