The Relationship between Serological Testing, Demographics, Clinical Presentation and RT-PCR Testing for COVID-19.

Background: Serological tests provide an important tool to diagnose previous exposure to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Herein we describe the relationship between the demographics, clinical characteristics, and molecular investigations and the presence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) antibodies.

Methods: Three hundred and four participants, living in Gauteng, South Africa, were screened for COVID-19 antibodies between September 12, and December 12, 2020.

A cruise ship emergency medical evacuation triggered by handheld ultrasound findings and directed by tele-ultrasound.

Cruise ships travel far from shoreside medical care and present a unique austere medical environment. For the cruise ship physician, decisions regarding emergency medical evacuation can be challenging. In the event that a passenger or crew member becomes seriously ill or is injured, the use of point-of-care ultrasound may assist in clarifying the diagnosis and stratifying the risk of a delayed care, and at times expedite an emergent medical evacuation.