Publications by authors named "Maureen Masha"
Background: In 2021, the HIV prevalence among South African adults was 18% and more than 2 million people had uncontrolled HIV and, therefore, had increased risk of poor outcomes with SARS-CoV-2 infection. We investigated trends in COVID-19 admissions and factors associated with in-hospital COVID-19 mortality among people living with HIV and people without HIV.
Methods: In this analysis of national surveillance data, we linked and analysed data collected between March 5, 2020, and May 28, 2022, from the DATCOV South African national COVID-19 hospital surveillance system, the SARS-CoV-2 case line list, and the Electronic Vaccination Data System.
Background: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on paediatric populations varied between high-income countries (HICs) versus low-income to middle-income countries (LMICs). We sought to investigate differences in paediatric clinical outcomes and identify factors contributing to disparity between countries.
Methods: The International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infections Consortium (ISARIC) COVID-19 database was queried to include children under 19 years of age admitted to hospital from January 2020 to April 2021 with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis.
Article Synopsis
- This study analyzed COVID-19 admission rates and mortality during the Omicron BA.4/BA.5 wave compared to previous waves like Delta and Omicron BA.1/BA.2 in South Africa.
- The case fatality ratios (CFRs) were found to decrease from 25.9% in the Delta wave to 8.2% in the Omicron BA.4/BA.5 wave, indicating lower mortality risk with the latter variant.
- Factors such as vaccination status and prior infection significantly lowered mortality risk, with protection increasing with more vaccine doses received.
Objectives: This study describes the characteristics of admitted HCWs reported to the DATCOV surveillance system, and the factors associated with in-hospital mortality in South African HCWs.
Methods: Data from March 5, 2020 to April 30, 2021 were obtained from DATCOV, a national hospital surveillance system monitoring COVID-19 admissions in South Africa. Characteristics of HCWs were compared with those of non-HCWs.
Article Synopsis
- Long-term care facilities in South Africa faced significant mortality rates due to COVID-19, with a majority of the cases occurring among residents (65%) compared to staff (35%).
- The study analyzed data from 45 facilities, identifying 39 outbreaks and noticing a shift in case severity across different waves of the pandemic.
- Key risk factors for mortality among residents included age and geographic location, but overall, there was a hopeful trend showing decreased mortality risk in subsequent COVID-19 waves.
Article Synopsis
- South Africa experienced a significant rise in COVID-19 cases, starting in mid-November 2021, primarily due to the omicron variant, leading to a notable increase in hospitalizations among children in the Tshwane District.
- The Tshwane Maternal-Child COVID-19 study analyzed pediatric COVID-19 patients aged 19 and younger admitted to hospitals during the early fourth wave, using multiple data sources to assess their clinical outcomes.
- From October 31 to December 11, 2021, 6287 pediatric cases were reported, with 462 hospitalizations (18% of total), predominantly affecting younger children (0-4 years), and most viral samples indicated they were infected with the omicron variant.
Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection and SARS-CoV-2 positive hospital admissions among children in South Africa.
Influenza Other Respir Viruses
January 2022
Introduction: We describe epidemiology and outcomes of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and positive admissions among children <18 years in South Africa, an upper-middle income setting with high inequality.
Methods: Laboratory and hospital COVID-19 surveillance data, 28 January - 19 September 2020 was used. Testing rates were calculated as number of tested for SARS-CoV-2 divided by population at risk; test positivity rates were calculated as positive tests divided by total number of tests.
Background: The interaction between COVID-19, non-communicable diseases, and chronic infectious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis is unclear, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries in Africa. South Africa has a national HIV prevalence of 19% among people aged 15-49 years and a tuberculosis prevalence of 0·7% in people of all ages. Using a nationally representative hospital surveillance system in South Africa, we aimed to investigate the factors associated with in-hospital mortality among patients with COVID-19.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF