Disease Spectrum in COVID-19 Cohort with Travel History from Iran

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), declared as a pandemic in March 2020, is an acute respiratory tract illness caused by coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) with clinical manifestations ranging from mild upper respiratory tract symptoms to severe pneumonia. Objectives: To determine the disease spectrum of Covid-19 in a cohort with a travel history from Iran. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study with a retrospective collection of data was conducted at Agha Khan University, Karachi from 15th March to 19th April 2020. One hundred and fifty-five laboratory-confirmed cases of Covid-19 were recruited from a government quarantine facility. Data were obtained from the Punjab Emergency Services (Rescue 1122) database where a record of SARS-CoV-2 positive cases and quarantined persons is maintained. Study subjects with a travel history to Iran were contacted by telephone to obtain information about demographics, symptoms, and co-morbid conditions.  SPSS version 24 was used to analyze the data. Frequencies and percentages were calculated. Results: Among the returning travelers, 213 had laboratory-confirmed Covid-19, out of which 155 were included in this study. 56.1% were males with a mean age of 40 years. Among the study participants, 91.6% remained asymptomatic throughout the stay, while 8.4 % became symptomatic. 77.5% of the participants had received BCG vaccination in childhood. Among symptomatic cases 15.4% had asthma and 7.7% had hypertension. The most common clinical manifestation was cough which was present in 38.5% of the study participants. None died among the study participants. Conclusion: A mild presentation of COVID-19 was seen in our study participants with 91.6% among them being asymptomatic, while 8.4% were symptomatic. There was a high positivity rate in males as compared to females.  

Ahmed Khan

An Evaluative Study of the Impact of Trained Elementary School Teachers on the Classroom The study aimed to evaluate the teacher training program at elementary level in AJK so as to have quality education through the improvement in the quality of teacher training, classroom teaching and ultimately by up grading the student’s achievement level. The main objectives of the study were 1) To evaluate the impact of trained elementary school teachers on classroom practices and students achievements 2) To compare the impact of trained elementary school teachers on classroom practices and students achievements in different strata 3) To suggest some recommendations to educational administrators, supervisors and teacher trainers to coordinate and upgrade the programs of teacher training and instructions to enhance the students achievements and quality of educations. Total respondents were 605 including students of grade 8th through other respondents to Directors of education. The tools of study were composed of questionnaires, interview schedules, classroom observation schedule and an achievement test of science grade 8th. Analysis of the data collected, through different tools, was made, means and percentages were calculated out which showed that generally there was no application and implementation of training in classroom environment and resultant achievements of the students remained very low ranging from 42.24 % to 48.57 % falling in grade “D” (Fair). Overall performance level of teachers regarding impact on classroom practices and students achievements was very low. This least or no impact of trained teachers on classroom practices and students achievements was due to the lack of well-planned and organized teacher training, monitoring, supervision and follow up mechanism for trained teachers. To address this poor prevailing situation in the areas of teacher training and classroom practices of trained teacher’s recommendations are presented and a new model of teacher training has been designed for implementation in future.