Background: Serologic testing provides better understanding of SARS-CoV-2 prevalence and its transmission. This study was an investigation of the prevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 among blood donors in Saudi Arabia. Objective: To estimate the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among blood donors in Saudi Arabia during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Serology results and epidemiological data were analyzed for 837 adult blood donors, with no confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, in Saudi Arabia from 20th to 25th May 2020. Seroprevalence was determined using electrochemical immunoassay to detect anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Results: The overall seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 1.4% (12/837). Non-citizens had higher seroprevalence compared with citizens (OR 13.6, p = 0.001). Secondary education was significantly associated with higher seroprevalence compared with higher education (OR 6.8, p = 0.005). The data showed that the highest seroprevalence was in Makkah (8.1%). Uisng Makkah seroprevalence as the reference, the seroprevalence in other areas was: Madinah 4.1% (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.12À1.94), Jeddah 2.3% (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.31À2.25), and Qassim 2.9 % (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.04À2.89) and these were not statistically different from seroprevalence in the Makkah region. Conclusions: At the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia, the seroprevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 among blood donors was low, but was higher among non-citizens. These findings may indicate that non-citizens and less educated individuals may be less attentive to preventive measures. Monitoring seroprevalence trends over time require repeated sampling.

Introduction: During the world-wide coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, there is an urgent need to rapidly increase the readiness of hospitals. Emergency departments (EDs) are at high risk of facing unusual situations and need to prepare extensively in order to minimize risks to health care providers (HCPs) and patients. In situ simulation is a well-known method used in training to detect system gaps that could threaten safety. Study Objectives: One objective is to identify gaps, test hospital systems, and inform necessary modifications to the standard processes required by patients with COVID-19 presenting at the hospital. The other objective is to improve ED staff confidence in managing such patients, and to increase their skills in basic and advanced airway management and proper personal protective equipment (PPE) techniques. Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study in which 20 unannounced mock codes were carried out in ED resuscitation and isolation rooms. A checklist was designed, validated, and used to evaluate team performances in three areas: donning, basic and advanced airway skills, and doffing. A pre- and post-intervention survey was used to evaluate staff members’ perceived knowledge of ED procedures related to COVID-19 and their airway management skills. Results: A total of 20 mock codes were conducted in the ED. Overall, 16 issues that posed potential harm to staff or patients were identified and prioritized for immediate resolution. Approximately 57.4% of HCPs felt comfortable dealing with suspected/confirmed, unstable COVID-19 cases after mock codes, compared with 33.3% beforehand (P = .033). Of ED HCPs, 44.4% felt comfortable performing airway procedures for suspected/confirmed COVID-19 cases after mock codes compared with 29.6% beforehand. Performance of different skills was observed to be variable following the 20 mock codes. Skills with improved performance included: request of chest x-ray after intubation (88.0%), intubation done by the most experienced ED physician (84.5%), and correct sequence and procedure of PPE (79.0%). Conclusion: Mock codes identified significant defects, most of which were easily fixed. They included critical equipment availability, transporting beds that were too large to fit through doors, and location of biohazard bins. Repeated mock codes improved ED staff confidence in dealing with patients, in addition to performance of certain skills. In situ simulation proves to be an effective method for increasing the readiness of the ED to address the COVID-19 pandemic and other infection outbreaks.

Introduction Many countries have diverse population and hence, studies have been conducted to find the relation between ethnic or racial groups within a society and incidence or mortality due to COVID‐19. Objectives Aim of the study was to evaluate the racial effect on severity of disease and in‐hospital outcome in individuals diagnosed with COVID‐19. Material and Methods This retrospective study based on records of 804 tested positive COVID‐19 patients presented at Dammam Medical Complex and Braira quarantine during March to May 2020 was conducted after approval from the ethical board. Patient’s records included the routine patient’s consent statement about explanation of all the investigations and procedures prior to be performed. Data were retrieved included in analysis were age, gender, country of origin, racial background (Arab, Caucasian, Asian, Black, Latin, and Hispanic), severity of COVID‐19 and outcome. Results Out of total 804 confirmed patients of covid‐19, there were 647 (80.5%) males and 157 (19.5%) females (M: F ratio = 4.1: 1). Male preponderance was seen in all racial groups, and significantly higher in Asian than the Middle Eastern race (91.2% vs. 70.3%, p=0.000). Mean age of Asians was significantly higher than the mean age of the Middle Eastern and Black & Caucasian races (42.8±10.0 vs. 39.6±16.3 vs. 37.0±10.3, p=0.003). proportion of deaths was significantly high among Asians (5.4%) compare to Middle Eastern patients (1.2%) (p‐value 0.001). Conclusion Severity and in‐hospital outcome were varying significantly among the racial groups. East & South Asian COVID‐19 patients had more severe symptoms and less recovery rate compare to other groups, late presentation may be a contributory reason.

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