1. Large droplets increase the risk of respiratory viral infection through direct transmission. | 0 (0.0) | 6 (16.2) | 6 (16.2) | 10 (27.0) | 15 (40.5) | 3.9 (1.1) |
2. Respiratory viral infections are more likely to occur in older patients (with or without comorbidities) and infants. | 1 (2.7) | 5 (13.5) | 10 (27.0) | 12 (32.4) | 9 (24.3) | 3.6 (1.1) |
3. Elderly patients are more likely to develop acute respiratory distress syndrome and there is an age-related death risk. | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 4 (10.8) | 10 (27.0) | 23 (62.2) | 4.5 (0.7) |
4. Antibodies might neutralise respiratory viruses and, then, decrease the risk of recurrent infections. | 0 (0.0) | 4 (10.8) | 7 (18.9) | 17 (46.0) | 9 (24.3) | 3.8 (0.9) |
5. BCG-vaccination might offer protection against COVID-19. RCTS are needed. | 4 (10.8) | 7 (18.9) | 10 (27.0) | 10 (27.0) | 6 (16.2) | 3.2 (1.2) |
6. Severe COVID-19 is associated with rapid virus replication, massive inflammatory cell infiltration in the lung, and elevated pro-inflammatory cytokine/chemokine response. | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (2.7) | 7 (18.9) | 29 (78.4) | 4.8 (0.5) |
7. High initial SARS-CoV-2 load in the airways, older age (≥65 years), and comorbidities of the infected individual are associated with worse COVID-19 outcome and thus patients with these risk factors need close attention. | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 3 (8.1) | 7 (18.9) | 27 (73.0) | 4.7 (0.6) |
8. The combination of CT scan findings (ground-glass opacity and consolidation), clinical presentation respiratory parameters (peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2) and PaO2/FiO2), and blood tests (C-reactive proteins, lymphocyte number, fibrinogen, D-dimers, IL-6) helps identifying COVID-19 patients at highest risk for ICU transfer. | 0 (0.0) | 1 (2.7) | 0 (0.0) | 10 (27.0) | 26 (70.3) | 4.6 (0.6) |
9. CD4 T-cell counts is key to guide the aetiological evaluation of lung infections in HIV-infected individuals. | 0 (0.0) | 3 (8.1) | 7 (18.9) | 18 (48.7) | 9 (24.3) | 3.9 (0.9) |
10. Temporary immunosuppression induced by TB might increase the susceptibility to influenza viruses. | 2 (5.4) | 6 (16.2) | 8 (21.6) | 18 (32.5) | 9 (24.3) | 3.5 (1.2) |
11. An excess mortality associated with influenza is found among TB patients. | 1 (2.7) | 5 (13.5) | 8 (21.6) | 15 (40.5) | 8 (21.6) | 3.7 (1.1) |
12. Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine have potential to improve the treatment success rate of COVID-19 patients. RCTS are needed. | 4 (10.8) | 8 (21.6) | 10 (27.0) | 9 (24.3) | 6 (16.2) | 3.1 (1.3) |
13. Public and social distancing reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 3 (8.1) | 6 (16.2) | 28 (75.7) | 4.7 (0.6) |
14. Appropriate use of facial masks (surgical masks in the general population; N95 for HCWs performing aerosol-producing activities) on symptomatic patients and their contacts can reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection by limiting the spread of droplet nuclei from isolated symptomatic patients. | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (2.7) | 9 (24.3) | 27 (73.0) | 4.7 (0.5) |
15. SARS-CoV-2 virus remain infectious in the environment on different surfaces for days. | 0 (0.0) | 5 (13.5) | 7 (18.9) | 5 (13.5) | 20 (54.1) | 4.1 (1.1) |
16. Social protection measures and specific national centralised emergency plans can reduce the healthcare and socio-economic burden of respiratory viral infections resulting in epidemics/pandemics. | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 4 (10.8) | 14 (37.8) | 19 (51.4) | 4.4 (0.7) |
17. Stigma and social discrimination affect all virus-infected population groups but disproportionately the minorities. | 0 (0.0) | 5 (13.5) | 7 (18.9) | 12 (32.4) | 13 (35.1) | 3.9 (1.1) |
18. Late implementation of national lockdown can itself alone be effective in reducing the burden of COVID-19 but it has serious impact on the society and the economy. | 3 (8.1) | 3 (8.1) | 6 (16.2) | 8 (21.6) | 17 (46.0) | 3.9 (1.3) |