19th Ave New York, NY 95822, USA
8/20/21
Characterizing COVID-19 Breakthrough Infections
Source: NEJM
Report on peer review article This report provides reassuring data that the few symptomatic post-vaccination infections in studied health care worker were mild; moreover, those with asymptomatic infections could alternatively...
8/20/21
Delayed Large Local Reactions to mRNA Covid-19 Vaccines in Blacks, Indigenous Persons, and People of Color
Source: NEJM
Delayed large local reactions may be less commonly recognized or reported in Black indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC) vaccine recipients than in White recipients. Such reactions may result in...
8/20/21
COVID-19 and the effects on pulmonary function following infection: A retrospective analysis
Source: Lancet
Peer review article This study showed that there is no difference in pulmonary function as measured by function tests before and after COVID-19 infection in non-critically ill classified patients. There...
8/20/21
How reliable are COVID-19 burden estimates for India?
Source: Lancet
Opinion piece With nearly 31 million reported COVID-19 cases and 410 000 deaths, India is one of the countries with the heaviest burden of COVID-19 cases and deaths. There is...
8/20/21
Antiphospholipid antibodies and neurological manifestations in acute COVID-19: A single-centre cross-sectional study
Source: Lancet
Peer review article A high prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies (ones that attack cell membrane) has been reported in case series of patients with neurological manifestations and COVID-19; however, the pathogenicity...
8/20/21
Safety and immunogenicity of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 in people living with and without HIV in South Africa: an interim analysis of a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 1B/2A trial
Source: Lancet
Peer review article ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (Oxford/AstraZeneca) was well tolerated, showing favourable safety and immunogenicity in people with HIV, including heightened immunogenicity in SARS-CoV-2 baseline-seropositive participants. People with HIV showed cross-reactive...
8/20/21
COVID-19, smoking, and cancer: a dangerous liaison
Source: Lancet
Opinion piece The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have worsened an already unacceptable global burden of disease for respiratory cancers, as well as highlighting substantial global health inequities, which continue...
8/20/21
The long-term sequelae of COVID-19: an international consensus on research priorities for patients with pre-existing and new-onset airways disease
Source: Lancet
Peer review article Robust expert consensus process to identify research priorities for long COVID in the context of airways disease, taking into account the views of a large group of...
8/20/21
Transitioning from covid-19 elimination to sustainable endemicity in East Asia
Source: BMJ
Twenty months into the Covid-19 pandemic, and many countries in East Asia are now looking forward past the current “zero covid” policy that has characterised the pre-vaccine phase, and towards...
8/20/21
Covid-19: How many variants are there, and what do we know about them?
Source: BMJ
Eight notable variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been found since September 2020. This video explainer describes them all.
8/20/21
Covid-19: Fully vaccinated people can carry as much delta virus as unvaccinated people, data indicate
Source: BMJ
Adults who have been fully vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 can carry the same viral load of the delta variant as those who are unvaccinated, a preliminary analysis of UK data suggests
8/20/21
Covid-19: China pressured WHO team to dismiss lab leak theory, claims chief investigator
Source: BMJ
A World Health Organisation mission to study the Covid-19 pandemic’s origins in China, which announced in February that the possibility that the virus had escaped from a laboratory needed no...
8/20/21
COVID-19 Science Update released: August 13, 2021 Edition 102
Source: US CDC
Report on 2 peer review articles and 6 pre-release peer review articles Peer review article Although COVID-19 duration is usually short in children, some children experience prolonged illness. SARS-CoV-2 variants...
8/20/21
Investigation of Long-Term Effects of Myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination
Source: US CDC
CDC is actively investigating reports of people developing myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) after receiving a mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna). Most of these people fully recover, but...
8/20/21
Delta Variant: What We Know About the Science
Source: US CDC
The Delta variant is more contagious Some data suggest the Delta variant might cause more severe illness than previous strains in unvaccinated persons. Unvaccinated people remain the greatest concern Fully...
8/20/21
COVID-19 Science Update released: August 20, 2021 Edition 103
Source: US CDC
Report on 4 peer review articles and 2 prerelease peer review articles Adolescents vaccinated with 2 doses of mRNA-1273 (Moderna) had immunogenicity and vaccine efficacy comparable to young adults, with...
8/20/21
Post COVID-19 condition: WHO supports standardization of clinical data collection and reporting
Source: WHO
The World Health Organization is working with researchers to address the urgent need to streamline data collection and reporting on Post COVID-19 condition, also known as ‘long COVID’. A significant...
8/20/21
WHO Statement on advancing the next series of studies to find the origins of SARS-CoV-2
Source: WHO
Following the publication of the WHO-China joint report of the phase one studies on the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in March 2021, WHO has outlined the next series of...
8/9/21
Fauci did not say there was a COVID-19 variant that can evade detection
Source: Poynter
Despite a viral Facebook post's claim, we found no evidence of Dr. Anthony Fauci saying anything about any variants that could avoid detection
8/9/21
CDC test can’t differentiate between COVID and the flu? That’s wrong.
Source: Poynter
Posts circulating on Facebook and Instagram claim the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will stop using its COVID-19 test because it cannot differentiate between the COVID virus and flu...
8/9/21
There are ways of testing for the Delta variant
Source: Full Fact
WHAT WAS CLAIMED There is no Delta variant test. OUR VERDICT Genetic analysis of positive tests allow scientists to identify different variants of Covid-19, including the Delta variant.
8/9/21
Does Diminished Nasopharyngeal Antiviral Immunity Precede Severe COVID-19?
Source: NEJM
Report on peer review article Certain people develop a very fast rate of viral growth in their noses. Finding out what causes this is important. In addition to enhancing our...
8/9/21
COVID-19 Is Associated with Increased Vascular Risk
Source: NEJM
Report on peer review article This nationwide study provides evidence that COVID-19 is a risk factor for heart attack and stroke. We need to learn how long this risk persists...
8/9/21
Childhood obesity beyond COVID-19
Source: Lancet
Opinion piece As children return to schools, these institutions could play an even more important part in delivering healthy nutrition, and physical and food education. Importantly, there is an opportunity...
8/9/21
Mucormycosis after COVID-19 in a patient with diabetes
Source: Lancet
Case study of COVID-19 linked fungal infection. COVID-19 followed by mucormycosis carries a very high mortality rate and timely detection, antifungal therapy, and aggressive surgical debridement remain key factors in...
8/9/21
Risk factors for COVID-19-related in-hospital mortality in a high HIV and tuberculosis prevalence setting in South Africa: a cohort study
Source: Lancet
Peer review article Individuals identified as being at high risk of COVID-19 in-hospital mortality (older individuals and those with chronic comorbidities and people with HIV, particularly those not on antiretrovirals)...
8/9/21
Long Covid in adults discharged from UK hospitals after Covid-19: A prospective, multicentre cohort study using the ISARIC WHO Clinical Characterisation Protocol
Source: Lancet
Peer review article This study sought to establish the long-term effects of Covid-19 following hospitalisation. 55% of participants reported not feeling fully recovered. 93% reported persistent symptoms, with fatigue the...
8/9/21
The foreseen loss of the battle against COVID-19 in South America: A foretold tragedy
Source: Lancet
Opinion piece In South America, strained and underfunded health systems, deep social inequalities and increasing poverty, slow vaccination rates and increased spread of new variants are leading to a surge...
8/9/21
Upregulation of pulmonary tissue factor, loss of thrombomodulin and immunothrombosis in SARS-CoV-2 infection
Source: Lancet
Peer review article SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with clotting and complications on small blood vessels. The cause of clotting in the disease is incompletely understood. It appears there may be...
8/9/21
Covid-19: Delta infections threaten herd immunity vaccine strategy
Source: BMJ
Epidemiologists are adjusting their expectations for the future course of the pandemic after data from a recent outbreak in Massachusetts in the US suggest that while vaccination remains highly protective...
8/9/21
Covid-19: Most symptomatic children recover within a week, study finds
Source: BMJ
Report on peer review article Most children who test positive for covid-19 and experience symptoms recover within a week, although a small proportion are unwell for more than four weeks,...
8/9/21
Animals and COVID-19
Source: US CDC
Based on the available information to date, the risk of animals spreading SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, to people is considered to be low. We are still learning about...
8/9/21
Delta Variant: What We Know About the Science
Source: US CDC
The Delta variant is highly contagious, nearly twice as contagious as previous variants. In two different studies from Canada and Scotland, patients infected with the Delta variant were more likely...
8/9/21
Record weekly COVID-19 deaths in Africa
Source: WHO Africa
Weekly COVID-19 deaths in Africa reached a record peak in the week that ended on 1 August, marking the highest seven-day toll since the onset of the pandemic in the...
8/13/21
Covid-19 mutated long before mass vaccine roll-outs
Source: Full Fact
WHAT WAS CLAIMED Covid-19 barely mutated before vaccines were rolled out. OUR VERDICT This is untrue. All four variants of concern, designated as such by the World Health Organisation, were...
8/13/21
Why school testing data doesn’t tell the whole story
Source: Full Fact
WHAT WAS CLAIMED 80% of children in England are not being tested for coronavirus. OUR VERDICT This is based on data which only includes tests reported, not the number of...
8/13/21
A Portuguese court hasn’t said there have only been 152 Covid deaths
Source: Full Fact
WHAT WAS CLAIMED A Lisbon court found only 152 deaths have been caused by Covid-19 in Portugal. OUR VERDICT False. A Lisbon court found doctors from the Ministry of Justice...
8/13/21
A fall in death rates doesn’t prove Covid-19 isn’t killing anyone
Source: Full Fact
WHAT WAS CLAIMED Death rates in England and Wales are lower than previous years, which proves Covid-19 hasn’t killed or is killing anyone. OUR VERDICT While death rates in England...
8/13/21
Young people do face a small risk from Covid
Source: Full Fact
WHAT WAS CLAIMED Young people are not at risk from Covid-19 at all. OUR VERDICT Incorrect. Both children and young adults face a very low risk of death or serious...
8/13/21
Average Covid-19 victim dies years before they otherwise would
Source: Full Fact
WHAT WAS CLAIMED The average age of Covid-19 deaths is higher than the average life expectancy, which means that people who get Covid live longer. OUR VERDICT This isn’t how...
8/13/21
Confirmed Case of Delta Variant Detected in Nigeria
Source: Nigeria CDC
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has detected a confirmed case with the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, also known as lineage B.1.617.2. The variant was detected in a traveler to...
8/13/21
SARS-CoV-2 Variants and Vaccines
Source: NEJM
Viral variants of concern may emerge with dangerous resistance to the immunity generated by the current vaccines to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). Moreover, if some variants of concern have...
8/13/21
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng200
Source: NICE
This guideline covers vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (VITT - blood clotting events)), a syndrome which has been reported in rare cases after COVID-19 vaccination. VITT may also be called...
8/13/21
SARS-COV-2 Delta variant now dominant in much of the European Region and efforts must be reinforced to prevent transmission, warn WHO/Europe and ECDC
Source: EU CDC
The SARS-COV-2 Delta variant of concern is spreading quickly across Europe and has now become the dominant strain across much of the region, according to new data.
8/13/21
Neutralisation of SARS-CoV-2 lineage P.1 by antibodies elicited through natural SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination with an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine: an immunological study
Source: Lancet
Peer review article SARS-CoV-2 lineage P.1 (Gamma variant) might escape neutralisation by antibodies generated in response to polyclonal stimulation (where multiple types of white blood cell can target the same...
8/13/21
Difference in mortality among individuals admitted to hospital with COVID-19 during the first and second waves in South Africa: a cohort study
Source: Lancet
Peer review article In South Africa, the second wave was associated with higher incidence of COVID-19, more rapid increase in admissions to hospital, and increased in-hospital mortality. Although some of...
8/13/21
Mental disorders and risk of COVID-19-related mortality, hospitalisation, and intensive care unit admission: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Source: Lancet
Peer review article Pre-existing mental disorders, in particular psychotic and mood disorders, and exposure to antipsychotics and anxiolytics were associated with COVID-19 mortality in both crude and adjusted models. Although...
8/13/21
Neurological manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection in hospitalised children and adolescents in the UK: a prospective national cohort study
Source: Lancet
Peer review article This study identified key differences between those with a primary neurological disorder versus those with PIMS-TS (an inflamatory syndrome). Compared with patients with a primary neurological disorder,...
8/13/21
Global minimum estimates of children affected by COVID-19-associated orphanhood and deaths of caregivers: a modelling study
Source: Lancet
Peer review article Orphanhood and caregiver deaths are a hidden pandemic resulting from COVID-19-associated deaths. Accelerating equitable vaccine delivery is key to prevention. Psychosocial and economic support can help families...
8/13/21
Immediate effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on patient health, health-care use, and behaviours: results from an international survey of people with rheumatic diseases
Source: Lancet
Peer review article People with rheumatic disease maintained therapy and followed public health advice to mitigate the risks of COVID-19. Substantial employment status changes occurred, with potential implications for health-care...
8/13/21
Anosmia, ageusia, and other COVID-19-like symptoms in association with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test, across six national digital surveillance platforms: an observational study
Source: Lancet
Peer review article The strong association of anosmia (loss of smell) and ageusia (loss of taste) with self-reported positive SARS-CoV-2 test was consistently observed, supporting its validity as a reliable...
8/13/21
Risk of acute myocardial infarction and ischaemic stroke following COVID-19 in Sweden: a self-controlled case series and matched cohort study
Source: Lancet
Peer review article Findings suggest that COVID-19 is a risk factor for acute myocardial infarction (heart attacks) and ischaemic stroke (the most common type of stroke). This indicates that acute...
8/13/21
Covid-19: Two thirds in India carry antibodies, while research suggests country’s death toll is 10 times official figure
Source: BMJ
India’s fourth “serosurvey” of the covid pandemic has found neutralising antibodies to the novel coronavirus in 67.6% of people aged over 6, suggesting that more than two in three people...
8/13/21
Covid-19: Indonesia becomes Asia’s new pandemic epicentre as delta variant spreads
Source: BMJ
The delta variant of covid-19 is causing an escalating crisis in Indonesia, two months after it swept through India. Indonesia’s case numbers have risen sharply for the past month and...
8/13/21
Covid-19: 1.5 million children have been orphaned by pandemic, study estimates
Source: BMJ
Covid-19 has not only killed more than four million people worldwide but has also left at least one million orphans, a study published in the Lancet has estimated. In England...
8/13/21
Covid-19: China stymies investigation into pandemic’s origins
Source: BMJ
Experts generally agree with that assessment that the virus was not created in the Wuhan facility, but some worry that it does not rule out the possibility of a wild...
8/13/21
COVID-19 Science Update released: July 2, 2021 Edition 96
Source: US CDC
Report on 5 peer review articles Prevention efforts need to focus on highly impacted older age groups and also on Hispanic/Latino, non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic AI/AN, and non-Hispanic populations, where a...
8/13/21
Post-COVID Conditions
Source: US CDC
Although most people with COVID-19 get better within weeks of illness, some people experience post-COVID conditions. Post-COVID conditions are a wide range of new, returning, or ongoing health problems people...
8/13/21
COVID-19 Science Update released: July 9, 2021 Edition 97
Source: US CDC
Report on 8 peer review articles It is unknown how neutralising antibody production correlates with protection from infection. BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) has been found to prevent symptomatic COVID-19 in persons ≥80...
8/13/21
COVID-19 Science Update released: July 16, 2021 Edition 98
Source: US CDC
Report on 4 peer review articles Coincident with rising prevalence and transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, positive cases continue to increase in England, with younger populations experiencing the largest...
8/13/21
What to Know About HIV and COVID-19
Source: US CDC
People with HIV may have concerns and questions about COVID-19, including the risk of serious illness and vaccine safety. CDC will continue to provide updated information as it becomes available.
8/13/21
COVID-19 Science Update released: July 23, 2021 Edition 99
Source: US CDC
Report on 7 peer review articles The Black/White COVID-19 mortality ratio (in the US) has been declining and the driving force for the observed mortality convergence appears to be changes...
8/13/21
WHO warns that HIV infection increases risk of severe and critical COVID-19
Source: WHO
It found that the risk of developing severe or fatal COVID-19 was 30% greater in people living with HIV (PLHIV) compared to people without HIV infection. Underlying conditions such as...
8/13/21
COVID-19 deaths in Africa surge more than 40% over previous week
Source: WHO Africa
COVID-19 cases have risen for eight straight weeks, topping 6 million on 13 July 2021. Over the past month, Africa recorded an additional 1 million cases. This is the shortest...
8/13/21
COVID-19 widens routine immunization gaps in Africa
Source: WHO Africa
Around 7.7 million African children missed out on vital first doses of Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis, Measles and Polio vaccines in 2020. The nearly 10% rise in missed vaccinations on the previous year...
https://ncdc.gov.ng/news/333/confirmed-case-of-delta-variant-detected-in-nigeria
Confirmed Case of Delta Variant Detected in Nigeria
Source: 7/8/21
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has detected a confirmed case with the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, also known as lineage B.1.617.2. The variant was detected in a traveler to...
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMsr2105280?query=featured_coronavirus
SARS-CoV-2 Variants and Vaccines
Source: 7/8/21
Viral variants of concern may emerge with dangerous resistance to the immunity generated by the current vaccines to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). Moreover, if some variants of concern have...
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng200
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng200
Source: 7/29/21
This guideline covers vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (VITT - blood clotting events)), a syndrome which has been reported in rare cases after COVID-19 vaccination. VITT may also be called...
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/sars-cov-2-delta-variant-now-dominant-european-region
SARS-COV-2 Delta variant now dominant in much of the European Region and efforts must be reinforced to prevent transmission, warn WHO/Europe and ECDC
Source: 7/23/21
The SARS-COV-2 Delta variant of concern is spreading quickly across Europe and has now become the dominant strain across much of the region, according to new data.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanmic/article/PIIS2666-5247(21)00129-4/fulltext
Neutralisation of SARS-CoV-2 lineage P.1 by antibodies elicited through natural SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination with an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine: an immunological study
Source: 7/8/21
Peer review article SARS-CoV-2 lineage P.1 (Gamma variant) might escape neutralisation by antibodies generated in response to polyclonal stimulation (where multiple types of white blood cell can target the same...
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanchi/article/PIIS2352-4642(21)00193-0/fulltext
Neurological manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection in hospitalised children and adolescents in the UK: a prospective national cohort study
Source: 7/14/21
Peer review article This study identified key differences between those with a primary neurological disorder versus those with PIMS-TS (an inflamatory syndrome). Compared with patients with a primary neurological disorder,...
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00289-8/fulltext
Difference in mortality among individuals admitted to hospital with COVID-19 during the first and second waves in South Africa: a cohort study
Source: 7/9/21
Peer review article In South Africa, the second wave was associated with higher incidence of COVID-19, more rapid increase in admissions to hospital, and increased in-hospital mortality. Although some of...
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(21)00232-7/fulltext
Mental disorders and risk of COVID-19-related mortality, hospitalisation, and intensive care unit admission: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Source: 7/15/21
Peer review article Pre-existing mental disorders, in particular psychotic and mood disorders, and exposure to antipsychotics and anxiolytics were associated with COVID-19 mortality in both crude and adjusted models. Although...
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01253-8/fulltext
Global minimum estimates of children affected by COVID-19-associated orphanhood and deaths of caregivers: a modelling study
Source: 7/20/21
Peer review article Orphanhood and caregiver deaths are a hidden pandemic resulting from COVID-19-associated deaths. Accelerating equitable vaccine delivery is key to prevention. Psychosocial and economic support can help families...
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landig/article/PIIS2589-7500(21)00115-1/fulltext
Anosmia, ageusia, and other COVID-19-like symptoms in association with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test, across six national digital surveillance platforms: an observational study
Source: 7/22/21
Peer review article The strong association of anosmia (loss of smell) and ageusia (loss of taste) with self-reported positive SARS-CoV-2 test was consistently observed, supporting its validity as a reliable...
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanrhe/article/PIIS2665-9913(21)00175-2/fulltext
Immediate effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on patient health, health-care use, and behaviours: results from an international survey of people with rheumatic diseases
Source: 7/22/21
Peer review article People with rheumatic disease maintained therapy and followed public health advice to mitigate the risks of COVID-19. Substantial employment status changes occurred, with potential implications for health-care...
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00896-5/fulltext
Risk of acute myocardial infarction and ischaemic stroke following COVID-19 in Sweden: a self-controlled case series and matched cohort study
Source: 7/29/21
Peer review article Findings suggest that COVID-19 is a risk factor for acute myocardial infarction (heart attacks) and ischaemic stroke (the most common type of stroke). This indicates that acute...
https://www.bmj.com/content/374/bmj.n1815
Covid-19: Indonesia becomes Asia’s new pandemic epicentre as delta variant spreads
Source: 7/16/21
The delta variant of covid-19 is causing an escalating crisis in Indonesia, two months after it swept through India. Indonesia’s case numbers have risen sharply for the past month and...
https://www.bmj.com/content/374/bmj.n1871
Covid-19: 1.5 million children have been orphaned by pandemic, study estimates
Source: 7/22/21
Covid-19 has not only killed more than four million people worldwide but has also left at least one million orphans, a study published in the Lancet has estimated. In England...
https://www.bmj.com/content/374/bmj.n1856
Covid-19: Two thirds in India carry antibodies, while research suggests country’s death toll is 10 times official figure
Source: 7/21/21
India’s fourth “serosurvey” of the covid pandemic has found neutralising antibodies to the novel coronavirus in 67.6% of people aged over 6, suggesting that more than two in three people...
https://www.bmj.com/content/374/bmj.n1890
Covid-19: China stymies investigation into pandemic’s origins
Source: 7/27/21
Experts generally agree with that assessment that the virus was not created in the Wuhan facility, but some worry that it does not rule out the possibility of a wild...
https://www.cdc.gov/library/covid19/07022021_covidupdate.html
COVID-19 Science Update released: July 2, 2021 Edition 96
Source: 7/2/21
Report on 5 peer review articles Prevention efforts need to focus on highly impacted older age groups and also on Hispanic/Latino, non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic AI/AN, and non-Hispanic populations, where a...
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects.html
Post-COVID Conditions
Source: 7/12/21
Although most people with COVID-19 get better within weeks of illness, some people experience post-COVID conditions. Post-COVID conditions are a wide range of new, returning, or ongoing health problems people...
https://www.cdc.gov/library/covid19/07092021_covidupdate.html
COVID-19 Science Update released: July 9, 2021 Edition 97
Source: 7/9/21
Report on 8 peer review articles It is unknown how neutralising antibody production correlates with protection from infection. BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) has been found to prevent symptomatic COVID-19 in persons ≥80...
https://www.cdc.gov/library/covid19/07162021_covidupdate.html
COVID-19 Science Update released: July 16, 2021 Edition 98
Source: 7/16/21
Report on 4 peer review articles Coincident with rising prevalence and transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, positive cases continue to increase in England, with younger populations experiencing the largest...
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/hiv.html
What to Know About HIV and COVID-19
Source: 7/30/21
People with HIV may have concerns and questions about COVID-19, including the risk of serious illness and vaccine safety. CDC will continue to provide updated information as it becomes available.
https://www.cdc.gov/library/covid19/07232021_covidupdate.html
COVID-19 Science Update released: July 23, 2021 Edition 99
Source: 7/23/21
Report on 7 peer review articles The Black/White COVID-19 mortality ratio (in the US) has been declining and the driving force for the observed mortality convergence appears to be changes...
https://www.who.int/news/item/15-07-2021-who-warns-that-hiv-infection-increases-risk-of-severe-and-critical-covid-19
WHO warns that HIV infection increases risk of severe and critical COVID-19
Source: 7/15/21
It found that the risk of developing severe or fatal COVID-19 was 30% greater in people living with HIV (PLHIV) compared to people without HIV infection. Underlying conditions such as...
https://www.afro.who.int/news/covid-19-deaths-africa-surge-more-40-over-previous-week
COVID-19 deaths in Africa surge more than 40% over previous week
Source: 7/15/21
COVID-19 cases have risen for eight straight weeks, topping 6 million on 13 July 2021. Over the past month, Africa recorded an additional 1 million cases. This is the shortest...
https://www.afro.who.int/news/covid-19-widens-routine-immunization-gaps-africa
COVID-19 widens routine immunization gaps in Africa
Source: 7/29/21
Around 7.7 million African children missed out on vital first doses of Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis, Measles and Polio vaccines in 2020. The nearly 10% rise in missed vaccinations on the previous year...
https://www.jwatch.org/na53917/2021/08/09/covid-19-associated-with-increased-vascular-risk
COVID-19 Is Associated with Increased Vascular Risk
Source: 8/9/21
Report on peer review article This nationwide study provides evidence that COVID-19 is a risk factor for heart attack and stroke. We need to learn how long this risk persists...
https://www.jwatch.org/na53907/2021/08/09/does-diminished-nasopharyngeal-antiviral-immunity-precede
Does Diminished Nasopharyngeal Antiviral Immunity Precede Severe COVID-19?
Source: 8/9/21
Report on peer review article Certain people develop a very fast rate of viral growth in their noses. Finding out what causes this is important. In addition to enhancing our...
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(21)00168-7/fulltext
Childhood obesity beyond COVID-19
Source: 8/1/21
Opinion piece As children return to schools, these institutions could play an even more important part in delivering healthy nutrition, and physical and food education. Importantly, there is an opportunity...
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanhiv/article/PIIS2352-3018(21)00151-X/fulltext
Risk factors for COVID-19-related in-hospital mortality in a high HIV and tuberculosis prevalence setting in South Africa: a cohort study
Source: 8/4/21
Peer review article Individuals identified as being at high risk of COVID-19 in-hospital mortality (older individuals and those with chronic comorbidities and people with HIV, particularly those not on antiretrovirals)...
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanepe/article/PIIS2666-7762(21)00163-0/fulltext
Long Covid in adults discharged from UK hospitals after Covid-19: A prospective, multicentre cohort study using the ISARIC WHO Clinical Characterisation Protocol
Source: 8/5/21
Peer review article This study sought to establish the long-term effects of Covid-19 following hospitalisation. 55% of participants reported not feeling fully recovered. 93% reported persistent symptoms, with fatigue the...
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(21)00348-5/fulltext
The foreseen loss of the battle against COVID-19 in South America: A foretold tragedy
Source: 8/4/21
Opinion piece In South America, strained and underfunded health systems, deep social inequalities and increasing poverty, slow vaccination rates and increased spread of new variants are leading to a surge...
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01641-X/fulltext
Mucormycosis after COVID-19 in a patient with diabetes
Source: 8/4/21
Case study of COVID-19 linked fungal infection. COVID-19 followed by mucormycosis carries a very high mortality rate and timely detection, antifungal therapy, and aggressive surgical debridement remain key factors in...
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(21)00349-7/fulltext
Upregulation of pulmonary tissue factor, loss of thrombomodulin and immunothrombosis in SARS-CoV-2 infection
Source: 8/5/21
Peer review article SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with clotting and complications on small blood vessels. The cause of clotting in the disease is incompletely understood. It appears there may be...
https://www.bmj.com/content/374/bmj.n1947
Covid-19: Most symptomatic children recover within a week, study finds
Source: 8/4/21
Report on peer review article Most children who test positive for covid-19 and experience symptoms recover within a week, although a small proportion are unwell for more than four weeks,...
https://www.bmj.com/content/374/bmj.n1933
Covid-19: Delta infections threaten herd immunity vaccine strategy
Source: 8/2/21
Epidemiologists are adjusting their expectations for the future course of the pandemic after data from a recent outbreak in Massachusetts in the US suggest that while vaccination remains highly protective...
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/animals.html
Animals and COVID-19
Source: 8/5/21
Based on the available information to date, the risk of animals spreading SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, to people is considered to be low. We are still learning about...
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/delta-variant.html
Delta Variant: What We Know About the Science
Source: 8/6/21
The Delta variant is highly contagious, nearly twice as contagious as previous variants. In two different studies from Canada and Scotland, patients infected with the Delta variant were more likely...
https://www.afro.who.int/news/record-weekly-covid-19-deaths-africa
Record weekly COVID-19 deaths in Africa
Source: 8/5/21
Weekly COVID-19 deaths in Africa reached a record peak in the week that ended on 1 August, marking the highest seven-day toll since the onset of the pandemic in the...
6/27/21
Government modelling not proof of vaccine ‘genocide’
Source: Fullfact
Claim: A government document showing that 60-70% of Covid deaths over the summer will be among the vaccinated is proof that vaccines are intended for genocide. Verdict: False.
6/27/21
Instagram post gets it wrong about Covid-19 vaccines and animal testing
Source: Fullfact
Claim: Covid-19 has a survival rate of 99.998%. Verdict: While there is no completely accurate statistic, based on the sheer number of people who died from Covid-19 we know the...
6/27/21
Pinpointing the Infectiousness of SARS-CoV-2 and Its Alpha (B.1.1.7) Variant
Source: NEJM
The higher viral load seen in Alpha infected cases provides a virologic explanation for this variant's dominance; going forward, similar analytic data will be needed for the Delta variant as...
6/27/21
SARS-CoV-2 Variants and Vaccines
Source: NEJM
Viral variants of concern may emerge with dangerous resistance to the immunity generated by the current vaccines to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
6/27/21
Threat Assessment Brief: Implications for the EU/EEA on the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta (B.1.617.2) variant of concern
Source: EU CDC
The aim of this threat assessment brief is to assess potential public health implications of the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant of concern for the European Union and European...
6/27/21
Neuropsychiatric disorders and COVID-19
Source: Lancet
Three suggestions given regarding the neuropsychological effects of COVID-19.
6/27/21
Neuropsychiatric disorders and COVID-19
Source: Lancet
Neuromuscular disorders after COVID-19 might have substantial implications for patient recovery and utilisation of physical rehabilitation healthcare resources.
6/27/21
Invasive mould disease in fatal COVID-19: a systematic review of autopsies
Source: Lancet
Invasive mould disease (IMD) might affect up to a third of critically ill patients with COVID-19. Clinicians and pathologists alike should stay vigilant to the possibility of IMD as a...
6/27/21
Mortality and critical care unit admission associated with the SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.1.7 in England: an observational cohort study
Source: Lancet
Patients with lineage B.1.1.7 (Alpha - UK) were at increased risk of CCU admission and 28-day death rate compared with patients with non-B.1.1.7 SARS-CoV-2. Our findings emphasise the importance of...
6/27/21
Risk of hospitalisation associated with infection with SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.1.7 in Denmark: an observational cohort study
Source: Lancet
Infection with the Alpha variant (UK) was associated with an increased risk of hospitalisation compared with that of other lineages in an analysis adjusted for covariates.
6/27/21
Persistent pulmonary disease after acute covid-19
Source: BMJ
While persisting lung damage may be substantial for some, for many, morbidity and mortality after covid-19 are influenced most by pre-existing conditions, infection severity, and the extra-pulmonary complications of SARS-CoV-2.
6/27/21
Chronic fatigue syndrome and long covid: moving beyond the controversy
Source: BMJ
Many patients with “long” COVID are experiencing extreme fatigue, a situation that has re-polarised approaches to treatment and rehabilitation.
6/27/21
Covid-19: Cases of delta variant rise by 79%, but rate of growth slows
Source: BMJ
Public Health England said that the data showed there was a higher risk of hospital admission for patients with the delta variant compared with the alpha variant, but its analysis...
6/27/21
Covid-19: Third of people infected have long term symptoms
Source: BMJ
Around a third of people in England who developed covid-19 went on to experience long term symptoms sometimes called “long covid,” a UK study has found.
6/27/21
Covid-19: Hunger spreads and food prices soar amid pandemic, warns UN food agency
Source: BMJ
The number of people assessed as facing the imminent possibility of starvation without food assistance now stands at 41 million, up from 27 million in 2019, according to the joint...
6/27/21
COVID-19 Science Update released: June 25, 2021 Edition 95
Source: US CDC
Report on 6 peer review articles and 4 pre-release peer review articles
6/27/21
COVID-19 Science Update released: June 18, 2021 Edition 94
Source: US CDC
Report on 7 peer review articles and 1 pre-release peer review articles
6/27/21
Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Suicidal Ideation Among State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Public Health Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, March–April 2021
Source: US CDC
Implementing prevention and control practices that eliminate, reduce, and manage factors that cause or contribute to public health workers’ poor mental health might improve mental health outcomes during emergencies.
6/27/21
Africa faces steepest COVID-19 surge yet
Source: WHO Africa
Africa is facing a fast-surging third wave of COVID-19 pandemic, with cases spreading more rapidly and projected to soon overtake the peak of the second wave the continent witnessed at...
6/11/21
Long-Term Outcomes in Children with Pediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome
Source: NEJM
The 6 month outcomes of children with pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 are reassuring, aside from the persistence of physical deconditioning and psychological effects.
6/11/21
Detailing the Sequelae After Recovery from COVID-19
Source: NEJM
An editorialist notes that long COVID is putting undue strain on healthcare services, which had already been considerably burdened by the pandemic
6/9/21
Persistence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in lung tissue after mild COVID-19
Source: Lancet
Data on sputum, nasopharyngeal swabs, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid indicate that prolonged detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA is rare and limited to a few weeks. By contrast, SARS-CoV-2 RNA persisted in...
6/10/21
From routine data collection to policy design: sex and gender both matter in COVID-19
Source: Lancet
Opinion piece: Pandemic responses that do not recognise the importance of sex and gender will always be less equitable and less effective.
7/1/21
Alcohol-related harm during the COVID-19 pandemic
Source: Lancet
Opinion piece: It is vital that clinicians actively screen for and address alcohol misuse to ensure these patients have ready access to alcohol counselling and addiction treatments.
6/8/21
Inflammatory biomarkers in COVID-19-associated multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, Kawasaki disease, and macrophage activation syndrome: a cohort study
Source: Lancet
The findings show a syndrome causing multiple bodily systems to become inflamed in COVID-19 patients is distinguishable from Kawasaki disease.
6/10/21
Clinical characteristics and risk factors for death among hospitalised children and adolescents with COVID-19 in Brazil: an analysis of a nationwide database
Source: Lancet
Death from COVID-19 was associated with age, indigenous ethnicity, poor geopolitical region, and pre-existing medical conditions.
6/11/21
COVID-19 Science Update released: June 11, 2021 Edition 93
Source: US CDC
Report on 6 peer review articles and 4 pre-release peer review articles.
6/11/21
Detailing the Sequelae After Recovery from COVID-19
Source: NEJM
An editorialist notes that long COVID is putting undue strain on healthcare services, which had already been considerably burdened by the pandemic
6/11/21
Long-Term Outcomes in Children with Pediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome
Source: NEJM
The 6 month outcomes of children with pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 are reassuring, aside from the persistence of physical deconditioning and psychological effects.
6/9/21
Persistence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in lung tissue after mild COVID-19
Source: Lancet
Data on sputum, nasopharyngeal swabs, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid indicate that prolonged detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA is rare and limited to a few weeks. By contrast, SARS-CoV-2 RNA persisted in...
6/10/21
From routine data collection to policy design: sex and gender both matter in COVID-19
Source: Lancet
Opinion piece: Pandemic responses that do not recognise the importance of sex and gender will always be less equitable and less effective.
6/8/21
Inflammatory biomarkers in COVID-19-associated multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, Kawasaki disease, and macrophage activation syndrome: a cohort study
Source: Lancet
The findings show a syndrome causing multiple bodily systems to become inflamed in COVID-19 patients is distinguishable from Kawasaki disease.
7/1/21
Alcohol-related harm during the COVID-19 pandemic
Source: Lancet
Opinion piece: It is vital that clinicians actively screen for and address alcohol misuse to ensure these patients have ready access to alcohol counselling and addiction treatments.
6/10/21
Clinical characteristics and risk factors for death among hospitalised children and adolescents with COVID-19 in Brazil: an analysis of a nationwide database
Source: Lancet
Death from COVID-19 was associated with age, indigenous ethnicity, poor geopolitical region, and pre-existing medical conditions.
6/11/21
COVID-19 Science Update released: June 11, 2021 Edition 93
Source: US CDC
Report on 6 peer review articles and 4 pre-release peer review articles.
6/6/21
Epidemiology of Long-Term COVID-19 Symptoms
Source: NEJM
This systematic analysis really constitutes more of a large case series than a robust meta-analysis because of the highly heterogeneous nature of the original studies.
6/6/21
Thrombosis and Thrombocytopenia after ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Vaccination
Source: NEJM
Report on 5 patients who presented blood clotting issues after the Ad26.COV2 J&J vaccine. The patients were health care workers who were 32 to 54 years of age.
6/6/21
COVID-19 Myocarditis in Athletes
Source: NEJM
This study is limited by its focus on a selected group of young, competitive athletes, but it still has value in giving us a ballpark estimate of COVID-19 myocarditis incidence.
6/6/21
Co-infections, secondary infections, and antimicrobial use in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 during the first pandemic wave from the ISARIC WHO CCP-UK study: a multicentre, prospective cohort study
Source: Lancet
The frequency and nature of antimicrobial use are concerning as this could give rise to future strains being antibiotic-resistant.
6/6/21
A lost generation? COVID-19 and adolescent mental health
Source: Lancet
Future efforts need to address the prepandemic as well as the pandemic-related increasing trend of mental health problems in the adolescent population.
6/6/21
COVID-19 reinfections in The Gambia by phylogenetically distinct SARS-CoV-2 variants—first two confirmed events in west Africa
Source: Lancet
There have been two confirmed reinfections among healthy Gambian individuals aged 31 years and 36 years, with a time lag of 5 months and 6 months, respectively.
6/6/21
Rising incidence of mucormycosis in patients with COVID-19: another challenge for India amidst the second wave?
Source: Lancet
Another imminent threat has emerged as a challenge to India in the form of coronavirus disease-associated mucormycosis. It is a rare but potentially fatal infection if inadequately treated.
6/6/21
Bottom-up citizen engagement for health emergency and disaster risk management: directions since COVID-19
Source: Lancet
Many communities have struggled to establish inclusive and relevant governance channels that include their unique needs and perspectives.
6/6/21
Need for and use of contraception by women before and during COVID-19 in four sub-Saharan African geographies: results from population-based national or regional cohort surveys
Source: Lancet
Findings do not support the anticipated deleterious effect of COVID-19 on access to and use of contraceptive services by women in the earliest stages of the pandemic.
6/6/21
Covid-19: Delta variant is now UK’s most dominant strain and spreading through schools
Source: BMJ
The delta covid-19 variant, which was first detected in India, has overtaken the alpha variant, or UK variant, to make it the most dominant strain circulating in the UK.
6/6/21
Covid 19: How harm reduction advocates and the tobacco industry capitalized on the pandemic to promote nicotine
Source: BMJ
Scientific papers suggesting that smokers are less likely to fall ill with covid-19 are being discredited as links to the tobacco industry are revealed.
6/6/21
COVID-19 Science Update released: June 4, 2021 Edition 92
Source: US CDC
Report on 6 peer review articles and 3 pre-release peer review articles.
5/30/21
SARS-CoV-2 Seropositivity Is Not Associated with Low Vitamin D Levels
Source: NEMJ
These results add to the now generally accepted belief that vitamin D levels are not associated with risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
5/30/21
Systemic lupus erythematosus does not prevent antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2
Source: Lancet
It remains to be confirmed whether these SARS-CoV-2 antibodies are protective in patients with Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
5/30/21
Changes in the incidence of invasive disease due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Neisseria meningitidis during the COVID-19 pandemic in 26 countries and territories in the Invasive Respiratory Infection Surveillance Initiative: a prospective analysis of surveillance data
Source: Lancet
Peer review article The introduction of COVID-19 containment policies and public information campaigns likely reduced transmission of S pneumoniae, H influenzae, and N meningitidis, leading to a significant reduction in...
5/30/21
COVID-19 and global mental health
Source: Lancet
The review documents widespread innovation in low and middle-income countries to increase mental illness detection and maintain treatment during lockdowns.
5/30/21
HIV in the age of COVID-19
Source: Lancet
The predicted extra 500,000 deaths in sub-Saharan Africa might not have come to pass, but the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over.
5/30/21
Basics of COVID-19
Source: US CDC
This page provides an overview of the COVID19 disease with a high quality animated video explainer
5/30/21
Clinical Considerations: Myocarditis and Pericarditis after Receipt of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines Among Adolescents and Young Adults
Source: US CDC
Since April 2021, increased cases of myocarditis and pericarditis have been reported in the US after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, particularly in adolescents and young adults.
5/30/21
COVID-19 Science Update released: May 28, 2021 Edition 91
Source: US CDC
Report on 8 peer review articles and 2 pre-release peer review articles.
5/23/21
What we know and don’t know about the origins of COVID-19
Source:
Much uncertainty remains about the origins of COVID-19. Scientists who have studied the coronavirus have generally concluded that it resembles naturally occurring viruses.
5/23/21
The risk of dying from a Covid vaccine is lower than 1 in 31,000
Source: Full Fact
Claim: The risk of a child dying of Covid-19 is around one in 3.5 million. Verdict: The risk of a child dying of Covid is very low.
5/23/21
Did Fauci Fund ‘Gain of Function’ Research, Thereby Causing COVID-19 Pandemic?
Source:
Claim: NIH Director Anthony Fauci helped fund the gain of function research at a facility in Wuhan, China, and that research ultimately led to the COVID-19 pandemic. Verdict: Unproven.
5/23/21
Likelihood of Thromboembolic Events After Receipt of the Oxford/AstraZeneca Vaccine
Source: NEJM
This study confirms the excess risk for thrombotic events among Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine recipients, especially for cerebral venous thrombosis.
5/23/21
Public health impact of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern: scoping review protocol
Source: EU CDC
Several SARS-CoV-2 variants have been identified. This article updates both the variants of interest (VOI) and those of concern (VOC)
5/23/21
Vascular mechanisms and manifestations of COVID-19
Source: Lancet
A remarkable finding in patients with severe Covid-19 is coagulation abnormalities (blood clotting issues), which have been associated with respiratory deterioration and death.
5/23/21
What chikungunya teaches us about COVID-19
Source: Lancet
There are calls for urgent research on long COVID to avoid having millions of adults with long COVID left behind, with an inestimable social and economic impact.
5/23/21
SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 spike variants bind human ACE2 with increased affinity
Source: Lancet
Efforts have uncovered SARS-CoV-2 variants with mutations in the viral spike glycoprotein, which binds the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor to facilitate viral entry.
5/23/21
Psychosis and COVID-19: is it time to pre-emptively revise advanced directives?
Source: Lancet
Dynamic, early decisions for treatment (advance directives) in line with the rapidly evolving pandemic situation will add more value to patient with psychosis' autonomy.
5/23/21
Gendered effects of COVID-19 on young girls in regions of conflict
Source: Lancet
In settings of violent conflict, young girls are about 25 times more likely to be out of school than their male counterparts, and the pandemic appears to have exacerbated this...
5/23/21
Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Iquitos, Peru in July and August, 2020: a population-based study
Source: Lancet
After the first epidemic peak, Iquitos had one of the highest rates of seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies worldwide. Nevertheless, the city experienced a second wave, which has shown higher transmissibility...
5/23/21
Patient care and clinical outcomes for patients with COVID-19 infection admitted to African high-care or intensive care units (ACCCOS): a multicentre, prospective, observational cohort study
Source: Lancet
Mortality in critically ill patients with COVID-19 is higher in African countries than reported from studies done in Asia, Europe, North America, and South America.
5/23/21
Covid-19: What should we do about B.1.617.2? A classic case of decision making under uncertainty
Source: BMJ
Compared to the dominant UK variant, we know that the Indian variant is very likely to be more transmissible and that it might be better able to transmit between people...
5/23/21
New international expert panel to address the emergence and spread of zoonotic diseases
Source: WHO
International organizations have come together to launch a new One Health High-Level Expert Panel to improve understanding of how diseases with the potential to trigger pandemics emerge and spread.
16-05-2021
It’s not clear whether bald people get more ill with Covid-19
Source: Full Fact
Being older raises the risk of severe Covid-19, but based on the research we have so far, it is not yet clear whether baldness itself has any effect.
16-05-2021
Toward Defining an Immune Correlate of Protection Against SARS-CoV-2
Source: NEJM
Report on peer review article This study confirms that positive baseline anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody status is associated with a lower risk for subsequent SARS-CoV-2 infection.
16-05-2021
Second Presentations of COVID-19 Due to Non–Variant-of-Concern Strains
Source: NEJM
This report provides the best evidence yet that reinfection can occur in apparently normal hosts and that the reinfecting virus may be similar, if not identical, to the original SARS-CoV-2.
16-05-2021
SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern as of 24 May 2021
Source: EU CDC
ECDC regularly assesses new evidence on variants detected through epidemic intelligence, rules-based genomic variant screening, or other scientific sources.
16-05-2021
Post-acute effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection in individuals not requiring hospital admission: a Danish population-based cohort study
Source: The Lancet
Peer review article The absolute risk of severe post-acute complications after SARS-CoV-2 infection not requiring hospital admission is low. However, increases in visits to general practitioners and outpatient hospital visits...
16-05-2021
India’s COVID-19 crisis: a call for international action
Source: The Lancet
With the exponential growth and without mitigation, estimates suggest India could reach more than 1 million COVID-19 cases per day with over 1 million cumulative COVID-19 deaths by Aug 1,...
16-05-2021
Long-term effects of coronavirus (long COVID)
Source: NHS
Some people’s symptoms of COVID-19 can last longer.The chances of having long-term symptoms do not seem to be linked to how ill you are when you first get COVID-19.
16-05-2021
COVID-19 Science Update released: May 14, 2021 Edition 89
Source: US CDC
Report on 3 peer review articles on agricultural labour and food supply, the rapid evolution of SARS-Cov-2 mutations and evidence of Pfizer vaccine effectiveness on the South African variants.
2/9/21
The Emotional Toll of COVID-19 During Pregnancy
Source: NEJM
Poor mental health during pregnancy affects not only the mother but also her child.
2/9/21
The Burden of COVID-19 in Pregnant Women and Their Newborns
Source: NEJM
The increased maternal and neonatal risks associated with COVID-19 during pregnancy are delineated in this convincing multinational study. The findings argue strongly for vaccination and continued health measures to prevent...
2/9/21
An integrated understanding of long-term sequelae after acute COVID-19
Source: The Lancet
Each piece of information increases knowledge but we need to agree on common methodologies, generate robust data, and improve our capacity to share, absorb, and process high volumes of research...
2/9/21
The COVID-19 puzzle: deciphering pathophysiology and phenotypes of a new disease entity
Source: The Lancet
An overview of current evidence regarding immuno-inflammatory reactions induced by SARS-CoV-2 and subsequent organ-based consequences suggests several conclusions: i) after infecting the upper respiratory tract, it is capable of subsequently...
2/9/21
Sex and age differences in the incidence of acute myocardial infarction during the COVID-19 pandemic in a Swedish health-care region without lockdown: a retrospective cohort study
Source: The Lancet
The incidence of acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) decreased predominantly among women aged 70 years or older during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2/9/21
Covid-19: Uptake of testing does not reflect chances of positive test, study finds
Source: BMJ
“Having certain underlying health conditions, like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, increased the likelihood of being tested for SARS-CoV-2 even though those conditions were...
2/9/21
COVID-19 Science Update released: May 7, 2021 Edition 88
Source: US CDC
Report on 3 peer review articles.
5/2/21
SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern pose a higher risk for hospitalisation and intensive care admission
Source: EU CDC
Since the discovery of SARS-CoV-2, three variants of concern (VOC), first identified in the United Kingdom (B.1.1.7), South Africa (B.1.351), and Brazil (P.1), have been associated with higher transmissibility and...
5/2/21
COVID-19-associated coagulopathy and antithrombotic agents—lessons after 1 year
Source: The Lancet
COVID-19 is associated with a high incidence of thrombotic (blood-clotting) complications, which can be explained by the complex and unique interplay between coronaviruses and endothelial cells (those which line blood...
5/2/21
Cancer and COVID-19 vaccines: a complex global picture
Source: The Lancet
Patients with cancer can be at high risk of severe COVID-19 due to their age, disease, cancer treatment, and medical co-morbidities.
5/2/21
COVID-19 in patients with rheumatic disease: finally, a denominator
Source: The Lancet
The timing of therapy in COVID-19 is undoubtedly crucial, but outstanding questions include whether certain therapies for rheumatic disease, such as interleukin-6 and Janus kinase 1 inhibition should be used...
5/2/21
New insights into the association between body-mass index and severe COVID-19
Source: The Lancet
Obesity was one of a number of factors rapidly identified as being associated with COVID-19-associated mortality.
5/2/21
SARS-CoV-2 immunity and HIV infection: total recall?
Source: The Lancet
People with HIV, even those on antiretroviral therapy with controlled viral load, might be at risk of lower response to COVID-19 immunisation.
5/2/21
Overview of SARS-CoV-2 infection in adults living with HIV
Source: The Lancet
Recent large studies suggest that people living with HIV might be more severely ill than those who are HIV-negative.
5/2/21
Associations between body-mass index and COVID-19 severity in 6·9 million people in England: a prospective, community-based, cohort study
Source: The Lancet
Based on a UK study of obesity and COVID-19, at a BMI of more than 23 kg/m2, there was an increase in the risk of severe COVID-19 leading to admission...
5/2/21
SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence, and IgG concentration and pseudovirus neutralising antibody titres after infection, compared by HIV status: a matched case-control observational study
Source: The Lancet
Although fewer infections were detected by SARS-CoV-2 IgG (antibody) testing among people living with HIV than among those without HIV, people with HIV had more cases of severe COVID-19.
5/2/21
Covid-19: Most people admitted to hospital after vaccination were infected before immunity could develop, research shows
Source: BMJ
This highlightes the importance of maintaining social distancing and understanding that immunity develops over time, researchers have said
4/25/21
COVID-19: Reinfection Risk / Bamlanivimab Authorization Revoked
Source: NEJM
A study in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine helps characterize the risk for SARS-CoV-2 reinfection in a close contact setting.
4/25/21
High Incidence of Neurological and Psychiatric Illness After COVID-19
Source: NEJM
This large study demonstrates that various neurological or psychiatric disorders develop with a relatively high incidence in the 6 months following acute COVID-19.
4/25/21
Mild COVID-19 Is Not Necessarily Benign
Source: NEJM
Understanding the way the disease affects people over a longer time period and potential therapeutic interventions for this condition is urgently needed.
4/25/21
Vaccine Breakthrough Infections with SARS-CoV-2 Variants
Source: NEJM
2 women out of a cohort of 417 persons who had received the second dose of Pfizer–BioNTech or Moderna vaccine identified with vaccine breakthrough infection.
4/25/21
Post-acute COVID-19 outcomes in children with mild and asymptomatic disease
Source: Lancet
Data on the long-term effects of COVID-19 in children and adolescents are needed, and should ideally be nationally representative and include broader demographics.
4/25/21
Are older people with disabilities neglected in the COVID-19 pandemic?
Source: Lancet
The exclusions of people with disabilities are social choices, not inevitable consequences of a health condition, and they are not new.
4/25/21
Mental health and social interactions of older people with physical disabilities in England during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal cohort study
Source: Lancet
People with a physical disability might be at particular risk for emotional distress, poor quality of life, and low wellbeing during COVID-19 pandemic.
4/25/21
A conceptual framework to accelerate the clinical impact of evolving research into long COVID
Source: Lancet
An international survey of individuals with long COVID reported a wide range of symptoms that persisted for months and resulted in substantial disability.
4/25/21
Covid-19 new variants—known unknowns
Source: BMJ
The BMJ hosted a webinar on new variants, discussed what these are, where they come from, and what they might do, as well as what we know about how particular...
4/25/21
Covid-19: Spike in cases in Chile is blamed on people mixing after first vaccine shot
Source: BMJ
Cases of the COVID-19 are surging in Chile despite the country having one of the most successful vaccine rollouts in the world.
4/25/21
Covid-19: What do we know about airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2?
Source: BMJ
UK advice states that COVID-19 spreads “through the air by droplets and smaller aerosols”. Infectious particles can “remain suspended in the air for some time indoors, especially if there is...
4/18/21
Serum Neutralizing Activity Elicited by mRNA-1273 Vaccine
Source: NEJM
Protection conferred by the mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccine against the P.1 (Brazilian), B.1.427/B.1.429 (Californian), and B.1.351 (South African) variants remains to be determined.
4/18/21
Monitoring differences between the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant and other lineages
Source: The Lancet
Research monitoring the differences between the B.1.1.7 (UK) variant and other lineages produced results indicating no link between B.1.1.7 prevalence and the type or frequency of symptoms reported by users....
4/18/21
Changes in symptomatology, reinfection, and transmissibility associated with the SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7: an ecological study
Source: The Lancet
This paper aims to investigate whether increases in the proportion of infections with SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7 are associated with differences in symptoms or disease course, reinfection rates, or transmissibility.
4/18/21
Lack of detail in population-level data impedes analysis of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and clinical outcomes
Source: The Lancet
Genetic drift and selection pressures (in particular with passive antibody treatments and vaccination) will continue to engender changes in SARS-CoV-2 and might result in the emergence of variants of high...
4/18/21
Genomic characteristics and clinical effect of the emergent SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 lineage in London, UK: a whole-genome sequencing and hospital-based cohort study
Source: The Lancet
A paper describing the emergence of the B.1.1.7 (UK) variant of COVID-19, including its key characteristics and clinical severity.
4/18/21
SARS-CoV-2 incidence and vaccine escape
Source: The Lancet
Reducing cases is not only beneficial for decreasing the pressure on health-care systems, but also for lowering the vaccine escape risk.
4/18/21
Lowering SARS-CoV-2 viral load might affect transmission but not disease severity in secondary cases
Source: The Lancet
While reducing the amount of virus circulating in and between individuals might be a key strategy to limit SARS-CoV-2 spread, on the basis of the existing evidence, it seems unlikely...
4/18/21
Pulmonary embolism and thrombocytopenia following ChAdOx1 vaccination
Source: The Lancet
A 51-year-old woman attended our emergency department with a 3-day history of dyspnoea, fatigue, and cough and was found to have severe thrombocytopenia (abnormally low level of platelets. 11 days...
4/18/21
Mounting evidence of impaired viral control in severe COVID-19
Source: The Lancet
These findings suggest that the virus is a key driver of pathogenesis (how the disease develops) in severe COVID-19. Some immunological signatures denote an impaired ability to control viral replication...
4/18/21
Suicide trends in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic: an interrupted time-series analysis of preliminary data from 21 countries
Source: The Lancet
In high-income and upper-middle-income countries, suicide numbers have remained largely unchanged or declined in the early months of the pandemic compared with the expected levels based on the pre-pandemic period.
4/18/21
SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity and subsequent infection risk in healthy young adults: a prospective cohort study
Source: The Lancet
Young adults who had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 had about one-fifth the risk of subsequent infection compared with those who had not. Although antibodies induced by initial infection are largely...
4/18/21
Covid-19 has redefined airborne transmission
Source: BMJ
People infected with SARS-CoV-2 produce many small respiratory particles laden with virus as they exhale. Some of these will be inhaled almost immediately by those within a typical conversational “short...
14/02/2021
False death figures go viral
Source: FullFact
Claim: Up to week 47 of 2020, there were only 511,883 deaths in England and Wales, 20,000 fewer than the number of deaths in 2019. VERDICT False. Up to and...
14/02/2021
Covid-19 survival rate is not 99.991% for under 60s
Source: FullFact
Claim: According to NHS data, as of 21st January there have been 4,717 COVID-19 deaths of people between the ages of 0-59 in the UK. Verdict: This is not true....
14/02/2021
Study doesn’t say most vapers are 17% more likely to transmit Covid
Source: FullFact
Claim: Vapers with COVID-19 are up to 17% more likely to transmit the virus. Verdict: The study found this may be the case in a small minority of vapers. However,...
14/02/2021
COVID-19: Dementia as Risk Factor / SARS-CoV-2 Origin?
Source: NEJM
Report on Research article Dementia as risk factor: Adults with dementia have twice the risk for COVID-19 as those without dementia, The team says it's "extremely unlikely" that it resulted...
14/02/2021
Genomic-informed pathogen surveillance in Africa: opportunities and challenges
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece Monitoring, evaluation, and sustainability frameworks will be needed to assess the added value of NGS (next-generation sequencing - equipment with the ability for high pathogen resolution at increasingly...
14/02/2021
Effect of the new SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7 on children and young people
Source: The Lancet
Research article Early second wave data (in the UK) show that the number of children and young people being admitted to hospital might be due to the higher prevalence of...
14/02/2021
Association between Clinical Frailty Scale score and hospital mortality in adult patients with COVID-19 (COMET): an international, multicentre, retrospective, observational cohort study
Source: The Lancet
Treatment decisions are regularly based on patients’ degree of frailty measured by the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS). This study shows that frail patients of all ages admitted to hospital with...
14/02/2021
SARS-CoV-2 transmission among children and staff in daycare centres during a nationwide lockdown in France: a cross-sectional, multicentre, seroprevalence study
Source: The Lancet
Research article The extent to which very young children contribute to the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is unclear. On the basis of these findings, there is no evidence for daycare centres...
14/02/2021
CovMT: an interactive SARS-CoV-2 mutation tracker, with a focus on critical variants
Source: The Lancet
Research article It is vital to keep track of mutations in the genome of SARS-CoV-2, especially in the spike protein's receptor binding domain (RBD) region, which could potentially impact disease...
14/02/2021
Covid-19: Is Manaus the final nail in the coffin for natural herd immunity?
Source: BMJ
Opinion piece “Manaus [a town in Brazil] shows that pursuing herd immunity through natural infection is not a guarantee. And second, even if we could reach it, hundreds of thousands...
14/02/2021
Poverty, health, and covid-19
Source: BMJ
Opinion piece COVID-19 does not strike at random—mortality is much higher in elderly people, poorer groups, and ethnic minorities, and its economic effect is also unevenly distributed across the population....
14/02/2021
Covid-19: More young children are being infected in Israel and Italy, emerging data suggest
Source: BMJ
Opinion piece Experts have warned that schools must be reopened with caution, amid emerging evidence from Israel and Italy that more young children are being infected with new variants of...
14/02/2021
COVID-19 Science Update released: February 12, 2021 Edition 76
Source: US CDC
A useful roundup of scientific information over the last week, newly aligned with the CDC science agenda. Topics covered include peer-reviewed and pre-release publications on; Natural History of SARS-CoV-2 Infection,...
14/02/2021
Rising mortality as Africa marks one year of COVID-19
Source: WHO Africa
Over 22 300 deaths were reported in Africa in the last 28 days, compared with nearly 16 000 deaths in the previous 28 days. The continent is expected to reach...
21/02/2021
COVID-19: Eye Abnormalities / Pulse Oximetry Accuracy & Skin Pigmentation
Source: NEJM
Comment on pre-release Researchers studied nearly 130 patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 who had undergone brain MRI. Some 7% of patients had one or more nodules in the light receptor...
21/02/2021
COVID-19: U.S. Life Expectancy Drops / Global Years of Life Lost
Source: NEJM
Comment on pre-release Males had a larger decline in life expectancy, falling from 76.3 to 75.1. By race, non-Hispanic Black people saw the largest drop, losing 2.7 years of life...
21/02/2021
Risk assessment: SARS-CoV-2 – increased circulation of variants of concern and vaccine rollout in the EU/EEA, 14th update
Source: EU CDC
This risk assessment provides an overall update on the COVID-19 situation in the EU/EEA, including latest data on the situation with SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern covered by previous targeted risk...
21/02/2021
Patient factors and temporal trends associated with COVID-19 in-hospital mortality in England: an observational study using administrative data
Source: The Lancet
Peer reviewed article 91 541 adult patients with COVID-19 were discharged during the study period, among which 28 200 (30·8%) in-hospital deaths occurred. In this model, significant predictors of in-hospital death included...
21/02/2021
Challenges in interpreting SARS-CoV-2 serological results in African countries
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece The spread of the virus is probably wider than the numbers reported by official surveillance systems that are based on PCR results. Serology tests detect antibodies against SARS-CoV-2,...
21/02/2021
Tuberculosis preventive therapy for children and adolescents: an emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic
Source: The Lancet
COVID-19, the clinical syndrome caused by SARS-CoV-2, has caused a tremendous burden of global morbidity and mortality. COVID-19 is predicted to have a devastating impact on other global infections, most...
21/02/2021
Covid-19 will become endemic but with decreased potency over time, scientists believe
Source: BMJ
Opinion piece The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus will not be eradicated but will become endemic, continuing to circulate in pockets of the global population for years to come and causing outbreaks in...
21/02/2021
Covid-19: Is vaccination roll out reducing cases and deaths in the UK?
Source: BMJ
Opinion piece Experts agree that although signs are encouraging better data are needed. Duncan Robertson, an analyst from Loughborough University’s School of Business and Economics, said, “The vaccination rollout data...
21/02/2021
What makes new variants of SARS-CoV-2 concerning is not where they come from, but the mutations they contain
Source: BMJ
Opinion piece In the past three months global attention has turned to the discovery and relative global health risks of new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It is possible, maybe...
21/02/2021
Covid-19 deaths in Africa: prospective systematic postmortem surveillance study
Source: BMJ
Peer reviewed paper Contrary to expectations, deaths with COVID-19 were common in Lusaka. Most occurred in the community, where testing capacity is lacking.
21/02/2021
Long-term effects of coronavirus (long COVID)
Source: NHS
For some people, COVID-19 can cause symptoms that last weeks or months after the infection has gone. This is sometimes called post-COVID-19 syndrome or "long COVID".
21/02/2021
Detection of B.1.351 SARS-CoV-2 Variant Strain — Zambia, December 2020
Source: US CDC
Pre-release paper Expanding capacity for genetic epidemiology in Africa will help strengthen surveillance for the B.1.351 variant as well as early detection of emerging variants that might affect the implementation...
21/02/2021
COVID-19 Science Update released: February 19, 2021 Edition 77
Source: US CDC
A summary of pre-release peer reviewed medical papers from the last week. From the Office of the Chief Medical Officer, CDC COVID-19 Response, and the CDC Library, Atlanta GA intended...
7/3/21
Secondary Infections in Patients with Severe COVID-19
Source: NEJM
Report on peer reviewed article Although few patients with COVID-19 also suffer from co-infections at hospital admission, bacterial or fungal infections appear to be quite common in critically ill patients...
7/3/21
COVID-19: Blood Type A / Increased Transmissibility of B.1.1.7
Source: NEJM
NEJM Journal Watch highlighted further evidence linking increased chances of infection for people with the A blood group. A study estimates that the SARS-CoV-2 variant known as B.1.1.7, which was...
7/3/21
Guillain-Barré Syndrome and COVID-19: Causation or Coincidence
Source: NEJM
A retrospective national epidemiologic study does not support a causal association between COVID-19 and Guillain-Barré Syndrome
7/3/21
Non-communicable disease, sociodemographic factors, and risk of death from infection: a UK Biobank observational cohort study
Source: The Lancet
Several noncommunicable diseases (NCD) are associated with an increased risk of infection death, suggesting that some of the reported associations with COVID-19 mortality might be non-specific. Only a subset of...
7/3/21
Clinical characteristics and mortality associated with COVID-19 in Jakarta, Indonesia: A hospital-based retrospective cohort study
Source: The Lancet
Peer review article Overall in-hospital mortality associated with COVID-19 in Jakarta was lower than reported in high-income countries, probably due to younger age distribution and fewer comorbidities. Deaths occurred across...
7/3/21
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in a neonate, temporally associated with prenatal exposure to SARS-CoV-2: a case report
Source: The Lancet
Peer review article With pregnant women, globally becoming more vulnerable to COVID-19 exposure because of relaxation of restrictions and setting in of pandemic fatigue, protecting the maternal–fetal from SARS-CoV-2 through...
7/3/21
Young person with long COVID after mild disease
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece Highlighting the prevalence of long covid symptoms for people who contracted SARS-CoV-2 but only showed mild symptoms.
7/3/21
Risk of adverse outcomes in patients with underlying respiratory conditions admitted to hospital with COVID-19: a national, multicentre prospective cohort study using the ISARIC WHO Clinical Characterisation Protocol UK
Source: The Lancet
Peer review article Underlying respiratory conditions are common in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Regardless of the severity of symptoms at admission and comorbidities, patients with asthma and those...
7/3/21
Metabolic health: a priority for the post-pandemic era
Source: The Lancet
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the underlying poor metabolic health in our society, with metabolic diseases associated with COVID-19 severity and worse outcomes. A recently published comparative risk assessment...
7/3/21
Covid-19: Highest death rates seen in countries with most overweight populations
Source: BMJ
Taking data from over 160 countries, the report found linear correlations between a country’s COVID-19 mortality and the proportion of adults that are overweight. There is not a single example...
7/3/21
Fewer COVID-19 cases among women in Africa: WHO analysis
Source: WHO Africa
Women account for a slightly smaller proportion of COVID-19 infections and deaths compared with men, a preliminary analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 28 African countries shows. The...
14/03/2021
How Do Children Who Have MIS-C Compare with Those Who Have Severe Acute COVID-19?
Source: NEJM
Report on peer review article Although children become infected with SARS-CoV-2 at lower rates and experience milder symptoms than adults, a multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) has been described...
14/03/2021
COVID-19: Higher Mortality with B.1.1.7 Variant / Acute Kidney Injury / Bamlanivimab + Etesevimab
Source: NEJM
Report on peer review article A study on the increased risk to patients already suffering from kidney disease, the higher mortality rates caused by the B1.1.7 variant and the effective...
14/03/2021
Our Recent Coverage of COVID-19
Source: NEJM
NEJM Journal Watch’s weekly summaries, commentary, and news on the pandemic. This week NEJM covered COVID-19–related topics including SARS-CoV-2 transmission in schools, SOFA scores and mortality, tocilizumab for severe disease,...
14/03/2021
Study Highlights COVID-19 Risks for Overweight, Obese Adults
Source: NEJM
Report on peer review article The finding that risk for severe COVID-19–associated illness increases with higher BMI suggests that progressively intensive management of COVID-19 might be needed for patients with...
14/03/2021
Patients with gout: an under-recognised group at high risk of COVID-19
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece When patients with gout are not taking immunosuppressants, their comorbidities mean that they have among the highest risk of poor COVID-19-related outcomes of all patients with rheumatic diseases.
14/03/2021
Addressing fundamental questions on MIS-C
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece The ongoing emergence and rapid dissemination of knowledge around multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is incredibly important for clinical teams around the world to treat their patients...
14/03/2021
The impact of SARS-CoV-2 variants on IBD management
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed several challenges in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) management. One of the initial key considerations was the effect of immunosuppression on COVID-19 incidence and...
14/03/2021
Seroprevalence surveys in sub-Saharan Africa: what do they tell us?
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece Initial estimates of the potential effect of SARS-CoV-2 virus in sub-Saharan Africa were catastrophic: fortunately, these predictions have not been met in terms of number of cases, deaths,...
14/03/2021
Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in six districts in Zambia in July, 2020: a cross-sectional cluster sample survey
Source: The Lancet
Peer review article The number of SARS-CoV-2 infections is likely to be higher than the confirmed case counts because many infected people have mild or no symptoms, and limitations exist...
14/03/2021
Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Zimbabwe shows dominance of variants of concern
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece The recent, worldwide spread of variants of concern has highlighted the need for global vigilance. Prospective surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 by genome sequencing in Zimbabwe between December, 2020, and...
14/03/2021
Children and young people remain at low risk of COVID-19 mortality
Source: The Lancet
Report on peer reviewed article Evidence indicates that children continue to be mostly, but not completely, spared the worst outcome of the pandemic, particularly compared with older adults who have...
14/03/2021
Children and the return to school: how much should we worry about COVID-19 and long covid?
Source: BMJ
Opinion piece The clinical presentation and immune profile in those children who are hospitalised seems similar to the disease in adults. An exception to this is the relatively small subset...
14/03/2021
Risk of mortality in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern 202012/1: matched cohort study
Source: BMJ
Peer reviewed article The probability that the risk of mortality is increased by infection with VOC-202012/01 is high. If this finding is generalisable to other populations, infection with VOC-202012/1 has...
14/03/2021
How CDC is responding to SARS-CoV-2 variants globally
Source: US CDC
Latest updates on how the CDC is responding to SARS-CoV-2 variants globally.
14/03/2021
Body Mass Index and Risk for COVID-19–Related Hospitalization, Intensive Care Unit Admission, Invasive Mechanical Ventilation, and Death — United States, March–December 2020
Source: US CDC
Research Study A clinical study finds that overweight and obesity were risk factors for invasive mechanical ventilation. Obesity was a risk factor for hospitalization and death, particularly among adults aged
21/03/2021
SARS-CoV-2 Reinfection Uncommon, but Older Adults Seem at Higher Risk
Source: NEJM
Report on peer reviewed article Research finds that SARS-CoV-2 reinfection is uncommon, but older adults seem at higher risk. The reinfection rate was 8 per 100,000 person among people aged...
21/03/2021
Assessment of protection against reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 among 4 million PCR-tested individuals in Denmark in 2020: a population-level observational study
Source: Lancet
Peer review article Using Danish national PCR-test data from 2020, the study estimates protection towards repeat infection with SARS-CoV-2. It found protection against repeat infection was circa 80%, falling to...
21/03/2021
Seroprevalence and humoral immune durability of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Wuhan, China: a longitudinal, population-level, cross-sectional study
Source: Lancet
Peer review article 6.92% of a cross-sectional sample of the population of Wuhan developed antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, with 39.8% of this population seroconverting to have neutralising antibodies. The data on...
21/03/2021
Sustained neutralising antibodies in the Wuhan population suggest durable protection against SARS-CoV-2
Source: Lancet
Report on peer reviewed article This study is an important milestone in the description of SARS-CoV-2 infection and our understanding of immunity in the pandemic. The study detected neutralising antibodies...
21/03/2021
Long COVID: understanding the neurological effects
Source: Lancet
The concept of so-called long COVID has gained prominence in recent months, with some patients reporting persistent neurological manifestations, from milder symptoms such as headaches, hyposmia, hypogeusia, and fatigue to...
21/03/2021
Covid-19: Eight in 10 Wuhan residents with antibodies had no symptoms, finds study
Source: BMJ
More than three quarters of Wuhan residents who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies had experienced no COVID-19 symptoms and just under half developed long lasting neutralising antibodies, show results from...
28/03/2021
Mental Health Aftermath of COVID-19: Long-Hauler Depression?
Source: NEJM
Report of peer reviewed article Recent surveys during the COVID-19 pandemic have documented substantial rates of depression, anxiety, and overall distress in as many as one third of healthcare workers,...
28/03/2021
Predictors of “Long COVID-19”
Source: NEJM
Report on peer reviewed article This study suggests a relatively small fraction of symptomatic people with PCR-positive COVID-19 go on to develop chronic, debilitating symptoms. The people who were oldest,...
28/03/2021
Just How Much Protection Against SARS-CoV-2 Reinfection Does Prior Infection Provide?
Source: NEJM
Report on peer reviewed article Factors expected to influence reinfection rates in patients with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection include general immune status, time from initial infection, prevalence of viral variants, and...
28/03/2021
Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibody responses and duration of immunity: a longitudinal study
Source: The Lancet
Pre-release of peer review article Neutralising antibody response dynamics in patients who have recovered from COVID-19 vary greatly, and prediction of immune longevity can only be accurately determined at the...
28/03/2021
Prevalence of RT-qPCR-detected SARS-CoV-2 infection at schools: First results from the Austrian School-SARS-CoV-2 prospective cohort study
Source: The Lancet
Peer review article This monitoring study in Austrian schools revealed SARS-CoV-2 infection in 0·39%-1·39% of participants and identified associations of regional community incidence and social deprivation with higher prevalence.
28/03/2021
Africa needs local solutions to face the COVID-19 pandemic
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece In The Lancet, Stephanie Salyer and colleagues' comprehensive and elegant cross-sectional analysis of COVID-19 case counts, response measures, and mortality rates highlights the diversity of the COVID-19 burden...
28/03/2021
Pre-existing conditions are associated with COVID-19 patients’ hospitalization, despite confirmed clearance of SARS-CoV-2 virus
Source: The Lancet
Peer review article Overall, this retrospective study highlights specific pre-existing conditions that are associated with higher hospitalization rates in COVID-19 patients despite viral clearance and motivates follow-up prospective research into...
28/03/2021
The first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa: a cross-sectional study
Source: The Lancet
Peer review article Analysis showed that the African continent had a more severe second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic than the first, and highlights the importance of examining multiple epidemiological...
28/03/2021
First manifestation of adult-onset Still’s disease after COVID-19
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a rare inflammatory disorder that usually affects young adults, with a bimodal peak at ages 15–25 years and 36–46 years. Here, we report...
28/03/2021
Microvascular disease in diabetes and severe COVID-19 outcomes
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece Microvascular disease has been associated with worse outcomes in people with diabetes admitted to hospital for COVID-19. Pre-existing endothelial dysfunction and diffuse microangiopathy, particularly in the pulmonary microcirculation,...
28/03/2021
Long COVID: understanding the neurological effects
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece The concept of so-called long COVID has gained prominence in recent months, with some patients reporting persistent neurological manifestations, from milder symptoms such as headaches, hyposmia, hypogeusia, and...
28/03/2021
Covid-19: Middle aged women face greater risk of debilitating long term symptoms
Source: BMJ
Middle aged women have a higher risk of experiencing a range of debilitating ongoing symptoms, such as fatigue, breathlessness, muscle pain, anxiety, depression, and “brain fog” after hospital treatment for...
4/4/21
How Does Living with Children Affect Adults’ Risk for COVID-19 and Its Outcomes?
Source: NEJM
Report on peer reviewed article These data indicate that during the second wave of the pandemic in England, children appeared to have a role in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. However,...
4/4/21
Neurologic Involvement in Children Hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Source: NEJM
Report on peer reviewed article This snapshot of paediatric patients hospitalised with acute or postinfectious COVID-19 or MIS-C describes the commonly occurring neurologic symptoms and highlights that in rare cases...
4/4/21
who-china-study-sars-cov-2-likely-came-intermediary-host
Source: NEJM
Report on peer reviewed article The most probable origin of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was an intermediary animal host, states a joint report from the World Health Organization and experts from...
4/4/21
Return to Activity After COVID-19: Lessons from Professional Sports
Source: NEJM
Report on peer reviewed article These findings from a large and well-performed study demonstrate that cardiac involvement is rare after mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 (
4/4/21
COVID-19: Post-Discharge Organ Damage, Death / B.1.1.7 Rising in U.S. / Mortality in 2020 / WHO on Ivermectin
Source: NEJM
Report on peer reviewed article Patients discharged following a hospital stay for COVID-19 are at increased risk for mortality, readmission, and organ dysfunction, finds a study in the BMJ. The...
4/4/21
ECDC report examines SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk from vaccinated/previously infected individuals
Source: EU CDC
In the Technical Report 'Risk for SARS-CoV-2 transmission from newly infected individuals with documented previous infection or vaccination', published today, ECDC examines the evidence on the extent previous SARS-CoV-2 infection...
4/4/21
Association between pre-existing respiratory disease and its treatment, and severe COVID-19: a population cohort study
Source: The Lancet
Peer review article The risk of severe COVID-19 in people with asthma is relatively small. People with COPD and interstitial lung disease appear to have a modestly increased risk of...
4/4/21
Short-term safety of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in patients with cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors
Source: The Lancet
Experts at the Israeli National Council for Prevention Diagnosis and Treatment of Malignant Disease raised concerns regarding the ability of the vaccine to provoke or enhance immune-related side-effects in patients...
4/4/21
Anterior uveitis in paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece COVID-19 in children and adolescents generally only causes mild symptoms. However, an immune response with persistent fever, inflammation, and single or multiorgan dysfunction, without any microbial cause, but...
4/4/21
Post-covid syndrome in individuals admitted to hospital with covid-19: retrospective cohort study
Source: BMJ
Individuals discharged from hospital after Covid-19 had increased rates of multiorgan dysfunction compared with the expected risk in the general population. The increase in risk was not confined to the...
4/4/21
WHO calls for further studies, data on origin of SARS-CoV-2 virus, reiterates that all hypotheses remain open
Source: WHO
The report of the WHO international team on their Wuhan field visit, from 14 January -10 February 2021, was published today. The WHO’s Director General noted that while the reports...
11/4/21
Does Blood Group Type A Confer Excess Risk for SARS-CoV-2 Infection?
Source: NEJM
Report on peer review article The positive findings in this study for risk associated with age and sex strengthen the validity of the negative findings for blood group type. If...
11/4/21
COVID-19: Neurologic & Psychiatric Sequelae / MIS-C Update
Source: NEJM
According to a retrospective study in The Lancet Psychiatry, risks for neurologic and psychiatric morbidity are significantly increased in the months after COVID-19 diagnosis. In an update on Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome...
11/4/21
1 in 7 Report Persistent Symptoms After Mild COVID-19
Source: NEJM
Roughly 15% of patients who had mild COVID-19 symptoms still had symptoms 8 months later, according to a JAMA research letter. The most common prolonged symptoms were anosmia, fatigue, ageusia,...
11/4/21
Susceptibility of Circulating SARS-CoV-2 Variants to Neutralization
Source: NEJM
Findings suggest that B.1.1.7 showed little resistance to the neutralizing activity of convalescent or vaccine serum, whereas B.1.351 showed more resistance to the neutralization of both convalescent serum (by a...
11/4/21
Incident systemic rheumatic disease following COVID-19
Source: The Lancet
Although viruses can induce rheumatic diseases, the impact of SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind COVID-19, on the development of systemic rheumatic disease is unclear. COVID-19 can cause a hyperinflammatory state, and...
11/4/21
A longer look at COVID-19 and neuropsychiatric outcomes
Source: The Lancet
Report on peer review article In the 6 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection, about a third of individuals had a neurological or psychiatric disorder, substantially more than comparative figures for influenza....
11/4/21
6-month neurological and psychiatric outcomes in 236 379 survivors of COVID-19: a retrospective cohort study using electronic health records
Source: The Lancet
Pre-release peer review article The study provides evidence for substantial neurological and psychiatric morbidity in the 6 months after COVID-19 infection. Risks were greatest in, but not limited to, patients...
11/4/21
Recorded but not revealed: exploring the relationship between sex and gender, country income level, and COVID-19
Source: The Lancet
Identifying the contribution of sex and gender to SARS-CoV-2 infection yields important evidence on both biological mechanisms that underlie differences in illness outcomes, and social and structural dynamics that influence...
11/4/21
Distinguishing the real from the hyperglycaemia: does COVID-19 induce diabetes?
Source: The Lancet
Report on peer review article The potential role of SARS-CoV-2 in inducing diabetes is likely to be more complex than the mere notion of pancreatic ACE2 expression and β-cell destruction....
11/4/21
Calls for transparency after SARS-CoV-2 origins report
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece As focus shifts to the next phase of research on the origins of SARS-CoV-2, calls for data sharing and more rigorous studies intensify. The publication on March 30,...
11/4/21
COVID-19 severity and obesity: are MAIT cells a factor?
Source: The Lancet
Report on peer review article People with obesity have an increased risk of severe COVID-19. A meta-analysis by Popkin and colleagues found that the odds ratio of people with obesity...
11/4/21
Pandemic fans the flames of smoking and health inequity
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece During the COVID-19 pandemic, evidence suggests that fewer people are stopping smoking and more ex-smokers are relapsing. This finding is especially concerning because smokers are at a higher...
11/4/21
“In an ocean of ashes, islands of order”: WHO’s SARS-CoV-2 origin report
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece The WHO’s report on the origin of SARS-CoV-2 was released on March 30. 34 international and Chinese multidisciplinary experts reviewed hundreds of thousands of epidemiological, clinical, and genomic...
11/4/21
Covid-19: One in three has neurological or psychiatric condition diagnosed after covid infection, study finds
Source: BMJ
Report on peer review article When compared with people who had flu or other respiratory tract infections over the same period, COVID-19 survivors were more likely to have conditions such...
11/4/21
Post-COVID Conditions
Source: US CDC
Although most people with COVID-19 get better within weeks to months of illness, some do not. CDC and experts around the world are working to learn more about short- and...
11/1/21
When should I suspect coronavirus infection?
Source: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
COVID-19 is spread by droplets from sneezing and coughing. Common symptoms are: fever, new and continuous cough, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, loss of smell, and loss of taste....
11/1/21
Coronavirus – COVID 19
Source: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus, thought to originally be hosted in bats, which emerged in China in 2019. This is mainly a respiratory illness. The most common symptoms are fever,...
11/1/21
COVID-19 in Africa: half a year later
Source: The Lancet
This article provides a retrospective on the first months of COVID-19 in Africa. Across Africa, readiness in surveillance, laboratory capacity, case management, and infection prevention has increased (as scored by...
11/1/21
US$100 million Africa Pathogen Genomics Initiative to boost disease surveillance and emergency response capacity in Africa
Source: Africa CDC
On the 12th of October, the Africa Pathogen Genomics Initiative (Africa PGI) was launched to expand access to next-generation sequencing (NGS) tools and expertise across Africa. Next-generation sequencing allows researchers...
11/1/21
Statement on new SARS-CoV-2 variant with multiple spike protein mutations
Source: Africa CDC
The Africa CDC is raising awareness of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 reported in South Africa and the United Kingdom (UK). SARS-CoV-2 is the virus which causes COVID-19. This new...
11/1/21
WHO urges greater surveillance as new COVID-19 variants emerge
Source: WHO African Region
New variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19, are being detected in the African region. These variants appear to transmit more easily, and the new variant recently detected in...
11/1/21
Coronavirus Update 42: What we know about COVID-19 and mink
Source: WHO
While SARS-CoV-2 spreads mainly through and between humans, transmission has been observed between infected humans and mink, dogs, domestic cats, lions, tigers and raccoon dogs. SARS-CoV-2 has been reported in...
11/1/21
COVID-19 Scientific and Public Health Policy Update – (17 November 2020)
Source: Africa CDC
This update provides a summary of the latest developments in scientific knowledge and public health policy from around the world. Highlights on epidemiology are summarised below: - An analysis of...
11/1/21
Quantitative assessment of olfactory dysfunction accurately detects asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers
Source: The Lancet
Detecting and isolating asymptomatic COVID-19 cases is key in limiting the spread of the disease, as asymptomatic people can still transmit SARS-CoV-2. There have been reports from COVID-19 patients of...
11/1/21
Predicted COVID-19 fatality rates based on age, sex, comorbidities and health system capacity
Source: BMJ
The Infection Fatality Rate (IFR) is the proportion of people infected with the virus who will die as a result - this captures asymptomatic and undiagnosed cases through statistical modelling....
11/1/21
Noncommunicable diseases increase risk of dying from COVID-19 in Africa
Source: WHO African Region
Evidence is showing that Africans with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and asthma are more at risk of suffering severe complications or death from COVID-19 infection....
11/1/21
Nearly 1 in 5 COVID-19 deaths in the African region linked to diabetes
Source: WHO African Region
The WHO has analysed data on COVID-19 and comorbidities from 14 African countries and has found that 18.3% of COVID-19 deaths in the African region are among people with diabetes,...
11/1/21
COVID-19 Scientific and Public Health Policy Update – (01 December 2020)
Source: Africa CDC
This update provides a summary of the latest developments in scientific knowledge and public health policy from around the world. Highlights on epidemiology are summarised below: - In a large,...
11/1/21
HIV infection and COVID-19 death: a population-based cohort analysis of UK primary care data and linked national death registrations within the OpenSAFELY platform
Source: The Lancet
People with HIV in the UK seem to be at increased risk of COVID-19 mortality: A study on COVID-19 patients living with HIV in England found that people living with...
11/1/21
Coronavirus Update 36: What we know about long-term effects of COVID-19
Source: WHO
Most people with COVID-19 experience mild or moderate symptoms, however around 10-15% of cases progress to severe disease and around 5% become critically ill. People typically recover from COVID-19 2-6...
11/1/21
COVID-19 Scientific and Public Health Policy Update – (15 December 2020)
Source: Africa CDC
This update provides a summary of the latest developments in scientific knowledge and public health policy from around the world. Highlights on epidemiology are summarised below: - Adults over 60...
11/1/21
Mask use in the context of COVID-19
Source: WHO
The WHO advises that masks should be used along with other control measures to help prevent and control the spread of COVID-19. Guidance is provided on the types of masks...
11/1/21
Coronavirus Update 40: Overview of the COVID-19 pandemic
Source: WHO
The website: https://covid19.who.int/table provides updates on case numbers and fatalities. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which are known to circulate in animals and humans, some of which can...
11/1/21
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public
Source: WHO
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Less common symptoms include loss of taste or smell, aches and pains, headache, sore throat, nasal congestion, red...
28/01/2021
COVID-19: Persistent Symptoms After Mild Illness / When to Test Student Contacts? / Pulse Oximetry Limitations
Source: NEJM
Review on research article Persistent symptoms after mild illness: One third of patients with mild COVID-19 may report ongoing symptoms 6 months later, according to a small study
28/01/2021
Patients with COVID-19 Are Unlikely to Survive In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
Source: NEJM
Report on research article Most critically ill patients with COVID-19 have moderate-to-severe hypoxemia, and outcomes for patients with in-hospital arrest in the setting of hypoxemic respiratory failure generally are poor.
28/01/2021
COVID-19: Reinfections / New Name for “Long COVID” / IL-6 Inhibitor / NYC & Calif. Variants
Source: NEJM
Report on research articles COVID-19 reinfections confirmed in US; Interleukin-6 (a protein linked to inflammation) inhibitors as a promising therapy for COVID-19 and; further information on the spread of variants.
28/01/2021
Does Neonatal Protection Against COVID-19 Begin with Prenatal Maternal Antibodies
Source: NEJM
Report on research article These findings are reassuring in showing that pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 can efficiently transfer anti–spike protein IgG antibodies to their foetuses, thereby helping to protect...
28/01/2021
SARS-CoV-2 Reinfection with a Mutant Viral Variant: A Case Study
Source: NEJM
Opinion piece Official report on case of infection and reinfection by two different SARS-CoV-2 strains.
28/01/2021
Anticipating outcomes for patients with COVID-19 and identifying prognosis patterns
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece Older age, male sex and increased body-mass index are all linked again to increased chances of severe COVID-19 infections.
28/01/2021
Tuberculosis preventive therapy for children and adolescents: an emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece The provision of tuberculosis preventive therapy for all forms of tuberculosis should be seen as an emergency measure to combat the devastating effect of COVID-19 on tuberculosis,
28/01/2021
Pre-pandemic mental illness and risk of death from COVID-19
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece It has been found that a diagnosis of poor mental health was associated with an increased risk of COVID-19.
28/01/2021
COVID-19 hindering progress against female genital mutilation
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece The alarming signals of rising FGM cases are part of a broader context in which the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted women's wellbeing—from increases in domestic violence, to...
28/01/2021
For Parents: Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19
Source: US CDC
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a condition where different body parts can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs. Many children with...
28/01/2021
COVID-19 Science Update released: February 26, 2021 Edition 78
Source: US CDC
A round up of recent scientific research and factual reports.
31/01/2021
Duration of Culturable SARS-CoV-2 in Hospitalized Patients with Covid-19
Source: New England Journal of Medicine
A letter by Min-Chul Kim, M.D., Ph.D. Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea, Chunguang Cui, M.Sc. Kyeong-Ryeol Shin, M.Sc. Joon-Yong Bae, Ph.D. Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea...
31/01/2021
Shedding of Viable SARS-CoV-2 after Immunosuppressive Therapy for Cancer
Source: New England Journal of Medicine
A letter by Teresa Aydillo, Ph.D. Ana S. Gonzalez-Reiche, Ph.D. Sadaf Aslam, B.A. Adriana van de Guchte, M.S. Zenab Khan, B.S. Ajay Obla, Ph.D. Jayeeta Dutta, M.B.A. Harm van Bakel,...
31/01/2021
Infographic: Mutation of SARS-CoV2 – current variants of concern
Source: ECDC
A new infographic from the ECDC showing facts and figures about the three leading variants of the SARS CoV-2 virus.
31/01/2021
Covid-19: New UK variant may be linked to increased death rate, early data indicate
Source: BMJ
A briefing paper published on 22 January by the UK Government’s New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG) highlighted several preliminary analyses showing a possible increase in the...
31/01/2021
US COVID-19 Cases Caused by Variants
Source: US CDC
This update from the CDC shows the numbers of US COVID-19 cases caused by new variants of the virus. New variants (also known as new strains) of the virus randomly...
31/01/2021
How To Interpret That ‘1 in 8 Recovered COVID Patients Die’ Study
Source: Snopes
This statistic is based on a preliminary draft of a large scale study investigating the long-term outcome of COVID-19 patients in the UK who were hospitalized, recovered and released. The...
31/01/2021
Vaccinating Children against Covid-19 — The Lessons of Measles
Source: New England Journal of Medicine
This is an opinion piece by Perri Klass, M.D., and Adam J. Ratner, M.D., M.P.H from the Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York. They argue that vaccinating...
31/01/2021
Household transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and risk factors for susceptibility and infectivity in Wuhan: a retrospective observational study
Source: The Lancet
This study looked at households of all laboratory-confirmed or clinically confirmed COVID-19 cases and laboratory-confirmed asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections identified by the Wuhan Center for Disease Control and Prevention between Dec...
31/01/2021
New COVID-19 variants fuelling Africa’s second wave
Source: WHO
A new COVID-19 variant, 501Y.V2, known as the South African variant, has been detected in many countries including Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Comoros, Zambia and in 24 non-African nations. It is...
2/2/21
People with HIV Have Poorer COVID-19 Outcomes
Source: NEJM
Review Although HIV-seropositive people are not more likely to be diagnosed with COVID-19 than HIV-seronegative people, they have poorer clinical outcomes, according to a JAMA Network Open report. Researchers studied...
2/2/21
How Long Does Immunity Last After Recovery from Mild COVID-19?
Source: NEJM
Gaebler at al. assessed humoral memory (the presence of viral fighting protein in the blood stream body fluids) and responses in 87 patients at both 40 days and 6 months...
2/2/21
Evaluating the effects of cardiometabolic exposures on circulating proteins which may contribute to severe SARS-CoV-2
Source: The Lancet
Research paper Looking at the way SARS-CoV-2 causes disease in people is important in being able to control and fight it. Scientists are looking at the proteins (biological building blocks)...
2/2/21
Understanding variants of SARS-CoV-2
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece All viruses mutate. But three variants of SARS-CoV-2 have raised particular concerns. On Jan 21, 2021, the UK New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG) issued...
2/2/21
Factors associated with the spatial heterogeneity of the first wave of COVID-19 in France: a nationwide geo-epidemiological study
Source: The Lancet
This ecological study highlights the impact of the epidemic spread, national lockdown, and reactive adaptation of intensive care capacities on the spatial distribution of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. It provides...
2/2/21
Covid-19: The E484K mutation and the risks it poses
Source: BMJ
The mutation E484K, first identified in the South African SARS-CoV-2 variant, has now been identified in the UK fast-spreading variant, prompting fears the virus is evolving further and could become...
2/2/21
Covid-19: Four in 10 people with evidence of past infection had no classic symptoms, study finds
Source: BMJ
News article Around one in four people who had evidence of past COVID-19 infection were completely asymptomatic, while 40% did not have one of the three classic symptoms—fever, persistent dry...
2/2/21
New SARS-CoV-2 variants in Africa
Source: Africa CDC
Africa is currently experiencing an increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases. As of 27 January 2021, at least 40 countries have experienced a second wave of the pandemic,...
2/2/21
Covid-19: Sore throat, fatigue, and myalgia are more common with new UK variant
Source: BMJ
People infected with the new variant of COVID-19 discovered in the England (known as B.1.1.7 or VUI 202012/01) are more likely to have a cough, sore throat, fatigue, or myalgia...
2/2/21
Covid-19: WHO warns against “vaccine nationalism” or face further virus mutations
Source: BMJ
WHO officials have voiced concerns at “vaccine nationalism” which could increase the risk of the coronavirus mutating further by restricting the ability to distribute vaccines globally. They also noted that...
2/2/21
New Variants of the Virus that Causes COVID-19
Source: USCDC
Viruses constantly change through mutation, and new variants of a virus are expected to occur over time. Sometimes new variants emerge and disappear; sometimes they persist. Variants of the virus...