19th Ave New York, NY 95822, USA
8/20/21
Africa Trade Insurance Agency supports Africa CDC in COVID-19 Response in Africa
Source: Africa CDC
Africa is facing a surging third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination remains a challenge. As a partner in the continents’ response to the pandemic, The African Trade Insurance...
8/20/21
Togo vaccinates over 90% of health workers against COVID-19
Source: WHO Africa
When Togo launched its COVID-19 vaccination campaign on 10 March, health workers on the frontlines of the pandemic were identified among the priority groups. 33 090 health workers have received...
6/27/21
You do not need a doctor’s letter to prove exemption from face coverings
Source: Fullfact
Claim: You are not exempt from wearing a face covering unless you have a supporting letter from a doctor, and wearing the invisible disability exemption badge is illegal in the...
6/27/21
The BMJ didn’t say PCR tests are useless
Source: Fullfact
Claim: A BMJ article is proof that the use of PCR tests are a massive part of the problem. Verdict: The BMJ article illustrates some of the concerns around potentially...
6/27/21
Data4COVID19 Africa Challenge: NCDC Emerges One of Seven Winners to Strengthen Data Use in Response to COVID-19
Source: Nigeria CDC
The Data4COVID19 Africa Challenge is aimed at analysing existing data on COVID-19 to understand the social, economic, and political factors that influence knowledge and perception of COVID-19 among Nigerians.
6/27/21
KEMRI Launched 4 COVID Related Products in Kenya
Source: KEMRI
The products that include VTM (virus transport media) - KEMrub Hand sanitizers, TBcide, KEMiZyme, Proficiency Testing kits - were launched during the familiarization visit to KEMRI.
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
India’s COVID-19 emergency: overarching conclusions belie facts
Source: Lancet
The Editors draw attention to India's economic capabilities, the challenges of a hugely diverse population, and the dangers of false optimism amidst the second wave of SARS-CoV-2.
6/27/21
India’s COVID-19 response: science first
Source: Lancet
Critique of the article published (26/06/2021): It is sad to see that the Editors are keen to give a verdict on the Indian COVID-19 emergency and the so-called botched vaccination...
6/27/21
The complex causes of India’s 2021 COVID-19 surge
Source: Lancet
On a fundamental level, a society's health literacy plays an important role in adopting preventive guidelines. Politicians thus might also be reflections of this poor health literacy or perception of...
6/27/21
Pandemic response requires early and robust verification
Source: Lancet
Universal Health and Preparedness Review, currently planned as voluntary, should be obligatory. WHO can play a key role in this area by providing countries with technical assistance, normative guidelines, and...
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
NHS COVID Pass
Source: NHS
NHS COVID pass introduced in the UK. An NHS COVID Pass shows your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination details or test results and can be used to gain access for venues and...
6/27/21
Africa CDC and the Ministry of Public Health strengthen the capacities of Cameroonian clinicians in COVID-19 case management
Source: Africa CDC
Building the capacity of health workers in case management is one of the factors that will help minimize deaths and complications from COVID-19.
6/27/21
UNESCO and WHO urge countries to make every school a health-promoting school
Source: WHO
“A school that is not health-promoting is no longer justifiable and acceptable. I call for all of us to affirm our commitment and role, to make every school a health-promoting...
6/27/21
At Local Production Forum, WHO and partners highlight key steps to improve access to health technologies
Source: WHO
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of local manufacturing as a key component of pandemic response by reducing reliance on global markets and imported products.
6/27/21
Directors General of WHO, WIPO and the WTO agree on intensified cooperation in support of access to medical technologies worldwide to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic
Source: WHO
A one-stop shop that will make available the full range of expertise on access, IP and trade matters provided by our organizations, and other partners, in a coordinated and systematic...
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...
6/9/21
Identifying and Tracking SARS-CoV-2 Variants — A Challenge and an Opportunity
Source: NEJM
Funding designated for increasing our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 variants could be used in ways that would help guide the current pandemic response and yield benefits for years to come.
6/9/21
A simple, home-therapy algorithm to prevent hospitalisation for COVID-19 patients: A retrospective observational matched-cohort study
Source: Lancet
Implementation of an early home treatment algorithm failed to accelerate recovery from major symptoms of COVID-19 but reduced the risk of hospitalisation and related treatment costs.
6/12/21
Narrative complexity in the time of COVID-19
Source: Lancet
The weight of narrative evidence adds complexity to an often oversimplified picture of medical and public health issues.
6/9/21
Covid-19: Tests must be more rigorously regulated to protect public, say statisticians
Source: BMJ
Statistical experts have called for new standards for diagnostic tests in response to regulatory gaps identified during the COVID-19 pandemic.
6/7/21
Blood donation during Covid-19 Pandemic
Source: WHO
During the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, UBTS experienced a shortage of blood supplies and had to use innovative ways of mobilizing blood donors.
6/10/21
WHO continues to support countries to fight COVID-19
Source: WHO
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, WHO remains active around the world to support vaccination and information campaigns, deliver supplies, protect the vulnerable, maintain essential health services and more.
6/9/21
Council on the Economics of Health For All issues brief on equitable health innovation
Source: WHO
In the Council’s first brief, its members called on the public and private sectors to work collaboratively to deliver needed vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and other essential health supplies that are...
6/11/21
The system stalling COVID-19 importation into Rwanda
Source: WHO Africa
Imported COVID-19 cases have significantly reduced because of the country’s surveillance system
6/11/21
Tackling surges in severe COVID-19 cases in Africa
Source: WHO Africa
Africa has the highest global mortality rate among critically ill COVID-19 patients despite having the world’s lowest COVID-19 infections and deaths overall, a recent study published by the Lancet found.
6/11/21
How Senegal prepared for COVID-19 surge
Source: WHO Africa
Actions include strengthening disease surveillance at all levels to swiftly detect cases for isolation and monitoring, and expanded vaccination as much as possible.
6/9/21
Identifying and Tracking SARS-CoV-2 Variants — A Challenge and an Opportunity
Source: NEJM
Funding designated for increasing our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 variants could be used in ways that would help guide the current pandemic response and yield benefits for years to come.
6/9/21
A simple, home-therapy algorithm to prevent hospitalisation for COVID-19 patients: A retrospective observational matched-cohort study
Source: Lancet
Implementation of an early home treatment algorithm failed to accelerate recovery from major symptoms of COVID-19 but reduced the risk of hospitalisation and related treatment costs.
6/12/21
Narrative complexity in the time of COVID-19
Source: Lancet
The weight of narrative evidence adds complexity to an often oversimplified picture of medical and public health issues.
6/9/21
Covid-19: Tests must be more rigorously regulated to protect public, say statisticians
Source: BMJ
Statistical experts have called for new standards for diagnostic tests in response to regulatory gaps identified during the COVID-19 pandemic.
6/10/21
WHO continues to support countries to fight COVID-19
Source: WHO
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, WHO remains active around the world to support vaccination and information campaigns, deliver supplies, protect the vulnerable, maintain essential health services and more.
6/7/21
Blood donation during Covid-19 Pandemic
Source: WHO
During the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, UBTS experienced a shortage of blood supplies and had to use innovative ways of mobilizing blood donors.
6/9/21
Council on the Economics of Health For All issues brief on equitable health innovation
Source: WHO
In the Council’s first brief, its members called on the public and private sectors to work collaboratively to deliver needed vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and other essential health supplies that are...
6/11/21
The system stalling COVID-19 importation into Rwanda
Source: WHO Africa
Imported COVID-19 cases have significantly reduced because of the country’s surveillance system
6/11/21
How Senegal prepared for COVID-19 surge
Source: WHO Africa
Actions include strengthening disease surveillance at all levels to swiftly detect cases for isolation and monitoring, and expanded vaccination as much as possible.
6/11/21
Tackling surges in severe COVID-19 cases in Africa
Source: WHO Africa
Africa has the highest global mortality rate among critically ill COVID-19 patients despite having the world’s lowest COVID-19 infections and deaths overall, a recent study published by the Lancet found.
6/6/21
Ministry rolls out a safe method of healthcare waste disposal
Source: KMoH
The Ministry of Health has rolled out a pilot project for the use of medical waste microwave equipment.
6/6/21
Infographic: Considerations for vaccinating adolescents against COVID-19
Source:
This infographic summarises some key messages from ECDC's technical report Interim public health considerations for COVID-19 vaccination of adolescents in the EU/EEA.
6/6/21
Reducing COVID-19 transmission and strengthening vaccine uptake among migrant populations in the EU/EEA
Source: EU CDC
This report presents evidence on the impact of COVID-19 on migrant populations in EU/EEA countries.
6/6/21
Infographic: Reducing COVID-19 transmission and strengthening vaccine uptake among migrants
Source: EU CDC
Infographic: Reducing COVID-19 transmission and strengthening vaccine uptake among migrants
6/6/21
India faces a challenge with its mass vaccination efforts
Source: Lancet
Mass vaccination exercise in the middle of a pandemic has the potential to become a super-spreader event with reports of overcrowding in centres administering vaccines.
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
Bhutan: small nation, big ideas affecting respiratory health
Source: Lancet
Bhutan started its COVID-19 vaccination rollout on March 27, 2021. In two weeks, it had reached more than 90% of the adult population eligible for vaccination.
6/6/21
Covid-19: PPE guidance is upgraded as evidence of airborne transmission grows
Source: BMJ
The updated guidance obliges NHS organisations to assess the risk that COVID-19 poses to staff and to act to mitigate any risks
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
Ventilation to prevent exposure to SARS-CoV-2
Source: US CDC
CDC recommends a layered approach to reduce exposures to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
6/6/21
COVID-19: Guidance for maintaining services within health and care settings
Source: NHS
Amendments have been made to strengthen existing messaging and provide further clarity where needed.
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.
6/6/21
Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs)
Source: US CDC
Because of the variability in specimen quality at the time of collection, CDC doesn't recommend using oral specimens for NAAT confirmatory testing.
6/6/21
Ethiopia Updates Travel Advisory: African Union COVID-19 Pass Now Required for Entry and Exit
Source: Africa CDC
Ethiopia Updates Travel Advisory: African Union COVID-19 Pass Now Required for Entry and Exit.
6/6/21
WHO and Canada: Working together to end the acute phase of the COVID-19
Source: WHO
The grants support efforts to end the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to strengthen national and local essential health services and primary health care of countries.
6/6/21
Risk of COVID-19 surge threatens Africa’s health facilities
Source: WHO Africa
Weak observance of preventive measures, increased population movement and interaction, as well as the arrival of winter in southern Africa, have heightened the risk of COVID-19 resurgence in many countries.
5/30/21
Why did the federal guidance about wearing face masks change?
Source:
Currently, the CDC says that “fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required.
5/30/21
Federal Ministry of Health Implements Massive Distribution of Personal Protective Equipment to Primary Healthcare Centres in Nigeria
Source: Nigeria CDC
As part of the continued response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Ministry of Health through its agencies, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the Nigeria Centre...
5/30/21
Do Neutralizing Antibody Titers Foretell Immune Protection Against COVID-19?
Source: NEMJ
Results provide important evidence that an easily measurable data, neutralizing antibodies in blood plasma, can be used to determine protective immunity against COVID-19.
5/30/21
How to Obtain a Nasopharyngeal Swab Specimen
Source: NEMJ
A guide, including a high quality video, on how to collect a suitable sample for a COVID-19 test.
5/30/21
Protecting Olympic Participants from Covid-19 — The Urgent Need for a Risk-Management Approach
Source: NEMJ
With less than 2 months until the Olympic torch is lit, canceling the Games may be the safest option. But the games are one of the few events that could...
5/30/21
Same-day SARS-CoV-2 antigen test screening in an indoor mass-gathering live music event: a randomised controlled trial
Source: Lancet
The data could help restart cultural activities halted during COVID-19, which might have important socio-cultural and economic implications
5/30/21
Africa’s need for more COVID-19 clinical trials
Source: Lancet
Experts are calling for more clinical trials of vaccines and therapies for COVID-19 to be done in Africa to ensure effective treatment and prevention for the continent.
5/30/21
Going viral: misinformation in the time of COVID-19
Source: Lancet
For patients managing chronic conditions, such as rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases, finding accurate health information during the pandemic has serious implications for their health and quality of life.
5/30/21
COVID-19 vaccination advice via SMS-based video to improve vaccination uncertainty in at-risk groups
Source: Lancet
This is the first published intervention using a targeted COVID-19 vaccine education video and the first to be delivered to patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases.
5/30/21
COVID-19 containment measures and incidence of invasive bacterial disease
Source: Lancet
Containment measures have been evaluated for their effects on COVID-19 incidence, human contact behaviour, and other outcomes.
5/30/21
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.
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
India’s resurgence of COVID-19: urgent actions needed
Source: Lancet
The resurgent wave of COVID-19 in India has been spreading to rural populations and other countries in the region. This opinion piece identified three priorities for action.
5/30/21
Negative antigen RDT and RT-PCR results do not rule out COVID-19 if clinical suspicion is strong
Source: Lancet
The comparison of the different screening tests could have been improved by consideration of discrimination assessment methods thus allowing a better understanding of false-negative results and the factors that can...
5/30/21
Covid-19 in Nepal: a lack of preparedness and a lack of vaccines
Source:
South Asian policymakers need to seriously plan for universal healthcare and consider universal basic income, if they are going to improve healthcare for the vast majority of people in the...
5/30/21
Covid-19: countermeasures and collateral consequences
Source:
The need and imperative to improve the treatment of COVID-19 patients remain unquestionable.
5/30/21
What does it mean to engage the public in the response to covid-19?
Source:
Numerous individuals and institutions have called on governments and authorities to include the public in decision-making on COVID-19 response and recovery areas.
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.
5/30/21
Kenya’s Statement on the Africa CDC Trusted Travels Platform
Source: Africa CDC
Kenya welcomed the coming together of public and private institutions to deploy a technology platform to make it easy for citizens of one AU member state to travel to another...
5/30/21
The President of the Republic of Costa Rica and the Director-General of the WHO call once again on all WHO Member States to actively support the COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP)
Source: WHO
The single most important priority of the global community is to stop the COVID-19 pandemic in its tracks, to halt its rapid transmission and reverse the trend of consequential global...
5/23/21
US CDC’s unexpected change of stance on mask use
Source: Lancet
Individuals who are fully vaccinated are now allowed to resume activities they did before the COVID-19 pandemic.
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
A novel strategy for SARS-CoV-2 mass screening with quantitative antigen testing of saliva: a diagnostic accuracy study
Source: Lancet
CLEIA (chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay) testing of self-collected saliva is simple and provides results quickly, and is thus suitable for mass testing.
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
COVID-19 Science Update released: May 21, 2021 Edition 90
Source: US CDC
Report on 6 peer review articles and 3 pre-release peer review articles.
5/23/21
Mask Use and Ventilation Improvements to Reduce COVID-19 Incidence in Elementary Schools — Georgia, November 16–December 11, 2020
Source: US CDC
Mask requirements for teachers and staff members and improved ventilation are important strategies in addition to vaccination of teachers and staff members to provide safer, in-person learning environments.
5/23/21
African Ministers of Health Back AU’s New PMT and 4D Partnership Tech Strategies to fight COVID-19
Source: CDC Africa
During the 8th May meeting, the Africa CDC launched its new COVID-19 strategy on Prevention, Monitoring, and Treatment (PMT), adapting response efforts to the fluid nature of the pandemic.
5/23/21
World Health Assembly to focus on ending COVID-19 pandemic and preparing for next one
Source: WHO
The World Health Assembly’s agenda will focus on the health-related Sustainable Development Goals and WHO’s Triple Billion targets of one billion more people benefitting from universal health coverage.
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
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
Rapid tests for quantification of infectiousness are urgently required in patients with COVID-19
Source: The Lancet
Future studies should focus on simpler and faster methods of quantifying the infectiousness of an individual with COVID-19 beyond viral cultures.
16-05-2021
Report of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response: making COVID-19 the last pandemic
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece: The panel has produced a definitive account to date of what happened, why it happened, and how it could be prevented from happening again.
16-05-2021
Disease surveillance for the COVID-19 era: time for bold changes
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece: The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed weaknesses in disease surveillance in nearly all countries. This article lays out the architecture needed to reduce the impact of future pandemics.
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
Covid-19: Global response was too slow and leadership absent, report finds
Source: BMJ
The pandemic was a preventable disaster with weak links at every point in the chain of preparedness and response, according to a high-level review panel.
16-05-2021
Covid-19: India sees record deaths as “black fungus” spreads fear
Source: BMJ
The Indian public has a new problem to contend with, as reports circulate of deaths from mucormycosis in patients recently treated for Covid-19.
16-05-2021
Choosing Safer Activities
Source: US CDC
A list of common activities and their associated risks with or without vaccination.
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.
16-05-2021
Communique of the high-level emergency virtual meeting of African ministers of health on the Covid-19 situation in Africa
Source: Africa CDC
Evaluation of the Africa Continental Strategy on COVID-19 implementation status and discussion of ways to adapt and improve response strategy.
16-05-2021
Rapid tests up Zimbabwe’s COVID-19 diagnosis
Source: WHO Africa
Health worker training is ongoing to reinforce skills particularly in remote areas with no laboratories or personnel, increasing testing capacity and coverage.
16-05-2021
What fuels the use of unproven COVID-19 therapies?
Source: WHO Africa
Professor Lucille Blumberg discusses the causes, the risks and how to tackle unproven COVID-19 cures.
2/9/21
05 May 2021 | Abuja – World Hand Hygiene Day 2021
Source: N CDC
This campaign aims to maintain the promotion, visibility and sustainability of hand hygiene in health care settings around the world.
2/9/21
Considerations for the use of saliva as sample material for COVID-19 testing
Source: EU CDC
This document outlines the use of saliva as a diagnostic sample for detecting SARS-CoV-2 infection, considering the advantages, limitations and uncertainties associated with the use of saliva as sample material.
2/9/21
Guidance for representative and targeted genomic SARS-CoV-2 monitoring
Source: EU CDC
This document offers practical guidance for EU/EEA Member States on implementing genomic SARS-CoV-2 surveillance. It also includes advice on how to estimate the number of sequenced samples needed to achieve...
2/9/21
Considerations on the use of rapid antigen detection (including self-) tests for SARS-CoV-2 in occupational settings
Source: EU CDC
This document outlines the public health considerations for the use of rapid antigen detection tests (RADTs), including self-test RADTs to detect SARS-CoV-2 in individuals in occupational settings in the European...
2/9/21
Infographic: rapid antigen tests for SARS-CoV-2 in the workplace
Source: EU CDC
Infographic: rapid antigen tests for SARS-CoV-2 in the workplace
2/9/21
Stop the spread! Could diagnostic antigen tests help control COVID-19 transmission in workplaces?
Source: EU CDC
The report shows that rapid antigen testing can help reduce the spread of the virus in high-risk indoor workplaces.
2/9/21
Why we vaccinate incarcerated people first
Source: The Lancet
Incarcerated individuals are at high risk for Covid-19 transmission and severe disease. Congregate living settings, including jails and prisons, facilitate the rapid spread of infection.
2/9/21
SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen detection tests – Authors’ reply
Source: The Lancet
For confirming the clinical diagnosis, one needs the most sensitive and specific test possible to ensure the patient is correctly diagnosed and treated.
2/9/21
Time for the ethical management of COVID-19 vaccines
Source: The Lancet
The COVID-19 pandemic presents itself as an opportunity to reverse this long-standing trajectory of unethical practices in global health.
2/9/21
Aerosol generating procedures: are they of relevance for transmission of SARS-CoV-2?
Source: The Lancet
Clinicians should follow an evidence-based framework that accounts for the major drivers of risk, with a focus on physical exposure to patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19
2/9/21
Priorities for COVID-19 research response and preparedness in low-resource settings
Source: The Lancet
Leadership and coordination have been shown in COVID-19 research particularly across Africa building on earlier experience from research on diseases such as Ebola virus disease and HIV.
2/9/21
Amitava Banerjee: Covid-19 in India—lockdown and vaccination drive only way forward
Source: BMJ
Only reducing the infection rate with a full suppression strategy via stringent lockdown will act quickly within days to reduce the daily death toll.
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: Bolsonaro tells Brazilians to stop “being a country of sissies”
Source: BMJ
Beyond a catastrophic failure for the nation, the federal government’s approach is also failing women. A preliminary analysis of federal policies not only reveal gender neutrality but an explicit misogynistic...
2/9/21
Covid-19: India’s crisis is everyone’s crisis
Source: BMJ
While SARS-CoV-2 can circulate freely in Brazil, India, and elsewhere, new variants may undermine any nation’s vaccination strategy.
2/9/21
Science Brief: Community Use of Cloth Masks to Control the Spread of SARS-CoV-2
Source: US CDC
Data were added from studies published since the last update that further demonstrate that mask-wearing reduces new infections.
2/9/21
COVID-19 Science Update released: May 7, 2021 Edition 88
Source: US CDC
Report on 3 peer review articles.
2/9/21
Scientific Brief: SARS-CoV-2 Transmission
Source: US CDC
This science brief has been updated to reflect current knowledge about SARS-CoV-2 transmission and reformatted to be more concise.
2/9/21
WHO and UN Global Pulse are building a social listening radio tool to aid the COVID-19 infodemic response
Source: WHO
The plan is to integrate more than 100 public radio stations and develop a custom-built monitoring and analysis dashboard that will allow public health officials, infodemic managers, and fact-checking organizations...
2/9/21
WHO calls for better hand hygiene and other infection control practices
Source: WHO
Seconds save lives – clean your hands! Hand Hygiene Day, 5 May.
2/9/21
WHO, Germany launch new global hub for pandemic and epidemic intelligence
Source: WHO
The Hub will lead innovations in data analytics across the largest network of global data to predict, prevent, detect prepare for and respond to pandemic and epidemic risks worldwide
5/2/21
CDC Updates Guidance on Mask Use Outdoors
Source: NEJM
NEJM reports on US CDC changing guidance for vaccinated persons no longer needing to wear protective masks outdoors.
5/2/21
SARS-CoV-2 elimination, not mitigation, creates best outcomes for health, the economy, and civil libertie
Source: The Lancet
Countries that consistently aim for elimination—i.e. maximum action to control SARS-CoV-2 and stop community transmission as quickly as possible—have generally fared better than countries that opt for mitigation— i.e, targeted...
5/2/21
A global pandemic treaty should aim for deep prevention
Source: The Lancet
The International Health Regulations are largely built on the assumption that disease outbreaks cannot be prevented, only contained and extinguished. A global pandemic treaty should, instead, address the deep prevention...
5/2/21
Experts criticise India’s complacency over COVID-19
Source: The Lancet
India is battling a second wave of COVID-19, which has rapidly surpassed its first wave in terms of the number of new cases and deaths per day.
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: Countries rally to support India through “storm that has shaken the nation”
Source: BMJ
Countries have pledged to help India as the country continues to see an exponential rise in COVID-19 cases and deaths, with hospitals running out of oxygen, drugs, and beds.
5/2/21
Covid-19: Wider use of FFP3 masks may be needed because of airborne transmission, say scientific advisers
Source: BMJ
Current evidence suggests SARS-CoV-2 transmission is possible through inhalation and mucous membrane exposure to a range of particle sizes, as well as potentially through inanimate objects like doorhandles.
5/2/21
Covid-19: US relaxes rules on mask wearing for fully vaccinated people
Source: BMJ
Americans who have been fully vaccinated can relax their use of face coverings, especially outdoors, under new rules from the US CDC.
5/2/21
Mass screening for asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection
Source: BMJ
Opinion piece: This article argues that there is no empirical data to support mass testing and it is unlikely to reduce transmission.
5/2/21
Covid-19: How can we keep the world’s doctors safe?
Source: BMJ
The author argues we need to focus on the big-ticket items: good governance, equitable healthcare, universal health coverage, and action on climate change.
5/2/21
Covid-19: India should stop mass gatherings and consider postponing elections, say doctors
Source: BMJ
In an open letter published in the BMJ, trustees of the South Asian Health Foundation call for India to ban mass gatherings, impose strict lockdowns, and consider postponing the upcoming...
5/2/21
When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated
Source: BMJ
US CDC advice no longer requires fully vaccinated people to wear a face-covering outdoors.
5/2/21
Why is India having a covid-19 surge?
Source: BMJ
A lack of medical equipment, supplies, delays in rolling out vaccination and a new variant of the virus have all contributed to the crisis in India.
5/2/21
How CDC Determines the Level for COVID-19 Travel Health Notices
Source: US CDC
CDC uses Travel Health Notices (THNs) to alert travellers and other audiences to health threats around the world and advise on how to protect themselves. This article shows how THN...
5/2/21
Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People
Source: US CDC
A diagram showing which activities are more or less safe based on whether someone has been vaccinated or not.
5/2/21
Director-General’s opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 – 30 April 2021
Source: WHO
We’re encouraged by the international support for India. We mus remember that many other countries all over the world are still expererience intense Covid19 transmission.
5/2/21
African countries face high risk of COVID-19 resurgence
Source: WHO Africa
The epidemic curve has plateaued but African countries face a high risk of resurgence due to poor adherence to public health measures, mass gatherings, low testing and vaccination rates.
4/25/21
COVID-19 Vaccines: Safety in Pregnancy / J&J Data / Breakthrough Infections
Source: NEJM
Johnson & Johnson vaccine data results indicate that COVID-19 vaccination appears to be safe in the third trimester of pregnancy.
4/25/21
Saliva as a gold-standard sample for SARS-CoV-2 detection
Source: Lancet
Saliva testing was successfully adopted for SARS-CoV-2 detection in numerous countries during the prodromal phase.
4/25/21
COVID-19 herd immunity by immunisation: are children in the herd?
Source: Lancet
Because individuals are not equally susceptible and contagious, current target to vaccinate 65–70% of the population for herd immunity might be an overestimate.
4/25/21
Children in All Policies 2030: a new initiative to implement the recommendations of the WHO–UNICEF–Lancet Commission
Source: Lancet
This report sounded the alarm about stalled progress on the health of children and adolescents.
4/25/21
Statelessness in the COVID-19 pandemic
Source: Lancet
Millions of people have no nationality and are being overlooked in the response to COVID-19.
4/25/21
Global health and its discontents
Source: Lancet
COVID-19 has made the case more persuasively than ever for effective global health.
4/25/21
Covid-19: Infections fell by 65% after first dose of AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccine, data show
Source: BMJ
Infections of SARS-CoV-2 fell by 65% after a first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines, preliminary results from a large UK surveillance study indicate.
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...
4/25/21
Wear a mask to protect you and your friends
Source: US CDC
A poster advising to wear a cloth face covering to protect you and your friends
4/25/21
Guidance for Large or Extended Families Living in the Same Home
Source: US CDC
Guidance for if you or someone in your household is at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
4/25/21
Please wear a mask.
Source: US CDC
Poster politely advising people to wear masks and to socially distance.
4/25/21
Laboratory Modeling of SARS-CoV-2 Exposure Reduction Through Physically Distanced Seating in Aircraft Cabins Using Bacteriophage Aerosol — November 2020
Source: US CDC
Physical distancing of aeroplane passengers could provide additional reductions in risk for exposure to SARS-CoV-2 on aircraft.
4/25/21
School Nutrition Resources
Source: US CDC
CDC Guidance and information for school nutrition professionals to promote healthy behaviours, environments, and operations to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
4/25/21
Statement on the seventh meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee regarding the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic
Source: WHO
The Director-General expressed particular concern over the continued rise in cases and deaths, and the need to scale up the global vaccination efforts.
4/25/21
COVID-19 continues to disrupt essential health services in 90% of countries
Source: WHO
WHO “pulse survey“ reveals that over one year into the COVID-19 pandemic, substantial disruptions persist, with about 90% of countries still reporting one or more disruptions to essential health services.
4/25/21
ACT-Accelerator one year on
Source: WHO
The “ACT Now, ACT Together: 2021 Impact Report” details the major scientific advances that have been made to confront the new disease, along with the history-making collaboration of global health...
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
Beyond COVID-19—will self-sampling and testing become the norm?
Source: The Lancet
Self-sampling and testing could become the norm beyond COVID-19. Self-testing kits for HIV are common in the UK and Kenya.
4/18/21
Problems with traffic light approaches to public health emergencies of international concern
Source: The Lancet
Amidst failures of international cooperation during COVID-19, there are increasing calls to reform the IHR, particularly the PHEIC mechanism, to address problems that have arisen with past emergencies and the...
4/18/21
Tanzania’s position on the COVID-19 pandemic
Source: The Lancet
An overview of the Tanzanian government's position on COVID-19, vaccines and efforts to prevent its spread since the beginning of the pandemic.
4/18/21
Ten scientific reasons in support of airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2
Source: The Lancet
This review argues that there is consistent, strong evidence that SARS-CoV-2 spreads by airborne transmission.
4/18/21
Diagnostic performance of different sampling approaches for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR testing: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Source: The Lancet
Compared with the gold standard of nasopharyngeal(soft palate) swabs, nasal and throat swabs offered the best way of diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infection. Saliva and nasal swabs gave comparable and very good...
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...
4/18/21
Personal and Social Activities
Source: US CDC
CDC’s latest advice on carrying out public personal or social activities
4/18/21
CEPI and the African Union join forces to boost African vaccine R&D and manufacturing
Source: Africa CDC
CEPI aims to work with low-income and middle-income countries to develop the infrastructure and expertise to undertake the epidemiological and clinical studies needed to advance vaccine development, support technology transfer,...
14/02/2021
Maximizing Fit for Cloth and Medical Procedure Masks to Improve Performance and Reduce SARS-CoV-2 Transmission and Exposure, 2021
Source: US CDC
Pre release of research article Universal masking is recommended to slow the spread of COVID-19. Cloth masks and medical procedure masks substantially reduce exposure from infected wearers (source control) and...
14/02/2021
COVID-19 Distancing Protocols Lessen Other Respiratory Infections
Source: NEJM
Report on Research article Behavioral protocols intended to battle COVID-19 also should prevent transmission of other respiratory viral illnesses, but until now, no numerical data have confirmed this assumption. Researchers...
14/02/2021
Priorities for the COVID-19 pandemic at the start of 2021: statement of the Lancet COVID-19 Commission
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece All regions with high rates of new COVID-19 cases should intensify measures to minimise community transmission alongside rapid deployment of COVID-19 vaccines. Governments should urgently and fully fund...
14/02/2021
The COVID-19 exit strategy—why we need to aim low
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece Referring to a German policy document that proposes areas in which SARS-CoV-2 has been eliminated are declared green zones in which civil liberties are restored. Strict contact and...
14/02/2021
SARS-CoV-2 variants and ending the COVID-19 pandemic
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece While 2020 was a challenging year, 2021 looks to be difficult with the emergence of multiple variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The race to...
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: Why test and trace will fail without support for self-isolation
Source: BMJ
The spread of SARS-CoV-2 will only slow if people who test positive for the virus self-isolate. But expecting them to do so is a bigger ask than governments seem to...
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
Testing, testing…for SARS-CoV-2 in asymptomatic people
Source: BMJ
Opinion piece Ahead of the next COVID-19 known unknowns webinar, Allyson Pollock (consultant in public health medicine and former Director of the Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University. discusses...
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
Decline in COVID-19 Hospitalization Growth Rates Associated with Statewide Mask Mandates — 10 States, March–October 2020
Source: US CDC
During March 22–October 17, 2020, 10 sites participating in the COVID-19–Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network in states with statewide mask mandates reported a decline in weekly COVID-19–associated hospitalization growth rates by...
14/02/2021
Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in K-12 schools
Source: US CDC
COVID-19 transmission in schools is associated with community transmission. Transmission spread within schools can be limited with strict implementation of layered mitigation strategies
14/02/2021
Protect yourself and others from COVID-19
Source: WHO
If COVID-19 is spreading in your community, stay safe by taking some simple precautions, such as physical distancing, wearing a mask, keeping rooms well ventilated, avoiding crowds, cleaning your hands,...
21/02/2021
CS KAGWE RECEIVES PPE DONATIONS FROM CHURCH
Source: KMoH
Kenya’s Health Cabinet Secretary Senator Mutahi Kagwe today received a donation of Personal Protective Equipment from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints towards combating Covid-19 at Afya House.
21/02/2021
Sexual Orientation, Race/Ethnicity, and Prevalence of COVID-19–Related Comorbidities
Source: NEJM
Report on research article The CDC, using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS; administered in 31 states as of 2019), has assessed differences between sexual minorities and...
21/02/2021
Using face masks in the community: first update – Effectiveness in reducing transmission of COVID-19
Source: EU CDC
This technical report reviews the evidence that has been accumulated since the emergence of COVID-19, in addition to what has existed on this topic prior to the pandemic, and updates...
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
Future scenarios for the COVID-19 pandemic
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece The COVID-19 pandemic has been met by unequal responses in different countries and led to unequal impacts, with populations in Europe, the USA, and Latin America disproportionately impacted....
21/02/2021
Clarifying the evidence on SARS-CoV-2 antigen rapid tests in public health responses to COVID-19
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece The debate surrounding the use of the Innova Lateral Flow SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Test in the UK risks confusing policy makers internationally and potentially stalling deployment of LFTs in...
21/02/2021
Covid-19: Are cloth masks still effective? And other questions answered
Source: BMJ
Report on research article The researchers reported that fabric face masks “blocked between 62.6% and 87.1% of fine particles, whereas surgical masks protected against an average of 78.2% of fine...
21/02/2021
COVID-19 Questions and Answers: For People Who Use Drugs or Have Substance Use Disorder
Source: US CDC
Although the risk of severe illness from COVID-19 for people who use drugs or have substance use disorder is not known, people who use drugs may have underlying medical conditions...
21/02/2021
Protect Yourself When Using Transportation
Source: US CDC
As schools, businesses, and community organizations continue to provide essential services during the pandemic, follow these guidelines to protect yourself and slow the spread of COVID-19 when using transportation.
21/02/2021
Discontinuation of Isolation for Persons with COVID-19 Not in Healthcare Settings
Source: US CDC
Some severely immunocompromised persons with COVID-19 may remain infectious beyond 20 days after their symptoms began and require additional SARS-CoV-2 testing and consultation with infectious diseases specialists and infection control...
21/02/2021
Guidance for Wearing Masks
Source: US CDC
Respiratory droplets travel into the air when you cough, sneeze, talk, shout, or sing, these droplets can then land in the mouths or noses of people who are near you...
21/02/2021
Large Gatherings
Source: US CDC
Travel may increase your chance of spreading and getting COVID-19 due to exposure at airports, on public transit, or in hotels. CDC continues to recommend postponing travel and staying home,...
21/02/2021
Isolate If You Are Sick
Source: US CDC
People who are in isolation should stay home until it’s safe for them to be around others. At home, anyone sick or infected should separate from others, stay in a...
21/02/2021
Maximizing Fit for Cloth and Medical Procedure Masks to Improve Performance and Reduce SARS-CoV-2 Transmission and Exposure, 2021
Source: US CDC
Correction of pre-release paper These experiments highlight the importance of good fit to maximize mask performance. There are multiple simple ways to achieve better fit of masks to more effectively...
21/02/2021
Older Adults
Source: US CCD
People in their 50s are at higher risk for severe illness than people in their 40s, similarly, people in their 60s or 70s are, in general, at higher risk for...
21/02/2021
Personal and Social Activities
Source: US CDC
Many go to restaurants and bars to enjoy a meal without having to cook, to connect with friends and family, and to support businesses that are an important part of...
21/02/2021
Visiting Beaches and Pools
Source: US CDC
The places we visit to swim, play, and relax in water include beaches — swim areas in oceans, lakes, and other natural bodies of water — and pools, water playgrounds,...
21/02/2021
Attending Sporting Events
Source: US CDC
As some communities in the United States re-start sporting events, CDC offers the following considerations for ways in which people who go to a sporting event can slow the spread...
21/02/2021
Small Gatherings
Source: US CDC
Travel increases your chance of spreading and getting COVID-19 due to potential exposures on public transit, at airports, or in hotels. CDC continues to recommend postponing travel and staying home,...
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...
21/02/2021
What Older Adults Need to Know about COVID-19 Vaccines
Source: US CDC
The risk of severe illness from COVID-19 increases with age. This is why CDC recommends that adults 65 years and older are one of the first groups to receive COVID-19...
21/02/2021
COVID-19 Source Investigation
Source: US CDC
Case investigation for communicable disease control routinely involves contact tracing to: 1) discover the person(s) or event(s) that could be a potential source of infection, 2) identify people (contacts) with...
21/02/2021
How CDC is responding to SARS-CoV-2 variants globally
Source: US CDC
New SARS-CoV-2 variants have one or more mutations that differentiate them from predominant virus variants already circulating among the general population. Variants are expected to occur as viruses are constantly...
21/02/2021
Country readiness for COVID-19 vaccines
Source: WHO
This article is part six in a series of explainers on vaccine development and distribution. This document outlines the next part of the vaccine journey: how countries are getting ready...
21/02/2021
WHO and donors continue to provide critical support to countries fighting COVID-19
Source: WHO
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, WHO and its partners keep up their support to countries around the world, this article outlines ongoing activity in Yemen, Syria and Kazakhstan. WHO was...
21/02/2021
Minister of Health of Niger on keeping COVID-19 cases low
Source: WHO Africa
Niger has witnessed a decline in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks following a surge. Public Health Minister Hon. Botto Ahmet explains what it took to cut back infections and the...
21/02/2021
Minister of Health of Mauritania speaks about efforts to curb COVID-19
Source: WHO Africa
With COVID-19 cases declining after a second wave of the pandemic in Mauritania saw an acute, fast rise. Minister of Health Minister Hon. Dr Mohamed Nedhirou Hamed shares what it...
7/3/21
Tests can detect the Covid-19 virus
Source: FullFact
Claim: The COVID-19 virus cannot be detected with tests. Verdict: This is not true. PCR tests can detect it very accurately.
7/3/21
Considerable Protective Immunity May Persist for 7 Months After COVID-19
Source: NEJM
Report on peer reviewed article Immunity to SARS-CoV-2 lasted for at least 7 months in the vast majority of convalescents, comparing nicely with the effectiveness of the Moderna and Pfizer...
7/3/21
Household Air Contamination: When SARS-CoV-2 Makes Itself at Home
Source: NEJM
Report on peer review article These findings highlight the need to reinforce recommendations for personal protective equipment among household members of patients with COVID-19 not requiring hospitalization (who represent the...
7/3/21
COVID-19: Rising Cases / Masks & Breathing in Young Children
Source: NEJM
New COVID-19 cases are increasing across the globe for the first time in 6 weeks, WHO officials said. Respiratory function of children was tested — as measured by partial pressure...
7/3/21
Coverage of COVID-19 This Week
Source: NEJM
This week, NEJM Journal Watch covered COVID-19–related topics including real-world performance of the Pfizer mRNA vaccine, household air contamination with SARS-CoV-2, enduring protective immunity after COVID-19, secondary infections in patients...
7/3/21
Global health security requires endemic disease eradication
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece Global health experts were quick to warn of the potential negative impacts of COVID-19 on endemic disease programmes. Modelling studies indicated that disruptions to health services and supply...
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
Long-haul COVID: heed the lessons from other infection-triggered illnesses
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece According to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, more than 115 million people worldwide have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic, with extensive implications for morbidity...
7/3/21
Public Health Guidance for Community-Related Exposure
Source: US CDC
Updates on the CDC’s COVID-19 guidance and response, including the latest scientific information and what everyone should know about protecting themselves and others.
7/3/21
Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes
Source: US CDC
Reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 by cleaning and disinfection is an important part of opening public spaces that will require careful planning.
7/3/21
Operating schools during COVID-19: CDC’s Considerations
Source: US CDC
Summary of changes in CDC guidance to assist the safe opening and operation of schools.
7/3/21
Holiday Tips
Source: US CDC
Travel may increase your chance of spreading and getting COVID-19. The CDC continues to recommend postponing travel and staying home, as this is the best way to protect yourself and...
7/3/21
How CDC is responding to SARS-CoV-2 variants globally
Source: US CDC
CDC works with partners around the world to respond to the pandemic. As part of these efforts, CDC is working to expand the capacity to detect and respond to newly...
7/3/21
Workplaces and Businesses Plan, Prepare, and Respond
Source: US CDC
CDC guidance on how to reopen a business and return to work safely: plan, prepare and respond.
7/3/21
Toolkit for Pregnant People and New Parents
Source: US CDC
Resources and tools to help pregnant people, breastfeeding people and new parents caring for infants to protect their health and help people who serve these communities communicate with them.
7/3/21
COVID-19 Science Update released: March 5, 2021 Edition 79
Source: US CDC
A round up of recent scientific research and factual reports.
7/3/21
Association of State-Issued Mask Mandates and Allowing On-Premises Restaurant Dining with County-Level COVID-19 Case and Death Growth Rates — United States, March 1–December 31, 2020
Source: US CDC
Pre-Release Article Mask mandates and restricting on-premises dining at restaurants can help limit community transmission of COVID-19 and reduce case and death growth rates. These findings can inform public policies...
7/3/21
Africa CDC and EDCTP partner to train highly skilled epidemiologists and biostatisticians in Africa
Source: Africa CDC
A new training programme funded by the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) and the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is set to support...
7/3/21
Protect yourself and others from COVID-19
Source: WHO
If COVID-19 is spreading in your community, stay safe by taking simple precautions, such as physical distancing, wearing a mask, keeping rooms well ventilated, avoiding crowds, cleaning your hands, and...
7/3/21
Niger’s First Lady, Dr Lalla Malika Issoufou, speaks on COVID-19 impact on women
Source: WHO Africa
At the helm of Tattali Iyali Foundation – a charity organization, Niger’s First Lady, Her Excellency Dr Lalla Malika Issoufou, has supported the country’s efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic....
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
Researchers Make Case for Frequent Rapid Home Testing for SARS-CoV-2
Source: NEJM
Report on peer review article The researchers emphasize that widespread testing is important even with the vaccine rollout, given "limited vaccine supply, vaccine hesitancy and refusal, and the emergence of...
14/03/2021
School-Related SARS-CoV-2 Transmission: Modes and Mitigations
Source: NEJM
Report on peer review article Two studies indicate teachers are the prime source of viral transmission, arguing for strict adherence to social distancing and mask-wearing plus priority vaccination of this...
14/03/2021
Vitamin D Supplementation for Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19?
Source: NEJM
Report on peer review article Throughout the pandemic, we have seen how biological plausibility and observational data often do not translate to improved patient-centered outcomes in randomized, controlled trials. Routine...
14/03/2021
Project CARE: Supporting people with a positive diagnosis of COVID-19 and reaching out to those in vulnerable groups
Source: NICE
The COVID-19 pandemic has had huge impacts on people around the globe. Elderly people and those with pre-existing chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, hypertension, respiratory conditions and diabetes appear...
14/03/2021
Urgent lessons from COVID 19: why the world needs a standing, coordinated system and sustainable financing for global research and development
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece This paper evaluates important global lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, and argues that there is an urgent need to establish an efficient and effective end-to-end research and development...
14/03/2021
School reopening without robust COVID-19 mitigation risks accelerating the pandemic
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece This paper argues that school reopening without robust COVID-19 mitigations risks increasing transmission, this time with more infectious and possibly more virulent variants, resulting in further lockdowns, school...
14/03/2021
The state inoculates: vaccines as soft power
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece The importance of strengthening global trust and cooperation between nations is glaring—such strengthening is imperative to tackle future pandemics and other looming planetary (and inherently transnational) crises, such...
14/03/2021
Perfect as the enemy of good: tracing transmissions with low-sensitivity tests to mitigate SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece This paper suggests that high-frequency testing is ideally suited for the use of rapid, inexpensive tests, even if they are of lower sensitivity than current assays. This approach...
14/03/2021
How can we improve self-isolation and quarantine for COVID-19?
Source: BMJ
Peer reviewed article Given the global rise in cases of COVID-19 and emergence of new variants, effective isolation remains critical to controlling the pandemic. This paper examines international approaches and...
14/03/2021
When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated
Source: US CDC
CDC guidelines on how to protect yourself and others once you have been fully vaccinated, as well as some notes on what we know and what we are still learning...
14/03/2021
Testing Strategies for SARS-CoV-2
Source: US CDC
CDC guidance describing and comparing different types of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) testing strategies, including their intended use and applications, regulatory requirements, and reporting requirements. This guidance is...
14/03/2021
When You Can be Around Others After You Had or Likely Had COVID-19
Source: US CDC
American CDC guidance on when you can be around others after you had or likely had COVID-19.
14/03/2021
COVID-19 Science Update released: March 12, 2021 Edition 80
Source: US CDC
A round up of recent scientific research and factual reports.
14/03/2021
Report: Virtual Meeting on The African COVID-19 Vaccine Financing and Deployment Strategy
Source: Africa CDC
Report on the African Centre for Disease Control’s (CDC) virtual meeting on COVID-19 Vaccine Financing and Deployment Strategy and key points
14/03/2021
Women scientists capture public attention as COVID-19 rages across the world
Source: WHO
“We focused on women’s journeys to inspire and invigorate the next generation of scientists and researchers,” says Dr Soumya Swaminathan, WHO Chief Scientist and TDR Special Programme Coordinator.
14/03/2021
ACT-Accelerator releases prioritised strategy and budget for 2021 to change the course of the evolving COVID-19 pandemic
Source: WHO
In under a year, the ACT Accelerator has driven real progress to accelerate the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has accelerated the development of COVID-19 tests, treatments, vaccines and...
21/03/2021
Do masks really work? Here are PolitiFact’s answers for mask skeptics.
Source: Poynter
Masks are most effective as “source control,” which means preventing infected people from spreading the virus to other people. If an infected person is wearing a mask, it will catch...
21/03/2021
When will we reach herd immunity? Here’s what the experts say.
Source: Poynter
A recent analysis suggested as many as nine states were already reaching the coveted 'herd immunity' status. This article suggests that this figure does not hold up.
21/03/2021
Extrapolating figures around long Covid in kids is not the way to go
Source: FullFact
Claim: 74,000 children are living with ‘long Covid’. Verdict: The ONS figures that these estimates are based on are ‘experimental statistics’ which have measured prevalence of some long COVID symptoms...
21/03/2021
Coronavirus Briefing
Source: KMoH
Health Cabinet Secretary Senator Mutahi Kagwe appealed to Kenyans to take personal responsibility as the country is currently witnessing the third wave of the virus.
21/03/2021
Clear Masks Are Beneficial for Patient Communication
Source: NEJM
Report on peer reviewed article Most use of clear masks during the COVID-19 pandemic has been focused on deaf or hard-of-hearing patients who need to read lips for communication. These...
21/03/2021
How Well Does the Oxford/AstraZeneca Vaccine Stand Up Against the South African SARS-CoV-2 Variant?
Source: NEJM
Report on peer reviewed article In a trial in South Africa, the AZD1222 vaccine did not protect against mild-to-moderate COVID-19 caused by the B.1.351 variant. These findings reinforce the need...
21/03/2021
COVID-19: New Variants of Concern / Virtual School & Health
Source: NEJM
A variant of concern is defined as one that's associated with an increase in transmissibility, more severe disease, a reduction in neutralization by antibodies generated from previous infection or vaccination,...
21/03/2021
In Previously Infected Persons, Is One Dose of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine Enough?
Source: NEJM
Report on peer reviewed article The data from this report provide evidence that, in previously infected young adults, a single dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine elicits a strong recall response....
21/03/2021
Is It Safe for Children Younger Than 2 Years to Wear Surgical Masks?
Source: NEJM
Report on peer reviewed article Although this was a small study, the good news is that no adverse respiratory effects were apparent in healthy children 4 months to
21/03/2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the need for community mental health-care models in Uganda
Source: Lancet
Opinion piece Community mental health care needs to become the primary form of care for patients with psychiatric illness in African countries both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. With...
21/03/2021
Risk of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection after natural infection
Source: Lancet
Report on peer reviewed article Data from various studies confirm that the hope of protective immunity through natural infections of SARS-CoV-2 might not be within reach, and a global vaccination...
21/03/2021
Vaccination and non-pharmaceutical interventions for COVID-19: a mathematical modelling study
Source: Lancet
Peer review article Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 offer a potential exit strategy for the pandemic, success is highly contingent on the precise vaccine properties and population uptake, both of which need...
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
Surveillance-based informative testing for detection and containment of SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks on a public university campus: an observational and modelling study
Source: Lancet
Peer review article It is imperative that institutions rigorously test students during the 2021 academic year. When high-frequency testing (e.g. weekly) is not possible, surveillance based informative testing is an...
21/03/2021
Covid-19: Stronger warnings are needed to curb socialising after vaccination, say doctors
Source: BMJ
Experts have called for stronger health warnings for people being vaccinated against COVID-19 after observing a rise in COVID-19 infections shortly after vaccination, suggesting that many people are letting their...
21/03/2021
A bird’s eye view of the risk of covid-19 infection from children
Source: BMJ
Opinion piece In the autumn and early winter of 2020 evidence from population-based samples showed that children and young people in fact had a prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection similar to,...
21/03/2021
What is my COVID risk?
Source: BMJ
An article aimed at doctors with an aim to consider an individual's risk from COVID-19 in two parts; the risk of catching it and the risk of poor outcome if...
21/03/2021
Things to Know about the COVID-19 Pandemic
Source: US CDC
A summary of advice about how to reduce the risks caused by the virus, how to recognise symptoms and what to do when you are ill.
21/03/2021
COVID-19 Science Update released: March 12, 2021 Edition 80
Source: US CDC
A round up of recent scientific research and factual reports.
21/03/2021
COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund marks first anniversary and appeals for continued support
Source: WHO
To date, more than 661 000 donors have contributed nearly US$ 250 million. The funds have been used to provide millions of frontline workers with critical personal protective equipment, medical...
21/03/2021
New research highlights risks of separating newborns from mothers during COVID-19 pandemic
Source: WHO
A study published in the Lancet Eclinical Medicine highlights the critical importance of ensuring newborn babies have close contact with parents after birth, especially for those born too small (at...
28/03/2021
New SARS-CoV-2 Variants — Clinical, Public Health, and Vaccine Implications
Source: NEJM
Opinion piece The potential of variants to escape naturally induced and vaccine-induced immunity makes the development of next-generation vaccines that elicit broadly neutralizing activity against current and potential future variants...
28/03/2021
Is It Safe for Children Younger Than 2 Years to Wear Surgical Masks?
Source: NEJM
Report of peer reviewed article An Italian study showed no adverse effects on oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, or pulse rate in both young children (
28/03/2021
Covid-19 and the Investigator Pipeline
Source: NEJM
Opinion piece It’s time to leverage vaccine-development efforts to take on another important Covid-related challenge: stabilizing the investigator pipeline. As recent months have shown, the scientific pipeline is both in...
28/03/2021
COVID-19 Is Altering the Landscape of Hospital-Acquired Infections
Source: NEJM
Report on peer reviewed article Central-line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) per 10,000 patient days rose from 1.0 (pre pandemic) to 1.6 (pandemic; predominantly linked to intensive care unit–associated infections in hospitals...
28/03/2021
Classroom SARS-CoV-2 Transmission Seems Relatively Uncommon, Supporting the 3-Foot Separation Policy
Source: NEJM
Report on peer reviewed article The Massachusetts study found no difference between policies mandating ≥3 versus ≥6 feet of student separation. The Swiss study indicated that SARS-CoV-2 infection rates in...
28/03/2021
COVID-19 rapid guideline: managing COVID-19
Source: NICE
This guideline covers the management of COVID-19 for children, young people and adults in all care settings. It brings together our existing recommendations on managing COVID-19 so that healthcare staff...
28/03/2021
Assessing government responsibility for COVID-19 deaths
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece Many of the countries reporting death rates that are less than the world average have authoritarian governments that typically control and censor information. These governments can under-report cases...
28/03/2021
Rapid identification and tracking of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece In the past few months, we have seen the emergence of clinically important mutations that alter infectivity, severity, or immune susceptibility of SARS-CoV-2.1 Prominent examples include Asn501Tyr, His69_Val70del,...
28/03/2021
COVID-19 and health care workers burnout: A call for global action
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece In recent years, increased administrative burden, productivity metrics and work-life imbalance have caused a high burnout rate amongst healthcare workers. A survey of 7500 physicians from 8 countries...
28/03/2021
WHO International Standard for anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece The International Standard and International Reference Panel for anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulins were adopted by the WHO Expert Committee on Biological Standardization on Dec 10, 2020. The International Standard allows...
28/03/2021
Human rights and fair access to COVID-19 vaccines: the International AIDS Society–Lancet Commission on Health and Human Rights
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece Members of the newly established International AIDS Society–Lancet Commission on Health and Human Rights, are dismayed at how little attention has been given to human rights in discussions...
28/03/2021
Rolling out COVID-19 antigen rapid diagnostic tests: the time is now
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece Scaling up testing in tandem with appropriate public health measures and vaccine rollout might effectively contribute to our lives returning to some level of normalcy.
28/03/2021
Performance and operational feasibility of antigen and antibody rapid diagnostic tests for COVID-19 in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients in Cameroon: a clinical, prospective, diagnostic accuracy study
Source: The Lancet
Peer review article Rapid diagnostic tests had good overall sensitivity for diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infection. Rapid diagnostic tests could be incorporated into efficient testing algorithms as an alternative to PCR to...
28/03/2021
COVID-19, cults, and the anti-vax movement
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece Lessons from studying cults (which are less pejoratively called new religious movements) can inform approaches to the anti-vax movement. Viewing the anti-vax movement as a religious phenomenon, involving...
28/03/2021
Communication combats hesitancy
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece With COVID-19 vaccination programmes now underway in many countries, patients' concerns have shifted toward questions about the vaccines and whether they are safe for them to receive. The...
28/03/2021
Ebola and COVID-19 in DR Congo and Guinea
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece While the few richest countries have most of the COVID-19 vaccine doses, low-income and middle-income countries are beginning to receive doses, especially through the COVAX Facility. One such...
28/03/2021
Covid-19: Lateral flow tests are better at identifying people with symptoms, finds Cochrane review
Source: BMJ
The World Health Organization’s performance standards require that tests correctly identify at least 80% of infected people (test sensitivity) and exclude infection in at least 97% of uninfected people (test...
28/03/2021
Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs)
Source: US CDC
The NAAT test procedure works by first amplifying – or making many copies of – the virus’s genetic material that is present in a person’s specimen. Amplifying or increasing the...
28/03/2021
Africa’s Telecom and Technology Industry Leads the Charge against COVID-19 by Backing AU Covid-Tech & Vaccine Passport System
Source: Africa CDC
Africa CDC obtains highly positive feedback from a consultative meeting with mobile and technology players on the Africa CDC Trusted Travel Policy.
28/03/2021
Type 1 diabetes and recovered from COVID-19 symptoms: Khadija’s story
Source: WHO
A personal account about the effects of COVID-19 on a type-1 diabetes sufferer.
28/03/2021
A virus that respects no borders: protecting refugees and migrants during COVID-19
Source: WHO
A study which surveyed over 30,000 refugees and migrants living in 170 countries, was carried out by WHO’s Global Health and Migration Programme to learn more about how the global...
28/03/2021
Experts and gamers join forces to fight COVID-19 and stop future disease outbreaks via Plague Inc: The Cure
Source: WHO
Leading disease outbreak experts have come together to show gamers everywhere how to spot and stop a pandemic. The popular simulation Plague Inc: The Cure not only transports players into...
28/03/2021
Social media & COVID-19: A global study of digital crisis interaction among Gen Z and Millennials
Source: WHO
WHO wants young people to be informed about COVID-19 information, how to navigate their digital world safely, and make choices to not only protect their health but also the health...
4/4/21
“Vaccine Passport” Certification — Policy and Ethical Considerations
Source: NEJM
Opinion piece As the Covid-19 pandemic enters its next phase, fervent desires to return to normalcy coupled with the rollout of efficacious vaccines have intensified discussions of “vaccine passports” —...
4/4/21
Scaling Up Covid-19 Vaccination in Africa — Lessons from the HIV Pandemic
Source: NEJM
Opinion piece Concerns regarding access to Covid-19 vaccines in Africa are reminiscent of concerns raised about responding to the HIV pandemic in the mid-1990s and early 2000s, when highly active...
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
Outcomes of COVID-19 in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis
Source: NEJM
Report on peer reviewed article In addition to the risk factors for COVID-19 severity seen for the general population, MS disability level is also a substantial factor.
4/4/21
COVID-19: New High-Risk Groups Added / At-Home Test Project
Source: NEJM
The CDC has expanded its list of medical conditions that put people at increased risk for severe COVID-19. Some of the recent additions to the list include cystic fibrosis, type...
4/4/21
Guidance for the design and reporting of studies evaluating the clinical performance of tests for present or past SARS-CoV-2 infection
Source: BMJ
More than 1700 preprints and peer reviewed journal articles evaluating tests for SARS-CoV-2 infection have been published as of January 2021. However, evaluations of these studies have identified many methodological...
4/4/21
Covid vaccine: Prioritise over 16s living with immunosuppressed adults, says JCVI
Source: BMJ
People aged 16 or over who live with immunosuppressed adults should be prioritised for covid-19 vaccination alongside priority group 6 (people aged 16 to 65 who have a clinical condition...
4/4/21
Statement of the Chairperson of the Africa CDC Governing Board on the Renewal of the Mandate of the Africa CDC Inaugural Director, Dr. John N. Nkengasong
Source: Africa CDC
The progress made by Africa CDC in supporting Member States to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and Ebola outbreaks in Africa were highlighted. The Board decided by an overwhelming majority...
4/4/21
After International Travel
Source: US CDC
You may have been exposed to COVID-19 on your travels. You may feel well and not have any symptoms, but you can still be infected and spread the virus to...
4/4/21
Science Brief: Evidence used to update the list of underlying medical conditions that increase a person’s risk of severe illness from COVID-19
Source: US CDC
Updates to the list of underlying medical conditions that put adults of any age at high risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19 were based on evidence...
4/4/21
WHO Director-General and global faith leaders high-level dialogue on COVID-19
Source: WHO
In addition to discussion around vaccine access, equity and acceptance the senior religious leaders shared with Dr. Tedros their collective experiences, including: Efforts to bridge the gap between science and...
4/4/21
Zimbabwe: Data-driven decisions maintain availability and access to essential health services during the COVID-19 response
Source: WHO
WHO, with support from the Universal Health Coverage Partnership, worked closely with the Zimbabwean Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) and provided technical assistance to strengthen the delivery of...
4/4/21
Global leaders unite in urgent call for international pandemic treaty
Source: WHO
Twenty-five heads of government and international agencies called for the international community to work together “towards a new international treaty for pandemic preparedness and response” to build a more robust...
11/4/21
Boost for the Covid-19 war as German Government donates test kits worth 42M shillings Nairobi April 7 2021
Source: KMoH
Health Principal Secretary Susan Mochache today received a donation of PCR test kits worth Ksh42 Million from the German Government through the German Ambassador to Kenya Annett Günther.
11/4/21
SARS-CoV-2 Variants B.1.351 and P.1 Can Elude Neutralizing Antibodies
Source: NEJM
Report on peer review article Just as bacterial pathogens can develop antimicrobial resistance necessitating continued evolution of drugs to keep pace, and the dynamics of influenza require annual vaccine modifications,...
11/4/21
Preparing for the Future — Nanobodies for Covid-19?
Source: NEJM
Researchers immunized alpacas and llamas with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein and identified nanobodies that specifically bind to the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the virus...
11/4/21
Comparison of seven commercial SARS-CoV-2 rapid point-of-care antigen tests: a single-centre laboratory evaluation study
Source: The Lancet
Peer review article The sensitivity range of most Antigen point-of-care tests (AgPOCTs) overlaps with SARS-CoV-2 viral loads typically observed in the first week of symptoms, which marks the infectious period...
11/4/21
Covid-19: a disaster five years in the making
Source: BMJ
Opinion piece War, political collapse, internal displacements, climate change, urbanisation, and shifting poverty combine in unique and interesting ways to promote widespread emergence of infectious and tropical diseases
11/4/21
Science Brief: SARS-CoV-2 and Surface (Fomite) Transmission for Indoor Community Environments
Source: US CDC
The principal mode by which people are infected with SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) is through exposure to respiratory droplets carrying the infectious virus. It is possible for people...
11/4/21
Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility
Source: US CDC
The virus that causes COVID-19 can land on surfaces. It’s possible for people to become infected if they touch those surfaces and then touch their nose, mouth, or eyes. In...
11/4/21
Improve the Fit and Filtration of Your Mask to Reduce the Spread of COVID-19
Source: US CDC
How well a mask fits, how well it filters the air, and how many layers it has are all important to consider when choosing which mask to wear. Wearing a...
11/4/21
COVID-19 Science Update released: April 9, 2021 Edition 84
Source: US CDC
Review of pre-release peer review article Low-cost air cleaners in patient rooms and nurses’ stations may be a useful and cost-effective method in clinical spaces to reduce the risk of...
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
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
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...
13/01/2021
Vitamin D and COVID-19: why the controversy?
Source: The Lancet
There is a lot of debate on whether vitamin D supplements have an effect on respiratory tract infections in general and more recently on COVID-19. Results from trials pre-pandemic vary....
13/01/2021
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 treatments are summarised below: - A small trial...
18/01/2021
Rational Use of Personal Protective Equipment in the Care of COVID-19 Cases
Source: Nigeria Centre for Disease Control
This resource contains the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control's guidance on limiting the spread of disease in healthcare facilities. Recommendations include: 1) ensuring early triage, recognition and source control at...
18/01/2021
Ventilation in Buildings
Source: CDC
Viral particles spread between people more readily indoors than outdoors. When outdoors, the concentration of viral particles rapidly reduces with the wind, even a very light wind. When indoors, ventilation...
18/01/2021
Prevention Measures; If You Are Sick; Caring for Someone at Home
Source: Kenya Medical Research Institute
This resource from the Kenya Medical Research Institute allows you to toggle between guidance on various subtopics related to COVID-19, from prevention, to managing illness, and looking after someone who...
18/01/2021
Biology, behaviour and policy, or, Dr. Fauci, Sen. Paul and Prof. Lucas walk into a pandemic
Source: The Lancet
There are debates as to the level of herd immunity needed to contain the virus. This was the subject of a recent exchange between Dr Anthony Fauci and Senator Rand...
18/01/2021
Vitamin D and COVID-19: why the controversy?
Source: The Lancet
The issue of vitamin D supplementation has been extensively debated, with strong arguments in favour and against. The COVID-19 pandemic has further escalated the discussion. It has long been clear...
18/01/2021
Assessing Mandatory Stay‐at‐Home and Business Closure Effects on the Spread of COVID‐19
Source: European Journal of Clinical Investigation
The most restrictive non‐pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) for controlling the spread of COVID‐19 are mandatory stay‐at‐home and business closures. This study evaluated the effects of more restrictive NPIs above and beyond...
18/01/2021
Lessons from Sweden: where can older adults shelter from COVID-19?
Source: The Lancet
Hospitalisation and mortality from COVID-19 has been concentrated in older adults. According to data from Sweden, older adults living in care homes had the greatest increase in risk of death...
18/01/2021
An African plan to control COVID-19 is urgently needed
Source: The Lancet
This editorial in The Lancet states that the pandemic in Africa continues to grow. Cases are rising sharply in Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Egypt, and South Africa, though in Nigeria,...
18/01/2021
Psychology of wearing face masks to prevent transition of COVID-19
Source: BMJ
The prevalence of poor housing conditions with high density is distributed disproportionately in the world particularly in low and lower middle income countries in Asia and Africa. Social distancing can...
18/01/2021
No evidence that vitamin D is able to prevent or affect the severity of COVID-19 in individuals with European ancestry: a Mendelian randomisation study of open data
Source: BMJ
This study found no evidence that vitamin D is protective against SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 severity. The data support the recent statement by the National Institute for Health and Care...
18/01/2021
Stigma: the social virus spreading faster than COVID-19
Source: BMJ
The pandemic provoked discriminatory behaviours—including violence— worldwide. This included social stigma towards those (perceived) to have been in contact with the virus or those from specific ethnic backgrounds, especially those...
18/01/2021
Current smoking and COVID-19 risk: results from a population symptom app in over 2.4 million people
Source: BMJ
The data from a study of over 2.4 million participants shows that people who smoke are at an increased risk of developing COVID-19 symptoms. There was reportedly no difference in...
18/01/2021
Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes
Source: CDC
The US CDC provides advice on ensuring the cleanliness and safety of homes, workplaces and schools. Overall, it states that the routine cleaning of surfaces and objects with soap and...
18/01/2021
Prevention and Risk Communication
Source: WHO Africa
This guidance note focusses on the importance of communicating, in real-time, information, advice and opinions between experts, officials and the public. Recommended prevention behaviours includes: hand hygiene (frequent hand washing...
18/01/2021
Mask use in the context of COVID-19
Source: WHO
This Interim Guidance note provides an overview of the WHO's recommendations on mask wearing in healthcare and community settings; mask-use for children; and, the use of non-medical masks. The WHO...
18/01/2021
Infection prevention and control guidance for long-term care facilities (LTCFs) in the context of COVID-19
Source: WHO
This WHO guidance states that long-term care facilities are high-risk settings for transmission of COVID-19 to and among residents and staff. Residents are at a higher risk of developing severe...
18/01/2021
Rational use of personal protective equipment for COVID-19 and considerations during severe shortages
Source: WHO
WHO guidance on PPE. The note recommends that where shortages in PPE supply are forecasted, the use of PPE in health care settings where patients with COVID-19 are cared for...
18/01/2021
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Recommendations
Source: BMJ
This BMJ article recommends that management of COVID cases should be based on disease severity and must focus on: isolation at a suitable location, infection prevention and control measures, symptom...
18/01/2021
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Primary Prevention
Source: BMJ
An article aggregating data / studies, providing six recommendations for the general public: 1) washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or an alcohol-based hand...
18/01/2021
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Primary Prevention
Source: BMJ
An up-to-date resource covering a range of prevention mechanisms, from vaccinations to infection prevention and control in healthcare settings and among the general public. In healthcare settings, the article recommends...
28/01/2021
Is it safe for pregnant women to get COVID-19 vaccines? Here’s what we know, and don’t know.
Source: Poynter
There’s strong evidence that pregnancy heightens the risk for severe COVID-19, and that pregnant women have a greater need for protection than other healthy adults. The vaccines authorized in the...
28/01/2021
Mask wearing doesn’t cause bacterial pneumonia
Source: Full Fact
WHAT WAS CLAIMED Mask-wearing causes people to contract bacterial pneumonia. OUR VERDICT There is no evidence for this.
28/01/2021
COVID-19 NIGERIA
Source: Nigeria CDC
Twitter feed from Nigeria’s Centre for Disease Control discussing the long term effects of COVID-19 over the year since it was first detected in the country.
28/01/2021
Teachers Can Play Substantial Role in School SARS-CoV-2 Transmissions
Source: NEJM
Report on research article A new study, published in MMWR, highlights the significant role that teachers can play in SARS-CoV-2 transmission in schools. Physical distancing isn't always possible in primary...
28/01/2021
Will the Current mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines Work Against SARS-CoV-2 Variants?
Source: NEJM
Report on research article These findings suggest that the B.1.351 variant (and others harbouring similar mutations) is less sensitive to vaccine-induced antibodies than earlier SARS-CoV-2 lineages, including B.1.117. However, vaccines...
28/01/2021
Our Latest Coverage of COVID-19
Source: NEJM
Presentation of the week's summaries, commentary, and news on the pandemic. This week, NEJM Journal Watch covered COVID-19–related topics including limitations of procalcitonin for antimicrobial stewardship, efficacy of mRNA vaccines...
28/01/2021
Pfizer-BioNTech Studying a COVID-19 Vaccine Booster
Source: NEJM
Pfizer and BioNTech said on Thursday that they will begin studying whether a third dose of their authorized mRNA vaccine is safe and effective against currently circulating and emerging 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
Migrant health is public health: a call for equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece Migrant and displaced communities—regardless of their legal status—urgently need to be explicitly and proactively included in vaccination plans. This action not only recognises the interdependence between migrant health...
28/01/2021
Historical evidence to inform COVID-19 vaccine mandates
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece Most countries have a mandatory vaccination programme for childhood vaccinations, with varying strategies for enforcement that might establish precedent. If strategies of persuasion do not achieve adequate vaccination...
28/01/2021
COVID-19 and clinician wellbeing: challenges and opportunities
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece The COVID-19 pandemic provides an opportunity to redefine a collective approach to wellbeing in health care, including how organisations engage with the people and communities that anchor their...
28/01/2021
Covid-19: Keeping schools as safe as possible
Source: BMJ
Although evidence has accumulated that school outbreaks are limited in number and size and that mitigation measures are effective, the emergence of variants with increased transmissibility raises uncertainty. It is...
28/01/2021
Covid-19: Pfizer BioNTech vaccine reduced cases by 94% in Israel, shows peer reviewed study
Source: BMJ
Peer reviewed article Peter English, consultant in communicable disease control and past chair of the BMA’s Public Health Medicine Committee, said, “This is more great news, confirming that the vaccine...
28/01/2021
Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Source: US CDC
Brief summaries of clinical questions and answers on topics relating to COVID-19, including: COVID-19 Risk, Who is at Risk, Infection Control, Transmission, Testing, Diagnosis, and more.
28/01/2021
Symptoms of Coronavirus
Source: US CDC
Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms, including: Fever or chills Cough, Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, Fatigue, Muscle or body aches, Headache, New loss of taste or smell,...
28/01/2021
Resources for Teachers and Staff
Source: US CDC
For Teachers, Substitute Teachers, and Paraprofessionals. How to set up classrooms, how to disinfect and how to protect both teachers and students.
28/01/2021
Toolkit for Pregnant People and New Parents
Source: US CDC
Resources and tools to help pregnant people, breastfeeding people and new parents caring for infants to protect their health and help people who serve these communities communicate with them.
28/01/2021
Coronavirus Self-Checker
Source: US CDC
An online tool that helps assess symptoms for yourself or another anywhere in the world giving advice on what action, if any, to take next.
28/01/2021
Community Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 at Three Fitness Facilities — Hawaii, June–July 2020
Source: US CDC
Pre release article To reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission in fitness facilities, staff members and patrons should wear a mask, and facilities should enforce consistent and correct mask use (including during high-intensity...
28/01/2021
Considerations for Health Screening for COVID-19 at Points of Entry
Source: US CDC
A summary to assist Ministries of Health and their point-of-entry (POE) partners in determining whether and how to conduct traveller screening at POE for COVID-19.
28/01/2021
Frequently Asked Questions
Source: US CDC
Latest FAQ from US CDC covering topics including: Basics, Spread, Prevention, If You or Someone You Know is Sick or Had Contact with Someone who Has COVID-19, Vaccines, Children, Preparing...
28/01/2021
Steps Healthcare Facilities Can Take to Stay Prepared for COVID-19
Source: US CDC
A summary of simple steps healthcare facilities can take to reduce the risk form COVID-19.
28/01/2021
Road Travel Toolkit for Transportation Partners
Source: US CDC
This toolkit provides messages, graphics and products to: Support timely messaging to those traveling by road in the United States. Help transportation partners develop further COVID-19 materials.
28/01/2021
Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes
Source: US CDC
Slowing the spread of COVID-19 requires all of us to practice social distancing and other daily habits to prevent infection. Cleaning and disinfecting public spaces, workplaces, businesses, and schools is...
28/01/2021
Air Travel Toolkit for Airline Partners
Source: US CDC
This toolkit provides messages, graphics and products to: Support timely messaging to travellers and employees. Help airline partners develop additional COVID-19 materials.
28/01/2021
Older Adults
Source: US CDC
The risk of severe illness with COVID-19 increases with age. For older adults at highest risk certain medical conditions can also increase risk for severe illness. People at increased risk,...
28/01/2021
Homelessness and COVID-19 FAQs
Source: US CDC
Homeless adults are at an increased risk of catching COVID-19. This is a roundup of various aspects relating to homelessness and COVID-19.
28/01/2021
COVID-19 Overview and Infection Prevention and Control Priorities in non-US Healthcare Settings
Source: US CDC
This overview was created for healthcare workers in non-US healthcare settings and government officials working on the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) response. The information in this document draws from the...
28/01/2021
COVID-19 in Children and Teens
Source: US CDC
While fewer children have been sick with COVID-19 compared to adults, children can be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, can get sick from COVID-19, and can spread the...
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.
28/01/2021
Ventilation in Schools and Child Care Programs
Source: US CDC
Ventilation is one component of maintaining healthy environments, and is an important COVID-19 prevention strategy for schools and child care programs.
28/01/2021
Genome sequencing central to COVID-19 response
Source: WHO Africa
Virus genome sequencing is playing a vital role in the efforts to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. Sequencing enabled the world to rapidly identify SARS-CoV-2. Knowing the genome sequence allowed rapid...
28/01/2021
Protect yourself and others from COVID-19
Source: WHO
There are a range of infographics covering advised behaviours for different situations. Titles include; making safer choices, visiting relatives in long term care, shopping for groceries, ensuring you look after...
31/01/2021
Sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 – first update
Source: ECDC
This technical guidance aims to provide guidelines to laboratories and relevant stakeholders in the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) and other countries in the WHO European region in...
31/01/2021
Urgent needs of low-income and middle-income countries for COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics
Source: Lancet
Opinion piece by Lancet Commission on COVID-19 Vaccines and Therapeutics Task Force Members Most low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) face difficulties in accessing and delivering vaccines and therapeutics for COVID-19...
31/01/2021
Support for self-isolation is critical in covid-19 response
Source: BMJ
This is an opinion piece by Muge Cevik, clinical lecturer, Stefan D Baral, associate professor, Alex Crozier, research scientist and Jackie A Cassell, professor at various UK research institutions. The...
31/01/2021
Covid-19: How to break the cycle of lockdowns
Source:
An opinion piece by Christina Pagel, director, Clinical Operational Research Unit, University College London, UK. It argues that to prevent the cycle of lockdowns, four steps are needed: To vaccinate...
31/01/2021
How to Wear Masks
Source: US CDC
Advice from the CDC on how to use masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including some excellent images illustrating these points. Do choose masks that: i) have two or...
31/01/2021
How to Wear Masks
Source: US CDC
Official public health advice from the US CDC on how to wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19: Do’s Wear a mask over your nose and mouth Wear a...
31/01/2021
Protect Yourself When Using Transportation
Source: US CDC
Official advice from the US CDC on protecting oneself while using transportation includes: Practice hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette Before you leave, wash your hands with soap and water for...
31/01/2021
Kenya adopts Trusted Travel digital tool for COVID-19 test result verification
Source: Africa CDC
On 9 January 2021, the Government of the Republic of Kenya announced the launch of its Trusted Travel platform. The Trusted Travel platform provides an extensive suite of technologies that...
31/01/2021
MTN partners with African Union on COVID-19 vaccinations in Africa
Source: Africa CDC
MTN, Africa’s leading mobile network, has announced a donation of US$25 million to support the African Union’s COVID-19 vaccination programme. On 14 January 2021, President Cyril Ramaphosa, Chairperson of the...
31/01/2021
The Rockefeller Foundation Announces Grant to Expand Access to COVID-19 Testing and Tracing in Africa
Source: Africa CDC
The Rockefeller Foundation has announced a new grant of $12 million dollars to the Africa Public Health Foundation to expand the geographic coverage of testing and strengthen the contact tracing...
31/01/2021
Covid-19 Vaccine Injuries — Preventing Inequities in Compensation
Source: New England Journal of Medicine
Opinion piece by Katharine Van Tassel, J.D., M.P.H., Carmel Shachar, J.D., M.P.H., and Sharona Hoffman, J.D., L.L.M., S.J.D. The authors argue that low-income people and people of colour typically shoulder...
31/01/2021
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
Source: ECDC
The European Centre for Disease Control has announced the launch of the ECDC-JRC database. This database is an archive of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), or measures, introduced by 30 countries in...
31/01/2021
COVID-19 vaccine prioritisation for type 1 and type 2 diabetes
Source: The Lancet
Several clinical reports have described greater morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 in people with diabetes, often accompanied by obesity. Most of this information is from individuals with type 2 diabetes,...
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
Covid-19: What new variants are emerging and how are they being investigated?
Source: The BMJ
The new, more transmissible variant of SARS-CoV-2 found in England is just one of many variations of the virus being detected around the world. These include variant P.1 or VOC202101/02,...
31/01/2021
Long COVID and post-recovery mortality
Source: MedRxiv
This is a preprint article. This means that it has not been peer-reviewed, may not been finalized by authors, might contain errors, and report information that has not yet been...
31/01/2021
COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Toolkit for Essential Workers: Getting Started
Source: CDC
The US CDC has launched a new toolkit for employers of essential workers. It is designed to help organizations educate employees about COVID-19 vaccines, raise awareness about the benefits of...
2/2/21
CAS MWANGANGI RECEIVES PPEs from UNHCR
Source: MoHK
Kenya Health Chief Administrative Secretary Dr Mercy Mwangangi received Personal Protective Equipment from United Nations High Commission for Refugees Country Representative Ms Fathiaa Abdalla. The UNHCR boss had earlier paid...
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
COVID-19 in Pregnancy Linked to Many Adverse Outcomes
Source: NEJM
Summary article This study, one of the largest on the impact of COVID-19 among U.S. women hospitalized for birth, links COVID-19 to many adverse maternal outcomes. It is especially important...
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
Opportunities for Artificial Intelligence–Enabled Social Media Analysis of Public Attitudes Toward Covid-19 Vaccines
Source: NEJM
Opinion piece The Royal Society reviewed the behavioural aspects of vaccine uptake and misinformation and identified the need for further research into five factors: confidence in the vaccines’ efficacy and...
2/2/21
Overview of the implementation of COVID-19 vaccination strategies and vaccine deployment plans in the EU/EEA
Source: ECDC
This report provides an updated overview of national COVID-19 vaccination rollout across the EU/EEA, including new insights into some of the critical aspects and challenges Member States are experiencing with...
2/2/21
Stress test on logistical aspects of COVID-19 vaccination deployment plans: final report
Source: ECDC
The ECDC, together with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety, organised a stress test of the logistical aspects of COVID-19 vaccination deployment plans. Twelve EU/EEA Member States...
2/2/21
Calling for benefit–risk evaluations of COVID-19 control measures
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece We call on all scientists, public health officials, journalists, and politicians to weigh and consider the collateral damage from government COVID-19 control measures and their negative effect on...
2/2/21
WHO team begins COVID-19 origin investigation
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece With new infections of COVID-19 still spreading rapidly, and health systems stretched to their limits, public interest is focused on the WHO-led international mission in China to investigate...
2/2/21
The impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on HIV care in 65 South African primary care clinics: an interrupted time series analysis
Source: The Lancet
ART (Anti-retroviral treatment - the most effective method of countering HIV) provision was generally maintained during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, but HIV testing and ART initiations were heavily impacted. Strategies...
2/2/21
Avoiding a legacy of unequal non-communicable disease burden after the COVID-19 pandemic
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed deeply unequal health burdens, etched along racial and ethnic lines, reflecting long standing socioeconomic inequalities. These inequalities became differences in exposure to the...
2/2/21
Peginterferon lambda for the treatment of outpatients with COVID-19: a phase 2, placebo-controlled randomised trial
Source: The Lancet
To date, only monoclonal antibodies (antibodies made in laboratories but identical to the ones our white blood cells produce) have been shown to be effective for outpatients with COVID-19. Interferon...
2/2/21
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in a representative working-age population in France: a survey experiment based on vaccine characteristics
Source: The Lancet
COVID-19 vaccine acceptance depends on the characteristics of new vaccines and the national vaccination strategy, among various other factors, in the working-age population in France.
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
Understanding the determinants of acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines: a challenge in a fast-moving situation
Source: The Lancet
Opinion piece by Pierre Verger, Patrick Peretti-Watel This study shows that most people are probably not absolutely for or against COVID-19 vaccines. Depending on their own profile and preferences, and...
2/2/21
China races to contain covid outbreak
Source: BMJ
News article After a new outbreak of COVID-19 last month, China is constructing a quarantine camp to house around 4000 people. The quarantine centre in Shijiazhuang, a city 300 km...
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
Matt Morgan: I’m a celebrity, get me remdesivir!
Source: BMJ
Opinion piece “The WHO reports that, of the countries that are rolling out COVID-19 vaccines so far, the vast majority are high income countries, with just a few middle-income countries—and...
2/2/21
Put to the test: use of rapid testing technologies for covid-19
Source: BMJ
Rapid tests provide new opportunities to find and isolate cases and contacts early. However, implementing such tests in local health systems is complex. Strategies for use of covid-19 tests vary...
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
Decline in COVID-19 Hospitalization Growth Rates Associated with Statewide Mask Mandates — 10 States, March–October 2020
Source: US CDC
This study supports community masking to reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. It also demonstrates that state-wide mask mandates were associated with a reduction in COVID-19–associated hospitalization growth rates among adults...
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
NHS Guidance on vaccinations for temporary workers (
Source: NHS
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommends that UK National Health Service trusts should prioritise the vaccination of frontline workers at high risk of acquiring infection; at high...
2/2/21
FIFA and WHO #ACTogether to tackle COVID-19
Source: WHO
FIFA is teaming up with the World Health Organization (WHO) to promote the need for fair access to COVID-19 vaccines, treatments and diagnostics, and to encourage people to keep practising...
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...