COVID-19 LITERATURE SITUATION REPORT NOV. 4, 2020

[Preprint, not peer-reviewed] A participant’s behavior during behavioral simulation of social distancing behaviors was associated with the risk of subsequently contracting COVID-19, whereas self-report of these behaviors was not. Results from a survey among 2,120 US residents determined that an individual’s performance in a simulator intended to assess physical positioning was associated with lower risk of COVID-19 illness over the subsequent 4 months (OR=0.8), but self-reports of social distancing behavior did not show a significant association with infection of SARS-CoV-2. This association was maintained when considering only participants who were positive for SARS-CoV-2 and when considering participants who were untested but believed that they had been infected. 

Fazio et al. (Nov 3, 2020). Avoiding versus Contracting COVID-19 On the Effectiveness of Social Distancing at the Level of the Individual. Pre-print downloaded Nov 4 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.10.29.20222422

[Preprint, not peer-reviewed] A study using electronic health records in Israel reported that the 11% of PCR tests for SARS-CoV-2 were negative with 0-5 days of clinical diagnosis among patients who had at least one positive PCR test (n= 521,696). Patients who were female (vs. male: OR=1.7) and patients who were younger (10 vs. 40 years of age: OR=2.5) were more likely to have a false-negative result.

Levine-Tiefenbrun et al. (Nov 3, 2020). Association of COVID-19 RT-QPCR Test False-Negative Rate with Patient Age Sex and Time since Diagnosis. Pre-print downloaded Nov 4 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.10.30.20222935

In pediatric patients, the use of small strips inserted into each nostril was shown to have a sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 100% for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 when compared to pooled nasopharyngeal swab and throat swab samples. Viral loads of SARS-CoV-2 RNA were similar between paired nasal strip samples and nasal swab samples.

Chan et al. (Nov 3, 2020). SARS-CoV-2 Detection by Nasal Strips a Superior Tool for Surveillance of Pediatric Populations. Pre-print downloaded Nov 4 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.10.28.20220673

[Preprint, not peer-reviewed] Cognitive impairments were found frequently in patients recovering from severe COVID-19 in an inpatient rehabilitation facility. A cross-sectional study tested 57 patients with a mean age of 65 years using standard measures of memory and executive function and found that 81% had cognitive impairment, with deficits most common in working memory (55%), set-shifting (47%), divided attention (46%), and processing speed (40%). 

Jaywant et al. (Nov 3, 2020). Frequency and Profile of Objective Cognitive Deficits in Hospitalized Patients Recovering from COVID-19. Pre-print downloaded Nov 4 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.10.28.20221887

A prospective cohort study in North Carolina found that 77% of children and adolescents living with a close household contact infected with SARS-CoOV-2 had a positive SARS-COV2 PCR test. Hispanic ethnicity (OR=1.5) and having an infected sibling close contact (OR=1.7) were associated with increased infection risk. One or more symptoms were reported by 70% of children who were positive for SARS-CoV-2. Children ages 6-13 years were frequently asymptomatic (39%) and less likely to report respiratory symptoms than younger children ages 0-5 years or adolescents ages 14-20 years (29% vs. 48% and 60%, respectively). No difference was found in viral load between various age cohorts. [EDITORIAL NOTE: A pre-print version of this article was summarized on August 24]

Hurst et al. (Nov 3, 2020). SARS-CoV-2 Infections Among Children in the Biospecimens from Respiratory Virus-Exposed Kids (BRAVE Kids) Study. Clinical Infectious Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciaa1693

A simulation study of a school environment concluded that daily testing can assist with maintenance of a low infection rate. The authors concluded that a reasonable daily test percentage (6%-10% with social distancing and mask wearing, or 8-10% without mitigation procedures) among the student population can achieve a low infection rate (≤10%). 

Saad et al. (Nov 3, 2020). COVID-19 Active Surveillance Simulation Case Study – Health and Economic Impacts of Active Surveillance in a School Environment. Pre-print downloaded Nov 4 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.10.28.20221416

In Los Angeles, geographic factors associated with an increased rate of SARS-CoV2 diagnosis included a higher proportion of Latino/Latina residents, higher rates of poverty and higher household density.  The analysis was conducted using a spatial analysis of the health department data from the period of 1 March and 30 June 2020, with a total of 843,440 SARS-CoV-2 tests and 86,383 diagnoses and adjusted for age.  

Vijayan et al. (Nov 3, 2020). Beyond the 405 and the 5: Geographic Variations and Factors Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Positivity Rates in Los Angeles County. Clinical Infectious Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciaa1692

[Preprint, not peer-reviewed] The epicenter of the Louisiana COVID-19 epidemic has varied temporally, beginning in the urban core of New Orleans and then moving to suburban/rural areas. Using census tract- and parish-level data in Louisiana, Schnake-Mahl et al. reported that the incidence (73 cases per 10,000) and mortality rate (5.6 deaths per 10,000) of COVID-19 were initially highest in New Orleans during the first wave of the epidemic which occurred during March-April 2020. During the period of July-September 2020, trends reversed with suburban/rural areas experiencing higher rates than New Orleans. During the second peak, suburban and other urban areas had incidence rates over 70 cases per 10,000, nearly double the rate in New Orleans. Since May, positivity ratios have hovered close to 10% in other urban, suburban, and rural areas while remaining below 5% in New Orleans. Social vulnerability was associated with increased positivity and incidence during the first peak, and these disparities were ameliorated during re-opening and the second peak. 

Schnake-Mahl et al. (Nov 3, 2020). They’re Dying in the Suburbs COVID-19 Cases and Deaths by Geography in Louisiana (USA). Pre-print downloaded Nov 4 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.10.28.20221341