COVID-19 LITERATURE SITUATION REPORT OCT. 15, 2020

• [Pre-print, not peer reviewed] A cross-sectional study used data from 2 contact diaries from employees from 2 consulting companies and 1 university department in Georgia to measure the number of contacts per person per day between April and June. Among 3835 employees, 304 (8%) completed both diaries and had a median of 2 contacts per day per person; 55% of which involved conversation only, 64% occurred at home, and 38% were >4 hours. Most contacts were repeated, and within the same age groups, though substantial inter-generational mixing with children was reported among participants aged 30-59.

Kiti et al. (Oct 15, 2020). Social Contact Patterns among Employees in 3 U.S. Companies during Early Phases of the COVID-19 Pandemic April to June 2020. Pre-print downloaded Oct 15 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.10.14.20212423

• Among 4,817 US adults responding to an internet-based survey administered in June, 85% reported frequent hand hygiene (handwashing or hand sanitizing) after contact with public surfaces. Males, young adults (age 18-24), respondents less concerned about risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection, and respondents who did not personally know someone who had received a positive SARS-CoV-2 test reported less frequent hand hygiene.

Czeisler et al. (Oct 16, 2020). Demographic Characteristics, Experiences, and Beliefs Associated with Hand Hygiene Among Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, June 24–30, 2020. MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6941a3

• A SARS-CoV-2 outbreak was identified in an indoor hockey game in Tampa, Florida in June. The index case experienced symptoms one day after the game; 2 days later he received a positive antigen test. Overall, 62% (13 of 21) players experienced illness 2-5 days after the game (8 teammates, 5 members of the other team), as did one rink staff member. Thirteen of 15 people, including the index case, had positive SARS-CoV-2 tests (11 PCR, 2 antigen). Two on-ice referees and one spectator were asymptomatic but did not seek testing.

Atrubin et al. (Oct 16, 2020). An Outbreak of COVID-19 Associated with a Recreational Hockey Game — Florida, June 2020. MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6941a4

• [Pre-print, not peer reviewed] A cohort study of 136 healthcare workers in the UK found that 90% of the 76 workers with mild or asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection had detectable neutralizing antibodies at the beginning of the lockdown and 66% of the same workers had them after 16-18 weeks. T-cell responses tended to be lower among asymptomatic participants, while neutralizing antibody titers were maintained irrespective of symptoms, suggesting that healthcare workers may retain some functional protection for at least 4 months after experiencing mild or asymptomatic infection.

Reynolds et al. (Oct 14, 2020). Healthcare Workers with Mild Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection Show T Cell Responses and Neutralising Antibodies after the First Wave. Pre-print downloaded Oct 15 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.10.13.20211763

• [Pre-print, not peer reviewed] A network cohort analysis of 8,598 pregnant women from France, Spain, and the US with COVID-19 found that women who were eventually hospitalized were more likely to have kidney impairment and anemia. Compared to a cohort of 27,510 pregnant women diagnosed with influenza during the 2017-2018 flu season, pregnant women with COVID-19 had a higher prevalence of shortness of breath and loss of smell (anosmia), while also experiencing higher frequency of C-section, preterm delivery, and poorer maternal outcomes.

Lai et al. (Oct 14, 2020). Clinical Characteristics Symptoms Management and Health Outcomes in 8598 Pregnant Women Diagnosed with COVID-19 Compared to 27510 with Seasonal Influenza in France Spain and the US a Network Cohort Analysis. Pre-print downloaded Oct 15 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.10.13.20211821

• In an ongoing randomized controlled phase 1 trial of RNA-vaccine candidates BNT162b1 and BNT162b2 (n=195), both vaccine candidates elicited similar dose-dependent SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing titers, which were similar to titers of a panel of SARS-CoV-2 convalescent serum samples. BNT162b2 was associated with a lower incidence and severity of systemic reactions than BNT162b1, particularly in older adults, supporting its selection for advancement to phase 2-3 evaluations.

Walsh et al. (Oct 14, 2020). Safety and Immunogenicity of Two RNA-Based Covid-19 Vaccine Candidates. New England Journal of Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2027906

• In a randomized placebo-controlled phase 1/2 trial of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate, BBIBP-CorV, 192 healthy adults were randomized to receive vaccine (2, 4, or 8 μg) or placebo in a 3:1 ratio, stratified by age (18-59 and ≥60) in phase 1. Adverse reactions within the first 7 days of inoculation were reported by 42 (29%) of 144 vaccine recipients; all were mild or moderate. Neutralizing antibody titers were higher at day 42 among 18-59 year-olds than those ≥60, and demonstrated a dose response. In phase 2, 448 were randomized to receive a single 8 μg injection or two 4 μg injections. All adverse reactions remained mild or moderate. Neutralizing antibody titers were significantly higher on day 28 among all two-dose 4 μg schedules than the single 8 μg dose (p<0.0001).

Xia et al. (Oct 15, 2020). Safety and immunogenicity of an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, BBIBP-CorV: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 1/2 trial. The Lancet Infectious Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(20)30831-8

• Geometric mean SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody titers of 18 SARS-CoV-2 positive patients in South Korea decreased from 219.4 at 2 months to 143.7 at 5 months (p=0.03) after infection, indicating a waning antibody response. The decline was significantly associated with antibody levels at 2 months and happened more frequently in symptomatic patients who developed pneumonia (n=11), while none of the 7 asymptomatic participants experienced waning neutralizing antibody response.

Choe et al. (Oct 13, 2021). Waning Antibody Responses in Asymptomatic and Symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Emerging Infectious Diseases. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2701.203515