Article Summary
November 12, 2020
Mobility Network Models of COVID-19 Explain Inequities and Inform Reopening
A transmission model incorporating mobility networks from neighborhoods to locations of interest suggests a small minority of “superspreader” locations, such as full-service restaurants and hotels, account for the majority of infections. The mobility networks are derived from cell phone data from 10 large US metropolitan areas. The model also predicts higher infection rates among lower-income…
Smoking Doubles the Mortality Risk in COVID-19: A Meta-Analysis of Recent Reports and Potential Mechanisms
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 10 studies (n = 11,189 COVID-19 patients) found that smokers had a 2-fold increased risk of mortality compared to non-smokers. There was no difference in mortality risk between current and former smokers. Salah et al. (Oct 7, 2020). Smoking Doubles the Mortality Risk in COVID-19: A Meta-Analysis of Recent…
‘Long-COVID’: A Cross-Sectional Study of Persisting Symptoms, Biomarker and Imaging Abnormalities Following Hospitalisation for COVID-19
Among 384 patients in London followed for an average of 54 days post-discharge from COVID-19 hospitalization, 53% reported persistent breathlessness, 34% cough, 69% fatigue, and 14.6% depression. 38% of chest radiographs remained abnormal and 9% showed signs of worsening. Mandal et al. (Nov 10, 2020). ‘Long-COVID’: A Cross-Sectional Study of Persisting Symptoms, Biomarker and Imaging…
Sixty-Day Outcomes Among Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19
Among 1,648 hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Michigan, 1250 (75.8%) survived and were discharged between March 16 and July 1, with a majority returning home. By 60 days post-discharge, an additional 84 patients died, bringing the overall mortality rate to 29.2% (63.5% among those admitted to ICU). An additional 189 (15.1%) patients were rehospitalized. Among the…
Quick COVID-19 Healers Sustain Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Production
Analysis of longitudinal antibody responses of 76 COVID-19 patients followed for approximately 100 days showed that while anti-spike protein IgG levels declined rapidly for most individuals, those with sustained (and in some instances increased) anti-spike protein IgG levels experienced shorter disease course (median 10 vs. 16 days). Being an antibody “sustainer” also predicted persistent neutralizing…
Seasonal Human Coronavirus Antibodies Are Boosted upon SARS-CoV-2 Infection but Not Associated with Protection
[Pre-print, not peer reviewed] An analysis suggests that prior infection with human coronaviruses other than SARS-CoV-2 is not associated with protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection. The authors found no significant differences in the levels of pre-pandemic human coronavirus antibodies cross-reactive to SARS-CoV-2 proteins between a cohort of people eventually infected with SARS-CoV-2 (n=251) and a matched…
Large Scale Genomic Analysis of 3067 SARS-CoV-2 Genomes Reveals a Clonal Geo-Distribution and a Rich Genetic Variations of Hotspots Mutations
A large-scale analysis of 3067 SARS-CoV-2 genomes from 55 countries tracked mutations within the virus genome and identified three major clades in various geographic regions. The analysis also revealed geographic mutation hotspots – in particular, China, the US, France, and Malaysia – contained a high number of specific mutations. The authors note the high number…
Multiple COVID-19 Outbreaks Linked to a Wedding Reception in Rural Maine — August 7–September 14, 2020
An outbreak investigation of a wedding reception in rural Maine attended by 55 people in August 2020 initially identified 30 primary COVID-19 cases, but infected wedding guests were later identified as the likely source of outbreaks in the local community, a long-term care facility 100 miles away, and a correctional facility 200 miles away. Overall,…
Risk Factors for Mortality of Residents in Nursing Homes with Covid-19 a Retrospective Cohort Study
[Pre-print, not peer reviewed] In a retrospective study of 167 nursing homes providing long-term care in Spain, the risk of COVID-19 related death was greater in facilities with a higher percentage of complex patients or advanced diseases, lower capacity for implementing preventive measures, and in districts with higher incidence of COVID-19. A higher population density…
Long-Distance Airborne Dispersal of SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 Wards
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in the ventilation system of 3 linked COVID-19 wards in a Swedish hospital suggests long-distance airborne dispersal beyond droplet transmission. SARS-CoV-2 genetic material was detected in 7 of 19 vent openings within wards, while 8 of 9 samples obtained from HEPA exhaust filters located several floors above the wards were also positive…
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