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May 21, 2021
Mutation-Specific SARS-CoV-2 PCR Screen: Rapid and Accurate Detection of Variants of Concern and the Identification of a Newly Emerging Variant with Spike L452R Mutation
An evaluation of a novel multiplex, mutation-specific PCR-based assay on 247 SARS-CoV-2 positive samples found 100% concordance for strain typing of variants B.1.1.7 and P.1 compared to whole genome sequencing methods. This method detects five variants of concern and three variants of interest, including the B.1.526.1 variant emerging in the Eastern US. The assay can…
Emergence and Spread of the Potential Variant of Interest (VOI) B.1.1.519 Predominantly Present in Mexico
[Pre-print, not peer-reviewed] Investigators described the emergence and spread of a novel SARS-CoV-2 variant of interest (B.1.1.519) in Mexico with mutations T478L, P681H, and T732A in the spike protein. Out of 2,692 SARS-CoV-2 samples analyzed for genomic sequence between March 1, 2020 and March 21, 2021, 37.8% were B.1.1.519. The variant was not detected prior…
Mask Use and Ventilation Improvements to Reduce COVID-19 Incidence in Elementary Schools — Georgia, November 16–December 11, 2020
An analysis of COVID-19 incidence in K-5 public schools in Georgia (N=169 schools, 91,893 students) found that incidence was 37% lower in schools that required teachers and staff to wear masks and 39% lower in schools that improved ventilation. Incorporating ventilation strategies to dilute airborne particles (opening windows and doors and/or using fans) was associated…
The Impact of Covid-19 State Closure Orders on Consumer Spending, Employment, and Business Revenue
An analysis of COVID-19 state closure orders found that although these policies led to decreases in consumer spending, business revenue, and employment, they accounted for a small proportion of observed decreases in these outcomes in the early months of the pandemic. The analysis used a difference-in-difference model to examine geographic and temporal variation in these…
May 20, 2021
Population-Based Estimates of Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PASC) Prevalence and Characteristics
Persistent COVID-19 symptoms 30 days and 60 days after symptom onset were present in 53% and 35% of participants, respectively, in a population-based survey in Michigan (n=593). Prevalence of 30-day and 60-day symptoms was 40% higher in hospitalized patients than in non-hospitalized patients, while those who reported very severe symptoms (vs mild) had a 2-fold…
Characteristics Associated With Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome Among Adults With SARS-CoV-2 Infection
In a single-center cohort study of patients hospitalized for acute COVID-19 (n=698), 15 patients were identified with multisystem inflammatory syndrome for adults (MIS-A). The 15 MIS-A patients had acute COVID-19 symptoms, and for MIS-A patients with prior admission for acute COVID-19 (n=3), the median interval between acute COVID-19 admission and MIS-A admission was 23 days….
Assessment of the Association of Vitamin D Level With SARS-CoV-2 Seropositivity Among Working-Age Adults
Low levels of Vitamin D (<20 ng/mL) was not associated with positivity for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies (OR=1.04, 95% CI=0.88-1.22), after adjustment for confounders in a large cohort study of US employees and spouses of Quest Diagnostics (n=18,148). Vitamin D levels were measured prior to the pandemic in 2019 and results were adjusted for age, sex,…
Thrombocytopenia Including Immune Thrombocytopenia after Receipt of MRNA COVID-19 Vaccines Reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)
An analysis of reported adverse events following vaccination with an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine indicates that the reported number of thrombocytopenia cases does not suggest a safety concern attributable to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines at this time. Fifteen cases of thrombocytopenia were identified among 18,841,309 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and 13 cases among 16,260,102 doses of Moderna…
Diverse Functional Autoantibodies in Patients with COVID-19
Elevated levels of autoantibodies (AAbs) targeting extracellular and secreted proteins that modulate immune response were detected in a cohort of COVID-19 patients (n=194) but not in uninfected controls (n=30). In vitro analysis of the plasma concentrations of these targeted proteins indicate altered immunoreceptor signaling and peripheral immune cell composition, suggesting that the AAbs can impair…
Strategies That Make Vaccination Easy and Promote Autonomy Could Increase COVID-19 Vaccination in Those Who Remain Hesitant
[Pre-print, not peer-reviewed] A cross-sectional survey conducted among a representative US sample (n=2,895, 38% vaccinated) in March 2021 found that among those who were vaccine hesitant (n=522), major concerns were vaccine side-effects and efficacy (78%) and mistrust of the government or vaccines (38%). Among those with intent to initiate vaccination (n=1,326), most common barriers included…
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