Article Summary
July 21, 2020
Neutralizing and Binding Antibody Kinetics of COVID-19 Patients during Hospital and Convalescent Phases
[pre-print, not peer-reviewed] Yao et al. analyzed antibody kinetics using 244 serial blood samples from 34 people with COVID-19. All types of antibodies measured were detected approximately two weeks after illness onset. Based on estimated half–life, the authors estimated median times to seronegativity following disease onset to be 4.6 months for IgM (IQR 4.1-5.0), 7.8 months for IgA (IQR 6.7-9.2), and 43 months (IQR 34-48) for IgG. Neutralizing antibodies (Nab) declined faster than IgG…
Experience with Tocilizumab in Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia after 80 Days of Follow-up: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Among 236 patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia treated with tocilizumab over a median follow-up of 83 days, 55% required ICU admission, 49% required invasive mechanical ventilation, and 13% died. The investigators evaluated response to tocilizumab using multiple methods and found that the response defined by stable or decreasing scores on the Lower Brescia COVID Respiratory Severity Scale was associated with lower odds of mortality (OR=0.14, 95%…
COVID-19 and Inequity: A Comparative Spatial Analysis of New York City and Chicago Hot Spots
An ecological study of COVID-19 hotspots in New York City and Chicago found that hot spots included ZIP codes with lower rates of college graduates and higher proportions of people of color; however, household size had a stronger effect than population density. New York City hotspots tended to be among more working-class and middle-income neighborhoods, while Chicago’s hot spots occurred more commonly among the neighborhoods with high…
Seroprevalence of Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in 10 Sites in the United States, March 23-May 12, 2020
Havers et al. report a cross-sectional seroprevalence survey conducted on a convenience sample of residual sera collected from March 23 through May 12 for routine clinical testing in San Francisco (SF), Connecticut (CT), south Florida (SF), Louisiana (LA), Minneapolis-St Paul-St Cloud metro area (MN), Missouri (MS), New York City Metro Area (NYC), Philadelphia metro area (PA), Utah…
Population Point Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Based on a Statewide Random Sample — Indiana, April 25–29, 2020
A state-wide study from Indiana conducted on a random statewide sample of non-institutionalized residents (12 years or older) from April 25-29 (n=3,658, representing a 24% response rate) estimated the prevalence of active infection, based on RT-PCR testing, was 1.7%, with 44% reporting no positive symptoms in the preceding two weeks. Estimated seropositivity was 1.1%, bringing overall prevalence of current and previous infections to 2.8%. Overall…
Estimated Community Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies — Two Georgia Counties, April 28–May 3, 2020
A seroprevalence study conducted April 28–May 3 in two high-incidence counties in metropolitan Atlanta (n=394 households and 696 people) found an estimated seroprevalence of 3% overall, and 5% among non-Hispanic Black participants. Of those seropositive, 50% reported illness or symptoms consistent with COVID-19, of whom 28% sought care and 16% were tested, demonstrating that many infections would not have been identified through case-based…
High Community SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Seroprevalence in a Ski Resort Community Blaine County Idaho US. Preliminary Results
[pre-print, not peer-reviewed] A representative seroprevalence survey of residents of Blaine County, Idaho, a resort community with a high incidence of COVID-19 in March and April, found that 23% of residents had antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Based on the number of reported cases, this suggests that more than 80% of SARS-CoV-2 infections were not reported. McLaughlin et al. (July 21, 2020). High…
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Systematic Review of Pregnancy and the Possibility of Vertical Transmission
A systematic literature review of COVID-19 in pregnant women and neonates (n=21 studies corresponding to 90 pregnancies and 92 neonates) found that the most common symptoms among pregnant women were fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Three women were admitted to the ICU and required mechanical ventilation, including one woman who died and another who was still receiving intensive care at the time of publication. The most commonly–reported complications were preterm labor (n=29), fetal distress (n=15), premature…
Decontaminating N95 and SN95 Masks with Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) Does Not Impair Mask Efficacy and Safety: A Systematic Review
A systematic review (n=13 studies) found that filtering facepiece respirators maintained certification standards following ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI), and that UVGI did not compromise fit. UVGI protocols using a cumulative dose of >40,000 J/m2 resulted in a 3–log reduction in viral load, versus 2–log reduction in viral load for with a cumulative dose >20,000 J/m2. Katie et al. (July 13, 2020)….
July 20, 2020
Quantifying SARS-CoV-2 Infection Risk within the Apple/Google Exposure Notification Framework to Inform Quarantine Recommendations
[pre-print, not peer-reviewed] Wilson et al. constructed a model to estimate the length of quarantine necessary to bring the risk of infection below a given threshold based on the degree of contact with an infected person. The model fits the framework of the Google/Apple Exposure Notification API, in which both the transmitter and the receiver carry Bluetooth-enabled devices that detect their proximity. Wilson et al. (July 19, 2020). Quantifying SARS-CoV-2 Infection…
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