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July 17, 2020
Neurological and Musculoskeletal Features of COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
A systematic literature review and meta-analysis (n=51 studies) of neurological and musculoskeletal features of COVID-19 found the prevalence of smell impairment was 35% (95% CI 0-94%), 33% for taste impairment (95% CI 0-91%), 19% for myalgia (95% CI 16-23%), 12% for headache (95% CI 9-15%), 10% for back pain (95% CI 1%-23%), 10% for dizziness (95% CI 3-19%), 3%…
SARS-CoV-2 Viral Load Assessment in Respiratory Samples
Kleiboecker et al. report the distribution of viral loads in a large number of SARS-CoV-2-positive respiratory samples (n=4,428). Fifteen percent of samples had extremely high virus levels (>8 log10 copies/ml), while low viral loads (<1000 copies/ml) were relatively common (10%). Neither age nor gender were meaningfully associated with mean and median viral load. The authors also review challenges in comparing viral load values between studies. Kleiboeker et al. (May 2020). SARS-CoV-2 Viral Load Assessment in…
Hydroxychloroquine in Nonhospitalized Adults With Early COVID-19: A Randomized Trial
Skipper et al. report findings of a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial of oral hydroxychloroquine (800mg once, followed by 600mg in 6-8 hours, then 600mg daily for 4 days) among symptomatic non–hospitalized adults with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 or probable COVID-19 (n=423). Patients in the hydroxychloroquine arm had a non-significantly lower probability of ongoing symptoms at 14 days (24% versus 30%; p=0.21). There…
Risk Assessment of Airborne Transmission of COVID-19 by Asymptomatic Individuals under Different Practical Settings
[pre-print, not peer-reviewed] Shao et al. combined measured aerosol generation from 8 study participants with mathematical simulations to estimate risk of SARS-CoV-2 aerosol spread under scenarios including an elevator, lecture hall, and supermarket. Simulations indicated that SARS-CoV-2 aerosol transmission in an elevator under high ventilation would be very low with normal breathing, but would increase if the emitter is speaking. In a classroom in which the emitter is a lecturer speaking continuously, risk to students is lowest…
July 16, 2020
Estimating the Burden of COVID-19 on Mortality Life Expectancy and Lifespan Inequality in England and Wales A Population-Level Study
[Pre-print, not peer reviewed] Using publicly–available death registration data, Aburto et al. performed a demographic analysis of all-cause mortality during the first 26 weeks of 2020 in England and Wales and estimated 53,937 excess deaths (54% male). These deaths represent a 31% increase in mortality compared to the expected level based on previous years. The investigators also found a life expectancy at…
Controlling COVID-19 via Test-Trace-Quarantine
[Pre-print, not peer reviewed] Using detailed demographic, mobility, and epidemiological data for the Seattle region to calibrate an agent-based model, Kerr et al. assessed the requirements for implementing a successful “test-trace-quarantine” strategy and found that if high mask compliance and school closures remain in place, realistic levels of testing (~4,000 routine tests per day) and tracing (50%…
Impacts of COVID-19 on Youth Mental Health, Substance Use, and Well-Being: A Rapid Survey of Clinical and Community Samples
Results from a cross-sectional survey of Canadian youth (n=622) already participating in Mental Health and Substance Abuse studies, self-reports of prepandemic mental health compared to current mental health show statistically significant deterioration of mental health across both clinical and community samples. Self-reported substance use declined both in clinical and community samples, and some participants report some positive…
U.S. Census Bureau-Assessed Prevalence of Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in 2019 and during the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic
Results from participants (n=336,525) from US Census Bureau-administered nationally representative probability samples found that compared to US adults in 2019, US adults in April and May 2020 were more than 3–times more likely to screen positive for depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, or both, with more than 1 out of 3 screening positive for both. Twenge and Joiner. (July…
Deep Immune Profiling of COVID-19 Patients Reveals Distinct Immunotypes with Therapeutic Implications
Using deep immune profiling, Mathew et al. characterized immune responses among 125 patients with COVID-19 and identified 3 different immunotypes with unique T cell, B cell, and lymphocyte responses. These findings may suggest fundamental differences in immunological responses to SARS-COV-2 infection. Mathew et al. (July 15, 2020). Deep Immune Profiling of COVID-19 Patients Reveals Distinct Immunotypes with Therapeutic Implications. Science. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abc8511
BMI and Future Risk for COVID-19 Infection and Death across Sex, Age and Ethnicity: Preliminary Findings from UK Biobank
Sattar et al. analyzed participants (n=4,855) from the UK Biobank and found a strong association between BMI and a positive SARS-CoV-2 test and COVID-19 related death. The gradient of risk across the range of BMI was steeper among those under 70 for COVID-19 related death. BMI was more strongly related to test positivity and death among members of non-white racial groups. …
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