Article Summary
July 10, 2020
Does a Modified Adhesive Respirator Improve the Face Seal for Health Care Workers Who Previously Failed a Fit Test?: A Pilot Study During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic
Use of double-sided adhesive tape on the inside edges of the 3M respirators resulted in successful fit tests for 17 (68%) out of 26 healthcare workers who had previously failed the respirator fit test. Wardhan et al. (June 15, 2020). Does a Modified Adhesive Respirator Improve the Face Seal for Health Care Workers Who Previously Failed a Fit Test?: A Pilot Study…
Disinfection of N95 Masks Artificially Contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 and ESKAPE Bacteria Using Hydrogen Peroxide Plasma: Impact on the Reutilization of Disposable Devices
A hydrogen peroxide plasma disinfection protocol inhibited the detection of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR on N95 masks that had been inoculated with various dilutions of SARS-CoV-2 in viral media. Ibáñez-Cervantes et al. (July 10, 2020). Disinfection of N95 Masks Artificially Contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 and ESKAPE Bacteria Using Hydrogen Peroxide Plasma: Impact on the Reutilization of Disposable Devices. American Journal of Infection Control. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2020.06.216
Change in the Incidence of Stillbirth and Preterm Delivery During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Khalil et al. found that the incidence of stillbirth was significantly higher during the COVID-19 pandemic than prior (9.31 per 1000 births vs 2.38 per 1000 births, p=0.01) at St. George’s University Hospital, London even though none of the mothers were known be infected with SARS-CoV-2. The authors hypothesize that the increase in stillbirth could be directly due to SARS-CoV-2 in asymptomatic…
Pathophysiology, Transmission, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
A review article summarizes the current state of knowledge about SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 and highlights gaps in knowledge about transmission, infection, and treatment. Dexamethasone shows promise in reducing 28-day mortality, while convalescent plasma has not yet been shown to not shorten time to recovery. At least 120 SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are under development. Until an effective vaccine is developed, face masks, physical distancing, and contact tracing…
Bacillus Calmette–Guérin Vaccination and Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of COVID-19 in Rhode Island, United States: A Cohort Study
Weng et al. reviewed 120 COVID-19 adult patients (88% Latino/Hispanic) at a federally qualified health center in Rhode Island and found that individuals with a history of BCG vaccination were less likely to require hospital admission during the disease course (3.7% vs 15.8%, p=0.017). Weng et al. (July 9, 2020). Bacillus Calmette–Guérin Vaccination and Clinical Characteristics and…
Repeat SARS-CoV-2 Testing Models for Residential College Populations
[Pre-print, not peer reviewed] To control COVID-19 outbreaks in residential colleges, Chang et al. developed models for repeat testing and found that testing frequently and minimizing the delay from testing until isolation for positive individuals could reduce spread. Chang et al. (July 10, 2020). Repeat SARS-CoV-2 Testing Models for Residential College Populations. Pre-print downloaded July 10 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.07.09.20149351
Distinct Patterns of SARS-CoV-2 Transmission in Two Nearby Communities in Wisconsin USA
[Pre-print, not peer reviewed] Phylogenetic analysis of 247 full-genome SARS-CoV-2 sequences from two nearby counties in Wisconsin reveal distinct transmission patterns with little evidence for mixing of virus populations between the two closely-linked communities. There is evidence of reduced viral spread in both counties after statewide stay-at-home orders, with the basic reproductive number falling by at least 40%. Moreno et al. (July 10, 2020). Distinct…
Post-Lockdown Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the Wastewater of Montpellier France
[Pre-print, not peer reviewed] Trottier et al. found increased amounts of SARS-CoV-2 RNA at the wastewater treatment plant of Montpellier, France collected at 45 days post-lockdown compared to 4 days before the end of lockdown. During this period there was an overall decrease in cases in the city. The authors offer potential explanations that include a potential emerging increase in…
July 9, 2020
COVID-19 Cases and Deaths in Federal and State Prisons
COVID-19 case rates have been substantially higher and are escalating much more rapidly in prisons than in the general US population. These findings are based on officially reported data across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The COVID-19 case rate of 3,251 per 100,000 prisoners was 5.5 times higher than the US population case rate of 587 per 100,000. The crude…
Self-Control Moderates the Association Between Perceived Severity of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Mental Health Problems Among the Chinese Public
Based on a national survey of China conducted in February 2020 (n=4,607), after controlling for demographic variables, perceived severity of COVID-19 was associated with likelihood of mental health problems. Self-control (the ability to override or change one’s inner responses and to interrupt undesired behavioral tendencies) was found to moderate the association between perceived severity of COVID-19 and mental health problems. Compared to those with high self-control, Li et al. found that individuals with low self-control are more…
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