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June 24, 2020
Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Nursing Homes, Barcelona, Spain, April 2020
Residents and staff at 69 nursing homes in Spain were screened for SARS-CoV-2 between April 10-24, 2020. Twenty-four percent (768/3214) of residents and 15% (403/2655) of staff tested positive. Among those who tested positive, 70% of residents and 56% of staff were asymptomatic at the time of testing. Borras-Bermejo et al. (June 23, 2020). Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Nursing Homes, Barcelona,…
Using Influenza Surveillance Networks to Estimate State-Specific Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in the United States
Silverman et. al use outpatient surveillance data for influenza-like illness to estimate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in the US. Assuming that one third of all people infected with SARS-CoV-2 sought care, the authors estimated that a surge of influenza-like illness corresponded to over 8.7 million new SARS-CoV-2 infections across the US between March 8-28, 2020, which is substantially more than the number of infections…
COVID-19 Outbreak Among College Students After a Spring Break Trip to Mexico — Austin, Texas, March 26–April 5, 2020
Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 during and after a college spring break trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (March 14–19) led to 64 cases, including 60 cases among 183 vacation travelers, one among 13 household contacts, and three among 35 community contacts. Approximately one-fifth of those who tested positive were asymptomatic at the time of testing. Prompt epidemiologic investigation, with effective contact tracing and cooperation between…
June 23, 2020
Establishing Prison-Led Contact Tracing to Prevent Outbreaks of COVID-19 in Prisons in Ireland
The Irish Prison Service National Infection Control Team, in collaboration with other national agencies, have implemented a program to develop and train contact tracing teams in prisons run by prison staff. All prisons in Ireland now have fully–functional contact tracing teams, and each team has responded to at least one case of COVID-19. Clarke et al. (June 2020). Establishing…
Clinical Course of Asymptomatic and Mildly Symptomatic Patients with Coronavirus Disease Admitted to Community Treatment Centers, South Korea
Lee et al. report outcomes among patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection who had mild or no COVID-19 symptoms and were isolated and monitored in community treatment centers in South Korea (n=632). Among this population, 12% had symptoms at admission, 29% were initially asymptomatic but later developed symptoms, and 59% remained asymptomatic. Three percent were transferred to hospitals, and 94% entered virologic remission (after a mean of 20 days) and…
COVID-19 in Jails and Prisons: A Neglected Infection in a Marginalized Population
In this commentary, Franco-Paredes et al. review conditions that promote transmission of COVID-19 in jails and prisons and describe known COVID-19 clusters in this population in several countries. They furthermore compare the results of four initiatives compiling data on COVID-19 cases and deaths among staff and prisoners in correctional institutions in the US. Franco-Paredes et al. (June 2020). COVID-19 in Jails and…
Comparison of COVID-19 Case and Death Counts in the United States Reported by Four Online Trackers January 22-May 31 2020
[pre-print, not peer reviewed] A comparison of four online COVID-19 trackers found the New York Times reported more cases than USAFacts, Johns Hopkins University, and the COVID Tracking Project. The COVID Tracking Project has reported fewer deaths than any of the other three trackers. Smith. (June 22, 2020). Comparison of COVID-19 Case and Death Counts in the United…
A Simplified Math Approach to Predict ICU Beds and Mortality Rate for Hospital Emergency Planning under Covid-19 Pandemic
Manca et al. present a tool based on a simple model that can be used by physicians and decision makers to forecast bed allocation, residence time, doubling time, dates at which thresholds are exceeded, and other key indicators. Manca et al. (Sept 2020). A Simplified Math Approach to Predict ICU Beds and Mortality Rate for…
Characterizing Super-Spreading Events and Age-Specific Infectivity of COVID-19 Transmission in Georgia USA
[pre-print, not peer reviewed] Lau et al. use surveillance, geolocation, and aggregate mobility data from five counties in Georgia (US) to estimate unobserved parameters, including date of infection and transmission pathway. They estimate R0 to be 2.88 (95%CI 1.85, 4.9) before a state-wide shelter-in-place order, and <1 two weeks after the order. They estimate that 2% of cases may have…
Potential Indirect Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Use of Emergency Departments for Acute Life-Threatening Conditions — United States, January–May 2020
In the 10 weeks following the COVID-19 emergency declaration in the US (March 15–May 23, 2020), emergency department visits reported in the National Syndromic Surveillance Program declined by 23% for heart attacks, 20% for strokes, and 10% for hyperglycemic crisis compared with the previous 10-week period. The authors report that this system captures an estimated 73% of emergency department visits nationwide. The authors conclude that there is a potential…
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