Article Summary
June 11, 2020
Effects of Proactive Social Distancing on COVID-19 Outbreaks in 58 Cities, China
Du et al. estimated the speed of COVID-19 containment for 58 cities in mainland China outside of Hubei* Province, which deployed 7 different types of social distancing interventions over the course of the COVID-19 epidemic. Results showed the mean (+SD) time elapse between the first confirmed case and the implementation of the first social distancing intervention was 13 (+4.7) days. The mean time…
June 9, 2020
United States Distribution of Patients at Risk for Complications Related to COVID-19
A risk model developed using data from the Walgreens pharmacy electronic data warehouse (n=29,824,409) classified 27% of patients as high risk (score 8-10). Age accounted for 53% of a patient’s total risk, followed by comorbidities (30%), inferred chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, or diabetes (14%), and urban density classification (4%). Smith-Ray et al. (June 8, 2020)….
Improved Measurement of Racial/ethnic Disparities in COVID-19 Mortality in the United States
[pre-print, not peer reviewed] Using CDC data, Goldstein et al. found that age-and-place adjusted COVID-19 death rates are 80% higher for blacks and over 50% higher for Hispanics relative to whites on a national level. Wide variations in mortality disparities were observed on the state level. Goldstein and Atherwood. (May 23, 2020). Improved Measurement of Racial/ethnic Disparities in COVID-19 Mortality in the United States. Preprint downloaded…
Harnessing Multiple Models for Outbreak Management
Given the disparity in predictions of various models pertaining to COVID-19 disease trajectories and intervention assessments, Shea et al. propose a systematic approach that employs expert elicitation methods and a decision-theoretic framework to minimize bias and account for within- and between- model uncertainty. Shea et al. (May 8, 2020). Harnessing Multiple Models for Outbreak Management….
The Impact of COVID-19 on Suicidal Ideation and Alcohol Presentations to Emergency Departments in a Large Healthcare System
A retrospective multicenter study in 20 emergency departments in the Midwest found that suicidal ideation as a percentage of behavioral health visits decreased from 33% to 18%, but the actual suicide rate during the study period could not be ascertained. Alcohol encounters as a percentage of behavioral health visits increased from 28% to 33%. Smalley et al. (May 18, 2020). The Impact…
A How-to-Guide to Building a Robust SARS-CoV-2 Testing Program at a University-Based Health System
[pre-print, not peer reviewed] Nimer et al. report a how-to guide for building a robust COVID-19 testing program at a university-based health system, based on the University of Miami Health system. Investigators highlight the role of accessible diagnostics as key to the program’s success, which was made possible by developing in-house testing capabilities and establishing durable employee…
Validation of a Self-Administrable Saliva-Based RT-QPCR Test Detecting SARS-CoV-2
[pre-print, not peer reviewed] Miller et al. found comparable performance of self-collected saliva samples and clinician-administered nasopharyngeal swabs using RT-qPCR to detect SARS-CoV-2. The authors report 97.1% positive agreement and 96.5-98.2% negative agreement. Miller et al. (June 9, 2020). Validation of a Self-Administrable Saliva-Based RT-QPCR Test Detecting SARS-CoV-2. Preprint downloaded June 9 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.06.05.20122721
Adverse Outcomes and Mortality in Users of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Tested Positive for SARS-CoV-2 A Danish Nationwide Cohort Study
[pre-print, not peer reviewed] A population-based cohort study conducted in Denmark matched COVID-19 patients who were prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (n=248) with non-treated individuals with COVID-19 (n=8,988) (matched on age, sex, relevant comorbidities, and prescription fills) and found that use of NSAIDs was not associated with 30-day mortality, hospitalization, ICU-admission, or mechanical ventilation. Lund et al. (June 9, 2020). Adverse Outcomes and Mortality in…
SARS-CoV-2 Infections and Serologic Responses from a Sample of U.S. Navy Service Members — USS Theodore Roosevelt, April 2020 Daniel
Among a convenience sample of 382 service members aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt, 60% had reactive antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, 59% of whom had neutralizing antibodies. In several participants, neutralizing antibodies were still detectable >40 days after symptom onset. Of those with previous or current SARS-CoV-2 infection, 20% were asymptomatic. Service members who reported taking preventive measures, such as wearing face coverings and observing social distancing, had lower risk of…
Persistent Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Patients and Healthcare Workers with COVID-19
An observational analysis of 150 patients and health care workers at a US academic medical center revealed that the average time to transition from testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR to testing negative was 24 days after symptom onset, and 10% of participants remained positive at 33 days after symptom onset. The authors suggest that the CDC guideline of excluding healthcare workers from the workforce…
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