Article Summary
May 21, 2020
Early Assessment of Knowledge Attitudes Anxiety and Behavioral Adaptations of Connecticut Residents to COVID-19
[pre-print, not peer reviewed] A cross-sectional study was conducted among 464 non-healthcare-related Connecticut residents after implementation of stringent state-wide stay-at-home directives. Half of respondents reported high levels of anxiety due to COVID-19. Anxiety was higher among those with higher levels of COVID-19 knowledge (OR-1.2) and those who were married (OR 1.8). 48% of respondents reported increased loneliness and loneliness was more common at older ages. Ha et al. (May 20, 2020)….
COVID-19 Worries and Behavior Changes in Older and Younger Men and Women
An online survey conducted among younger (age 18-35) and older adults (age 65-81) in the US found older adults perceived a higher risk of COVID-19 compared to younger adults. Despite this, older men implemented the fewest behavior changes and were less worried about COVID-19 than the younger respondents. Barber and Kim. (May 19, 2020). COVID-19 Worries and Behavior Changes in Older and Younger Men…
Work-Related COVID-19 Transmission in Six Asian Countries/Areas: A Follow-up Study
Lan et al. found work-related transmission likely played a large role in early SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks (48% of 690 cases within the first 40 days of outbreaks in 6 Asian settings). Occupation groups with the most confirmed cases were healthcare workers (22%), drivers/transport workers (18%), services and sales workers (18%), cleaning and domestic workers (9%) and public safety workers (7%). Lan…
Symptomatic Infants Have Higher Nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 Viral Loads but Less Severe Disease than Older Children
Among 57 SARS-CoV-2 positive patients admitted to a children’s hospital in China, 20 (35%) were infants and 37 (65%) were children and adolescents. Although the mean nasopharyngeal viral load was higher in infants (21.1 vs. 27.3 Ct, p-value < 0.001), a lower proportion of infants had severe disease: 1 (5%) infant compared to 12 (32%) of…
Systematic and Statistical Review of Coronavirus Disease 19 Treatment Trials
[pre-print, not peer reviewed] Siordia et al. conducted a systematic review and identified 17 COVID-19 treatment trials with viral clearance and clinical outcomes. Favipiravir had a positive impact on symptoms compared to other medications. Lopinavir/ritonavir, hydroxychloroquine, and arbidol (umifenovir) had no statistically significant effects on viral clearance. There was no significant clinical improvement with lopinavir/ritonavir, arbidol, hydroxychloroquine, or remdesivir. Siordia et al. (May 20, 2020). Systematic and Statistical Review of Coronavirus Disease 19…
Delayed Laboratory Response to COVID-19 Caused by Molecular Diagnostic Contamination
In February 2020, 10 laboratories in Europe reported that commercial primer and probe batches used for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR tests were contaminated with synthetic control material. This caused a 7-14 day delay of regional testing roll-out in various countries. Mogling et al. (May 20, 2020). Delayed Laboratory Response to COVID-19 Caused by Molecular Diagnostic Contamination. Emerging Infectious…
Similar Incidence of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Patients with Rheumatic Diseases with and without Hydroxychloroquine Therapy
[pre-print, not peer reviewed] Macias et al. conducted a retrospective analysis of 722 patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases who were being treated with (n=423) and without hydroxychloroquine (n=290) in Seville, Spain. Incidence and severity of COVID-19 did not differ between the treatment groups. Over seven weeks, 5 (1.7%) cases of COVID-19 were reported among patients using hydroxychloroquine and 5 (1.2%) among those without hydroxychloroquine. Macias et al. (May 20, 2020). Similar Incidence…
Optimal Temperature Zone for the Dispersal of COVID-19
Huang et al. found 60% of confirmed COVID-19 cases occurred in locations where the air temperature ranged from 5-15 degrees C (41-59 degrees F) and 74% of cases were concentrated in regions with absolute humidity of 3-10g/m3. These findings suggest that there may be an optimal climate in which of SARS-CoV-2 survives in the ambient environment (e.g. on surfaces). Huang et al….
American Indian Reservations and COVID-19
As of April 10, there were 861 COVID-19 cases across 287 American Indian Reservations and tribal homelands in the lower 48 US states. Ecological analysis found incidence was higher in communities with larger proportions of non-English speaking households and houses without indoor plumbing. Rodriguez-Lonebear et al. (2020). American Indian Reservations and COVID-19. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice. https://doi.org/10.1097/PHH.0000000000001206
Large Outbreak of Coronavirus Disease among Wedding Attendees, Jordan
A wedding with only one presumed index case led to a large outbreak of COVID-19 in Jordan: 76 (22%) of the 350 wedding guests tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, 40 (53%) of whom were symptomatic and 36 (47%) were asymptomatic at diagnosis. This event demonstrates the high communicability of SARS-CoV-2 and the enormous risk of virus transmission during…
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