Article Summary
April 28, 2020
Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Residents of a Large Homeless Shelter in Boston
Universal SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing of an adult homeless shelter in Boston shortly after a case cluster was identified yielded a prevalence of 36%, with a majority of newly identified infections being asymptomatic. Symptom screening in homeless shelters may not be adequate to capture the extent of disease transmission in this setting. Baggett et al. (April…
Exposure to a Surrogate Measure of Contamination from Simulated Patients by Emergency Department Personnel Wearing Personal Protective Equipment
The authors ran patient care simulations to assess updated PPE recommendations from WHO and CDC on use of N95 respirators, eye protection, isolation gowns, and gloves during aerosol-generating procedures. Despite PPE, fluorescent markers were found on the uncovered skin, hair, and shoes of participants. These findings indicate that current recommendations for PPE may not fully…
Predictors of adherence to public health instructions during the COVID-19 pandemic
This cross-sectional study of 654 Israeli participants found that male gender, not having children, smoking, ADHD symptoms, low pro-sociality, past risk-taking behavior, current psychological distress, low perceived risk of COVID-19 exposure, low exposure to instructions, and low perceived efficacy of instructions were associated with non-adherence to instructions. The findings suggest that in setting out and…
Estimating population immunity without serological testing
The author proposes a methodology for estimating population immunity to COVID-19 using available mortality data and properties of the SIR model, illustrated using 10 US states’ data. Lesniewski (April 23, 2020). Estimating population immunity without serological testing. Pre-print downloaded Apr 27 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.04.23.20076786
Forecasting the impact of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospital demand and deaths for the USA and European Economic Areas
This IHME study describes modeling techniques used to estimate the trajectory of COVID-19 deaths as a function of social distancing, hospital and ICU admissions, length of stay, and ventilator need. Excess medical demand in the US is predicted to peak at 9,079 total beds and 9,356 ICU beds, and ventilator use is predicted to peak…
Persistent viral RNA positivity during recovery period of a patient with SARS-CoV-2 infection
This case report describes a SARS-CoV-2 infection with a clinical course of over 2 months, including reappearing viral RNA in saliva concurrent with viral specific antibodies. Findings indicate that SARS-CoV-2 can cause a long clinical course, and imply an immune evasion from the host immune system. Yang et al. (April 24, 2020). Persistent viral RNA…
Large-Vessel Stroke as a Presenting Feature of Covid-19 in the Young
The authors discuss findings from five cases of large-vessel stroke in SARS-CoV-2 patients under 50 years of age in New York City. Oxley et al. (April 27, 2020). Large-Vessel Stroke as a Presenting Feature of Covid-19 in the Young. NEJM. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMc2009787
Vitamin D insufficiency is prevalent in severe COVID-19
This 20-patient retrospective observational study suggests a link between Vitamin D insufficiency (VDI) and severe COVID-19. Anecdotal and observational data indicate that VDI may play a significant role in the disease progression of COVID-19. Lau et al. (April 28, 2020). Vitamin D insufficiency is prevalent in severe COVID-19. Pre-print downloaded Apr 28 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.04.24.20075838
Long period dynamics of viral load and antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 infection: an observational cohort study
This retrospective observational case series of 33 patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia reviewed analysis of throat swabs, sputum, stool, and blood samples to evaluate viral load, IgM, IgG, spike protein receptor binding domain (RBD), and nucleocapsid. Results suggest that viral RNA persists in sputum and stool samples for a long time, and that anti-RBD may serve…
The effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers on death and severity of disease in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): A meta-analysis
This meta-analysis includes five studies totaling 308 patients either taking or not taking angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB). Patients on ACEi/ARB showed a 44% reduction in odds of developing severe disease and a 62% reduction in odds of death when compared to patients not on ACEi/ARB. The authors conclude that…
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