Article Summary
April 3, 2020
Research on the Influence of Information Diffusion on the Transmission of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
This paper explores the influence of information diffusion on the spread of COVID-19 in China based on modelling and finds that the dissemination of epidemic and self-protection information reduces disease spread. The authors emphasize the importance of releasing timely and accurate information in the prevention and control of the epidemic, but also acknowledge that excessive…
Population based estimates of comorbidities affecting risk for complications from COVID-19 in the US
2017 national BRFSS data indicates that 45% of adults in the US are at potentially heightened risk of complications from COVID-19 due to having at least 1 of 6 co-morbidities (cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, asthma, hypertension, and cancer excluding skin). While these rates increase with age group to about 80% among those…
Gargle lavage as a safe and sensitive alternative to swab samples to diagnose COVID-19: a case report in Japan
Saito et al report a case in which gargle lavage samples yielded positive PCR and oropharyngeal swabs results. Gargle lavages may be a safer and potentially more sensitive alternative to oropharyngeal swabs, as gargle lavage can be done by patients themselves. Saito et al. (Apr 2, 2020). Gargle lavage as a safe and sensitive alternative…
Characterization and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 in nasal and bronchial human airway epithelia.
Pizzorno et al provide new insights on SARS-CoV-2 biology, evidence on the antiviral efficacy of remdesivir, and the therapeutic potential of a virus-detected and a host-direct drug combination (e.g. remdesivir-diltiazem combination) as a probable option to respond to the current unmet medical need imposed by COVID-19. Pizzorno et al. (Mar 31, 2020). Characterization and treatment…
Ambient nitrogen dioxide pollution and spread ability of COVID-19 in Chinese cities.
Yao et al report a significant association between nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure and R0, suggesting that ambient NO2 may contribute to the spread ability of COVID-19 in this ecological study. Previous studies have suggested that the increase spread ability from NO2 might not be caused by increased susceptibility to infection but may result from effects…
Monitoring trends and differences in COVID-19 case fatality rates using decomposition methods: Contributions of age structure and age-specific fatality.
The authors estimated population-level case fatality rates (CFR) for 7 countries (U.S. included) and New York City, and analyzed the age-structure of confirmed cases and the age-specific case-fatality. They report that the age-structure of cases likely reflects differences in testing regimes and transmission trajectories, and age-specific CFRs could indicate worsening health outcomes of those infected…
Vertical Transmission of Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) from Infected Pregnant Mothers to Neonates: A Review
The authors reviewed articles on a total of 31 pregnant women with COVID-19 up to March 4. They found no evidence for intrauterine transmission of COVID-19 from infected pregnant women to their fetuses. Mothers may be at increased risk for more severe respiratory complications. Mothers with known or suspected COVID-19 should adhere to standard and…
First Mildly Ill, Non-Hospitalized Case of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Without Viral Transmission in the United States — Maricopa County, Arizona, 2020
This study describes the public health investigation of the first mildly ill, non-hospitalized U.S. COVID-19 case and demonstrates that SARS-CoV-2 infection can cause mild illness and result in positive tests for up to 18 days after diagnosis, without evidence of transmission to close contacts. These findings might inform public health strategies to manage individuals with…
COVID-19 Outbreak Associated with Air Conditioning in Restaurant, Guangzhou, China, 2020
Lu et al conduct a detailed investigation of 3 family clusters with COVID-19 who had eaten at the same air-conditioned restaurant in China and conclude that the key factor for infection was the direction of the airflow and that droplet transmission was prompted by air-conditioned ventilation. To prevent spread of COVID-19 in restaurants, the article…
SARS-CoV-2 is not detectable in the vaginal fluid of women with severe COVID-19 infection
Findings from a group of 10 post-menopausal women with confirmed severe COVID-19 pneumonia from 1 hospital in Wuhan suggest that SARS-CoV-2 does not enter the vaginal fluid. This suggests that that the likelihood of transmitting the virus to sexual partners through vaginal fluids may be low. Qiu et al. (Apr 2, 2020). SARS-CoV-2 is not…
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