Article Summary
March 25, 2020
Myocardial injury is associated with in-hospital mortality of confirmed or suspected COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: A single center retrospective cohort study
This study investigate the potential association between cardiac injury and in-hospital mortality in a cohort of 110 COVID-19 patients from one hospital in Wuhan, China. Cardiac injury was a risk factor for in-hospital death, while higher oxygen saturation was found to be protective. This may help clinicians identify patients with adverse outcome at the early…
Internationally lost COVID-19 cases
The authors analyze available COVID-19 case data against countries’ Healthcare Access and Quality Index (HAQ), determining significantly less reporting of cases in countries with a lower HAQ. Findings suggest that countries with lower HAQs may either underreport or be unable to detect COVID-19 cases, which may sabotage efforts to contain the virus. Lau et al….
Epidemiological parameters of coronavirus disease 2019: a pooled analysis of publicly reported individual data of 1155 cases from seven countries.
This study obtained robust estimates of epidemiological parameters from 1,155 cases in China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam, Germany, and Malaysia. Findings support current quarantine practice, but also suggest that longer monitoring periods might be needed for selected groups due to consistent evidence of pre-symptomatic transmission. Ma et al. (March 24, 2020). Epidemiological parameters of…
Don’t overlook digestive symptoms in patients with 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
The study reviews findings from 183 hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Wuhan who presented only with gastrointestinal symptoms at admission – suggesting these patients could be likely overlooked. These findings suggest that the digestive system, along with the respiratory tract, may be a potential route for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Luo et al. (March 20, 2020). Don’t overlook…
COVID-19 Disease With Positive Fecal and Negative Pharyngeal and Sputum Viral Tests
A COVID-19 case screened positive for SARS-CoV-2 in a fecal specimen while testing negative on multiple pharyngeal and sputum samples. This indicates that the virus can proliferate in the digestive tract and potentially undergo fecal-oral transmission. Chen et al. (March 20, 2020). COVID-19 Disease With Positive Fecal and Negative Pharyngeal and Sputum Viral Tests. Am…
Social distancing strategies for curbing the COVID-19 epidemic
Using a mathematical model, the authors suggest that one-time social distancing intervention may be insufficient to maintain COVID-19 prevalence within the critical care capacity of the US. Intermittent social distancing may be necessary into 2022 in the absence of additional interventions like new therapeutics, vaccines or aggressive contact tracing and quarantine. Kissler et al. (March…
COVID-19: Active measures to support community-dwelling older adults.
The authors advocate for practical information to be provided to community-dwelling adults to help maintain appropriate community action levels. Elderly community-dwelling adults are at elevated risk for social isolation, and may suffer adverse effects without maintained social ties. Kuwahara et al. (March 20, 2020). COVID-19: Active measures to support community-dwelling older adults. Travel Med Infect…
March 24, 2020
The Toughest Triage—Allocating Ventilators in a Pandemic
Truog et al cite estimates that 2.4 million to 21 million Americans will require hospitalization due to COVID-19 and about 10-25% of the hospitalized patients may need ventilators (based on Italy’s experience). The article suggests that states should develop strategies for rationing medical supplies, including ventilators, and recommends convening a committee to develop triage criteria. …
The Role of Telehealth in Reducing the Mental Health Burden from COVID-19
Zhou et al describe the potential for short and long term mental health problems associated with COVID-19 among the general public and frontline workers, and believe an expansion of tele-mental health services with a focused public education campaign to promote these services would begin to address the widespread need. Zhou et al. (Mar 23, 2020)….
Factors Associated with Mental Health Outcomes Among Health Care Workers Exposed to Coronavirus Disease 2019
This cross-sectional survey collected demographic and mental health data from 1,257 HCWs across several regions in China. Results revealed a high prevalence of mental health symptoms among HCWs treating patients with COVID-19, especially among women and HCWs in Wuhan, with junior titles and on the frontlines. Overall, 50%, 45%, 34% and 72% of all participants…
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