Article Summary
March 24, 2020
Planning and provision of ECMO services for severe ARDS during the COVID-19 pandemic and other outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases
WHO interim guidelines recommend offering extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to eligible patients who develop severe ARDS associated with COVID-19. Given the practical restraints of substantially increasing the global availability of ECMO services during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to consider other evidence-based treatment options for severe ARDS patients. Kollengode et al. (Mar 20, 2020)….
Systematic review of COVID-19 in children show milder cases and a better prognosis than adults
A systematic review of 45 relevant articles showed that children have accounted for 1-5% of documented COVID-19 cases and have experienced milder disease and better prognosis than adults. A case report describes the symptoms, clinical course and treatment of 3 hospitalized children (ages 6 and 8 years and 6 months) who recovered from COVID-19. Ludviggson…
Temporal profiles of viral load in posterior oropharyngeal saliva samples and serum antibody responses during infection by SARS-CoV-2: an observational cohort study
To et al ascertain the serial respiratory viral load of SARS-CoV-2 in posterior oropharyngeal (deep throat) saliva samples from 30 patients with COVID-19 from 2 Hong Kong hospitals, and serum antibody responses in this cohort study. Posterior oropharyngeal saliva specimens are non-invasive and acceptable to patients and can be used for initial diagnosis and subsequent…
COVID-19 outbreak: less stethoscope, more ultrasound.
This article suggests that lung ultrasound is equally effective as a chest X-ray in detecting lung pathologies, and recommend using it to reduce COVID-19 exposure from patients to HCWs. Buonsenso et al. (Mar 20, 2020). COVID-19 outbreak: less stethoscope, more ultrasound. Lancet Respiratory Med. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-2600(20)30120-X
Can a Paper-Based Device Trace COVID-19 Sources with Wastewater-Based Epidemiology
The authors propose an alternative method to test for SARS-CoV-2 infection using wastewater-based epidemiology, an approach to predict potential spread by testing for infectious agents in wastewater. They developed a paper-based analytic tool to detect SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater on site while providing near real-time and continuous data, and potentially serve as an early warning system…
A Covid-19 Transmission within a family cluster by presymptomatic infections in China
The authors report a COVID-19 family cluster in China caused by a pre-symptomatic case. In line with current knowledge, these findings may indicate that COVID-19 is transmittable during the incubation period, and children are less susceptible and fare better when they have contacted the virus. Qian et al. (Mar 23, 2020). A Covid-19 Transmission within…
The first infant case of COVID-19 acquired from a secondary transmission in Vietnam
Le et al report about the first known case of secondary transmission of COVID-19 in an infant in Vietnam. Le et al. (Mar 23, 2020). The first infant case of COVID-19 acquired from a secondary transmission in Vietnam. Lancet Child & Adolesc Health. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(20)30091-2
SARS-CoV-2: virus dynamics and host response
A cohort study analyzing the viral load and antibody profiles of 23 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 presents important findings: (1) the high viral load during the early phase of illness suggests that patients could be most infectious during this period, (2) the potential for antiviral resistance of SARS-CoV-2, (3) high viral loads in elderly patients…
March 23, 2020
Healthcare worker absenteeism, child care costs, and COVID-19 school closures: a simulation analysis
Simulated models in this study find that HCW absenteeism could range from 7.5% to 8.6%, and about 99% of counties across the U.S. would find it less expensive to provide child care to all HCWs with children than to bear the costs of HCW absenteeism during school closures. Chin et al. (Mar 19, 2020). Healthcare…
How health anxiety influences responses to viral outbreaks like COVID-19: What all decision makers, health authorities, and health care professionals need to know
Psychological factors play a vital role in the success of public health strategies (risk communication, vaccination and antiviral therapy, hygiene practices, and social distancing) used to manage outbreaks like COVID-19. It is critical for public health decision-makers, health authorities and health care providers across disciplines to understand how health anxiety may influence individual behaviors during…
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