Article Summary
March 16, 2020
Environmental contamination of the SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare premises: An urgent call for protection for healthcare workers
In this investigation of 626 surface samples in hospital in Wuhan, the authors describe the most contaminated zones, objects and personal protection equipment: ICU for novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP), 31.9%; Obstetric Isolation Ward for pregnant women with NCP, 28.1%; Isolation Ward for NCP, 19.6%; self-service printers, 20%; hand sanitizer dispenser, 20.3%; and gloves, 15.4%. The…
Impact of self-imposed prevention measures and short-term government intervention on mitigating and delaying a COVID-19 epidemic
The authors emphasize the importance of handwashing, mask-wearing and social distancing as strategies to mitigate and delay the COVID-19 epidemic. Wide spread awareness on these self-imposed prevention measures and government-imposed social distancing can buy time for healthcare systems to prepare for an increasing COVID-19 burden. Teslya et al. (Mar 12, 2020). Impact of self-imposed prevention…
Impact assessment of non-pharmaceutical interventions against COVID-19 and influenza in Hong Kong: an observational study
Containment and social distancing measures, and changes in population behavior have successfully prevented the spread of COVID-19 in Hong Kong. These measures are less drastic than those used to contain transmission in Wuhan, making them potentially more feasible for other countries. Cowling et al. (Mar 12, 2020). Impact assessment of non-pharmaceutical interventions against COVID-19 and…
March 13, 2020
Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Surveillance and Containment Measures for the First 100 Patients with COVID-19 in Singapore — January 2–February 29, 2020
In this MMWR article, the authors share Singapore’s multipronged surveillance and containment strategy that contributed to enhanced case ascertainment and slowing of the COVID-19 outbreak. Ng et al. (Mar 13, 2020). Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Surveillance and Containment Measures for the First 100 Patients with COVID-19 in Singapore — January 2–February 29, 2020. MMWR….
The Impact of School Closure for COVID-19 on the US Healthcare Workforce and the Net Mortality Effects
The authors provide detailed data for public health officials to make informed decisions about the tradeoff associated with closing schools and healthcare worker absenteeism. Potential loss of healthcare workers due to lack of childcare may jeopardize overall public health outcomes. For school closures to unambiguously provide a net reduction in COVID-19 mortality, the school closures…
Effectiveness of isolation and contact tracing for containment and slowing down a COVID-19 epidemic: a modelling study
The analyses from this modeling study showed that transmissibility and the duration of the latent period relative to the duration of the incubation period have a strong impact on how well the disease can be controlled. While isolation and contact tracing will not fully control the COVID-19 outbreak, the authors emphasize that these are still…
Retrospective Analysis of Clinical Features in 101 Death Cases with COVID-19
Based on a review of 101 COVID-19 fatalities from the Intensive Care Unit in a Wuhan hospital, the authors conclude that after lungs, the heart may be the next organ to experience damage. Fan et al. (Mar 9, 2020). Retrospective Analysis of Clinical Features in 101 Death Cases with COVID-19. Pre-print downloaded on Mar 13…
The demand for inpatient and ICU beds for COVID-19 in the US: lessons from Chinese cities
This article highlights that healthcare resources may be higher in some US cities that have a higher prevalence of vulnerable populations. Li et al. (Mar 9, 2020). The demand for inpatient and ICU beds for COVID-19 in the US: lessons from Chinese cities. Pre-print downloaded Mar 14 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.03.09.20033241
Maternal and neonatal outcomes of pregnant women with COVID-19 pneumonia: a case control study
Li et al conducted a case-control study that included 16 pregnant women with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia and 18 suspected cases who were admitted in their third trimester. They did not find any evidence to suggest that COVID-19 pneumonia causes severe maternal and neonatal complications among these women who had vaginal or caesarean section. Li et…
Prolonged presence of SARS-CoV-2 in feces of pediatric patients during the convalescent phase
Based on 3 pediatric cases of COVID-19 that were reported in Qingdao, China, the authors conclude that SARS-CoV-2 may exist in the gastrointestinal tract for a longer time than the respiratory system. Viral RNA remained detectable in stools of these 3 cases for 8-20 days after the nucleic acid tests turned out negative in the…
Previous page Next page