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March 2, 2020
Evaluation of Enzyme-Linked Immunoassay and Colloidal Gold- Immunochromatographic Assay Kit for Detection of Novel Coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2) Causing an Outbreak of Pneumonia (COVID-19)
Xiang et al present sensitivity and specificity of ELISA and GICA IgM and IgG serological assays for COVID-19 detection, noting that these tests may be useful alternatives to current PCR-based methods. Xiang et al. (March 1, 2020). Evaluation of Enzyme-Linked Immunoassay and Colloidal Gold- Immunochromatographic Assay Kit for Detection of Novel Coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2) Causing an…
Deep learning-based model for detecting 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia on high-resolution computed tomography: a prospective study
A new deep learning-based system was found to have 100% sensitivity and 93.55% specificity (PPV 84.62%) in detecting COVID-19 from CT scans. The model performed comparably to an expert radiologist, and combined with expert review the model decreased CT reading time by 65%. Chen et al. (Mar 1, 2020). Deep learning-based model for detecting 2019…
Prediction of survival for severe Covid-19 patients with three clinical features: development of a machine learning-based prognostic model with clinical data in Wuhan
A new machine learning prognostic model was found to have 90% accuracy in predicting mortality among COVID-19 patients based on just three clinical characteristics: lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), lymphocyte and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). Yan et al. (Mar 1, 2020). Prediction of survival for severe Covid-19 patients with three clinical features: development of a machine learning-based…
COVID-19 outbreak on the Diamond Princess cruise ship: estimating the epidemic potential and effectiveness of public health countermeasures
Modeling of disease transmission on the Diamond Princess cruise ship offers insight into the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions in reducing COVID-19 transmission. Removing ill passengers and quarantining all others may have reduced the incidence of COVID-19 from 79% to 17%, translating to roughly 2,307 prevented cases by Feb 19. However, modelling also indicates that earlier…
Saudi Arabia`s measures to curb the COVID-19 outbreak: temporary suspension of the Umrah pilgrimage
Saudia Arabia has placed restrictions on Umrah pilgrimage travelers to curb the spread of COVID-19. Umrah is considered smaller than the Hajj pilgrimage, but Umrah travelers tend to fly commercially and do not receive the same health education resources as Hajj pilgrims. Other factors increasing risk among Umrah pilgrims are described. Ebrahim et al. (Feb…
Key Points of the Program for Disinfection Technology in Special Places During the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak
China CDC has published their recommended disinfection processes for SARS-CoV-2. Wang et al. (Feb 28, 2020). Key Points of the Program for Disinfection Technology in Special Places During the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak. China CDC Weekly. http://weekly.chinacdc.cn/en/article/id/9a7c7cbe-1419-401a-b2eb-dcae9d832e0f
Transmission characteristics of the COVID-19 outbreak in China: a study driven by data
Non-Hubei COVID-19 cases in China were assessed to estimate generation time, incubation period, and time from symptom onset to isolation and diagnosis. While the current standard is a 14-day quarantine, this study suggests that this may be insufficient. The authors recommend a 22-day quarantine period. They also estimate that patients may become infectious on average…
February 28, 2020
The Risk and Prevention of Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Infections Among Inpatients in Psychiatric Hospitals
The authors describe an outbreak of COVID-19 at a state psychiatric inpatient hospital in Wuhan, China. Although the hospital closed the facility to visitors, there was widespread infection among the patients and staff. As of Feb 8, 2020 50 patients and 30 staff had been infected. The authors noted several elements that contributed to the…
Community responses during the early phase of the COVID-19 epidemic in Hong Kong: risk perception, information exposure and preventive measures
A cross-sectional online survey was conducted only 36 hours after the first COVID-19 patient was confirmed in Hong Kong, and continued from Jan 24 to Feb 13. 1,715 people completed the survey on perceived health status, risk perception, information sources, travel history, respiratory symptoms in the previous 14 days. The most common information sources were…
Trust is a key factor in the willingness of health professionals to work during the COVID‐19 outbreak: Experience from the H1N1 pandemic in Japan 2009
A psychiatrist shares his experience working on the H1N1 pandemic in Japan to inform COVID-19 response efforts. He notes the stresses on healthcare providers, including physical exhaustion, anxiety about infection, and need for mental health support. A 2009 survey of 3,635 healthcare providers in Japan revealed that 28.4% felt motivated to work during the pandemic…
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