Article Summary
February 10, 2020
Evolving status of the 2019 novel coronavirus Infection: proposal of conventional serologic assays for disease diagnosis and infection monitoring
Researchers explain the need for developing serological assays for 2019-nCoV testing. Real-time RT-PCR or next-generation sequencing are the primary methods for confirming 2019-nCoV infection, but with limited supplies, the number of cases that can be tested is restricted and delayed. Researchers propose conventional serological assays as a potential alternative. A backlog of tests in China…
Clinical characteristics of 2019 novel coronavirus infection in China
Clinical characteristics of 1,099 laboratory-confirmed 2019-nCoV patients at 552 hospitals across China (through Jan 29) are described in relation to disease severity and a composite endpoint of ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, and death. Disease severity (including oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, blood leukocyte/lymphocyte count, and chest X-ray/CT manifestations) predicts clinical outcomes Median age of 47 years…
The First Case of 2019 Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Imported into Korea from Wuhan, China: Implication for Infection Prevention and Control Measures
In reviewing the importation of the first 2019-nCoV case to Korea, clinicians call for testing all symptomatic individuals with epidemiologic risk for 2019-nCoV rather than waiting for pneumonia or other symptoms to develop. They describe potential flaws of relying on chest radiography and clinical cues, urging clinicians to prioritize travel history to improve early detection…
Analysis of the epidemic growth of the early 2019-nCoV outbreak using internationally confirmed cases
Using clinical, travel history, and disease progression information for 46 2019-nCoV cases who traveled from Wuhan before Jan 23 and were subsequently confirmed elsewhere, researchers attempted to model transmission dynamics with more precision than previous reports by simulating infection time. Findings suggest a much higher epidemic growth rate in the early days of the outbreak…
Pathogenicity and Transmissibility of 2019-nCoV—A Quick Overview and Comparison with Other Emerging Viruses
Preliminary data suggest that 2019-nCoV may be about 10% less pathogenic than SARS-CoV and about 40% less than MERS-CoV. More research is needed to determine of 2019-nCoV has the same mutation and recombination characteristics found in SARS-CoV or if it is more static like MERS-CoV and to identify key routes of infection, which could be…
The Rate of Underascertainment of Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Infection: Estimation Using Japanese Passengers Data on Evacuation Flights
565 Japanese citizens were evacuated from Wuhan at the end of January and were screened for 2019-nCoV symptoms (63 symptomatic) and tested (8 tested positive by RT-PCR, 5 of whom were asymptomatic). Using data from these travelers, researchers estimated the rate of under-ascertainment of cases in Wuhan to be 9.2%. This would suggest a true…
2019-Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV): estimating the case fatality rate – a word of caution
Time between diagnosis and death/recovery in addition to underreporting of cases will have tremendous spatiotemporal variation globally. Wuhan case fatality estimates are likely overestimated due to vast underreporting of mild and asymptomatic cases. Delayed identification of 2019-nCoV deaths outside of Wuhan could mean that case fatality estimated based on non-Wuhan cases underestimate true case fatality. …
Incorporating Human Movement Data to Improve Epidemiological Estimates for 2019-nCoV
Researchers developed a geo-stratified framework for estimating 2019-nCoV transmission dynamics in China, addressing underreporting and under-screening biases affecting Wuhan case counts. They estimate a basic reproductive number of 3.24 in Wuhan before the lockdown on Jan 23. Cao et al. (Feb 9, 2020). Incorporating Human Movement Data to Improve Epidemiological Estimates for 2019-nCoV. Pre Print…
February 7, 2020
Offline: 2019-nCoV—“A desperate plea”
An increasing number of public pleas for awareness around daily life in Wuhan in addition to the effects of quarantine on mental health globally have been published in the news in the past several days. The Lancet shares one of these personal accounts. Horton (Feb 8, 2020). Offline: 2019-nCoV—“A desperate plea”. The Lancet. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30299-3/fulltext
Novel coronavirus: Australian GPs raise concerns about shortage of face masks
Shortages in Australia of personal protective equipment amplified by recent brush fires draw concern from general practitioners. Mahase (Feb 5, 2020). Novel coronavirus: Australian GPs raise concerns about shortage of face masks. BMJ. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m477
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