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April 27, 2021
Genomic Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 Infection During the Initial Pandemic Wave and Association With Disease Severity
The SARS-CoV-2 D614G variant was associated with increased survival in hospitalized patients (86% vs 59% for other identified variants) according to analysis from a repeated cross-sectional study (n=302) of SARS-CoV-2 isolates from the Cleveland Clinic during the first wave of infection (March to April 2020). While 6 different clades were initially identified in the beginning…
Impaired Diffusing Capacity for Carbon Monoxide Is Common in Critically Ill Covid-19 Patients at Four Months Post-Discharge
Impaired lung function was present in 52% of COVID-19 patients four months after discharge from the ICU from March to July 2020 (n=60). The most prevalent impairment was lower than normal diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (45%). Impaired DLCO was more common among those aged >60 years and those who received invasive mechanical ventilation…
Effectiveness of MRNA COVID-19 Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Cohort of Healthcare Personnel
The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines were up to 96% effective in preventing PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection following two doses, according a retrospective cohort study of over 45,000 US healthcare personnel. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine accounted for 93% of vaccinations and the Moderna vaccine accounted for 7%. The authors adjusted for age, gender, region, job, and week of vaccination…
Updated Recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for Use of the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 Vaccine After Reports of Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Among Vaccine Recipients — United States, April 2021
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) reaffirmed its interim recommendation for use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in all persons aged ≥18 years on April 23, 2021 and recommended including a warning that rare clotting events may occur in female vaccine recipients aged 18-49 years. The updated recommendations follow the recommended pause by…
SARS-Cov2 Infection Detection by Polymerase Chain Reaction and Serologic Testing in Clinical Practice
A retrospective study found that 7% participants (271 of 3,075) who underwent both PCR and serologic testing had discordant test results (i.e. negative PCR result and seropositive or vice-versa). These participants either sought PCR testing after viral shedding would be expected to have ended (PCR- but seropositive) or sought serology tests before a detectable antibody…
SARS-CoV-2 in Nursing Homes after 3 Months of Serial, Facilitywide Point Prevalence Testing, Connecticut, USA
The implementation of point prevalence survey (PPS) testing for SARS-CoV-2 infections in 34 nursing homes in Connecticut was associated with a 41-80% reduction in the incidence rate in nursing homes. Data were obtained from public health surveillance records beginning 4 weeks prior to widespread implementation of PPS testing on May 2020 and up to 12…
Comparison of COVID-19 Incidence Rates Before and After School Reopening in Israel
An analysis of SARS-CoV incidence and the rate of test positivity in Israel suggests that children age 0-9 years of age did not have substantially elevated rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection during school attendance. Compared to the period before school reopening, after school reopened in September 2020 there was a 10% increase in SARS-CoV-2 incidence and…
April 26, 2021
Association of Maternal Perinatal SARS-CoV-2 Infection With Neonatal Outcomes During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Massachusetts
Five of 255 neonates (2.2%) born to women who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 within 2 weeks before and 72 hours after delivery also tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (88% of newborns were tested). A positive neonatal test was associated with higher maternal social vulnerability (aOR = 5.0). Adverse outcomes during hospitalization were associated with preterm delivery…
Assessment of Contact Tracing for COVID-19 among People Experiencing Homelessness, Salt Lake County Health Department, March-May 2020
A study comparing person-based contact tracing for SARS-CoV-2 among people experiencing homelessness (PEH) compared to the general population in Utah between March and May 2020 found that PEH were more likely to be lost to follow-up at the end of isolation (14%), provided fewer contacts per case (0.31), and their contacts were more often unreachable…
Rapid Vaccination and Early Partial Lockdown Minimizes 4th Waves from Emerging Highly Contagious SARS-CoV-2 Variants
A model calibrated to King County, Washington that includes the increased transmissibility of the B.1.1.7 variant, and local policy changes regarding openings and restrictions, found a new subsequent wave of infections was permitted in all scenarios. However, the new wave had fewer deaths expected compared to the prior wave due to vaccination of people at…
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