Result for
Topic: Transmission
May 29, 2020
Asymptomatic Transmission during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Implications for Public Health Strategies
Huff et al. completed a narrative review summarizing emerging evidence that SARS-CoV-2 transmission is likely high during pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic phases. Data from settings with universal testing, such as in a homeless shelter in Boston and on the US Navy aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt indicate that a high proportion of individuals test positive without reporting symptoms. The authors conclude that there is a need to shift from testing of…
May 27, 2020
Clinical Utility of SARS-CoV-2 Whole Genome Sequencing in Deciphering Source of Infection
[pre-print, not peer reviewed] Takenouchi et al used whole viral genome sequencing to determine that 9 COVID-19 patients at a tertiary medical center had probable community infection instead of being associated with infection clusters at the medical center. Takenouchi et al. (May 26, 2020). Clinical Utility of SARS-CoV-2 Whole Genome Sequencing in Deciphering Source of Infection. Pre-print downloaded May 27 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.05.21.20107599
Correlation between viral RNA shedding and serum antibodies in COVID-19 patients
Jin et al. found that among SARS-CoV-2 infection cases (n=89), serum IgM was significantly higher among those with prolonged viral RNA shedding (>30 days) at weeks 4 and 5 after symptom onset, IgM levels were similar between prolonged and non-prolonged shedders from weeks 6 to 8, and declined almost to the reference level in both groups at week 8. Serum IgM persisted at a high level during the acute illness and up to 8 weeks after symptom onset. Jin et al. (May 18, 2020). Correlation…
SARS-CoV-2 RNA Detected in Blood Samples from Patients with COVID-19 Is Not Associated with Infectious Virus
[pre-print, not peer reviewed] SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detectable in blood samples at low viral loads up to 20 days after symptom onset in 27 of 212 (12.7%) COVID-19 cases. However, there was no evidence of infectious SARS-CoV-2 based on inoculating PCR-positive sera into cell culture. Andersson et al. (May 26, 2020). SARS-CoV-2 RNA Detected in Blood Samples from Patients with COVID-19 Is Not Associated with Infectious Virus. Pre-print downloaded May 27 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.05.21.20105486
May 26, 2020
Rising Evidence of COVID-19 Transmission Potential to and between Animals Do We Need to Be Concerned
[pre-print, not peer reviewed] While there is no evidence to suggest household pets can infect humans with COVID-19, there is mounting evidence that transmission from humans to pets occurs. Across 17 case reports on confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in animals as of May 15, all but two animals had recovered fully and had only mild respiratory or digestive symptoms. Data…
May 21, 2020
Optimal Temperature Zone for the Dispersal of COVID-19
Huang et al. found 60% of confirmed COVID-19 cases occurred in locations where the air temperature ranged from 5-15 degrees C (41-59 degrees F) and 74% of cases were concentrated in regions with absolute humidity of 3-10g/m3. These findings suggest that there may be an optimal climate in which of SARS-CoV-2 survives in the ambient environment (e.g. on surfaces). Huang et al….
American Indian Reservations and COVID-19
As of April 10, there were 861 COVID-19 cases across 287 American Indian Reservations and tribal homelands in the lower 48 US states. Ecological analysis found incidence was higher in communities with larger proportions of non-English speaking households and houses without indoor plumbing. Rodriguez-Lonebear et al. (2020). American Indian Reservations and COVID-19. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice. https://doi.org/10.1097/PHH.0000000000001206
Large Outbreak of Coronavirus Disease among Wedding Attendees, Jordan
A wedding with only one presumed index case led to a large outbreak of COVID-19 in Jordan: 76 (22%) of the 350 wedding guests tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, 40 (53%) of whom were symptomatic and 36 (47%) were asymptomatic at diagnosis. This event demonstrates the high communicability of SARS-CoV-2 and the enormous risk of virus transmission during…
May 20, 2020
Emerging Phylogenetic Structure of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic
Fountain-Jones et al. studied the phylogenetic structures underlying the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and find support for three distinct lineages, each having different demographic trajectories. While the majority of sequences classified in Lineage A and B originated in China and have been subsequently found in Washington State and throughout the US, Lineage C was predominantly European with no evidence that it circulated in China. Demographic dynamics of the lineages are also concordant…
Influence of Wind and Relative Humidity on the Social Distancing Effectiveness to Prevent COVID-19 Airborne Transmission: A Numerical Study
Feng et al use a validated computational fluid particle dynamics model to simulate the behavior of SARS-CoV-2 laden droplets emitted by coughs. They find that under various wind and relative humidity conditions, microdroplets can be transported much farther than the recommended social distancing policy of 6 feet. The simulations also support previous studies that even wearing facial masks in an unrealistically loose condition…
Previous page Next page