Covid-19
AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine: EMA finds possible link to very rare cases of unusual blood clots with low blood platelets. The benefits of the vaccine continue to outweigh the risks for people who receive it.
8 Apr, 2021 | 09:07h | UTCCommentaries: In rare instances, AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine linked to blood clots, regulators say – STAT AND Expert reaction to statements from MHRA and EMA in relation to the AstraZeneca vaccine and rare blood clots and low blood platelets – Science Media Centre
JCVI statement on use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine: “JCVI currently advises that it is preferable for adults aged <30 years to be offered an alternative COVID-19 vaccine, if available.”
8 Apr, 2021 | 09:02h | UTCJCVI statement on use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine: 7 April 2021 – GOV.UK
Commentaries: Covid: Under-30s offered alternative to Oxford-AstraZeneca jab – BBC AND Expert reaction to statements from MHRA and EMA in relation to the AstraZeneca vaccine and rare blood clots and low blood platelets – Science Media Centre
Video: Coronavirus Variants and Vaccines
8 Apr, 2021 | 09:00h | UTCCoronavirus Variants and Vaccines – JAMA
Study finds low risk of venous thromboembolism in outpatients with Covid-19 – researchers advise against the use of anticoagulants outside clinical trials
8 Apr, 2021 | 08:59h | UTCCommentaries: VTE Related to SARS-CoV-2 Infection Less Of a Problem in Outpatients – TCTMD AND No Increase Seen in Outpatient VTE for SARS-CoV-2-Positive Patients – Physician’s Weekly
Commentary on Twitter (thread – Click for more)
https://twitter.com/gjgeersing/status/1379740743951134721
CDC Updated Guidance: “It is possible for people to be infected through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects, but the risk is generally considered to be low”
7 Apr, 2021 | 02:00h | UTCRelated: Catching COVID from surfaces is very unlikely. So perhaps we can ease up on the disinfecting – The Conversation AND Coronavirus is in the air — there’s too much focus on surfaces – Nature AND COVID-19 rarely spreads through surfaces. So why are we still deep cleaning? – Nature
Differences in susceptibility of circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 to neutralization by convalescent plasma or vaccinee (Sinopharm or Sinovac) serum
7 Apr, 2021 | 01:57h | UTCRelated studies: Another study indicates SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.351, but not variant B.1.1.7, has partial resistance to neutralizing antibodies generated by natural infection or mRNA vaccination – Nature Medicine AND Pfizer coronavirus vaccine found to be moderately less effective against B.1.351 variant AND SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.351 and P.1 can escape from therapeutic antibodies and evade antibodies induced by infection or mRNA vaccination AND B.1.351 strain of SARS-CoV-2 neutralization titer reduced 8- to 9-fold for Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccinees. Convalescent plasma and therapeutic antibodies were less effective against this variant as well. AND RCT: Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine does not protect against mild-to-moderate Covid-19 due to the B.1.351 variant AND New study of Coronavirus variants predicts virus evolving to escape current vaccines, treatments AND Moderna COVID-19 vaccine may be less effective against variant found in South Africa
Commentary on Twitter
https://twitter.com/hildabast/status/1379597338956603400
Guidance on syndrome of Thrombosis and Thrombocytopenia occurring after coronavirus Vaccination
7 Apr, 2021 | 01:48h | UTC
Commentary on Twitter
https://twitter.com/trishgreenhalgh/status/1379414362700517385
Epidemiology of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children: A Step Closer to Understanding Who, Where, and When
7 Apr, 2021 | 01:52h | UTCCommentaries: New findings in COVID-related kids’ syndrome, Kawasaki disease – CIDRAP AND Most kids with serious inflammatory illness had mild COVID – Associated Press
Opinion | New COVID variants have changed the game, and vaccines will not be enough. We need global ‘maximum suppression’
7 Apr, 2021 | 01:44h | UTC
Commentary on Twitter
✨"COVID-19 variants of concern have changed the game. We need to recognise and act on this if we as a global society are to avoid future waves of infections, yet more lockdowns and restrictions, and avoidable illness and death"✨ https://t.co/YXzqayMQFR
— Antibiotic Steward Bassam Ghanem 🅱️C🆔🅿️🌟 (@ABsteward) April 6, 2021
Antibody persistence for at least 6 months after the second dose of mRNA vaccine (Moderna) for Covid-19
7 Apr, 2021 | 01:54h | UTCCommentary: Moderna COVID Vaccine Offers Protection for at Least 6 Months: Study – HealthDay
Related: [Press release – not published yet] Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is 91% effective for at least 6 months
Commentary on Twitter
Very good neutralizing antibody levels for at least 7 months after 2 doses of mRNA vaccine (and likely years)@NEJM today https://t.co/3KQmiuvEJq pic.twitter.com/cp2htnr76E
— Eric Topol (@EricTopol) April 6, 2021
What’s the new coronavirus variant in India and how should it change their COVID response?
7 Apr, 2021 | 01:42h | UTC
Covid-19: Italy makes vaccination mandatory for healthcare workers
7 Apr, 2021 | 01:39h | UTCCovid-19: Italy makes vaccination mandatory for healthcare workers – The BMJ
Large study showed no association between blood group types and increased risk of Covid-19
7 Apr, 2021 | 01:41h | UTC
Commentary on Twitter
This case-control study found blood type A was not associated with higher nor type O with lower COVID-19 susceptibility or severity. Blood types were not prognostically useful. https://t.co/P8VpvQWuwE
— JAMA Network Open (@JAMANetworkOpen) April 6, 2021
CDC Report: Community Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Associated with a Local Bar Opening Event
6 Apr, 2021 | 01:29h | UTCCommentaries: Illinois bar opening event linked to 46 Covid-19 cases, a school closure and hospitalization, CDC report says – CNN AND Bar opening linked to 29 COVID-19 diagnoses among staff and patrons, 17 more across the community affecting school, nursing home – Science Speaks: Global ID News AND 46 COVID-19 cases linked to one indoor bar event in rural Illinois: CDC – The Hill
Related: Why indoor spaces are still prime COVID hotspots – Nature
Long Covid Implications for the workplace
6 Apr, 2021 | 01:15h | UTCLong Covid Implications for the workplace – Occupational Medicine
Probable airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in a poorly ventilated restaurant
6 Apr, 2021 | 01:27h | UTCRelated: Why indoor spaces are still prime COVID hotspots – Nature
Commentary on Twitter (thread – click for more)
📍AIRBORNE RESTAURANT TRANSMISSION—3 families—“No close contact or fomite contact identified, aside from back-to-back sitting—Airflow dynamics indicates the infection distribution is consistent with a spread of **long-range transmission of exhaled virus-laden aerosols**”. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/kapgqumWnV
— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) April 5, 2021
Epidemiologic Evidence for Airborne Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 during Church Singing
6 Apr, 2021 | 01:26h | UTCRelated: Why indoor spaces are still prime COVID hotspots – Nature
Commentary on Twitter
Pretty interesting report of #Covid19 transmission during church services in Australia. Infected choir member appears to have transmitted to up to 12 church goers, some seated more than 15 meters from the choir loft. No masks. Yes, likely airborne. https://t.co/w5CKMsaKp9 pic.twitter.com/Wmi6jxOPox
— Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 (@HelenBranswell) April 5, 2021
Reactogenicity Following Receipt of mRNA-Based COVID-19 Vaccines
6 Apr, 2021 | 01:21h | UTCReactogenicity Following Receipt of mRNA-Based COVID-19 Vaccines – JAMA
Commentaries on Twitter
This @JAMA_current paper summarizes adverse reactions to mRNA #COVID19 vaccines through @CDCgov v-safe surveillance system, which collects near–real-time data via smartphone text message prompts and web-based health surveys. https://t.co/Xbdg0lxYfK pic.twitter.com/E4q13aJfkZ
— Muin J. Khoury (@MuinJKhoury) April 5, 2021
.@CDCgov's v-safe program collects near–realtime data from US #COVID19 vaccine recipients. V-safe participants self-enroll and receive smartphone text messages to initiate web-based health health surveys from the day of vaccination (day 0) through 12 mo https://t.co/utJNibTTd9
— JAMA (@JAMA_current) April 5, 2021
Covid-19 Has Created Thousands Of Newly Single Parents And Orphans
6 Apr, 2021 | 01:24h | UTCBREAKING: Covid-19 Has Created Thousands Of Newly Single Parents And Orphans – Brief19
Original study: Estimates and Projections of COVID-19 and Parental Death in the US – JAMA Pediatrics
Commentary on Twitter
New study finds that in the United States alone, "37,300 children aged 0 to 17 years [have] lost at least 1 parent due to #COVID19" as of February 2021. The authors suggest that accounting for excess mortality may shift this tally up to as many as 43,000: https://t.co/v5fACWMwtP
— Dr. Majumder is writing 🖋 (@maiamajumder) April 5, 2021
A framework for microbiome science in public health
6 Apr, 2021 | 01:19h | UTCA framework for microbiome science in public health – Nature Medicine
Cohort study: Association between pre-existing respiratory disease and its treatment, and severe COVID-19
6 Apr, 2021 | 01:17h | UTC
U.S. Saw Over 520,000 Excess Deaths in 2020, Most from COVID-19
6 Apr, 2021 | 01:18h | UTCU.S. Saw Over 520,000 Excess Deaths in 2020, Most from COVID-19 – NEJM Journal Watch
Original study: Excess Deaths From COVID-19 and Other Causes in the US, March 1, 2020, to January 2, 2021 – JAMA
Editorial: Learning From Excess Pandemic Deaths – JAMA
Cohort Study: Selected patients with Covid-19 can be safely discharged on home oxygen, with low mortality and readmission rates
5 Apr, 2021 | 01:52h | UTCVideo: Home Oxygen Instructions for Discharged Patients With COVID-19
Commentaries: Covid-19: Ambulatory Management with Home Oxygen Results in Low Mortality, Low Readmissions – Physician’s Weekly AND Mortality, readmission low with COVID-19 discharge on home oxygen – HealthDay
Commentaries on Twitter
Is “HOME O2” safe in #COVID19? @JAMANetworkOpen
N=621 #COVID Pts D/Ced on O2 instead of being kept in hosp. 20% BMI>30, 33% HTN/DM. Only 1.2% 30-d Mort rate & only 8.5% returned for hosp admission. Safe is done right!https://t.co/clZAzEqWwy#medtwitter #CriticalCare #Nurse pic.twitter.com/EInhCdcN6f— WesElyMD (@WesElyMD) April 3, 2021
Cohort study finds #COVID19 patients discharged with home oxygen from the LA safety net public hospital system using an innovative program had similar outcomes to patients not requiring home oxygen. @BradSpellberg @LACUSCMedCenter https://t.co/kZrxVKHB5F
— JAMA Network Open (@JAMANetworkOpen) April 1, 2021
How mRNA Technology Could Change the World
5 Apr, 2021 | 01:36h | UTCHow mRNA Technology Could Change the World – The Atlantic (a few articles per month are free)
Early outcomes after lung transplantation for severe COVID-19: a series of the first consecutive cases from four countries
5 Apr, 2021 | 01:49h | UTCCommentary: Criteria for selecting COVID-19 patients for lung lung transplantation – Medical University of Vienna
Commentary on Twitter
NEW Research—Lung transplantation is the only option for survival in some patients with severe, unresolving #COVID19-associated #ARDS
From Ankit Bharat & colleagues https://t.co/7u52IJSOIn, including a fantastic video abstract https://t.co/2cjfTLXR8R
— The Lancet Respiratory Medicine (@LancetRespirMed) April 1, 2021