Tag: Disaster Planning

Variation in immune systems predicts patients with severe COVID-19

Editor's Note Differing immune system responses of patients with COVID-19 can predict who will experience moderate and severe outcomes of the disease, this study by Yale researchers finds. Of 113 patients analyzed, all shared common COVID-19 immune system activity early in the course of the disease. Patients with moderate symptoms had…

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By: Judy Mathias
July 29, 2020
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Reduction of secondary COVID-19 transmission in households with face masks, disinfections, social distancing

Editor's Note This study reinforces the high risk of COVID-19 transmission in households and is the first to show the effectiveness of precautionary mask use, social distancing, and regular disinfection before the development of symptoms in the index case. There was no association between mask use after illness onset in…

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By: Judy Mathias
July 28, 2020
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FDA authorizes first COVID-19 diagnostic test for screening asymptomatic people

Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on July 24 reissued its emergency use authorization (EUA) for LabCorp’s COVID-19 RT-PCR Test to include two new indications for use: Testing for individuals who do not have COVID-19 symptoms or who have no reason to suspect COVID-19 infection. Allowing for pooled…

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By: Judy Mathias
July 28, 2020
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Why is obesity the most common comorbidity in COVID-19 patients?

Editor's Note The hormone, leptin, which links the body’s metabolism and immune response system, may be the link between obesity and its high prevalence as a comorbidity of COVID-19, this study finds. Leptin levels are always high in obese people because leptin is produced by fat cells. Elevated leptin levels…

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By: Judy Mathias
July 27, 2020
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Mask-wearing mistakes to avoid

Editor's Note The protective value of masks depends on how they are used. If people are reckless about masking up or clumsy when handling or removing masks, they can put themselves and others at risk, the July 21 Livestrong reports. To get the most out of wearing face-coverings, it’s important…

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By: Judy Mathias
July 27, 2020
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Impact of self-imposed, government-imposed prevention measures on mitigating, delaying COVID-19 epidemic

Editor's Note Self-imposed prevention measures such as hand washing, mask wearing, and social distancing as well as government-imposed social distancing can help mitigate and delay a COVID-19 epidemic, this study from The Netherlands finds. Researchers developed a computational model of the spread of COVID-19 based on known information about the…

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By: Judy Mathias
July 23, 2020
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Joint Commission recognizes Eisenberg Award winners

Editor's Note The Joint Commission announced on July 22 that the 2019 Eisenberg Award winners were recognized in a virtual ceremony on July 16. The award is given each year by the National Quality Forum and Joint Commission in recognition of the best examples of individual, local, and national efforts…

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By: Judy Mathias
July 23, 2020
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Effectiveness of government actions, country preparedness, socioeconomic factors on COVID-19 mortality, health outcomes

Editor's Note:  Rapid border closures, full lockdowns, and wide-spread testing were not associated with statistically significant reductions in number of critical cases or overall COVID-19 mortality; however, they were significantly associated with increased patient recovery rates, this study of 50 countries finds. Increasing COVID-19 caseloads were associated with countries with…

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By: Judy Mathias
July 23, 2020
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HHS taps Pfizer for large-scale COVID-19 vaccine production

Editor's Note The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Department of Defense on July 22 announced an agreement with Pfizer to produce and deliver 100 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine in the US, following manufacture and approval. Pfizer will deliver the doses, once the vaccine receives emergency…

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By: Judy Mathias
July 23, 2020
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Study: Seroprevalence of antibodies to COVID-19 in US

Editor's Note This study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds that the estimated number of COVID-19 infections was more than 10 times higher than the number reported from March 23 to May 12. Serum samples from 16,025 individuals at 10 US sites were tested for antibodies. Six…

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By: Judy Mathias
July 22, 2020
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