Health Experts Urge A Shutdown Do-Over As COVID-19 Cases Surge – NPR

4 min audio at the link – In an open letter to “decision makers,” a group of doctors, scientists, teachers and nurses says leaders need to “shut it down, start over” and “do it right.” The letter, which has been signed by more than 1,000 health professionals, says that means more testing and contact tracing, mandatory masks in all situations, more personal protective equipment and a ban on interstate travel.

U.S. records nearly 25,000 coronavirus deaths in July – Reuters

The United States has recorded nearly 1.8 million new cases in July out of its total 4.5 million infections, an increase of 66% with many states yet to report on Friday. Deaths in July rose at least 19% to over 152,000 total.

Dr. Fauci on why the coronavirus is wreaking havoc on Black communities – CBS News

Black, Indigenous and Latinx communities have been hit hardest by the coronavirus. Black Americans, according to the CDC, are 2.5 times more likely to die from COVID-19 compared to their White counterparts. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease doctor, sat down with BET to speak about why minority communities have such a high number of infections, hospitalizations and death rates and what can be done to fix the disparity. Link to full interview here

Inside a Houston Hospital During a Coronavirus Surge – The Atlantic

In the past seven days, the state of Texas has reported more than 52,000 new cases of COVID-19 and has attributed more than 2,300 deaths to the disease. Health-care workers continue to struggle to accommodate and care for an increasing number of people needing hospitalization as cases have surged in Texas, Florida, and California. Callaghan O’Hare, a photographer with Reuters, spent time inside Houston’s United Memorial Medical Center over the past month documenting the work being done by the chief medical officer, Dr. Joseph Varon, and his team, under stressful and challenging circumstances. Dr. Varon said, “I’m afraid that at some point in time I’m going to have to make some very serious decisions. I’m starting to get the idea that I cannot save everybody.”

The First U.S. Dog Diagnosed With Coronavirus Has Reportedly Died – Forbes

As the pandemic devastating the United States has infected millions of Americans, National Geographic has reported that the first dog in the country to be diagnosed with the coronavirus died earlier this month after a months-long battle with the virus, and the case highlights how little experts know about the disease’s effects on animals. [Related National Geographic article]

Britain brings back restrictions as Europe, Asia see COVID-19 cases spike – NBC News

“The problem with this virus is that it thrives on the social contact which makes life worth living,” said the U.K. health secretary. The United Kingdom reintroduced new coronavirus restrictions in parts of northern England on Thursday amid a spike in cases, which is also occurring across Europe and Asia, stoking fears of a second wave.

Study says that young children carry as much coronavirus in their noses as adults – NBC News

Children under 5 can carry just as much of the coronavirus in their noses as older children and adults, researchers at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago reported Thursday. The study, published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, raises the possibility that young kids may be able to spread COVID-19 as easily as adults, even if they aren’t that sick.

Did Dr. Fauci Recommend Wearing Eye Shields, Goggles For Covid-19 Coronavirus? – Forbes

Not surprisingly, some on social media blew what Fauci said out of context and suggested that this is the next step along the way to full hazmat suit or body condom requirements.

Clinical Considerations

Young Children Have Higher Amounts of SARS-CoV-2 RNA – Practice Update

Young children with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 have higher amounts of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral RNA in their nasopharynx than older children and adults, according to a research letter published online July 30 in JAMA Pediatrics. [Related Study JAMA Pediatrics]

Young kids could spread COVID-19 as much as older children and adults, study suggests – Science Daily

Researchers have discovered that children younger than 5 years with mild to moderate COVID-19 have much higher levels of genetic material for the virus in the nose compared to older children and adults. The findings point to the possibility that the youngest children transmit the virus as much as other age groups.

Children Under 5 May Be Carrying Higher Levels of Coronavirus, New Study Suggests – Science Alert

Children under the age of five have between 10 to 100 times greater levels of genetic material of the coronavirus in their noses compared to older children and adults, a study in JAMA Pediatrics said Thursday.

Smoking worsens COVID-19 severity, warn researchers – Medical News.net

A study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles and Cedars Sinai Medical Center suggests that smoking increases the risk of more severe lung disease in cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. [Related pre-print study]

Official Reporting for July 31, 2020