Virtual Events
TOADY: Tulane University: The Race for COVID-19 Treatments, Tests and a Vaccine
Featured Headlines
European countries further relax restrictions – BBC
Italy and Spain are among a number of European countries further easing their coronavirus lockdown restrictions on Monday.
COVID-19 Pulmonary Embolism Often Seen Outside the ICU – Med Page Today
Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) was common in COVID-19 cases, often in obese patients and in those not sick enough to require critical care, an observational study showed. [Related paper]
There was some back-and-forth about whether masks were needed early on in the pandemic, but now the consensus among public health office is that it’s pretty critical that we all wear masks in public—not so much to protect yourself, but to protect others, in the event that you’re an asymptomatic or presymptomatic carrier. This way, if everyone wears a mask, we’re all protecting one another. This is not only a smart epidemiological message, but a rather lovely social one. [Related study]
Unprecedented World Health Assembly Convenes Online As Pandemic Rages – NPR
The 73rd annual World Health Assembly typically brings together representatives from the WHO’s 194 member states in Geneva to discuss a wide range of health topics. However, this year’s meeting will be held by teleconference for the first-time ever. It will also be much more focused — on the novel coronavirus that’s infected more than 4.5 million people, killed 300,000, crashed the global economy and shows no sign of going away on its own.
From the FLARE Team:
Asthma, Inhaled Steroids, and COVID-19 – Med Page Today
There are 25 million asthma sufferers in the United States, about 8% of the population, and many of us are using as primary treatment a combination of inhaled beta-agonists (for immediate relief) and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS, for long-term conditioning of the lung).
Global push for inquiry into Covid-19 response – BBC
Global health leaders are pushing for an independent review of the response to the Covid-19 pandemic at the UN’s World Health Assembly.
Official Reporting for May 18, 2020
| WHO SITREP #119 | ECDC | Johns Hopkins | |
| Confirmed Cases | 4,618,821 | 4,679,511 | 4,769,177 |
| Deaths | 311,847 | 315,005 | 316,898 |
Total deaths: 89,407
Surveillance Headlines
USA
Coronavirus in the U.S.: Where cases are growing and declining – National Geographic
Where coronavirus isn’t: What’s kept cases officially at zero in these 200 counties? – USA Today
Amarillo, Texas: Over 700 COVID-19 cases confirmed in one day in Amarillo – Local News
Maryland: 8.8K COVID-19 Cases In Maryland; Number Of Hospitalizations At Lowest Point In 3 Weeks – Baltimore News
EUROPE
Iceland: lessons from Iceland: How one Nordic country has all but stopped the virus in its tracks – Geekwire
France: 70 cases of COVID-19 at French schools days after re-opening – ABC News
LATIN AMERICA
Brazil: Hospitals in Brazil’s São Paulo ‘near collapse’ – BBC
Mexico: Health workers face violent attacks in Mexico – BBC
Mexico: COVID-19 Cases Spike In Mexico – NPR
ASIA
Laos: With 19 Confirmed COVID-19 Cases And No Deaths, Laos To Loosen Lockdown – NPR
AFRICA
Nigeria: Outbreak in Nigeria Is Just One of Africa’s Alarming Hot Spots – NYT
Senegal: Senegal Pledges A Bed For Every Coronavirus Patient — And Their Contacts, Too – NPR
Science and Tech
Research explores how human enzymes could be used to exacerbate COVID-19 – Medical News
Centenary Institute researchers have examined the critical role of human enzymes and the coronavirus in a newly published scientific review article that explores potential strategies for COVID-19 disease treatment and management.
Can Vitamin D Help With Covid-19 Coronavirus? Here Is The Science – Forbes
There is a “D” in Covid-19. But can a lack of Vitamin D make you more susceptible to the Covid-19 coronavirus? Well, some studies have suggested this possibility. However, before you rush to the store and start hoarding Vitamin D supplements like they were toilet paper, let’s “D”-construct the currently available evidence.
K-State veterinary faculty target new ways to confront COVID-19 – Kansas State University
Faculty, staff, students and postdocs in the college are utilizing their respective areas of expertise to explore different aspects of the novel coronavirus, which reached pandemic levels this spring
Antivirals
Oregon gets experimental drug for some hospitalized COVID-19 patients – Local News
The Oregon Health Authority is distributing its first shipment of remdesivir, an experimental drug that has been used to treat severely ill COVID-19 patients, to hospitals across the state.
Vaccine
Vaccine Optimism? Why Moderna’s Coronavirus Research Is Good News – Forbes
On Monday morning, Cambridge Massachusetts based Moderna, Inc. announced that it has made progress in its development for a coronavirus vaccine. In its pre-market release, the biotechnology company announced positive interim results for the mRNA vaccine (mRNA-1273) it is developing in response to the coronavirus.
Economic Impact
US Stocks Surge on Promising Coronavirus Vaccine Test – VOA
U.S. stocks surged Monday after biotechnology company Moderna Inc. said its initial tests for a possible coronavirus vaccine produced favorable results from a small sample of people.
Coping in Quarantine
Mental Health Monday News Headlines:
Planning for a Psychiatric COVID-19–Positive Unit – Medscape
Loyola Medicine Offers Tips to Help You Sleep During COVID-19 – Newswise