Featured Headlines
Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly pause covid-19 trials for possible safety issues – Washington Post
Experts say the halts demonstrate that monitoring systems to protect patient safety are working as intended. But some worry the lack of information about potential adverse effects may foster distrust. [Related – J&J Halts Covid-19 Vaccine Trial Due to Unexplained Illness – Bloomberg)
Reports shed more light on COVID reinfection as 2 trials paused – CIDRAP
As the pandemic total closes in on 38 million cases, researchers in the United States detailed North America’s first known reinfection case as media reports from the Netherlands noted the first known instance of a fatal reinfection.
U.S. Virus-Death Rate Is World’s Worst Among Developed Nations – Bloomberg
The proportion of Americans dying from coronavirus infections is the highest in the developed world, according to a study of global mortality rates that shows the U.S. pandemic response left citizens exposed to the lethal disease.
Covid Struck Nevada Man Twice, and Second Time Was Worse – Bloomberg
The first study to investigate the case of a person in the U.S. who contracted Covid-19 twice found reinfection can occur swiftly and the second bout of illness can be more severe.
Dutch researchers report first death from COVID-19 reinfection – BNO News
An elderly woman in the Netherlands has died after getting COVID-19 a second time, researchers reported on Monday. It’s the first time a death has been reported from reinfection with coronavirus.
The U.S. Pandemic Is Stuck In A Cycle Of Endless Ups And Downs – NPR
In most states across the country, the number of new coronavirus cases each day is up. That’s the situation in Wisconsin, where cases are surging. Infectious disease specialist Dr. Michael Landrum spoke with NPR about what he’s been seeing the last several weeks.
Why Are So Many Minks Dying Of Covid-19? – Forbes
Thousands of minks are dying of Covid-19 in the United States. Scientists say the mass mink casualties can be attributed to the animals’ natural susceptibility to the virus and the large number of minks kept in close proximity on farms.
Clinical Considerations
“Long Covid” Makes the Pandemic Even Scarier – Washington Post
Sequelae are the aftereffects of a disease. Encephalopathy is sickness of the brain. But “brain fog” is just one sequela, or potential long-term condition, of Covid-19 being observed. Others include damage to the heart, lungs or nervous system, as well as general aching and fatigue. The possible consequences also include a lasting loss of smell (anosmia) or taste (ageusia), and more.
Official Reporting for October 13, 2020
World Health Organization
Weekly Epi Update October 12, 2020 (Last Updated)
Cumulative Cases: 37,704,15
Cumulative Deaths: 1,079,029
ECDC
Confirmed Cases: 37 875 422
Deaths: 1 081 632
Johns Hopkins
Confirmed Cases: 38,032,320
Deaths: 1,084,336
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Total cases: 7,787,548
Total deaths: 214,446
Surveillance Headlines
UNITED STATES
Michigan: Coronavirus cases surpass 5,000 in Michigan schools, colleges – Michigan Bridge
Illinois: 12 Cases Tied to Family Vacation – NBC
MIDDLE EAST
Iran: Will fine people who break quarantine rules or don’t wear masks – NYT
EUROPE
Europe Tightens Rules, Calls for Sacrifice as Virus Cases Rise – Bloomberg
Netherlands: Closes restaurants, bans evening alcohol sales – Bloomberg
U.K., Italy and Czech Republic: Add new curbs to contain virus spread – Bloomberg
Science and Tech
Found: genes that sway the course of the coronavirus – Science Magazine
It’s one of the pandemic’s puzzles: Most people infected by SARS-CoV-2 never feel sick, whereas others develop severe disease or even end up in an intensive care unit clinging to life. Age and preexisting conditions, such as obesity, account for much of the disparity. But geneticists have raced to see whether a person’s DNA also explains why some get hit hard by the coronavirus, and they have uncovered tantalizing leads. [Related Pre-Print Study]
Psychological and Sociological Impact
New Data Shows Just How Much Americans Moved Temporarily During Covid – Bloomberg
So far, permanent moves are relatively flat. But short-term moves did spike in March and April, with people mostly leaving big cities.
The digital divide for many during the pandemic starts with laptops. – New York Times
Millions of American children are encountering all sorts of inconveniences that come with digital instruction during the coronavirus pandemic. But many students are facing a more basic challenge: They don’t have computers and can’t attend classes held online.
New York Philharmonic Cancels Its Entire 2020-21 Season, Due To Coronavirus – NPR
The last time that the orchestra played together was an open rehearsal on the morning of March 12; by the afternoon, venues across New York City shut down. Tuesday’s announcement from the New York Philharmonic comes just days after the Broadway League announced that Broadway will remain closed until at least May 30.
COVID-19 Is Changing Consumer Behavior At The Point-Of-Sale – Forbes
As shelter-in-place orders spread across the US in mid-March, cash was already coming under fire as a potential vehicle for spreading COVID-19. Media articles and nightly news reports quickly began targeting the unsanitary aspects of physical currency, and many merchants started affixing signs to their storefronts or checkouts encouraging the use of cards, and in some cases outright banning cash.
How COVID-19 Created The Future Of Work – Forbes
The pandemic has forced companies to work differently. Here are 5 ways leaders can extend those innovations to create a new work paradigm.
Published Research
What reinfections mean for COVID-19 – The Lancet
Pre-Print Studies
Genetic mechanisms of critical illness in Covid-19 – University of Edinburgh
Misinformation, Disinformation, and Conspiracy Theories
The pandemic is amplifying the U.S. anti-vaccine movement — and globalizing it – Washington Post
Even as countries and companies race to develop a safe and effective vaccine, U.S. activists and influencers are working to undermine it, seizing on the legitimate fear that the vaccine might be rushed and leveraging that to further a broader anti-vaccine — even anti-science — agenda.