Featured Headlines
Analysis of patient data reveals most common complications of COVID-19 – MedNewsToday
Researchers have analyzed the data of more than 70,000 people with COVID-19 in the United States to confirm what the most frequently occurring complications are
COVID-19 Cases Surge In U.S. As Vaccinations Fall Below Government Predictions – NPR
The grim milestones are piling up as the United States experiences another surge in coronavirus cases. Nearly 300,000 new cases were reported on Saturday.
The Mutated Virus Is a Ticking Time Bomb – The Atlantic
There is much we don’t know about the new COVID-19 variant—but everything we know so far suggests a huge danger.
Vaccine Headlines
Fauci Says U.S. Covid Vaccine Pace Rising After Slow Start – Bloomberg
The U.S. government’s top infectious-disease doctor said the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines is picking up speed and could be fully on track within a week or so.
Maintaining Safety with SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines – NEJM
o date, the development of mRNA vaccines for the prevention of infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been a success story, with no serious concerns identified in the ongoing phase 3 clinical trials.
I Can’t Wait for My Second Dose – MedPageToday
One very happy physician’s first-hand account of getting the COVID-19 vaccine
France’s go-slow coronavirus vaccination strategy backfires – ABC News
France’s cautious approach to rolling out a coronavirus vaccination program appears to have backfired, leaving barely 500 people inoculated in the first week and rekindling anger over the government’s handling of the pandemic.
COVID-19 pandemic 2020: The search for a vaccine – Medical News Today
Since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, researchers all over the world have joined the race for an effective vaccine. Here is how the search for a vaccine progressed throughout the year
[Opinion] We Came All This Way to Let Vaccines Go Bad in the Freezer? – New York Times
America did not sufficiently plan for how to get millions of people vaccinated.
Johns Hopkins to Hold Panel Discussion on COVID-19 Vaccine: From Discovery to Delivery – Newswise
The development and deployment of an effective vaccine for COVID-19 could be the turning point in the fight against the deadly pandemic.
AstraZenica
UK begin rolling out AstraZeneca vaccine – Reuters
Moderna
U.S. may cut some Moderna vaccine doses in half to speed rollout – Reuters
The U.S. government is considering giving some people half the dose of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine in order to speed vaccinations, a federal official said on Sunday.
Clinical Considerations
Chinese Doctors Share the Playbook for Severe COVID-19
Official Reporting for January 5, 2021
World Health Organization
Weekly Epi Update December 29, 2020
Confirmed Cases: 83 910 386
Deaths: 1 839 660
ECDC
Confirmed Cases: 80 316 555
Deaths: 1 770 695
Johns Hopkins
Confirmed Cases: 85,624,961
Deaths: 1,851,448
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Total cases: 20,558,489 (+212,117 New Cases)
Total deaths: 350,664 (+1,418 New Deaths)
Surveillance Headlines
UNITED STATES
California: Another 91 COVID-19 Deaths Reported in LA County, as Hospital Conditions Dire – NBC Los Angeles
U.S. Virus Cases Inch Back Toward Peak Following Holiday Slump – Bloomberg
EUROPE
Belgium: 26 Belgian retirees die after visit by volunteer Santa Claus who tested positive for COVID – CBS News
Germany: Germany to Extend Curbs Amid Criticism Over Vaccine Rollout – Bloomberg
AFRICA
Somalia: COVID-19 vaccines are distant as virus spreads – WSIL
ASIA
South Korea: Fresh Virus Wave Is Testing South Korea’s No-Lockdown Strategy – Bloomberg
Japan: What Will Tokyo’s Second State of Emergency Mean? – Bloomberg
Thailand: Thailand confirms 745 new coronavirus cases – ABC News
Science and Tech
None Today
Psychological and Sociological Impact
2020 Will End as One of America’s Most Violent Years in Decades – Time Magazine
Across the U.S., this year has taken a heavy toll. The coronavirus has upended daily life and resulted in the deaths of over 300,000 people; 2020 is on track to be the “deadliest year in U.S. history,” according to The Associated Press, with a projected rise of 15% in total deaths from 2019.
Published Research
Not much published over holidays, but I’m on the lookout.
Misinformation, Disinformation, and Conspiracy Theories
Pharmacist Accused of Tampering With Vaccine Was Conspiracy Theorist, Police Say – New York Times
The police say a Wisconsin pharmacist believed the Moderna vaccine would harm people and tried to sabotage the effort to vaccinate frontline workers.
Coping in 2020 (and probably most of 2021)
Surging Virus Prompts Call to Halt In-Person TV and Film Production – ABC News
SAG-AFTRA, the union representing 160,000 people who work in the industry, seeks a “temporary hold” in Los Angeles.
