Upcoming Virtual Events

NIH Virtual SARS-CoV-2 Antiviral Therapeutics Summit – NIH

The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) are co-hosting this scientific summit to discuss progress and remaining challenges in developing antiviral treatments for COVID-19.

Featured Headlines

Initial GI Symptoms Independently Tied to Poor COVID-19 Outcomes – MedPageToday

Worse outcomes were independently predicted by the initial presence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in patients presenting at the hospital with suspected COVID-19 infection, according to an electronic records review of more than 1,000 patients.

Areas With Mask Mandates Have Lower Covid-19 Hospitalization Rate, Study Finds – Forbes

Covid-19 hospitalizations in Tennessee have risen at a far lower rate in areas that have mask-wearing mandates than those that don’t, a new analysis from Vanderbilt University researchers found, reinforcing evidence showing that face masks play a significant role in slowing coronavirus transmission.

Some European Countries Are Restarting Coronavirus Lockdowns – Forbes

Over the last few weeks, countries around the world have increasingly seen a resurgence in coronavirus case numbers. As hospital admission rates continue to rise, many governments are trying to take proactive measures to mitigate catastrophic deaths and community spread.

US at ‘critical point’ as COVID-19 cases up nationwide – CIDRAP

The United States reported 73,240 new COVID-19 cases yesterday and 985 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 dashboard. A USA Today analysis of that data shows that over the past 7 days the nation has added more than 500,000 new cases, the most new cases seen in a week since the pandemic began in March.

PPE still lacking in nursing homes as COVID doubles down – CIDRAP

Two new studies detail US nursing home preparedness amid the COVID-19 pandemic, one finding that 20% of facilities had less than 1 week’s supply of at least one type of personal protective equipment (PPE), and the other showing that homes owned by private equity firms performed on par with those under other types of ownership in terms of coronavirus cases and deaths but stored less PPE.

Covid-19 Vaccine Won’t Be Available Until January, Fauci Says – Bloomberg

A vaccine to help control the coronavirus outbreak isn’t likely to be available in the U.S. until January, if then, according to Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious-disease doctor.

Severe Covid-19 Cases Leave Lasting Effects, Including on Mental State – Wall Street Journal

This spring, Raju Sarker was in respiratory failure. His kidneys had shut down and his blood pressure was falling. Days from death in a Singapore hospital, with his mother back home in Bangladesh saying prayers, something inexplicable happened: He pulled back from the brink. That was seven months ago. Since then, Mr. Sarker has struggled to regain his full health. The 40-year-old, who worked in Singapore laying internet lines to support his family, has long been free of the coronavirus.

Why some people are superspreaders and how the body emits coronavirus – National Geographic

The production of infectious aerosols can vary wildly between individuals—and experts are exploring why in the COVID-19 era. Figuring out who are the most prodigious producers of aerosols has proven difficult—with many biological and physical factors affecting aerosol generation that are tough to parse out or even measure.

Clinical Considerations

Physicians Among COVID Long-Haulers – MedPageToday

Months after he first developed COVID-19 symptoms in March, Paul Garner, MD, of Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine in England, still feels the effects of the disease.