Tulane Outbreak Daily – October 28, 2020

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.

Official Reporting for October 28, 2020

World Health Organization

Weekly Epi Update October 27, 2020 (Last Updated)

Cumulative Cases: 43,766,712
Cumulative Deaths: 1,163,459

ECDC

Confirmed Cases: 44 052 388
Deaths: 1 168 076

Johns Hopkins

Confirmed Cases: 44,386,621
Deaths: 1,172,684

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Total cases: 8,752,794
Total deaths: 225,985

Surveillance Headlines

UNITED STATES

Oklahoma: Oklahoma set a state record for the most coronavirus deaths reported in a day – Tulsa News

EUROPE

Germany and France announce new national lockdowns, saying they have lost control of the coronavirus – Washington Post

Eastern Europe Fights for Its Life Against a Virus It Thought It Had Crushed – Bloomberg

France: Macron declares second national lockdown in France – BBC

UK: Nearly 100,000 catching virus every day – BBC

AUSTRALIA

Melbourne’s hard-won success after a marathon lockdown – BBC

Science and Tech

Therapeutics

Regeneron Covid-19 Therapy Reduces Viral Load, Need for Care – Bloomberg

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. said data from a late-stage clinical trial suggest that its antibody cocktail therapy for Covid-19 significantly reduces virus levels and the need for further medical care.

Government Signs Deal For COVID-19 Treatments From Eli Lilly – NPR
Eli Lilly has struck a deal with the federal government to provide 300,000 doses of a drug that’s designed to keep people infected with COVID-19 out of the hospital. The cost per dose: $1,250.

Diagnostics

What Are the Most Popular COVID-19 Tests? – MedpageToday

The FDA has authorized nearly 230 diagnostic tests for COVID-19, but which ones are most commonly used? Through interviews with companies, lab directors and pathologists, MedPage Today has compiled a list of key players.

Vaccine

Novavax delays U.S. trial of Covid-19 vaccine candidate to November – NBC

Novavax on Tuesday delayed the start of a late-stage U.S. trial of its experimental coronavirus vaccine by roughly a month to the end of November, citing delays in scaling up the manufacturing process.

No news on Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine is good news — and bad news – STAT

Oxford Developed Covid Vaccine, Then Scholars Clashed Over Money – Wall Street Journal

Early deal with Merck was scotched for fear poor countries would be left out; now university could make over $100 million with AstraZeneca if technology succeeds. Publicly, Oxford scientists were touting progress in the laboratory. But behind the scenes, two renowned vaccinologists leading the effort were fighting a proposed deal with U.S. pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co.

Psychological and Sociological Impact

Worry, Avoidance, and Coping During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comprehensive Network Analysis – Journal of Anxiety Disorders

Rethinking The Supply Chain Amid Covid-19 Uncertainty –

Published Research

Risk Factors for testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 in a national US healthcare system – Clinical Infectious Diseases

Short telomeres increase the risk of severe COVID-19 – Journal of Aging

Identification of SARS-CoV-2 Inhibitors using Lung and Colonic Organoids – Nature

SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibody LY-CoV555 in Outpatients with Covid-19 – NEJM

Ferret Study Reinforces Role of Aerosols in SARS-CoV-2 Spread – The Scientist

Pre-Print Studies

None Today

Misinformation, Disinformation, and Conspiracy Theories

From plandemic to breadcrumbs: conspiracy-theory slang – The Economist

Those who think the world is full of intrigue and plots often have their own language. There’s nothing new about looking for answers. At a time when religion is on the retreat in many countries, people often look to alternative theories of life and the universe, particularly in periods of uncertainty. As coronavirus has spread, so have conspiracy theories: protesters gather to denounce masks, vaccines and 5g networks; social-media feeds teem with histrionic videos about murky cabals and worst of all, it has reached your family WhatsApp group. But if you’re going to argue with a conspiracy theorist, you’d better speak their language. If someone tells you to “follow the breadcrumbs”, resist the urge. When you hear someone disparaging “sheeple”, stand proudly as a member of the flock. After all, it’s much harder to refute lies if you’re ignorant too.

Keri Hilson Urges People Not to Take Any Vaccine – VLAD TV

Hilson stated that 5G was contributing to the coronavirus.

Coping in 2020