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Featured Headlines

Asymptomatic and presymptomatic people transmit most COVID-19 infections: Study – ABC News

Silent transmission of the novel coronavirus could account for more than half of infections, according to one new mathematical model by U.S. and Canadian researchers. The researchers utilized data on asymptomatic and presymptomatic transmission from two different epidemiological studies and estimated that more than 50% of infections were attributable to people not exhibiting symptoms. [Related Study from PNAS] [Another related study from Nature]

When It Comes To Reopening Schools, ‘The Devil’s In The Details,’ Educators Say – NPR

11 min Audio at the link – Jeanne Norris is a teacher, the wife of a teacher and the mother of an 8-year-old in St. Louis. She’d love to send her son back to school in August. But, she says, “I feel like my government and my fellow citizens have put me in a position where it’s not really in the best interests of our family.”

COVID-19 cases surge higher in Americas and African regions – CIDRAP

At a Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) media briefing yesterday, it was stated that cases increased 20% last week compared to the previous week, and about 100,000 cases a day are reported from the region. However, new patterns are emerging. Two months ago, the United States made up 75% of cases in the region, but this past week it reported under half of the cases, with cases in Latin America and the Caribbean area accounting for about 50% of cases.

What COVID-19 Seroprevalence Surveys Can Tell Us – CDC

Serology, or antibody, testing checks a sample of a person’s blood to look for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Antibodies usually become detectable in the blood 1-3 weeks after someone is infected.

WHO rethinking how Covid-19 spreads in air – BBC

The WHO has so far said that the virus is transmitted through droplets when people cough or sneeze. “We wanted them to acknowledge the evidence,” Jose Jimenez, a chemist at the University of Colorado who signed the paper, told the Reuters news agency.

Authorities in Hong Kong warn of potential ‘exponential growth’ in coronavirus cases just weeks after loosening restrictions – CNN

Authorities in Hong Kong, a city lauded for its quick and effective response to the coronavirus pandemic, are now warning of potential “exponential growth” in new cases of Covid-19 after a surge in local transmissions.

Clinical Considerations

Lung, immune function in kids could protect from severe COVID-19 – Science Daily

Differences in lung physiology and immune function in children could be why they are more often spared from severe illness associated with COVID-19 than adults, according to pediatric and adult physicians at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) and Baylor College of Medicine, who teamed up to investigate the disparity.

Brain Damage And Hallucinations Associated With Even Mild Covid-19 Coronavirus Infection – Forbes

A new study has warned that potentially deadly brain disorders may be a symptom of Covid-19, even in people with otherwise mild disease. The research published today in the journal Brain, looked at 40 adult patients with Covid-19 in the U.K., finding that they showed symptoms of a wide range of serious brain diseases. Many of the patients had only mild typical Covid-19 symptoms such as fever or respiratory issues and for some, their neurological symptoms were the only sign they were sick.

Bloomberg Prognosis Podcast: Virus Treatment Is Changing

In the almost 200 days since coronavirus cases were first reported in central China, health workers and researchers have raced to learn more about the brand new pathogen. As many as 1,000 Covid-19-related research papers are being released daily. Jason Gale reports that the research, and the experience of front-line health care workers, is informing better ways to diagnose, prevent and treat the disease. That’s helping to save lives.

COVID-19 Linked to Late Stent Thrombosis? – MedPageToday

A case of late stent thrombosis in a patient hospitalized with COVID-19 called attention to the importance of antithrombotic therapy for those with coronary artery disease (CAD) who get infected, according to a case report from Spain. [Related study from Spain]

Acute hypokinetic-rigid syndrome following SARS-CoV-2 infection – Neurology.org

We report a previously healthy 58-year-old man who developed hyposmia, generalized myoclonus, fluctuating and transient changes in level of consciousness, opsoclonus and an asymmetric hypokinetic-rigid syndrome with ocular abnormalities after a severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. DaT-SPECT confirmed a bilateral decrease in presynaptic dopamine uptake asymmetrically involving both putamina. Significant improvement in the parkinsonian symptoms was observed without any specific treatment.

Why men get sicker: Male hormones may help coronavirus infiltrate human cells – SF Chronicle

A mysterious and troubling gender disparity in the way the coronavirus attacks its victims has prompted scientists in the Bay Area and around the world to look more closely at the biology of men and women and how their bodies react to disease.

Official Reporting for July 9, 2020