Not all that long ago, our hands were considered to be the primary vehicles for the spread of infection. And while sanitary practices like washing our hands remain of great importance, we are beginning to learn through research and testing what many experts long have suspected – there are a number of players in infection [...]
ABSTRACT Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019, is a respiratory virus primarily transmitted person to person through inhalation of droplets or aerosols, laden with viral particles. However, as recent studies have shown, virions can remain infectious for up to 72 h on surfaces, which can lead to transmission through [...]
A Labor government would set up an Australian Centre for Disease Control to strengthen the country’s preparedness for future pandemics as well as boost efforts to deal with chronic illnesses. Opposition leader Anthony Albanese, announcing the initiative, said Australia was the only OECD country not to have such a centre. Read more… The post Albanese [...]
Esbriet (pirfenidone), an approved treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), seems to be safe in IPF patients who also have non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) when combined with cancer therapy. The finding is detailed in the study, “Safety and effectiveness of pirfenidone combined with carboplatin‐based chemotherapy in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and non‐small cell lung cancer: A retrospective cohort [...]
In the midst of a global pandemic, the federal government late last week released a new action plan to help prevent a future pandemic of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The updated “National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria, 2020-2025” is a roadmap to guide the nation’s response to the rise and spread of drug-resistant bacteria, which, according to the [...]
Two research letters published today in JAMA estimate excess deaths due to COVID-19 and other causes in different countries since the pandemic began, one finding a higher coronavirus death rate in the United States than in 18 other countries since early May, and the other showing that the overall US death rate rose 20% from March to [...]
Two separate studies late last week in Science Immunology document the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in COVID-19 patients at least 3 months after symptom onset. Both studies suggest that longer-lasting immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies may hold promise as a tool to evaluate viral immune response. One study also demonstrates a correlation between blood and saliva antibody levels, [...]
Surges in COVID-19 outbreaks may be preceded by an increase of infections in young adults, according to a US study late last week on transmission dynamics by age-group in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). Not only does this add another way to surveil potential spikes, but it adds onus to a population that has been noted to sometimes feel [...]
Summary What is already known about this topic?Young adults represent an increasingly large proportion of U.S. COVID-19 cases. What is added by this report?In Winnebago County, Wisconsin, perceived low severity of disease outcome; perceived responsibility to others; peer pressure; and exposure to misinformation, conflicting messages, or opposing views regarding masks were identified as drivers of behaviors that [...]
CDC works with other federal agencies to identify counties with increasing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) incidence (hotspots) and offers support to state, tribal, local, and territorial health departments to limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 (1). Understanding whether increasing incidence in hotspot counties is predominantly occurring in specific age groups is [...]
