Although airborne transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been recognized, the condition of ventilation for its occurrence is still being debated. A study was published in Science Direct that identified that although droplet spread is the most common way to contract COVID-19, airborne spread is also a risk in poorly ventilated spaces. The research team analyzed …
Since COVID-19 was recognized in the United States in January 2020, the risk of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) attributed to exposures in the health care workplace has been studied with conflicting results. It remains unclear whether certain job functions or specific workplace activities, including care for individuals with known and unknown SARS-CoV-2 positivity, increase the …
Findings of a study published in JAMA Network Open, suggest that there are distinct SARS-CoV-2 viral-specific antibody response profiles that vary based on age, with younger children exhibiting higher levels of IgG, total, and functional antibody activity than adolescents and young adults. These findings may partly explain the overall lower rate of symptoms and cases of severe disease in children …
A robust and responsive testing infrastructure is essential to our success in stopping the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. This overview describes current information on the categories of tests used to detect SARS-CoV-2 infection and the intended strategies for use of those tests, including to diagnose infection, to screen in an effort to reduce asymptomatic or presymptomatic …
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread to more than 200 countries and regions within the last year, causing a once-in-a-century health crisis with more than 90 million cases and 1.9 million deaths worldwide. The use of face masks has been widely recommended to reduce the risk of infection with the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiological …
Mask mandates were associated with statistically decreases in county-level daily COVID-19 case and death growth rates within 20 days of implementation. Allowing on-premises restaurant dining was associated with increases in county-level case and death growth rates within 41-80 days after reopening. State mask mandates and prohibiting on-premises dining at restaurants help limit potential exposure to SARS-CoV-2, reducing community transmission of …
The outbreak of coronavirus pandemic appears to coincide with the tree pollen season in the northern hemisphere as it occurred in the spring of 2020. In a study conducted by an international team headed by researchers at the Technical University of Much (TUM) and the Helmholtz Zentrum München, it was determined that members of high-risk groups can protect themselves by …
SARS-CoV-2, like other RNA viruses, constantly changes through mutation, with new variants occurring over time. Generally, when new variants become more common, they do so because of some selective advantage to the virus. Among the numerous SARS-CoV-2 variants that have been detected, only a very small proportion are of public health concern because they are more transmissible, cause more severe …
On January 9, 2021, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) announced the identification of the SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern (VOC) B.1.1.7, also referred to as 20I/501Y.V1 and VOC 2020/01, in specimens from five persons; on January 25, MDH announced the identification of this variant in specimens from three additional persons. The people identified with variant B.1.1.7 in Minnesota had exposure …
Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) have been a focal point for COVID-19 outbreaks, with rapid transmission noted soon after the first cases are recognized. Early recognition of persons with COVID-19 in SNFs will remain critical to halting infection transmission and ensuring appropriate clinical care even after residents and staff are vaccinated. In a study published in JAMDA, confirmed COVID-19 cases at …
