Pandemic News and Research

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A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. During a pandemic, transmission can be anticipated in the workplace, not only from patient to workers in health care settings, but also among co-workers in general work settings. A pandemic would cause high levels of illness, death, social disruption, and economic loss. Everyday life would be disrupted because so many people in so many places become seriously ill at the same time. Impacts could range from school and business closings to the interruption of basic services such as public transportation and food delivery.

Immunogenicity of modified microparticle-adjuvanted SARS-CoV-2 vaccine

Researchers investigated the immunogenicity of a novel adjuvant comprised of a modified porous silicon microparticle for the SARS-CoV-2 S protein RBD subunit vaccine.

29 Nov 2021

California joins states trying to shorten wait times for mental health care

When Greta Christina fell into a deep depression five years ago, she called up her therapist in San Francisco. She’d had a great connection with the provider when she needed therapy in the past. She was delighted to learn that he was now “in network” with her insurance company, meaning she wouldn’t have to pay out-of-pocket anymore to see him.

29 Nov 2021

Immigrant uptake of COVID-19 preventive measures

Researchers attempted to understand the factors that make immigrants more vulnerable to COVID-19 related fatalities.

29 Nov 2021

Study suggests making COVID vaccines based on Mu variant

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Mu variant (B.1.621, B.1.621.1) has been tagged as a Variant Being Monitored (VBM), and as of August 30, 2021, it had been detected in 39 countries.

28 Nov 2021

Identifying the spread of novel B.1.1.523 SARS-CoV-2

In their recent study, researchers from Lithuania have reported the emergence of a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant lineage B.1.1.523 containing a set of mutations associated with immune escape, including deletion 156_158del, substitution E484K and S494P in Spike (S) protein.

28 Nov 2021

Study shows plasmacytoid dendritic cells may be a viable target for protection against SARS-CoV-2

A recent research paper by scientists from Denmark reveals that circulating plasmacytoid dendritic cells may be a potential therapeutic target to maintain desired levels of an antiviral compound known as interferon, allowing for the mitigation of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) severity. The study is currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server while it undergoes peer review.

28 Nov 2021

Using dried blood spots to monitor SARS-CoV-2 antibodies at home

The Roche Elecsys® anti-SARS-CoV-2 S immunoassay was used to demonstrate its ability to measure SARS-CoV-2 antibodies from DBS samples.

28 Nov 2021

Vaccination provides full protection against severe outcomes of COVID-19 among U.S. Coast Guard

Researchers performed a time-series analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination in the U.S. CG against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

28 Nov 2021

Seroprevalence study reveals high exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in Bangui population

Researchers performed a cross-sectional study in the city of Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic from July 12, 2021, to August 20, 2021.

28 Nov 2021

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant: What we know so far

On November 24, 2021, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant was first reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) from South Africa.

28 Nov 2021

Complex RNA structures could have untapped therapeutic potential in the fight against COVID-19

To the untrained eye, the loops, kinks and folds in the single strand of RNA that makes up the coronavirus genome look like a jumble of spaghetti or tangled yarn. But to researchers like Amanda Hargrove, a chemistry professor at Duke University, the complex shapes that RNA takes on as it folds upon itself could have untapped therapeutic potential in the fight against COVID-19.

26 Nov 2021

Viral RNA in the blood found to be a reliable indicator of COVID-19 mortality risk

The amount of a SARS-CoV-2 genetic material - viral RNA - in the blood is a reliable indicator in detecting which patients will die of the disease, a team led by Université de Montréal medical professor Dr. Daniel Kaufmann has found.

26 Nov 2021

Tech platforms launch new interactive features to help boost vaccine uptake

Tech platforms Facebook, Instagram and TikTok are launching new interactive features to help boost vaccine uptake across the country.

26 Nov 2021

Prediction of severe infection based on SARS-CoV-2 genomic analysis

A group of researchers have used these SARS-CoV-2 sequence data and developed an algorithm to predict severity based upon viral mutations.

26 Nov 2021

Multi-generational household clusters during COVID-19 pandemic in England

The research team aimed to validate a previous hypothesis on multi-generational households as a prime contributor to the overall number of COVID-19 cases during the Summer of 2020.

26 Nov 2021

Prevalence of menstrual changes following vaccination against COVID-19

A new study investigates the relationship between COVID-19 vaccination and menstrual cycle disturbances.

26 Nov 2021

Efficacy and safety of an RBD-based recombinant protein COVID-19 vaccine

A study developed a protein-based subunit vaccine, PHH-1V, that consisted of a recombinant RBD fusion heterodimer of the alpha) and beta variants of SARS-CoV-2.

26 Nov 2021