Pandemic News and Research

RSS

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.

Hydroxychloroquine found ineffective as post-exposure SARS-CoV-2 prophylaxis

Now, a study on the utility of hydroxychloroquine as prophylaxis against COVID-19, has been released in the latest issue of Annals of Internal Medicine.

10 Dec 2020

SARS-CoV-2 infection in pets in COVID-19 positive households: A case study

Researchers tested cats and dogs living in households with COVID-19 positive owners in Texas, US. They found that the pets were also infected in more than 25% of households with a positive case.

10 Dec 2020

Single N primer sufficient for SARS-CoV-2 molecular diagnosis

There is a huge and growing demand for better molecular diagnostic tests for COVID-19, as the pandemic shows few signs of coming under control.

10 Dec 2020

With Becerra as HHS pick, California plots more progressive health care agenda

President-elect Joe Biden didn't back "Medicare for All" during his campaign.

10 Dec 2020

MEDS433 hinders SARS-CoV-2 replication

A paper that recently appeared in the preprint server bioRxiv* reports the powerful activity of a compound named MEDS433 against this virus.

10 Dec 2020

A battle-weary Seattle hospital fights the latest COVID surge

As hospitals across the country weather a surge of COVID-19 patients, in Seattle — an early epicenter of the outbreak — nurses, respiratory therapists and physicians are staring down a startling resurgence of the coronavirus that’s expected to test even one of the best-prepared hospitals on the pandemic’s front lines.

10 Dec 2020

SARS-CoV-2 spike protein mediates acute lung pathology in mice

A study shows that the viral spike protein is adequate by itself to induce macrophage activation in pulmonary tissue and induce acute inflammation.

10 Dec 2020

Trump plan may set clock ticking on many health rules — setting off alarms

The Trump administration wants to require the Department of Health and Human Services to review most of its regulations by 2023 — and automatically void those not assessed in time.

10 Dec 2020

Mental distress increases among smokers in England during COVID-19 pandemic

Scientists have conducted a survey in England to investigate the association between smoking habits and distress during the COVID-19 pandemic.

10 Dec 2020

Pioneering diagnostics platform changes the way COVID-19 is detected

Montreal-based Two-Photon Research Inc. announces CAST, a diagnostics platform that changes the way viruses are detected. The CAST platform uses TPR’s patented Aptamer Molecular Photonic Beacon™ that photonically interfaces with smartphones.

10 Dec 2020

Effective adoption of digital technology underpins businesses’ response to COVID-19

Increased adoption of new digital technology has underpinned businesses’ response to COVID-19, with four in ten citing it as both vital to retaining jobs, and the ongoing viability of their business model, according to a new report from the University of Liverpool.

10 Dec 2020

Cancer Research UK announces dramatic cuts to its life-saving research budget

Cancer Research UK have announced today further dramatic cuts, slashing £45 million from its research budget.

10 Dec 2020

National lung health organizations urge universal vaccine adoption to end COVID-19 pandemic

As COVID-19 cases surge in the U.S., the nation is waiting for the availability of a safe and effective vaccine.

10 Dec 2020

Alzheimer Europe launches new report on dementia, recommends future priorities across Europe

At an online European Parliament workshop hosted by Sirpa Pietikäinen, MEP (Finland), Alzheimer Europe launched a new report "Dementia as a European Priority - A Policy Overview" which takes stock of dementia policy at an EU level and sets out recommendations for future priorities across Europe.

10 Dec 2020

Risk of COVID infection in health care workers is driven by community exposure

Nurses only group with higher risk once community exposure considered. Largest cohort of health care worker risk for SARS CoV-2. Only high-flow oxygen therapy and hemodialysis linked to more antibodies to SARS-CoV-2.

10 Dec 2020

Proactive management of COVID-19 risk can support employees' return to work

A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation, published by IOS Press, is committed to helping organizations manage the challenges they face during the COVID-19 pandemic by publishing robust, evidence-based research, and commentary. All articles featured here and in the WORK COVID-19 Collection are freely available.

9 Dec 2020

Researchers examine how COVID-19 face masks can be made more effective

Face masks are helpful in preventing the spread of COVID-19, but researchers believe they can be made even more effective, something that has implications far beyond the current pandemic as masks could become a more commonly used public health intervention.

9 Dec 2020

Study links insulin resistance and ozone exposure to interstitial lung disease

People with pre-diabetes or diabetes who live in ozone-polluted areas may have an increased risk for an irreversible disease with a high mortality rate.

9 Dec 2020

Covid-19's impact on cancer services and research

The National Cancer Research Institute, Cancer Research UK and Public Health England's National Disease Registration Service hosted a Cancer/Covid-19 Research Summit with researchers from different disciplines discussing the impact that Covid-19 is having on cancer services and research.

9 Dec 2020

COVID-19 control measures reduce walking activities in United States

An international team of researchers has conducted a study demonstrating the effects that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) control measures have had on people’s walking patterns in the United States.

9 Dec 2020