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.

New Health Declaration published with commitments from all G20 countries

G20 Health Ministers have united to pledge global action to improve future health security, increase vaccine confidence and tackle antimicrobial resistance.

6 Sep 2021

Researchers use hair cortisol test to detect the impact of COVID-19 on stress levels in families

Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with Global TIES for Children and researchers at University of California Davis (Paul Hastings and Lindsey Partington) as well as Hashemite University in Jordan (Rana Dajani), have used a hair cortisol test to detect the impact of COVID-19 on stress levels in families.

6 Sep 2021

mRNA COVID-19 vaccine protection wanes after six months: a wide-scale study of the population of Qatar

In a paper recently uploaded to the preprint server medRxiv* by Chemaitelly et al. (August 27, 2021), the long-term effectiveness of the mRNA vaccines is analyzed amongst the Qatar population. The study observed waning protection against infection around six months post-vaccination but lasting protection from death and hospitalization.

6 Sep 2021

Is the SARS-CoV-2 Lambda variant more vaccine-resistant than the Delta variant?

Researchers in the USA and China recently published a report in which they discussed the potential factors that confer high infectivity and immune resistance on the Delta and Lambda variants.

6 Sep 2021

Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 viral trajectory

In a study available on the preprint server medRxiv* researchers aimed to characterize early viral shedding in patients with incident infection. Read more here.

6 Sep 2021

Post-exposure prophylaxis with monoclonal antibodies may reduce health system burden in the US

In a study conducted at the University of Washington, USA, the researchers assert that post-exposure prophylaxis with monoclonal antibodies could improve the clinical outcomes and health system costs regarding coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The study is currently available on the medRxiv* preprint server.

6 Sep 2021

Lack of global standards for coronavirus certificates hinders successful implementation, warns report

The lack of global standards for coronavirus certificates is a key barrier to their successful implementation around the world, a new report warns.

6 Sep 2021

Study finds a restricted number of possible escape mutations for SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant

The emergence of escape mutations in the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is somewhat less likely for the Delta variant in comparison with the original or wild type virus, shows a recent study currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server while it undergoes peer review.

5 Sep 2021

Health Secretary urges G20 countries to recognize UK's COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial participants

The rights of vaccine clinical trial volunteers must be safeguarded to help protect everyone against future health crises, Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid will tell G20 health leaders in Rome today (Sunday 5 September).

5 Sep 2021

New training program for staff to help pre-school children with language and mathematic skills

Thousands of pre-school children will benefit from improved language, numeracy and personal, social and emotional skills, thanks to a programme of high-quality training and professional development support for early years staff.

5 Sep 2021

SARS-CoV-2 epidemic management undermined by relationship between symptoms and secondary transmission

A new study provides evidence of the correlation and estimated the period between the generation interval and incubation period of SARS-CoV-2.

5 Sep 2021

Efficacy of vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant

A new study uses statistical models to determine vaccine efficacy against the various SARS-CoV-2 variants and clinical endpoints for SARS-CoV-2 variants.

5 Sep 2021

Sepsis during pregnancy linked to higher odds of complications surrounding childbirth

Individuals who are hospitalized during pregnancy due to sepsis have higher odds of complications surrounding childbirth, according to a study led by researchers at UC San Francisco.

4 Sep 2021

Researchers find no serious health effects linked to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines

Federal and Kaiser Permanente researchers combing the health records of 6.2 million patients found no serious health effects that could be linked to the 2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.

4 Sep 2021

Pandemic forces employers to rethink how office spaces can make workers happier and healthier

The COVID-19 pandemic emptied many offices, and there are some indications the exodus isn't temporary. The American Psychological Association points to a 2020 survey by PwC that shows more than half of U.S. employees expect to continue working from home at least one day a week.

4 Sep 2021

Chief medical officers to consider vaccination of 12 to 15 year olds from a broader perspective

The four Chief Medical Officers will provide further advice on the COVID-19 vaccination of young people aged 12 to 15 with COVID-19 vaccines following the advice of the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.

4 Sep 2021

New WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence opened in Berlin

To better prepare and protect the world from global disease threats, H.E. German Federal Chancellor Dr Angela Merkel and Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, World Health Organization Director-General, will today inaugurate the new WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence, based in Berlin.

4 Sep 2021

WHO compiles a compendium of 24 new technologies for COVID-19 and other priority diseases

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for innovative health technologies that can help countries improve health outcomes by providing shortcuts to solutions despite lack of infrastructure and resources.

4 Sep 2021

Home blood collection device could be used for measuring antibodies against SARS-CoV-2

A device that could make it possible for patients to draw their own blood at home was successfully used to collect blood samples for measuring antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle report.

4 Sep 2021

OHID will launch on 1st October to tackle health inequalities across the UK

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities will officially launch on 1 October with the aim of tackling health inequalities across the country. It will be co-led by newly appointed Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), Dr Jeanelle de Gruchy.

4 Sep 2021

Pandemic News and Research

Further Reading

New Health Declaration published with commitments from all G20 countries

Researchers use hair cortisol test to detect the impact of COVID-19 on stress levels in families

mRNA COVID-19 vaccine protection wanes after six months: a wide-scale study of the population of Qatar

Is the SARS-CoV-2 Lambda variant more vaccine-resistant than the Delta variant?

Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 viral trajectory

Post-exposure prophylaxis with monoclonal antibodies may reduce health system burden in the US

Lack of global standards for coronavirus certificates hinders successful implementation, warns report

Study finds a restricted number of possible escape mutations for SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant

Health Secretary urges G20 countries to recognize UK's COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial participants

New training program for staff to help pre-school children with language and mathematic skills

SARS-CoV-2 epidemic management undermined by relationship between symptoms and secondary transmission

Efficacy of vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant

Sepsis during pregnancy linked to higher odds of complications surrounding childbirth

Researchers find no serious health effects linked to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines

Pandemic forces employers to rethink how office spaces can make workers happier and healthier

Chief medical officers to consider vaccination of 12 to 15 year olds from a broader perspective

New WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence opened in Berlin

WHO compiles a compendium of 24 new technologies for COVID-19 and other priority diseases

Home blood collection device could be used for measuring antibodies against SARS-CoV-2

OHID will launch on 1st October to tackle health inequalities across the UK

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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