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.

UK Health Security Agency launches antibody surveillance program for the general public

Thousands of adults a day will be given free access to antibody tests through a new national surveillance programme launched by the UK Health Security Agency next week, to help improve our understanding of immunity against COVID-19 from vaccination and infection.

23 Aug 2021

DeepSARS simultaneously detects and conducts genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2

A new study discusses the development of DeepSARS, a high-throughput platform for diagnostic detection and genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2.

23 Aug 2021

Study examines COVID vaccination in California state prisons

In a new retrospective cohort study, researchers determined the efficacy of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 among incarcerated people in California.

22 Aug 2021

Review may help clarify the origins of SARS-CoV-2

Today’s COVID-19 pandemic likely began when an infected animal passed the SARS-CoV-2 virus to a human at a live animal market in Wuhan, China.

20 Aug 2021

UK Government opens new coronavirus testing center in Glasgow

The UK Government has today (Friday 20 August) opened a new walk-through coronavirus testing centrer in Glasgow.

20 Aug 2021

Heidelberg researchers focus on developing drugs against flavi- and coronaviruses

New drugs are intended to help stop viral zoonoses - infections that jump from animals to humans. To study suitable inhibitors, Prof. Dr Christian Klein from the Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology of Heidelberg University is receiving funding in the amount of 450,000 euros from the Volkswagen Foundation.

20 Aug 2021

Experts fear rapid spread of COVID-19 in Afghanistan given Taliban's hostility to vaccinations

Given the Taliban's hostility to vaccinations, WHO and medical experts fear a rapid and uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 in Afghanistan will await the formation of a new government led by the 'Islamic Scholars'.

20 Aug 2021

New antibody found to be highly protective against wide range of COVID-19 virus variants

The virus that causes COVID-19 today is not the same as the one that first sickened people way back in December 2019.

20 Aug 2021

Over-the-counter acid reflux drug appears to improve the odds of survival for COVID-19 patients

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, doctors in Wuhan noticed something surprising. Many of the elderly patients who survived the virus were poor: not exactly the demographic you would expect to fare well in a health crisis.

20 Aug 2021

NHS Test and Trace data shows mass events can be conducted safely, but public should remain cautious

Data from NHS Test and Trace shows that mass participation events can be conducted safely, but caution must still be taken around specific aspects of event participation.

20 Aug 2021

A combination of oral bacteria and intranasal vaccine provide protection from influenza A virus and COVID-19

A new study published in the journal mBio focuses on the role of nasal bacteria in eliciting virus-specific adaptive immunity.

20 Aug 2021

Expert review on the achievements and shortcomings of EU's COVID-19 response

A new study in Frontiers in Public Health presents a review of expert opinions on the achievements and shortcomings of the European Union's (EU) COVID-19 response. The aim: to draw lessons for future pandemics.

20 Aug 2021

MHRA approves first monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19 in the UK

Following on from a thorough review of the evidence carried out by the MHRA, and recommendation by the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM), the government's independent expert scientific advisory body, the MHRA has approved Ronapreve as the first monoclonal antibody combination product indicated for use in the prevention and treatment of acute COVID-19 infection for the UK.

20 Aug 2021

SARS-CoV-2 mutations alter dynamics of neutralizing antibodies

A new study describes how monoclonal antibodies raised against SARS-CoV-2 are affected by mutations in the antibody binding site.

20 Aug 2021

How can COVID-19 affect the skin?

A new review published in the journal Canadian Family Physician describes skin diseases caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

20 Aug 2021

‘We sent a terrible message’: Scientists say Biden jumped the gun with vaccine booster plan

The Biden administration's plans to make covid-19 booster shots available next month has drawn a collective scream of protest from the scientific community.

20 Aug 2021

Risk of household SARS-CoV-2 transmission may be equal among children and adults, says study

A team of scientists in the United States recently estimated the risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission from primary cases to household contacts.

20 Aug 2021

After pandemic ravaged nursing homes, new state laws protect residents

When the coronavirus hit Martha Leland's Connecticut nursing home last year, she and dozens of other residents contracted the disease while the facility was on lockdown. Twenty-eight residents died, including her roommate.

20 Aug 2021

Low-cost point of emission air purifiers can reduce airborne transmission of pathogens, says study

In a study conducted at the Monash University, Australia, scientists have examined the efficacy of portable air purifiers combined with a hood in reducing virus aerosol transmission and protecting healthcare workers from workplace contamination. The study is currently available on the medRxiv* preprint server.

20 Aug 2021

Biden’s no-jab-no-job order creates quandary for nursing homes

President Joe Biden's edict that nursing homes must ensure their workers are vaccinated against covid-19 presents a challenge for an industry struggling to entice its lowest-paid workers to get shots without driving them to seek employment elsewhere.

20 Aug 2021

Pandemic News and Research

Further Reading

UK Health Security Agency launches antibody surveillance program for the general public

DeepSARS simultaneously detects and conducts genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2

Study examines COVID vaccination in California state prisons

Review may help clarify the origins of SARS-CoV-2

UK Government opens new coronavirus testing center in Glasgow

Heidelberg researchers focus on developing drugs against flavi- and coronaviruses

Experts fear rapid spread of COVID-19 in Afghanistan given Taliban's hostility to vaccinations

New antibody found to be highly protective against wide range of COVID-19 virus variants

Over-the-counter acid reflux drug appears to improve the odds of survival for COVID-19 patients

NHS Test and Trace data shows mass events can be conducted safely, but public should remain cautious

A combination of oral bacteria and intranasal vaccine provide protection from influenza A virus and COVID-19

Expert review on the achievements and shortcomings of EU's COVID-19 response

MHRA approves first monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19 in the UK

SARS-CoV-2 mutations alter dynamics of neutralizing antibodies

How can COVID-19 affect the skin?

‘We sent a terrible message’: Scientists say Biden jumped the gun with vaccine booster plan

Risk of household SARS-CoV-2 transmission may be equal among children and adults, says study

After pandemic ravaged nursing homes, new state laws protect residents

Low-cost point of emission air purifiers can reduce airborne transmission of pathogens, says study

Biden’s no-jab-no-job order creates quandary for nursing homes

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Latest News