Coronavirus Infections

Best Practices for COVID-19–Positive or Exposed Mothers—Breastfeeding and Pumping Milk

Disinfection

SARS-CoV-2

Reasonable advice from the CDC regarding when and how to disinfect your home. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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Cleaning with a household cleaner that contains soap or detergent reduces the amount of germs on surfaces and decreases risk of infection from surfaces. In most situations, cleaning alone removes most virus particles on surfaces. Disinfection to reduce transmission of COVID-19 at home is likely not needed unless someone in your home is sick or if someone who is positive for COVID-19 has been in your home within the last 24 hours.

Author/s:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Best Practices for COVID-19–Positive or Exposed Mothers—Breastfeeding and Pumping Milk

Brian Desmarais — Tue, 03 Nov 2020 14:12:52 +0000

Date Added:

November 3, 2020

Journal/Publication:

JAMA Pediatrics

Publication Date:

October 26, 2020

URL:

Type:

Patient Education Materials

Format:

Web Page

MeSH

Emergency Responders

pandemics

Risk of COVID-19 During Air Travel

Advise to breastfeeding mothers exposed to COVID-19. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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Not available.

Author/s:

Sullivan, S.E., Thompson, L.A.

Risk of COVID-19 During Air Travel

Brian Desmarais — Sat, 03 Oct 2020 18:49:23 +0000

Date Added:

October 3, 2020

Journal/Publication:

Journal of the American Medical Association

Publication Date:

October 1, 2020

URL:

Type:

Patient Education Materials

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

doi:10.1001/jama.2020.19108

MeSH

Interim Guidance for Rapid Antigen Testing for SARS-CoV-2

Information for patients regarding COVID-19 risk and air travel. Hopefully, it is accurate and not the propaganda from the airline industry. I can’t tell. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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Author/s:

Pombal, Rui, Hosegood, Ian, Powell, David

Interim Guidance for Rapid Antigen Testing for SARS-CoV-2

Brian Desmarais — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 14:26:20 +0000

Date Added:

August 20, 2020

Publisher:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Publication Date:

August 16, 2020

URL:

Type:

Public Health Announcements

Format:

Web Page

MeSH

Coronavirus

point-of-care systems

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

pandemics

Point-Of-Care Testing

U.S.

Interim guidance from the CDC on the use of rapid antigen tests for COVID-19. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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Interim Guidance for Rapid Antigen Testing for SARS-CoV-2

Brian Desmarais — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 14:24:53 +0000

Date Added:

August 20, 2020

Publisher:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Publication Date:

August 16, 2020

URL:

Interim Guidance for Rapid Antigen Testing for SARS-CoV-2

MeSH

Coronavirus

point-of-care systems

Physical Distancing, Face Masks, and Eye Protection to Prevent Person-To-Person Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

pandemics

Point-Of-Care Testing

Interim guidance from the CDC on the use of rapid antigen tests for COVID-19. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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Physical Distancing, Face Masks, and Eye Protection to Prevent Person-To-Person Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Brian Desmarais — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 19:24:31 +0000

Date Added:

June 12, 2020

Journal/Publication:

Lancet

Publication Date:

June 1, 2020

URL:

Type:

Meta-analyses, Reviews, and Guidelines

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31142-9

Keywords

face masks

social distancing

eye shields

MeSH

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

School closure and management practices during coronavirus outbreaks including COVID-19: a rapid systematic review

Betacoronavirus

masks

Quantification of the impact of social distancing, face masks, and eye shields on spread of the novel coronavirus. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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Abstract

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19 and is spread person-to-person through close contact. We aimed to investigate the effects of physical distance, face masks, and eye protection on virus transmission in health-care and non-health-care (eg, community) settings.

Methods: We did a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the optimum distance for avoiding person-to-person virus transmission and to assess the use of face masks and eye protection to prevent transmission of viruses. We obtained data for SARS-CoV-2 and the betacoronaviruses that cause severe acute respiratory syndrome, and Middle East respiratory syndrome from 21 standard WHO-specific and COVID-19-specific sources. We searched these data sources from database inception to May 3, 2020, with no restriction by language, for comparative studies and for contextual factors of acceptability, feasibility, resource use, and equity. We screened records, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias in duplicate. We did frequentist and Bayesian meta-analyses and random-effects meta-regressions. We rated the certainty of evidence according to Cochrane methods and the GRADE approach. This study is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42020177047.

Findings: Our search identified 172 observational studies across 16 countries and six continents, with no randomised controlled trials and 44 relevant comparative studies in health-care and non-health-care settings (n=25 697 patients). Transmission of viruses was lower with physical distancing of 1 m or more, compared with a distance of less than 1 m (n=10 736, pooled adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0·18, 95% CI 0·09 to 0·38; risk difference [RD] -10·2%, 95% CI -11·5 to -7·5; moderate certainty); protection was increased as distance was lengthened (change in relative risk [RR] 2·02 per m; pinteraction=0·041; moderate certainty). Face mask use could result in a large reduction in risk of infection (n=2647; aOR 0·15, 95% CI 0·07 to 0·34, RD -14·3%, -15·9 to -10·7; low certainty), with stronger associations with N95 or similar respirators compared with disposable surgical masks or similar (eg, reusable 12-16-layer cotton masks; pinteraction=0·090; posterior probability >95%, low certainty). Eye protection also was associated with less infection (n=3713; aOR 0·22, 95% CI 0·12 to 0·39, RD -10·6%, 95% CI -12·5 to -7·7; low certainty). Unadjusted studies and subgroup and sensitivity analyses showed similar findings.

Interpretation: The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis support physical distancing of 1 m or more and provide quantitative estimates for models and contact tracing to inform policy. Optimum use of face masks, respirators, and eye protection in public and health-care settings should be informed by these findings and contextual factors. Robust randomised trials are needed to better inform the evidence for these interventions, but this systematic appraisal of currently best available evidence might inform interim guidance.

Funding: World Health Organization.

Author/s:

Chu, D.K., Akl, E.A., Duda, S., Solo, K., Yaacoub, S., Schünemann, H.J., COVID-19 Systematic Urgent Review Group Effort (SURGE) study authors

School closure and management practices during coronavirus outbreaks including COVID-19: a rapid systematic review

John Bayhi — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 16:24:59 +0000

Date Added:

April 23, 2020

Journal/Publication:

The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health

Publisher:

Elsevier Ltd

Publication Date:

April 6, 2020

Issue:

Volume:

Pages:

P397-404

URL:

Type:

Meta-analyses, Reviews, and Guidelines

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

10.1016/S2352-4642(20)30095-X

Keywords

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

school

2019 novel coronavirus

2019-nCOV

school management

PMID (1):

32272089

MeSH

Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Children — United States, February 12–April 2, 2020

disease outbreaks

China

Administrative Personnel

A review of what is known about closing schools to control coronavirus epidemics. Apparently it isn’t very helpful. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, 107 countries had implemented national school closures by March 18, 2020. It is unknown whether school measures are effective in coronavirus outbreaks (eg, due to severe acute respiratory syndrome [SARS], Middle East respiratory syndrome, or COVID-19). We undertook a systematic review by searching three electronic databases to identify what is known about the effectiveness of school closures and other school social distancing practices during coronavirus outbreaks. We included 16 of 616 identified articles. School closures were deployed rapidly across mainland China and Hong Kong for COVID-19. However, there are no data on the relative contribution of school closures to transmission control. Data from the SARS outbreak in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Singapore suggest that school closures did not contribute to the control of the epidemic. Modelling studies of SARS produced conflicting results. Recent modelling studies of COVID-19 predict that school closures alone would prevent only 2-4% of deaths, much less than other social distancing interventions. Policy makers need to be aware of the equivocal evidence when considering school closures for COVID-19, and that combinations of social distancing measures should be considered. Other less disruptive social distancing interventions in schools require further consideration if restrictive social distancing policies are implemented for long periods.

Author/s:

Viner, RM, Russell, SJ, Croker, H, Packer, J, Ward, J, Stansfield, C, Mytton, O, Bonell, C, Booy, R

Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Children — United States, February 12–April 2, 2020

Brian Desmarais — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 15:08:15 +0000

Date Added:

April 7, 2020

Journal/Publication:

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

Publisher:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Publication Date:

April 6, 2020

URL:

Type:

Public Health Announcements

Format:

Web Page

MeSH

The Incubation Period of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) From Publicly Reported Confirmed Cases: Estimation and Application

Public Health Practice

Respiratory System

This is a summary of what we now know about COVID19 infections in children. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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Summary

What is already known about this topic?

Data from China suggest that pediatric coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases might be less severe than cases in adults and that children (persons aged <18 years) might experience different symptoms than adults.

What is added by this report?

In this preliminary description of pediatric U.S. COVID-19 cases, relatively few children with COVID-19 are hospitalized, and fewer children than adults experience fever, cough, or shortness of breath. Severe outcomes have been reported in children, including three deaths.

What are the implications for public health practice?

Pediatric COVID-19 patients might not have fever or cough. Social distancing and everyday preventive behaviors remain important for all age groups because patients with less serious illness and those without symptoms likely play an important role in disease transmission.

Author/s:

CDC COVID-19 Response Team

The Incubation Period of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) From Publicly Reported Confirmed Cases: Estimation and Application

Brian Desmarais — Tue, 10 Mar 2020 15:25:41 +0000

Date Added:

March 10, 2020

Journal/Publication:

Annals of Internal Medicine

Publication Date:

March 10, 2020

URL:

Type:

Clinical Research Results

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

10.7326/M20-0504

MeSH

Coronavirus

SARS Virus