SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels and types differ by disease severity, study finds
Researchers have measured the antibody levels and types in hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with different disease severity. Their results suggest gut immune pathways could play a role in reducing virus-based inflammation and recovery.
COVID-19, the disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), affects people differently. Some patients are asymptomatic, while in others, the disease can be fatal. However, the reasons for this diversity in symptoms are not yet fully understood. Studies suggest a person’s immune response to the virus could be important in determining how the disease progresses.
Effective vaccine strategies for New South Wales Australia under different vaccine supply
By modeling the effect of different vaccination scenarios, researchers say rapid mass immunization will terminate the disease, or immunizing 66% of the population with a 90% efficacy vaccine will achieve herd immunity.
The approval of some vaccines recently against COVID-19, the pandemic disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), marks a turning point in the fight against the disease. The different vaccines have reported efficacies ranging from over 90% for mRNA vaccines to about 62% for the ChAdOx1 two-dose version.
Several more in different phases of the clinical trial will possibly be approved for use in 2021. However, there will likely be a shortage of vaccines in the early stages, and there will need to be a strategy to effectively utilize vaccines in the initial phase and plans for expanded vaccination later on.
Quantifying SARS-CoV-2 transmission in large urban areas
Researchers have developed a detailed model of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission in New York and Seattle, USA. They found the risk of transmission is a combination of the place and the behavior of people who visit it.
Several strategies have been put in place to curb the transmission of COVID-19, the illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 pathogen. As there are no effective pharmaceutical treatments, strategies have involved severe restrictions on people’s movements and gatherings, social distancing, lockdowns, and closure of schools, workplaces, shops and restaurants.
These strategies were put in place to reduce contact among people and break the transmission chain, which would prevent overwhelming healthcare systems. It is clear by now that these non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) have helped curb disease transmission. Most of the evidence for this comes from measuring the number of
How does the UK’s COVID-19 response compare to others in Europe?
Researchers modeled the health benefits and economic loss caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the UK and compared them to four other western European countries. Their results suggest the British Government’s response may outweigh the economic loss incurred.
There have been more than 74.28 million confirmed cases and over 1.65 million deaths worldwide.
The economic damage has also been severe, with the gross domestic product (GDP) around the globe forecast to decrease dramatically. For the United Kingdom (UK), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reduced its GDP growth from 1.4% in January 2020 to -9.8% in October 2020.
Survey suggests COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy stems from a distrust in the vaccine development and approval process
Survey results of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Pennsylvania suggest that fewer people are likely to get the COVID-19 vaccine than the number of people who got the flu shot last year.
Several countries have now granted approvals for vaccines to curb COVID-19, the disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
However, the vaccine will be truly effective only if the public has confidence in being vaccinated. There are concerns about people refusing to get vaccinated, indicating the need for measures to raise public confidence in vaccines.