Many of us feel obligated to perform acts for loved ones, such as calling more frequently or running an errand for an elderly friend, during this time of social distancing. Researchers report low-level obligations and acts of kindness can help strengthen relationships, while more substantive obligations can put a strain on relationships.
Undetected and undocumented cases of COVID-19 were largely responsible for the rapid spread of the virus in China. 86% of all infections were undocumented before the January 23 Wuhan travel shutdown. Per person, the undocumented infections were half as contagious as documented infections but were the source of two-thirds of documented infections.
Researchers report the median time from exposure to symptoms for the COVID-19 virus is 5.1 days. 97.5% of people who develop symptoms of coronavirus will do so within 11.5 days of exposure. For every 10,000 people quarantined for 14 days, an estimated 101 would develop symptoms after release.
A new genetic sequencing study reveals SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for coronavirus, originated from a single source in Wuhan, China. However, many of the localized cases in the US show Europe as the most likely source of infection. The study also identified a SARS-CoV-2 mutation that has never been seen before, where 81 of the letters have been permanently deleted from the genome. The mutation mirrors a large deletion that occurred during the 2003 SARS outbreak. During the mid-to-late phases of the 2003 SARS infection, the accumulated mutations attenuated the virus, leaving a weakened form of infection that resulted in less severe symptoms.
EIDD-2801, a new antiviral drug, has the potential to treat coronavirus. A new study reveals the drug can prevent severe lung injury in mouse models and cultured human lung cells infected with COVID-19. The drug will soon be ready for human testing.
Researchers confirm ACE inhibitors and ARBS medications may increase the risk of patients with COVID-19 developing more severe symptoms.
Preliminary results from a new model suggest the COVID-19 lockdown should last for more than six weeks. The advice is based on data which shows it takes countries almost three weeks to see a growth rate staying below 10% and doubling time over seven days. It takes a month to keep the growth rate under control and at 1%, and 45 days to achieve containment.
Researchers have developed a new app that uses artificial intelligence technology to determine whether a person has COVID-19 based on the sound of their cough. The app has a 70% accuracy rate.
MIT researchers have identified a protein fragment that may inhibit COVID-19's ability to enter human lung cells. The new peptide can bind to the viral protein and potentially disarm it.
A new clinical trial is being established to see if anti-clotting drugs, commonly used for heart attack and stroke patients, can help treat COVID-19 patients who develop ARDS. If successful, the tPA drugs could help alleviate the expected ventilator shortage problem we are likely to experience soon.
Johns Hopkins University researchers propose using antibodies from the plasma or serum of those who have recovered from COVID-19 to help boost the immunity of newly infected patients and for those at risk of contracting the disease. Researchers say the antibodies may bind to and neutralize SARS-CoV-2. The technique has been proven successful in prior outbreaks, including the SARS epidemic and the 1918 flu pandemic.
Linking two copies of a specific antibody produced by llamas, researchers have created a new antibody that binds tightly to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The antibody, called VHH-72, blocks the virus from infecting cells in lab cultures. Researchers say this is one of the first antibodies found to neutralizes SARS-CoV-2. Animal studies are currently underway to test if the antibody is viable in the fight against coronavirus. If successful, the antibody therapy will move into human testing.