Month: November 2020

Temperature and COVID-19 symptom checks like the ones used at schools and doctor’s offices have again proved inadequate for spotting coronavirus infections and preventing outbreaks. A study of Marine recruits found that despite these measures and strict quarantines before they started training, the recruits spread the virus to others even though hardly any of them had symptoms. None of the infections were caught through symptom screening. The study, published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine, has implications for colleges, prisons, meatpacking plants and other places that rely on this sort of screening to detect infections and prevent outbreaks. “We spent a lot of time putting measures like that in place and they’re probably not worth the time as we had hoped,” said Jodi...

Researchers have found that people recovering from COVID-19 are more likely to be diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder such as anxiety, depression or insomnia within three months of their illness from the virus. Basak Gurbuz Derma/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Basak Gurbuz Derma/Getty Images Researchers have found that people recovering from COVID-19 are more likely to be diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder such as anxiety, depression o...

Researchers have discovered a new “hidden” gene in SARS-CoV-2 — the virus that causes COVID-19 — that may have contributed to its unique biology and pandemic potential. In a virus that only has about 15 genes in total, knowing more about this and other overlapping genes — or “genes within genes” — could have a significant impact on how we combat the virus. The new gene is described today in the journal eLife. “Overlapping genes may be one of an arsenal of ways in which coronaviruses have evolved to replicate efficiently, thwart host immunity, or get themselves transmitted,” said lead author Chase Nelson, a postdoctoral researcher at Academia Sinica in Taiwan and a visiting scientist at the American Museum of Natural History. “Knowing that overlapping genes exist and how they functi...

The CDC says that when it comes to cloth masks, multiple layers made of higher thread counts do a better job of protecting the wearer. Michael Stewart/GC Images hide caption toggle caption Michael Stewart/GC Images The CDC says that when it comes to cloth masks, multiple layers made of higher thread counts do a better job of protecting the wearer. Michael Stewart/GC Images ...

Health care systems are keeping a close watch on the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania.UPMC doctors answered questions Wednesday about the spike in cases and hospitalizations.Doctors said community spread is everywhere. The coronavirus has moved from large population centers into more rural areas.Doctors also talked about what prompted the surge."We believe that many factors triggered this increase. That includes masking compliance opportunities, cooler weather and more close gatherings, especially indoors in either small numbers or larger numbers. There's no one cause or one pattern emerging beyond human contact and impaired protection," Dr. Don Yealy said.UPMC said its hospital system is not overwhelmed and there is plenty of personal protective equipment.Doctors said...