Coronavirus Update – May 25, 2020
More than 6.8 million cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) have been diagnosed worldwide as of Monday evening, including more than 397,000 deaths. Healthcare officials in the United States have reported more than 2 million positive COVID-19 patients and more than 113,000 deaths.
Research Claims Millions Of Lives Saved
Despite the grave loss of life worldwide due to novel coronavirus infections, researchers are reporting that shutdown orders prevented at least 300 million infections. According to a study published June 8,1 shutdowns halted the exponential spread of the virus. The study, led by the Global Policy Laboratory at the University of California at Berkeley, surveyed how responses to the pandemic occurred in the United States, China, France, Italy, Iran, and South Korea. The study reportedly used an “econometric” model to estimate how interventions altered the virus’ spread.
WHO Now Encouraging More Masks To Be Worn
After once suggesting that the widespread wearing of masks was not necessary against COVID-19, officials with the World Health Organization are now recommending that widespread transmission should result in members of the general public wearing a cloth facemask.2 According to reports, masks should also be worn when physical distancing of at least one meter can not be achieved. The new guidelines recommend that masks can be homemade and should be at least three layers: an inner layer of an absorbent material, such as cotton; a middle layer that acts as a filter or barrier, such as non-woven material polypropylene; and an outer layer of a non-absorbent material, such as polyester or polyester blend.2 New guidance has also been released for healthcare employees and caregivers in communities where there has been a lot of virus activity. Those who work in clinical areas should wear a medical mask throughout their shift while in clinical areas, apart from eating, drinking, and changing masks when necessary after caring for a patient, according to reports.2
Nurses Organization Releases COVID-19 Surveys
In an attempt to gather insights and experiences among nurses during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the American Nurses Foundation is conducting a series of national surveys. The initiative, “Pulse on the Nation’s Nurses: A COVID-19 Survey Series,” is being run in partnership with the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses and other organizations.
Responses will reportedly inform decisions about how nurses may be able to garner support during this time. The recently released first survey focuses on mental health and well-being. The survey can be accessed online.3
HHS Announces New Lab Reporting Guidance For COVID Testing
Officials with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) have announced new guidance that specifies the additional data that must be reported by laboratories along with COVID-19 test results. The guidance standardizes reporting to ensure that public health officials have access to comprehensive and nearly real-time data to inform decision-making in their response to COVID-19.
“High-quality data is at the core of any effective public health response, and standardized, comprehensive reporting of testing information will give our public health experts better data to guide decisions at all levels throughout the crisis,” said HHS secretary Alex Azar in a prepared statement.
The new reporting requirements are expected to provide information needed to better monitor disease incidence and trends by initiating epidemiologic case investigations, assisting with contact tracing, assessing availability and use of testing resources, and anticipating potential supply chain issues.
“The requirement to include demographic data like race, ethnicity, age, and sex will enable us to ensure that all groups have equitable access to testing, and allow us to accurately determine the burden of infection on vulnerable groups,” said Brett P. Giroir, MD, assistant secretary for health. “With these data we will be able to improve decision-making and better prevent or mitigate further illnesses among Americans.”
Laboratory data serve not only as important information to support decision-making related to the public health emergency, but also as a critical piece to better understanding the impact on socially vulnerable populations, HHS officials said, adding that laboratory testing data, in conjunction with case reports and other data, also provide vital guidance for mitigation and control activities. The guidance is being issued pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and can be accessed online.4
References
1. Hsiang S, Allen D, Annan-Phan S, et al. The effect of large-scale anti-contagion policies on the covid-19 pandemic. Nature. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2404-8
2. Howard J. WHO calls on nations to encourage the public to wear fabric face masks where coronavirus is spreading. 2020. CNN. Accessed online: www.cnn.com/2020/06/05/health/face-mask-coronavirus-who-recommendations-bn/index.html
3. Pulse on the nation’s nurses. 2020. Accessed online: https://bit.ly/2YdUoX7
4. HHS announces new laboratory data reporting guidance for covid-19 testing. CDC. 2020. Accessed online: www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/p0604-new-lab-data-reporting.html
