Coronavirus COVID-19 Weekly Update 15th February 2021
Weekly update published on MedShr: 15th February 2021
Last updated: 15th February 2021
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Coronavirus COVID-19 Weekly Update 15th February 2021
This update will be published weekly at 12pm GMT on Mondays and aims to provide clinicians and the public with an overview of the latest data, guidelines, key publications and policy around COVID-19, with links to essential resources and information.
If you are a healthcare professional, please join the discussion on these latest COVID-19 cases on MedShr:
Please post any anonymous educational COVID-19 cases, images or learning points from your clinical practice on MedShr - share key knowledge and experience with a global network of doctors to help improve patient care. Include #COVID19 in your case title.
Please email COVID@medshr.net if you have any data, publications or information you would like to share.
Global Impact of COVID-19 to Date
Data from WHO Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Dashboard, reported on 14th Feb 2021
Sources: World Health Organization, Johns Hopkins University & Medicine
Data related to 'patients recovered' and 'countries affected' based on data from Johns Hopkins University & Medicine, other data obtained from WHO Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Dashboard
COVID-19 Cumulative Global Cases
Data from WHO Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Dashboard, reported on 14th Feb 2021
Source: World Health Organization
Global Vaccinations Against COVID-19
Official data collated by Our World in Data - data up to 15th Feb 2021 at 09:30 (GMT)
Source: Our World in Data
For full vaccination data, Our World in Data state: "Total number of people who received all doses prescribed by the vaccination protocol. This data is only available for countries which report the breakdown of doses administered by first and second doses."
Total UK COVID-19 Cases
As of 15th Feb 09:00 (GMT) - Data for 24 hour period, reported on 14-02-21
Source: Public Health England
COVID-19 in the African Region
As of 15th Feb 09:00 (GMT) - Data for 24 hour period, reported on 14-02-21
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Source: World Health Organization
COVID-19 in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
As of 15th Feb 09:00 (GMT) - Data for 24 hour period, reported on 14-02-21
Source: World Health Organization
Latest COVID-19 Publications and Guidelines:
A selection of recent publications and useful clinical guidance from scientific journals
medRxiv [preprint]: Tocilizumab in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): preliminary results of a randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial
Horby PW, Campbell M, Staplin N, et al. Tocilizumab in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): preliminary results of a randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial. medRxiv [preprint] 2021.02.11.21249258; http://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.11.21249258v1
Rentsch CT, Beckman JA, Tomlinson L, et al. Early initiation of prophylactic anticoagulation for prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 mortality in patients admitted to hospital in the United States: cohort study. BMJ. 2021 Feb 11;372:n311. doi: 10.1136/bmj.n311. PMID: 33574135.
Wouters OJ, Shadlen KC, Salcher-Konrad M, et al. Challenges in ensuring global access to COVID-19 vaccines: production, affordability, allocation, and deployment. The Lancet. ePub ahead of print. 2021 Feb 12. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00306-8
Nature Communications: Impact of the COVID-19 nonpharmaceutical interventions on influenza and other respiratory viral infections in New Zealand
Huang QS, Wood T, Jelley L, et al. Impact of the COVID-19 nonpharmaceutical interventions on influenza and other respiratory viral infections in New Zealand. Nat Commun. 2021 Feb 12;12(1):1001. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-21157-9. PMID: 33579926.
The Lancet Infectious Diseases: Genomic-informed pathogen surveillance in Africa: opportunities and challenges
Inzaule SC, Tessema SK, Kebede Y, et al. Genomic-informed pathogen surveillance in Africa: opportunities and challenges. The Lancet Infectious Diseases. ePub ahead of print. 2021 Feb 12. DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(20)30939-7
Critical Care: High-flow nasal oxygen in patients with COVID-19-associated acute respiratory failure
Mellado-Artigas R, Ferreyro BL, Angriman F, et al. High-flow nasal oxygen in patients with COVID-19-associated acute respiratory failure. Crit Care. 2021 Feb 11;25(1):58. doi: 10.1186/s13054-021-03469-w. PMID: 33573680; PMCID: PMC7876530.
Latest Developments in the News:
WHO Weekly Situational Reports: Epidemiological and Operational
Africa
WHO (AFRO): Rising mortality as Africa marks one year of COVID-19
The Lancet Respiratory Medicine: Oxygen supplies and COVID-19 mortality in Africa
The Lancet: Tanzania refuses COVID-19 vaccines
BBC News: Coronavirus: Africa's new variants are causing growing concern
BBC News: Covid-19: South Africa to reopen border crossings
BBC: Coronavirus in Africa tracker
WHO in the African Region: COVID-19
Eastern Mediterranean
WHO (EMRO): Glimmer of hope: COVID-19 vaccines roll out in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region
The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology: Effect of COVID-19 on viral hepatitis services in Pakistan (correspondence)
MSF: Monitoring COVID-19 in Herat, Afghanistan
WHO: Regional COVID-19 response: success stories
WHO in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: COVID-19
United Kingdom
The BMJ: Growing backlog of planned surgery due to covid-19
BBC News: Covid: New phase begins after first vaccine target hit in England
Science: Tracking the UK SARS-CoV-2 outbreak
The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology: COVID-19 hits viral hepatitis care for vulnerable populations
LSHTM: SARS-CoV-2 infection rate very high amongst UK strictly-Orthodox Jewish community
Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the UK
Global Health
WHO: The Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine: what you need to know
Science: World’s largest COVID-19 drug trial identifies second compound that cuts risk of death
LSHTM: From production to pricing: Can the world meet COVID-19 vaccination challenges?
The BMJ: Long covid: WHO calls on countries to offer patients more rehabilitation
The BMJ: Covid-19: More young children are being infected in Israel and Italy, emerging data suggest
JAMA: SARS-CoV-2 Viral Variants—Tackling a Moving Target
The BMA: Why are we vaccine hesitant in a pandemic?
Science: Should you mix and match COVID-19 vaccines? Scientists are seeking answers
Nature: How ‘killer’ T cells could boost COVID immunity in face of new variants
The Lancet Infectious Diseases: The COVID-19 exit strategy—why we need to aim low
Nature: Trust in COVID vaccines is growing
LSHTM: Preventive blood thinning drugs could reduce COVID hospital deaths
Useful Sources for Latest Developments and News
WHO: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic (including links to regional offices) and COVID-19 vaccines
Our World in Data: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccinations - Statistics and Research
United Nations: COVID-19 Response
Johns Hopkins University & Medicine: Coronavirus Resource Center
BBC: Covid-19 pandemic: Tracking the global coronavirus outbreak
Harvard Medical School: Coronavirus Resource Center
Educational Resources:
"Real-time training during global emergencies is critical for effective preparedness and response. The COVID-19 channel provides learning resources for health professionals, decision-makers and the public for the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19)." (WHO 2020)
WHO: Vaccine Series
Science: How do the leading COVID-19 vaccines work? Science explains
Johns Hopkins University: Understanding the COVID-19 Pandemic
BMJ Best Practice: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) - clinical decision support tool
Elsevier: COVID-19 Health Education resource center, including the Health Education Faculty Hub
The BMJ: Managing the long term effects of covid-19: summary of NICE, SIGN, and RCGP rapid guideline
Shah W, Hillman T, Playford ED, Hishmeh L. Managing the long term effects of covid-19: summary of NICE, SIGN, and RCGP rapid guideline. BMJ. 2021 Jan 22;372:n136. doi: 10.1136/bmj.n136. PMID: 33483331.
NEJM: Covid-19 Vaccine Resource Center
MedShr Open: COVID-19 Weekly Article - Telemedicine and the COVID-19 Pandemic
This recent COVID-19 Open Article aims to provide a concise overview on some of the potential benefits and challenges presented by the increased use of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Research related to COVID-19
Below is a list of links to organisations who are making great efforts to categorise, evaluate and summarise the vast catalogue of COVID-19 research. If you discover any other great resources please feel free to share these in the comments section below.
Global research on coronavirus disease (COVID-19) - WHO Global research database and links to further research catalogues
LitCovid - a curated literature hub for tracking up-to-date scientific information about COVID-19
Public Health Emergency COVID-19 Initiative - PubMed Central
COVID-19 Science Updates - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Treatment Guidelines - National Institutes for Health
ClinicalTrials.gov - COVID-19 clinical trials
Finding the evidence: Coronavirus – Knowledge & Library Services - Public Health England
Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Cochrane resources and news - Cochrane
Weekly Update by Dr Ryan Broll, MedShr Open Editorial Team, Medical Education Fellow
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