Weekly update published on MedShr: 25th January 2021
Last updated: 25th January 2021

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Coronavirus COVID-19 Weekly Update 25th January 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 24th Jan 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 24th Jan 2021

Source: World Health Organization

Global Vaccinations Against COVID-19

Official data collated by Our World in Data - data up to 24th Jan 2021 at 20:00 (GMT)

Source: Our World in Data

Total UK COVID-19 Cases

As of 25th Jan 09:00 (GMT) - Data for 24 hour period, reported on 24-01-21

Source: Public Health England

COVID-19 in the African Region

As of 25th Jan 09:00 (GMT) - Data for 24 hour period, reported on 24-01-21

Source: World Health Organization

COVID-19 in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

As of 25th Jan 09:00 (GMT) - Data for 24 hour period, reported on 24-01-21

Source: World Health Organization

Latest COVID-19 Publications and Guidelines:

A selection of recent publications and useful clinical guidance from scientific journals

Editorials, Research Articles and Commentary:

The Lancet Public Health: Quarantine and testing strategies in contact tracing for SARS-CoV-2: a modelling study 

Quilty BJ, Clifford S, Hellewell J, et al. Quarantine and testing strategies in contact tracing for SARS-CoV-2: a modelling study. Lancet Public Health. 2021 Jan 20:S2468-2667(20)30308-X. doi: 10.1016/S2468-2667(20)30308-X. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33484644.

Science: Model-informed COVID-19 vaccine prioritization strategies by age and serostatus

Bubar KM, Reinholt K, Kissler SM, et al. Model-informed COVID-19 vaccine prioritization strategies by age and serostatus. Science. 2021 Jan 21:eabe6959. doi: 10.1126/science.abe6959. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33479118.

BMJ Global Health: The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection

Pley CM, McNaughton AL, Matthews PC, Lourenço J. The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. BMJ Glob Health. 2021 Jan;6(1):e004275. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-004275. PMID: 33402334; PMCID: PMC7786543.

The Lancet Digital Health: Mask-wearing and control of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the USA: a cross-sectional study

Rader B, White LF, Burns MR, et al. Mask-wearing and control of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the USA: a cross-sectional study. Lancet Digit Health. 2021 Jan 18:S2589-7500(20)30293-4. doi: 10.1016/S2589-7500(20)30293-4. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33483277; PMCID: PMC7817421.

Science: Immunological characteristics govern the transition of COVID-19 to endemicity

Lavine JS, Bjornstad ON, Antia R. Immunological characteristics govern the transition of COVID-19 to endemicity. Science. 2021 Jan 12:eabe6522. doi: 10.1126/science.abe6522. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33436525.

Nature Communications: The challenges of containing SARS-CoV-2 via test-trace-and-isolate 

Contreras S, Dehning J, Loidolt M, et al. The challenges of containing SARS-CoV-2 via test-trace-and-isolate. Nat Commun. 2021 Jan 15;12(1):378. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-20699-8. PMID: 33452267; PMCID: PMC7810722.

Frontiers in Pharmacology: Response to the Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) Pandemic Across Africa: Successes, Challenges, and Implications for the Future

Ogunleye OO, Basu D, Mueller D, et al. Response to the Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) Pandemic Across Africa: Successes, Challenges, and Implications for the Future. Front Pharmacol. 2020 Sep 11;11:1205. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.01205. PMID: 33071775; PMCID: PMC7533592.

Latest Developments in the News:

WHO Weekly Situational Reports: Epidemiological and Operational

Africa

WHO (AFRO): Africa needs timely access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines

The Lancet: South Africa responds to new SARS-CoV-2 variant 

Africa CDC: AMSP opens COVID-19 vaccines pre-orders for 55 African Union Member States

The Lancet: Preparing for a COVID-19 resurgence in the WHO African region (Correspondence)

Africa CDC: Kenya adopts Trusted Travel digital tool for COVID-19 test result verification

BBC: Coronavirus in Africa tracker

WHO in the African Region: COVID-19

Eastern Mediterranean

WHO (EMRO): EU and WHO Somalia sign multi-year agreement to combat COVID-19 and strengthen health systems

BBC News: Lebanon's Coronavirus lockdown: 'We can't leave our homes day or night'

WHO (EMRO): WHO launches new road map to prevent, control, eliminate and eradicate 20 neglected tropical diseases by 2030

BBC News: Covid-19: Vaccine divides in the Middle East

WHO: Regional COVID-19 response: success stories

WHO in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: COVID-19

United Kingdom

The BMJ: Covid-19: What is happening with the vaccine rollout? 

The BMJ: How is the pandemic affecting non-covid services? 

LSHTM: Modelling study estimates impact of 'test to release' strategy to reduce – or replace – quarantine for contacts of COVID-19 cases

The BMJ: Covid-19: Reports from Israel suggest one dose of Pfizer vaccine could be less effective than expected 

UK Government Advice

Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the UK

Global Health

WHO: The race for a COVID-19 vaccine, explained

UNICEF: COVAX announces new agreement, plans for first deliveries

The Lancet: Do not repeat mistakes from HIV in COVID-19 response 

WHO: How contributions support WHO’s work in ongoing fight of COVID-19 pandemic around the world

Nature: What new COVID variants mean for schools is not yet clear 

Nature: Why did the world’s pandemic warning system fail when COVID hit?

NEJM: Vaccinating Children against Covid-19 - The Lessons of Measles (Perspective) 

JAMA: Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities Related to COVID-19 (Viewpoint) 

Nature: The world needs a single naming system for coronavirus variants

UNICEF: COVID-19 and conflict: A deadly combination

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:

WHO: COVID-19 Course Series

"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

Johns Hopkins University: Understanding the COVID-19 Pandemic

UNICEF: Routine vaccinations during COVID-19: What parents need to know

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.

MedShr Open: COVID-19 Weekly Article - Healthcare Education during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Last week's COVID-19 Open Article aims to provide a concise overview on some of the innovative solutions that have been employed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to try and ensure the continuity of healthcare education and training.

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