August 14, 2020

On today's episode we discuss: —Climate: In this study, investigators from Canada compared mean change in driving from baseline (using Apple Mobility Trends) and COVID-19 mortality rate as of April 30th, 2020 in 36 countries with the highest number of COVID-19 cases globally, excluding those for which driving distance data was not available. They found decreased driving to be associated with lower COVID-19 mortality ( p<0.001), highlighting the importance of social distancing measures to curb the spread and mortality associated with COVID-19. —Epidemiology: Newborns of COVID-19 mothers: short-term outcomes of colocating and breastfeeding from the pandemic's epicenter: A retrospective cross-sectional study conducted at Elmhurst Hospital Center, New York between March 19 and April 22, 2020 by researchers from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai found 73.3% of newborns of SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers were roomed-in together (94% also breastfed) and 6.7% overall tested positive for COVID-19, but none required NICU admission for SARS-CoV-2 related illness. Authors suggest that rooming-in and breastfeeding newborns of mothers with COVID-19 may be low risk and could provide educational opportunities regarding isolation, PPE use, and safe breastfeeding to equip mothers to better care for their newborns at home. —Understanding the Pathology: A literature review by interdisciplinary researchers in Iran examined bacterial co-infection and secondary infection in patients with COVID-19 and discuss numerous possible microbiologic mechanisms including elevated bacterial adhesion, impaired mucociliary clearance or chemotaxis, reduction of surfactant levels, and enhanced susceptibility via immune cell dysfunction. The authors hope these findings will promote understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms, which can assist in developing novel management and control strategies in COVID-19 patients with bacterial co-infection. Transmission & Prevention: Among these 29 seropositive individuals (59% of whom did not self-isolate), 15 had anosmia, which was the only positive predictor for seropositivity (OR 18.2, p<0.001), while 10/29 were completely asymptomatic, indicating the need for frequent testing for staff in maternity units (and beyond) to minimize risk of transmission. A cross-sectional study of 200 healthcare professionals conducted in the UK from 2 tertiary-level maternity units from May 11, 2020 - June 5, 2020 investigated prevalence of IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 immune seroconversion among the healthcare professionals. They found that 5/40 anesthetists, 7/52 obstetricians, and 17/108 midwives were seropositive (total 29/200, 14.5%). —Management: A cross sectional study conducted in Wuhan, China from January 1 to February 8, 2020 by Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University followed 108 patients with mild COVID-19 treated with oseltamivir and found that the majority self-reported nearly full adherence to a 14-day home isolation protocol, though fewer patients maintained separate toilets and daily exercise (22.2% and 47.2% vs. 70% for other measures). Nearly half (45.37% [n=49]) of patients had negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR at 14 days, and authors suggest that home isolation along with regular contact between patients and doctors could be an effective strategy for saving medical and social resources.