10/14—Genomic evidence for reinfection with SARS-CoV-2: a case study
[23 reinfections have now been documented, out of 38,743,864 cases worldwide (for a crude estimate of 1 in 1.7 MM cases). Keep track with this COVID-19 reinfection tracker.] A 25-year-old man who was a resident of Washoe County in the US state of Nevada presented to health authorities on two occasions with symptoms of viral infection. The patient had two positive tests for SARS-CoV-2, the first on April 18, 2020, and the second on June 5, 2020, separated by two negative tests done during follow-up in May, 2020. Genomic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 showed genetically significant differences between each variant associated with each instance of infection. The second infection was more severe than the first. Previous exposure to SARS-CoV-2 might not guarantee total immunity in all cases. The implications of reinfections could be relevant for vaccine development and application (Tillett et al. 2020).
Transmission Dynamics by Age Group in COVID-19 Hotspot Counties — United States, April–September 2020
CDC analyzed temporal trends in percent positivity by age group in COVID-19 hotspot counties before and after their identification as hotspots. Among 767 hotspot counties identified during June and July 2020, early increases in the percent positivity among persons aged ≤24 years were followed by several weeks of increasing percent positivity in persons aged ≥25 years. Addressing transmission among young adults is an urgent public health priority.
Epidemiology and transmission dynamics of COVID-19 in two Indian states
Reported cases and deaths have been concentrated in younger cohorts than expected from observations in higher-income countries, even after accounting for demographic differences. Among 575,071 individuals exposed to 84,965 confirmed cases, infection probabilities ranged from 4.7-10.7% for low-risk and high-risk contact types. Same-age contacts were associated with the greatest infection risk. Case-fatality ratios spanned 0.05% at ages 5-17 years to 16.6% at ages ≥85 years.
Effectiveness of personal protective equipment in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers
We conducted a prospective cohort study on 49 healthcare workers (HCWs) who worked in close contact with patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. In total, 112 blood samples are obtained from participants. In a single work day, 30 of the 49 participants (61.5%) had contact with patients with suspected or conformed SARS-CoV-2 at least 8 times. The median self-reported compliance to PPE was 90% (IQR: 80–100%). Seven participants tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibody using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); however, none were seropositive for SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody, so the positive ELISA results were assumed to be false-positive. The study provides evidence that appropriate PPE is sufficient to prevent infection among HCWs.
Hospital Visitation Policies During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic
We analyzed 13 SARs-CoV-2 hospital visitation policies and found widespread variation in both development and content. This variation has the potential to engender inequity in access. We propose guidance for hospital visitation policies for this pandemic to protect, respect, and support patients, visitors, clinicians, and communities.
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