Delta Outbreaks Prompt Limits in Australia, Israel, as India Warns of New Mutation

Authorities in Israel and Australia imposed new Covid-19 restrictions in response to the spread of the highly infectious Delta variant of the coronavirus, while India warned of a worrying new mutation, emphasizing how the morphing pathogen continues to challenge a return to pre-pandemic life world-wide.

Read More

Association of Tracheostomy With Outcomes in Patients With COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 Transmission Among Healthcare Professionals

TAKE-HOME MESSAGE
This systematic review and meta-analysis included 69 studies and a total of 4669 patients with COVID-19 requiring invasive mechanical ventilation and tracheostomy. Overall, use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) was associated with low risks of procedural COVID-19 transmission to healthcare workers. Earlier timing of tracheostomy was associated with faster ICU discharge but no change in ventilator weaning or decannulation.

Read More

Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 Reinfection 1 Year After Primary Infection

TAKE-HOME MESSAGE
This cohort study, conducted in Lombardi, Italy, investigated the rate of reinfection with COVID-19, defined as a newly positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test at least 90 days after the initial infection and with two intervening negative SARS-CoV-2 tests. Out of 1579 positive patients, 5 reinfections were confirmed during an average of 280 days of follow-up. This rate was significantly lower than the incidence of COVID-19 infection in previously uninfected individuals.

Read More