Resources for Journalists

COVID-19 is a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus strain, that has not been previously identified in humans. See below for a collection of resources to help you cover this issue (Please note: additional resources are available to journalists who are logged in).

The AusSMC also issues a daily COVID-19 update for registered journalists (click here to view an example). If you would like to receive this email, please go to your profile on MyScimex and select yes beside "Receive COVID-19 Updates?". The email update and this resources page are supported by the Google News Initiative.

Latest COVID-19 news, research, expert reactions and briefings

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  1. Meddle: the medical Wordle that’s boosting mental health

    Publicly released: Wed 6 Apr 2022 at 1100 AEST, 1300 NZST

    In conjunction with the new Meddle word game, the pair has also established a gofundme campaign to raise funds for COVID-19 vaccinations in developing countries. ... Infections are surging in vulnerable Read more about Meddle: the medical Wordle that’s boosting mental health

    Australia; SAUniversity of South Australia

  2. Super-spreader events may cement new COVID-19 variants

    Publicly released: Wed 6 Apr 2022 at 0901 AEST, 1101 NZST

    Journal of the Royal Society Interface

    Novel variants have prolonged the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to countless infections and deaths. ... Superspreading (one individual infecting many others) is a key feature of COVID-19 persistence. Read more about Super-spreader events may cement new COVID-19 variants

    InternationalFred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, US.

  3. Are our kits and puppers giving us superbugs?

    Publicly released: Wed 6 Apr 2022 at 0801 AEST, 1001 NZST

    European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases

    She continues, “Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, antibiotic resistance was one of the biggest threats to public health because it can make conditions like pneumonia, sepsis, urinary tract and Read more about Are our kits and puppers giving us superbugs?

    InternationalUniversity of Lisbon, Portugal

  4. Fourth Pfizer shot gave triple protection from severe COVID-19 in Israel

    Publicly released: Wed 6 Apr 2022 at 0700 AEST, 0900 NZST

    New England Journal of Medicine

    In a new study (abstract only) of over 1. 2 million older Israelis, people given a fourth dose had a 3. ... 5 times lower rate of severe COVID-19 illness in the fourth week afterwards than people with a Read more about Fourth Pfizer shot gave triple protection from severe COVID-19 in Israel

    InternationalWeizmann Institute of Science, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, the Hebrew Universityof Jerusalem, Israel Ministry of Health, Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Aviv University (all Israel)

  5. How can we best allocate monoclonal antibodies to manage COVID-19?

    Publicly released: Wed 6 Apr 2022 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

    JAMA Network Open

    status and either as treatment or as a preventative measure after COVID-19 exposure. ... The researchers say COVID-19 patients aged 60 years and older who are not fully vaccinated should be prioritised Read more about How can we best allocate monoclonal antibodies to manage COVID-19?

    InternationalNational University of Singapore, Singapore

  6. Nine in ten kids with prolonged COVID-19 symptoms less active, in survey of parents

    Publicly released: Tue 5 Apr 2022 at 1038 AEST, 1238 NZST

    Future Microbiology

    Researchers have surveyed parents of 510 children who had COVID-19 symptoms that lasted longer than four weeks. ... The authors highlight some important biases, especially that the survey was promoted by Read more about Nine in ten kids with prolonged COVID-19 symptoms less active, in survey of parents

    InternationalFondazione Policlinico Universitario A Gemelli Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Global Health Research Institute, Istituto di Igiene, Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Italy), University College London, Imperial College London, Coventry University Group, Long Covid Kids (UK), Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Russia)University

  7. BACKGROUND BRIEFING: Influenza in times of COVID-19

    Publicly released: Tue 5 Apr 2022 at 1000 AEST, 1200 NZST

    As our healthcare system is under pressure from each new wave of COVID-19 infections, how will it fare with the pandemic and our upcoming flu season? ... vaccines for specific SARS-CoV-2 strains, similar Read more about BACKGROUND BRIEFING: Influenza in times of COVID-19

    Australia; NSW; VIC; QLDAustralian Science Media Centre | The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity ...

  8. No link between vaccination during pregnancy and fetal anomalies

    Publicly released: Tue 5 Apr 2022 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

    JAMA Pediatrics

    Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 while pregnant will not put your baby at risk of a fetal abnormality in the womb, according to international research. ... What The Study Did: The association between Read more about No link between vaccination during pregnancy and fetal anomalies

    InternationalNorthwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, USA

  9. Parasite thrives if its host survives

    Publicly released: Mon 4 Apr 2022 at 1427 AEST, 1627 NZST

    Ecology and Evolution

    The ability of species to adapt to existential challenges depends on the host’s ability to ‘discover’ new strategies via random mutations, and the greater the number of individuals in a Read more about Parasite thrives if its host survives

    Australia; NSW; SAFlinders University | Western Sydney University | South Australian Museum

  10. Pre-surgery support could help elective surgery patients quit smoking

    Publicly released: Mon 4 Apr 2022 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

    Medical Journal of Australia

    an offer of mailed NRT (according to reported daily smoking: 1‒9 cigarettes/day, 2 mg lozenges; 10‒15/day, 7‒14 mg patches [3 weeks] and 2 mg lozenges; > ... Of 748 eligible participants (control, Read more about Pre-surgery support could help elective surgery patients quit smoking

    Australia; VICMonash University | The University of Melbourne

  11. More infants are getting infected with Omicron, but severe disease is rarer

    Publicly released: Sat 2 Apr 2022 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

    JAMA Pediatrics

    The researchers say about 1-1. 5 infants in 1000 caught COVID-19 during Delta, but that rose to 2. ... What The Study Did: The results of this study including 650,000 children suggest that the incidence Read more about More infants are getting infected with Omicron, but severe disease is rarer

    InternationalCase Western Reserve University School of Medicine, USA

  12. Molnupiravir eliminates COVID-19 virus in just 3 days, improves symptoms quicker

    Publicly released: Fri 1 Apr 2022 at 0901 AEDT, 1101 NZDT

    European Congress on Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID)

    New virology data shows the investigational COVID antiviral drug molnupiravir eliminates actively infectious SARS-CoV-2 virus by day 3 of starting therapy New data to be presented at this Read more about Molnupiravir eliminates COVID-19 virus in just 3 days, improves symptoms quicker

    InternationalScience Media Centre (New Zealand) | MSD

  13. When experiencing the threat of COVID-19, people became more generous

    Publicly released: Fri 1 Apr 2022 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

    Scientific Reports

    Selfish behaviours may derive from fear and self-preservation, and early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic saw examples of selfish behaviour such as stockpiling. ... Ariel Fridman and colleagues examined Read more about When experiencing the threat of COVID-19, people became more generous

    InternationalUniversity of California, USA

  14. Whānau give 'poignant and heartbreaking' accounts of relatives dying of Covid-19

    Publicly released: Fri 1 Apr 2022 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

    New Zealand Medical Journal

    who died from Covid-19 in NZ. ... Next of kin for 22 patients who had died in Wellington Hospital during Levels 3 & 4 of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic (16/22 under General Medicine with an additional Read more about Whānau give 'poignant and heartbreaking' accounts of relatives dying of Covid-19

    New ZealandWellington Hospital

  15. NZ modelling shows boosters dampen Omicron transmission

    Publicly released: Fri 1 Apr 2022 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

    New Zealand Medical Journal

    New Covid-19 modelling suggests booster shots make a big difference to the spread of Omicron. ... NB: This summary was updated on 30 March. I use a mathematical model to simulate the spread of COVID-19 Read more about NZ modelling shows boosters dampen Omicron transmission

    New ZealandUniversity of Canterbury

  16. Virtual health appointments may remove barriers for Māori

    Publicly released: Fri 1 Apr 2022 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

    New Zealand Medical Journal

    This Kaupapa Māori study looked at the experiences of Māori with Telehealth during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown. ... We interviewed Māori whānau and primary health care providers about accessing Read more about Virtual health appointments may remove barriers for Māori

    New ZealandUniversity of Auckland | University of Otago | University of Waikato ...

  17. How does Long Covid compare with chronic fatigue?

    Publicly released: Thu 31 Mar 2022 at 1404 AEDT, 1604 NZDT

    Journal of Health Psychology

    Researchers propose that this is because many Long Covid patients are healthcare professionals themselves, and there is a higher incentive to research the extent of Covid-19. ... However they also warn Read more about How does Long Covid compare with chronic fatigue?

    InternationalUniversity of Derby, UK

  18. Convalescent plasma may play a role in reducing COVID-19 hospitalisations

    Publicly released: Thu 31 Mar 2022 at 0800 AEDT, 1000 NZDT

    New England Journal of Medicine

    In a randomised controlled trial, the researchers gave about 600 COVID-19 patients a plasma infusion from a COVID-19 survivor, and another 600 a placebo infusion. ... They say a convalescent plasma Read more about Convalescent plasma may play a role in reducing COVID-19 hospitalisations

    InternationalJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA

  19. Pfizer protects young people from severe COVID-19, but Omicron reduces protection

    Publicly released: Thu 31 Mar 2022 at 0800 AEDT, 1000 NZDT

    New England Journal of Medicine

    The researchers compared vaccinated and unvaccinated young people coming into hospital with and without COVID-19 to estimate vaccine effectiveness. ... During an Omicron-dominant period, they say the Read more about Pfizer protects young people from severe COVID-19, but Omicron reduces protection

    InternationalCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, USA

  20. Ivermectin not effective at reducing COVID-19 hospitalisations

    Publicly released: Thu 31 Mar 2022 at 0800 AEDT, 1000 NZDT

    New England Journal of Medicine

    A trial looking at several potential treatments for COVID-19 has found ivermectin does not reduce the risk of hospitalisation from the virus. ... They say there were no significant differences in the rate Read more about Ivermectin not effective at reducing COVID-19 hospitalisations

    Australia; International; VICMonash University

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