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. Fewer Aussie teens are in detention or under supervision by the justice system

    Publicly released: Thu 31 Mar 2022 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

    Since 2016-2017, the rate of First Nations teens in detention declined from 161 to 117 per 10,000, and the non-Indigenous rate fell from 9. ... 4%) from the highest socioeconomic areas. ‘The full Read more about Fewer Aussie teens are in detention or under supervision by the justice system

    AustraliaAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)

  2. Children's bedrooms so cold parents shiver in them

    Publicly released: Tue 29 Mar 2022 at 1056 AEDT, 1256 NZDT

    Energy Policy

    The payment needs to be increased again this winter with more people at home because of isolation rules and the increased need to ventilate homes to prevent the spread of ... 19. “The Winter Energy Read more about Children's bedrooms so cold parents shiver in them

    New ZealandUniversity of Otago

  3. Disinfectant use during pregnancy linked to childhood asthma and eczema

    Publicly released: Tue 29 Mar 2022 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

    Occupational & Environmental Medicine

    While this study is observational and cannot prove cause-and-effect, the researchers say these findings are important to keep in mind, particularly with the COVID-19 pandemic requiring an increase Read more about Disinfectant use during pregnancy linked to childhood asthma and eczema

    InternationalUniversity of Yamanashi, Japan

  4. Global rates of sequencing COVID variants is low, but Australia and NZ among the best

    Publicly released: Tue 29 Mar 2022 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

    Nature Genetics

    Australia and New Zealand have a high level of routine COVID-19 genomic sequencing compared to the rest of the world, according to international research, which found a huge diversity in ... The study Read more about Global rates of sequencing COVID variants is low, but Australia and NZ among the best

    Australia; InternationalFudan University, China

  5. Ageing gratefully: Older people summon more positivity in response to distress

    Publicly released: Mon 28 Mar 2022 at 1143 AEDT, 1343 NZDT

    The Journal of Neuroscience

    Even responding more positively? The answer, according to a study conducted by UNSW psychologist Susanne Schweizer and colleagues from the University of Cambridge, seems to be ‘Yes’. ... Following on Read more about Ageing gratefully: Older people summon more positivity in response to distress

    Australia; NSWThe University of New South Wales

  6. EXPERT REACTION: ATAGI recommends second 'winter booster dose' for vulnerable Australians

    Publicly released: Fri 25 Mar 2022 at 1200 AEDT, 1400 NZDT

    The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has released recommendations for a fourth 'winter' dose of COVID-19 vaccines. ... The group is encouraging adults aged 65 years and older, Read more about EXPERT REACTION: ATAGI recommends second 'winter booster dose' for vulnerable Australians

    Australia; International; NSW; VIC; QLD; SA; WAAustralian Science Media Centre

  7. Indigenous knowledge helps reveal genomic story of South Island kōura

    Publicly released: Fri 25 Mar 2022 at 1020 AEDT, 1220 NZDT

    Evolutionary Applications

    The team found a strong population genetic structure and some mixing of genetic lineages in 19 kōura populations along the South Island's east coast. ... Yet, genetic studies are rarely informed by Read more about Indigenous knowledge helps reveal genomic story of South Island kōura

    New ZealandUniversity of Canterbury | Te Rūnaka o Awarua (Bluff), Waterscape Connections Ltd, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki, KEEWAI (Ernslaw One Ltd), Tea Break Bioinformatics Ltd, Hokonui Rūnanga (Gore), University of Otago, Environment Canterbury, The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited

  8. Three in four hospitalised people report long COVID, symptoms varied by variant

    Publicly released: Fri 25 Mar 2022 at 1001 AEDT, 1201 NZDT

    European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases

    Different SARS-CoV-2 variants may give rise to different long COVID symptoms, study suggestsItalian study of long-COVID patients suggests those infected with the Alpha variant experienced different Read more about Three in four hospitalised people report long COVID, symptoms varied by variant

    InternationalUniversity of Florence, Careggi University Hospital - Italy

  9. EXPERT REACTION: Half of Covid-19 researchers say they never experienced harassment until the pandemic began

    Publicly released: Fri 25 Mar 2022 at 0500 AEDT, 0700 NZDT

    Science

    Since early in the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists around the world have been targeted by people who believe that the pandemic is a hoax, that the virus was created intentionally to ... Although the [AAAS] Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Half of Covid-19 researchers say they never experienced harassment until the pandemic began

    International; VIC; SACathleen O'Grady for Science

  10. Kiwi physicists help solve the Sun's “solar wind” secret

    Publicly released: Fri 25 Mar 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    Nature Astronomy

    This gives us confidence that we are accurately capturing key physics in the corona, which – coupled with the theoretical findings about the heating mechanisms – is a promising path to Read more about Kiwi physicists help solve the Sun's “solar wind” secret

    New Zealand; InternationalUniversity of Otago | Princeton University, US and Oxford University, UK

  11. Strongest evidence yet shows safety of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy

    Publicly released: Fri 25 Mar 2022 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

    JAMA

    The studies both found that there was no link between vaccination against COVID-19 and adverse pregnancy outcomes, including still birth, preterm birth or neonatal intensive care. ... An accompanying Read more about Strongest evidence yet shows safety of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy

    InternationalChildren’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute, Canada, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway

  12. Promptly popping aspirin may be a life-saver for moderate COVID-19 patients

    Publicly released: Fri 25 Mar 2022 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

    JAMA Network Open

    Americans with moderate COVID-19. ... 6 per cent, and the effect was strongest among people older than 60, and those with health conditions. Read more about Promptly popping aspirin may be a life-saver for moderate COVID-19 patients

    InternationalGeorge Washington University, University of Maryland, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center (US)

  13. Pfizer booster has 95.3% efficacy against COVID-19 relative to two doses

    Publicly released: Thu 24 Mar 2022 at 1600 AEDT, 1800 NZDT

    New England Journal of Medicine

    The researchers say among those who hadn't previously had COVID-19, six boosted participants tested positive during the trial compared to 123 placebo participants. ... The trial took place when Delta was Read more about Pfizer booster has 95.3% efficacy against COVID-19 relative to two doses

    InternationalPfizer, USA

  14. Small study suggests cognition and mental health concerns after COVID-19 similar to other illnesses

    Publicly released: Thu 24 Mar 2022 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

    JAMA Psychiatry

    To compare the mental impact of COVID-19 with other illnesses, the researchers matched 85 COVID-19 survivors with 61 people who suffered other, similarly severe illnesses, and tested their cognitive Read more about Small study suggests cognition and mental health concerns after COVID-19 similar to other illnesses

    InternationalCopenhagen University Hospital, Denmark

  15. With Omicron dominating - just how useful are COVID-19 antiviral drugs?

    Publicly released: Thu 24 Mar 2022 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

    Australian Prescriber

    What we know about the effectiveness of COVID-19 antiviral drugs largely comes from their use on unvaccinated people infected with the Delta variant - a group that now forms only a ... They say the Read more about With Omicron dominating - just how useful are COVID-19 antiviral drugs?

    Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland

  16. Smell abnormality 16 times more common in COVID-19 cases

    Publicly released: Wed 23 Mar 2022 at 1501 AEDT, 1701 NZDT

    The Laryngoscope

    The prevalence of an olfactory cleft abnormality was nearly 16-fold higher in patients with COVID-19 and olfactory dysfunction (63%) compared with controls (4%). ... Before this study, most scientists Read more about Smell abnormality 16 times more common in COVID-19 cases

    InternationalNational University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore; Singapore General Hospital (SGH), Singapore; Sengkang General Hospital (SKH), Singapore

  17. COVID-19 booster research to inform Australia’s vaccine policy

    Publicly released: Wed 23 Mar 2022 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

    School, the results of PICOBOO will be rapidly disseminated and translated to inform national and potentially global COVID-19 immunisation practice and policy. ... This research will play a vital role in Read more about COVID-19 booster research to inform Australia’s vaccine policy

    Australia; SA; WA; TASTelethon Kids Institute

  18. When COVID-19 kept athletes off the field, it also kept them out of hospital

    Publicly released: Wed 23 Mar 2022 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

    Nearly 8000 fewer sports-related injuries were recorded across Australia at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the previous year, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Read more about When COVID-19 kept athletes off the field, it also kept them out of hospital

    AustraliaAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)

  19. Vaccine-induced T cells provide long-lasting immune response to COVID-19

    Publicly released: Tue 22 Mar 2022 at 1800 AEDT, 2000 NZDT

    Nature Immunology

    a sustained level of these cells capable of recognising the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. ... When individuals were re-exposed to the COVID-19 spike protein through vaccination, the part of the virus that Read more about Vaccine-induced T cells provide long-lasting immune response to COVID-19

    Australia; International; NSW; VICThe University of Melbourne | The University of New South Wales ...

  20. UK gastro cases dropped dramatically early in the pandemic

    Publicly released: Tue 22 Mar 2022 at 0930 AEDT, 1130 NZDT

    BMJ Open

    Gut infection outbreaks halved during first 6 months of COVID-19 pandemic in UK Several factors likely involved, but measures adopted to curb coronavirus had key role Could see permanent change Read more about UK gastro cases dropped dramatically early in the pandemic

    InternationalUK Health Security Agency

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