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. ‘Negativity bias' could make depressed people more vulnerable to misinformation

    Publicly released: Sat 22 Jan 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    JAMA Network Open

    Follow-up questionnaires found that people who reported moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms in the first survey were more likely to have more misinformed beliefs after one and two months. Read more about ‘Negativity bias' could make depressed people more vulnerable to misinformation

    InternationalHarvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Rutgers University

  2. Shhhhh - not talking and wearing a mask may help you avoid COVID-19 on your next flight

    Publicly released: Fri 21 Jan 2022 at 1230 AEDT, 1430 NZDT

    Indoor Air

    Researchers simulate SARS-COV-2 transmission and infection on airline flights A study published in Indoor Air simulated the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, on ... When Read more about Shhhhh - not talking and wearing a mask may help you avoid COVID-19 on your next flight

    InternationalTianjin University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China

  3. Boosted or breakthrough, number of COVID-19 exposures may be key to antibody response

    Publicly released: Fri 21 Jan 2022 at 1100 AEDT, 1300 NZDT

    Cell

    The number of times you've been exposed to COVID-19 may be more important than the type of exposure, be it infection or vaccination, say US scientists. ... The authors say the data suggests that the more Read more about Boosted or breakthrough, number of COVID-19 exposures may be key to antibody response

    InternationalUniversity of Washington, USA

  4. Pfizer booster over 50% protective against Omicron

    Publicly released: Fri 21 Jan 2022 at 1009 AEDT, 1209 NZDT

    Nature Medicine

    A booster dose of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine (BNT162b2) against SARS-CoV-2 after an initial two doses of either the CoronaVac inactivated virus vaccine or Pfizer–BioNTech mRNA vaccine is Read more about Pfizer booster over 50% protective against Omicron

    InternationalStudy 1: University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, North Latau Hospital, Hong Kong.Study 2: Ministry of Health, Dominican Republic; Yale University, US

  5. Pandemic among factors contributing to old age suicide

    Publicly released: Fri 21 Jan 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    Nature Aging

    Western attitudes towards aging, physical and social impediments and impacts of the coronavirus pandemic are some of the factors responsible for high suicide rates in older adults, according to new Read more about Pandemic among factors contributing to old age suicide

    Australia; QLDGriffith University

  6. Remdesivir, Fluvoxamine can assist in treating COVID-19 patients

    Publicly released: Thu 20 Jan 2022 at 1600 AEDT, 1800 NZDT

    Canadian Medical Association Journal

    In the CATCO trial, which involved 52 Canadian hospitals, Canadian researchers studied the effect of remdesivir in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 between August 14, 2020, and April 1, 2021. Read more about Remdesivir, Fluvoxamine can assist in treating COVID-19 patients

    InternationalNiagara Health, Canada (Paper 1), Division of General Internal Medicineand Geriatrics, Canada (Paper 2)

  7. EXPERT REACTION: Novavax becomes fourth COVID-19 vaccine provisionally approved by TGA

    Publicly released: Thu 20 Jan 2022 at 1230 AEDT, 1430 NZDT

    The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has provisionally approved Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine NUVAXOID. ... Subject to approval from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Novavax becomes fourth COVID-19 vaccine provisionally approved by TGA

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

  8. EXPERT REACTION: TGA approves first oral treatments for COVID-19

    Publicly released: Thu 20 Jan 2022 at 1200 AEDT, 1400 NZDT

    The antiviral treatments, molnupiravir (Lagevrio) and the combination of nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (Paxlovid) have been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for the treatment of Read more about EXPERT REACTION: TGA approves first oral treatments for COVID-19

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

  9. How multiple disasters impact public health

    Publicly released: Thu 20 Jan 2022 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

    The Lancet Public Health

    For example, some communities across Victoria, Australia, experienced the 2019-20 Black Summer Bushfires, the COVID-19 pandemic from early 2020 and then major flooding events in 2021. ... This is an Read more about How multiple disasters impact public health

    Australia; Pacific; VICThe University of Melbourne

  10. Moderna appears to be more effective against breakthrough infections than Pfizer

    Publicly released: Thu 20 Jan 2022 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

    New England Journal of Medicine

    Fewer people who were doubled dosed with the Moderna COVID-19 appear to contract the virus compared to those vaccinated with Pfizer, according to research out of Qatar. ... Researchers matched about Read more about Moderna appears to be more effective against breakthrough infections than Pfizer

    InternationalWeill Cornell Medicine, Qatar

  11. More data suggesting Pfizer vaccine is safe and effective for kids 5-11

    Publicly released: Thu 20 Jan 2022 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

    NEJM

    The results also show that two doses of mRNA vaccines effectively prevented the occurrence of COVID-19 - although all studies were conducted before the Omicron variant was circulating. ... The authors say Read more about More data suggesting Pfizer vaccine is safe and effective for kids 5-11

    InternationalFujian Medical University Union Hospital, China

  12. Why don’t people with COVID-19 symptoms get tested?

    Publicly released: Thu 20 Jan 2022 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

    PLOS Global Public Health

    The researchers also studied more than 700,000 responses, received between April 2020 and February 2021, from UK participants of the University of Maryland Global COVID-19 Trends and Impact Survey Read more about Why don’t people with COVID-19 symptoms get tested?

    InternationalBoston Children’s Hospital, US

  13. Countries with strict COVID-19 lockdown measures saw a huge reduction in air pollution

    Publicly released: Thu 20 Jan 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    Nature

    Decreases in atmospheric and ground-level NO2 have previously been reported as a result of lockdown measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. ... Matthew Cooper and colleagues used high-resolution Read more about Countries with strict COVID-19 lockdown measures saw a huge reduction in air pollution

    InternationalDalhousie University, Canada

  14. Uncovering the impact of long COVID on the body’s immune system

    Publicly released: Wed 19 Jan 2022 at 1400 AEDT, 1600 NZDT

    BMC Medicine

    It’s yet to be determined why some people get long COVID and not others, as well as how the various strains of the virus might impact long COVID differently. ... The study has also added further Read more about Uncovering the impact of long COVID on the body’s immune system

    Australia; SASouth Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) ...

  15. Major deficiencies in lung cancer care in Australia highlighted

    Publicly released: Wed 19 Jan 2022 at 1254 AEDT, 1454 NZDT

    BMJ Open Respiratory Research

    The impact of COVID-19 was variable across the country with some centres reporting significant negative impact on lung cancer services, for instance reduced access to hospital services during virus Read more about Major deficiencies in lung cancer care in Australia highlighted

    Australia; NSW; QLD; WACurtin University | The University of New South Wales ...

  16. COVID-infected mums’ breast milk safe for babies

    Publicly released: Wed 19 Jan 2022 at 1200 AEDT, 1400 NZDT

    Pediatrics Journal

    Results showed that while six per cent of lactating women with a proven or suspected case of COVID-19 had RNA from the virus in their breast milk, none of their ... There was no evidence of infection in Read more about COVID-infected mums’ breast milk safe for babies

    InternationalUniversity of California, Los Angeles

  17. Some rapid antigen tests may not be accurate enough in schools

    Publicly released: Wed 19 Jan 2022 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

    BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine

    Lateral flow (antigen) tests have been widely used to pick up children with SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19 infection, in schools and kindergarten. ... And the findings might not be Read more about Some rapid antigen tests may not be accurate enough in schools

    InternationalUniversity of Manchester, UK

  18. An AI can predict COVID-19 survival based on a single blood test

    Publicly released: Wed 19 Jan 2022 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

    PLOS Digital Health

    International scientists have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm that can predict the chances of survival among critically ill COVID-19 patients based on a single blood test. Read more about An AI can predict COVID-19 survival based on a single blood test

    InternationalCharité University Hospital Berlin, Germany

  19. The placenta may shield a fetus from catching COVID-19 from mum

    Publicly released: Wed 19 Jan 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    Nature Communications

    While pregnant women are at significant risk for severe or critical COVID-19, the placenta may act as a shield reducing the likelihood of the virus passing to the fetus, according ... The researchers say Read more about The placenta may shield a fetus from catching COVID-19 from mum

    InternationalWayne State University School of Medicine, USA

  20. Side effects after placebo common in COVID-19 vaccine trials

    Publicly released: Wed 19 Jan 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    JAMA Network Open

    Around one in three people who got a placebo injection as part of a COVID-19 vaccine trial experienced side effects outside of the injection site according to an analysis of ... The authors say telling Read more about Side effects after placebo common in COVID-19 vaccine trials

    InternationalBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, USA

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