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. Jab may prevent severe COVID-19 complication in teens

    Publicly released: Wed 22 Dec 2021 at 1034 AEDT, 1234 NZDT

    JAMA

    Of the 33 teens admitted to all French ICUs with this complication of COVID-19 in September and October 2021, none had been fully vaccinated and 7 had received one dose. ... Most of these seven became Read more about Jab may prevent severe COVID-19 complication in teens

    InternationalHôpital Universitaire Robert-Debré, Université de Lille, Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Martinique (France)

  2. Staying a step ahead: Australian scientists develop highly accurate point-of-care neutralising antibodies (NAb) test for COVID-19

    Publicly released: Tue 21 Dec 2021 at 1605 AEDT, 1805 NZDT

    EBioMedicine

    antibodies (NAb) to COVID-19 – including variants – developed by Burnet Institute and the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (Doherty Institute) scientists. ... While there are many Read more about Staying a step ahead: Australian scientists develop highly accurate point-of-care neutralising antibodies (NAb) test for COVID-19

    Australia; VICBurnet Institute

  3. EXPERT REACTION: COVID-19 cases booming as Christmas is looming

    Publicly released: Tue 21 Dec 2021 at 1300 AEDT, 1500 NZDT

    With Christmas just days away, COVID-19 cases are hitting never before seen peaks across the country. ... Below Australian experts comment on the current situation and what we can do to stay safe this Read more about EXPERT REACTION: COVID-19 cases booming as Christmas is looming

    Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; SA; WA; TASAustralian Science Media Centre

  4. mRNA vaccines reduced death risk by 89% at the beginning of 2021

    Publicly released: Tue 21 Dec 2021 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

    Annals of Internal Medicine

    About 2 million veterans vaccinated in the first three months of 2021, mostly male, were included in the study which tracked COVID-19 deaths and infections in the cohort until June ... The researchers Read more about mRNA vaccines reduced death risk by 89% at the beginning of 2021

    InternationalUniversity of Washington, USA

  5. Nine in 10 kids in ICU for COVID-19 had prior medical conditions

    Publicly released: Tue 21 Dec 2021 at 0733 AEDT, 0933 NZDT

    Nature Medicine

    Research in England has pinpointed what puts children and young people at risk of severe COVID-19, drawing on all hospitalisations under 18 in the first pandemic year. ... Of the 251 children and teens Read more about Nine in 10 kids in ICU for COVID-19 had prior medical conditions

    InternationalInstitute of Child Health, University of Liverpool, Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, NHS England and Improvement, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, University of Leicester, Imperial College London, etc. (UK)

  6. Three-times higher chance of catching COVID-19 six months after jab

    Publicly released: Tue 21 Dec 2021 at 0645 AEDT, 0845 NZDT

    NEJM Evidence

    4 times more likely to catch COVID-19 than people jabbed more recently; this trend was found across ages and vaccines. ... This study found the Moderna vaccine’s protection was sustained in regard to Read more about Three-times higher chance of catching COVID-19 six months after jab

    InternationalCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, Utah Department of Health, New Jersey Department of Health, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, etc. (US)

  7. Severe gastrointestinal symptoms common in kids with COVID-19

    Publicly released: Tue 21 Dec 2021 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    JAMA Network Open

    A study of Italian kids with COVID-19 has found that around 1 in 10 have severe gastrointestinal symptoms and the symptoms are often associated with the multisystem inflammatory syndrome, known Read more about Severe gastrointestinal symptoms common in kids with COVID-19

    InternationalUniversity of Naples, Italy

  8. Mandatory masks for adults may help stop school outbreaks

    Publicly released: Mon 20 Dec 2021 at 1600 AEDT, 1800 NZDT

    Frontiers in Public Health

    The role of children and adolescents in the spread of Covid-19 remains unclear, yet closures of schools and preschools have become a common approach to try to prevent outbreaks. ... First author Dr. Read more about Mandatory masks for adults may help stop school outbreaks

    InternationalUniversity Medicine Greifswald, Germany; University Hospital Rostock, Germany; Landesamt für Gesundheit und Soziales Mecklenburg-Vorpommern State Office for Health and Social Affairs, Germany

  9. Indigenous Americans ahead on COVID shots - what are the lessons?

    Publicly released: Mon 20 Dec 2021 at 1012 AEDT, 1212 NZDT

    New England Journal of Medicine

    Portraying COVID-19 vaccination as the best way to prevent further suffering given disproportionate harms was a crucial strategy according to a poll. ... The authors say tribal autonomy to decide their Read more about Indigenous Americans ahead on COVID shots - what are the lessons?

    InternationalFirst Nations Development Institute, University of North Dakota, Yale University, Harvard Medical School, the Center for Social Policy and the Native American Budget and Policy Institute, University of New Mexico, University of Miami (US)

  10. Risk of myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination is low, even in younger people

    Publicly released: Fri 17 Dec 2021 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

    The BMJ

    today provides more reassuring data on the risk of heart inflammation (myocarditis or myopericarditis) after mRNA vaccination against the covid-19 virus. ... age groups, providing further evidence to Read more about Risk of myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination is low, even in younger people

    InternationalStatens Serum Institute, Denmark

  11. Merck's COVID-19 pill reduces risk of hospitalisation and death

    Publicly released: Fri 17 Dec 2021 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

    New England Journal of Medicine

    Merck's COVID-19 pill molnupiravir can reduce the risk of hospitalisation and death when taken soon after contracting COVID-19, according to the results of its phase 3 trial which ... 7 per cent in the Read more about Merck's COVID-19 pill reduces risk of hospitalisation and death

    InternationalMerck, USA

  12. Power cut: Kiwis used 12% less in lockdown

    Publicly released: Fri 17 Dec 2021 at 0606 AEDT, 0806 NZDT

    Sustainable Energy, Grids and Networks

    An NZ-China team has delved into how COVID-19 measures affected electricity demand in the year to February 2021. ... This “dry year problem” needs to be tackled to develop a more sustainable Read more about Power cut: Kiwis used 12% less in lockdown

    New ZealandUniversity of Auckland | China University of Geosciences, China

  13. Cough or fever? First COVID-19 symptoms may differ depending on the variant

    Publicly released: Fri 17 Dec 2021 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

    PLOS Computational Biology

    An early change in the virus that causes COVID-19 seems to have changed the order in which symptoms appeared in patients, according to international research. ... Cough or fever first? Study analyzes Read more about Cough or fever? First COVID-19 symptoms may differ depending on the variant

    InternationalUniversity of Southern California, USA

  14. Breakthrough infections boost COVID-19 antibodies even if symptoms are mild

    Publicly released: Fri 17 Dec 2021 at 0500 AEDT, 0700 NZDT

    JAMA

    Antibodies against COVID-19 are boosted following a breakthrough infection - infections that occur after being fully vaccinated - even though the symptoms of these infections are largely mild, Read more about Breakthrough infections boost COVID-19 antibodies even if symptoms are mild

    InternationalOregon Health & Science University, USA

  15. Saliva test for COVID-19 nearly 100% accurate in NZ

    Publicly released: Fri 17 Dec 2021 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

    New Zealand Medical Journal

    SummaryThis paper presents the validation results of a qPCR test that was developed at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) for non-invasively detecting the SARS-CoV-2 virus in saliva Read more about Saliva test for COVID-19 nearly 100% accurate in NZ

    New ZealandVictoria University of Wellington | Rako Science Ltd, NZ; IGENZ Ltd, NZ; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, US

  16. Government health spending sees 1.8% increase at the start of the pandemic

    Publicly released: Fri 17 Dec 2021 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

    The early months of the COVID-19 pandemic saw the Australian government increase its health spending by 1. ... care. ‘Increases in government health spending were largely driven by programs targeted Read more about Government health spending sees 1.8% increase at the start of the pandemic

    AustraliaAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)

  17. Make history by prioritising Māori kids for vaccine, experts say

    Publicly released: Fri 17 Dec 2021 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

    New Zealand Medical Journal

    In an NZMJ editorial, child health and pandemic experts urge authorities to prioritise Māori in the vaccine roll-out to kids, since research shows they are at a higher risk of ... harm from COVID-19 Read more about Make history by prioritising Māori kids for vaccine, experts say

    New ZealandUniversity of Auckland | University of Otago | Waitematā District Health Board, Counties Manukau Health; Lakes District Health Board; Starship Children's Health; Capital and Coast District Health Board;

  18. Parents more likely to refuse COVID jab for children than adults

    Publicly released: Thu 16 Dec 2021 at 1530 AEDT, 1730 NZDT

    Vaccines

    The study also found low socioeconomic and education levels, being single, non-English speaking backgrounds and being parents were associated with decreased COVID-19 vaccine willingness and/or Read more about Parents more likely to refuse COVID jab for children than adults

    Australia; SAThe University of Adelaide

  19. Older people's bullsh*t detectors may save them from COVID-19 scams

    Publicly released: Thu 16 Dec 2021 at 1230 AEDT, 1430 NZDT

    Frontiers in Psychology

    d been exposed to COVID-19, and an announcement claiming that a new vaccine could cure the disease in hours. ... been exposed to Covid-19, and an announcement claiming that a new vaccine could cure the Read more about Older people's bullsh*t detectors may save them from COVID-19 scams

    International

  20. Novavax reports 90.4% efficacy against COVID-19 infection

    Publicly released: Thu 16 Dec 2021 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

    New England Journal of Medicine

    Over three months, 14 vaccinated participants tested positive to COVID-19 and 77 placebo participants tested positive. ... Of the COVID-19 cases that were sequenced, four in five were a variant of Read more about Novavax reports 90.4% efficacy against COVID-19 infection

    InternationalNovavax, USA

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