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. Australians washing and sanitising their hands 15% less than this time last year

    Publicly released: Thu 14 Oct 2021 at 1500 AEDT, 1700 NZDT

    In the survey Omnipoll asked how often people washed their hands and used hand sanitiser on the previous day. ... People over 50 were less likely to use sanitiser, possibly because they were less likely Read more about Australians washing and sanitising their hands 15% less than this time last year

    AustraliaFood Safety Information Council

  2. High BMI linked to longer ICU stays and death for Covid-19 patients

    Publicly released: Thu 14 Oct 2021 at 0500 AEDT, 0700 NZDT

    PLOS One

    test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus or a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19, were all over the age of 18, and had current weight and height data available. ... 02 [1. 39-2. 94] versus normal weight). The authors Read more about High BMI linked to longer ICU stays and death for Covid-19 patients

    InternationalUniversity of Gothenburg, Sweden; Hallands Hospital Halmstad, Sweden; Örebro University, Sweden; Linköping University, Sweden; Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sweden

  3. Just two minutes of COVID-19 'doomscrolling' can bring you down

    Publicly released: Thu 14 Oct 2021 at 0500 AEDT, 0700 NZDT

    PLOS One

    Researchers wanted to test the emotional impact of Covid-related news, given that bad news has been ubiquitous during the pandemic. ... However, consuming stories about Covid-related acts of kindness did Read more about Just two minutes of COVID-19 'doomscrolling' can bring you down

    InternationalUniversity of Essex, UK; Simon Fraser University, Canada

  4. EXPERT REACTION: Pandemic levels of abuse directed at COVID-19 experts

    Publicly released: Thu 14 Oct 2021 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

    Nature

    Scientists are facing pandemic levels of abuse for simply trying to help us all wrap our heads around COVID-19," said Lyndal Byford the Director of News and Partnerships at the ... The trolling of Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Pandemic levels of abuse directed at COVID-19 experts

    Australia; New Zealand; International; NSW; VIC; WA; ACTAustralian Science Media Centre | Science Media Centre (New Zealand)

  5. Healthcare systems in low and middle income countries must address long COVID

    Publicly released: Thu 14 Oct 2021 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

    JAMA Network Open

    Long term health impacts from survivors of COVID-19, often referred to as long COVID, must be factored into existing healthcare systems, especially in low- and middle-income countries, according to Read more about Healthcare systems in low and middle income countries must address long COVID

    Australia; VICDeakin University | Australian Catholic University, Penn State College of Medicine, USA

  6. Staff shortages could halve Australia's ICU surge capacity

    Publicly released: Wed 13 Oct 2021 at 1600 AEDT, 1800 NZDT

    Medical Journal of Australia (MJA)

    As early as April 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with substantial psychological distress, including anxiety and burnout, among Australian health care workers. ... mja. com. Read more about Staff shortages could halve Australia's ICU surge capacity

    Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; SA; WA; NTThe University of Western Australia

  7. Re-opened US schools linked to increased growth of Covid-19 cases

    Publicly released: Wed 13 Oct 2021 at 0943 AEDT, 1143 NZDT

    PNAS

    A study finds that reopening schools with in-person learning in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with increased case and death rates from the disease, particularly Read more about Re-opened US schools linked to increased growth of Covid-19 cases

    InternationalUniversity of British Columbia, Canada; Massachusetts Institute of Technology, US

  8. Primary schools can significantly contribute to COVID-19 spread

    Publicly released: Wed 13 Oct 2021 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

    JAMA Network Open

    The researchers say the majority of COVID-19 cases were a result of transmissions at the school, and most household transmissions began with a member of the household catching COVID-19 ... What The Study Read more about Primary schools can significantly contribute to COVID-19 spread

    InternationalLiège University Hospital, Belgium

  9. This laser is supposed to rejuvenate vaginal tissue. But it may be no better than a placebo

    Publicly released: Wed 13 Oct 2021 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

    JAMA

    from a placebo treatment – and surprisingly, it found there was no difference between the two. ... The team hope to see the results in a year’s time, depending on COVID-19 interruptions. Read more about This laser is supposed to rejuvenate vaginal tissue. But it may be no better than a placebo

    Australia; International; NSWThe University of New South Wales | Monash University

  10. Ada Lovelace Day to highlight impact of COVID-19 on vital research

    Publicly released: Tue 12 Oct 2021 at 0930 AEDT, 1130 NZDT

    work caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. ... by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more about Ada Lovelace Day to highlight impact of COVID-19 on vital research

    VICVictorian Government | RMIT University | The University of Melbourne ...

  11. If you're vaccinated, your unvaccinated family members are less likely to get COVID-19

    Publicly released: Tue 12 Oct 2021 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

    JAMA Internal Medicine

    The more people in a household are vaccinated or have immunity to COVID-19 from a previous infection, the less likely it is unvaccinated members of the household will become infected, ... The study Read more about If you're vaccinated, your unvaccinated family members are less likely to get COVID-19

    InternationalUmeå University, Sweden

  12. Older people were more likely to do things for the good of us all during the pandemic

    Publicly released: Tue 12 Oct 2021 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

    Nature Aging

    Older people are more likely to do things that benefit others, such as social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic and making charitable donations, according to international research. Read more about Older people were more likely to do things for the good of us all during the pandemic

    Australia; InternationalUniversity of Birmingham, UK

  13. EXPERT REACTION: NSW opening up for the fully vaccinated

    Publicly released: Mon 11 Oct 2021 at 1703 AEDT, 1903 NZDT

    Sydney has partially opened itself up to fully vaccinated individuals after NSW has reached its target of 70 per cent of the population to be double-dosed. ... Below, Australian experts respond to the Read more about EXPERT REACTION: NSW opening up for the fully vaccinated

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

  14. Back to work after lockdown - how do we create COVID-safe workplaces and schools?

    Publicly released: Mon 11 Oct 2021 at 1500 AEDT, 1700 NZDT

    Overseas experience with the Delta variant shows that vaccines alone are not enough to control COVID-19, and that a layered plan including safe indoor air, masks, testing, tracing and work Read more about Back to work after lockdown - how do we create COVID-safe workplaces and schools?

    AustraliaOzSAGE

  15. COVID-19 positive pregnant women and their newborns could face additional health risks

    Publicly released: Mon 11 Oct 2021 at 1001 AEDT, 1201 NZDT

    The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine

    women with COVID-19, adds further weight to the argument for pregnant women to be vaccinated for the virus. ... However, There were significant differences between the COVID-19-positive and healthy Read more about COVID-19 positive pregnant women and their newborns could face additional health risks

    InternationalTel Aviv University, Israel

  16. 16-year-old law could deny telehealth services for voluntary assisted dying

    Publicly released: Mon 11 Oct 2021 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

    Medical Journal of Australia (MJA)

    Dr Close said telehealth was now an integral part of health care and had expanded exponentially during the COVID pandemic in Australia. ... Uncertainty about liability under the Code has unfortunately Read more about 16-year-old law could deny telehealth services for voluntary assisted dying

    Australia; QLDQueensland University of Technology (QUT)

  17. Pandemic linked to rising rates of depressive and anxiety disorders

    Publicly released: Sat 9 Oct 2021 at 0930 AEDT, 1130 NZDT

    The Lancet

    Cases of major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders have increased by more than 25 per cent worldwide, according to a world-first study of the impact of COVID-19 on mental ... estimated people living Read more about Pandemic linked to rising rates of depressive and anxiety disorders

    Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland

  18. EXPERT REACTION: Long COVID gains official recognition

    Publicly released: Fri 8 Oct 2021 at 1230 AEDT, 1430 NZDT

    The illness affects more than 1 in 3 people who have had Covid-19 disease, according to a recent study. ... Post COVID-19 condition occurs in individuals with a history of probable or confirmed SARS Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Long COVID gains official recognition

    Australia; New ZealandScience Media Centre (New Zealand)

  19. EXPERT REACTION: ATAGI recommends booster shots for severely immunocompromised

    Publicly released: Fri 8 Oct 2021 at 1218 AEDT, 1418 NZDT

    ATAGI says an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) is preferred over the AstraZeneca vaccine for this 3rd dose. ... They recommend the 3rd dose be given 2 to 6 months after the 2nd dose of vaccine. Read more about EXPERT REACTION: ATAGI recommends booster shots for severely immunocompromised

    Australia; International; NSW; VIC; QLD; SAAustralian Science Media Centre

  20. Baby boys of hungry mums may grow up to have more fat, less muscle

    Publicly released: Fri 8 Oct 2021 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

    New Zealand Medical Journal

    The research team says ensuring accessibility to nutritious foods is more important now than ever as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to plunge more families into poverty. ... Currently in Aotearoa, Read more about Baby boys of hungry mums may grow up to have more fat, less muscle

    New ZealandAUT University | University of Auckland | Yale University, US

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