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. EXPERT REACTION: NZ’s most Covid-vulnerable areas

    Publicly released: Thu 1 Apr 2021 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand

    Kiwi researchers have created a map of the country showing each region’s vulnerability to Covid-19. ... They took into account Covid-19 risk factors like age, population density, and long-term health Read more about EXPERT REACTION: NZ’s most Covid-vulnerable areas

    New ZealandUniversity of Canterbury

  2. News reports turn older Covid victims into ‘casualties of conflict’

    Publicly released: Thu 1 Apr 2021 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    Kōtuitui: New Zealand Journal of Social Sciences Online

    Scientists analysing media reports say that COVID-19 has made the deaths of older New Zealanders newsworthy. ... They say it’s a departure from the typical sentiment 'if it bleeds it leads', which sees Read more about News reports turn older Covid victims into ‘casualties of conflict’

    New ZealandUniversity of Auckland

  3. Common heart and blood pressure drugs do not worsen COVID-19 and may actually help

    Publicly released: Thu 1 Apr 2021 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

    JAMA Network Open

    UK scientists shave brought together the data from 52 previous studies, including a total of 101,949 COVID-19 patients, to see how the common heart and blood pressure ... The researchers found no Read more about Common heart and blood pressure drugs do not worsen COVID-19 and may actually help

    InternationalNorfolk and Norwich University Hospital, UK

  4. US$1.28 trillion: The stark economic carnage of biological invasions threatening the world

    Publicly released: Thu 1 Apr 2021 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

    Nature

    is being done because the impact isn’t well-recognised by decision-makers and the public. ... Emerging diseases such as COVID-19 were not included in these already staggering amounts. Read more about US$1.28 trillion: The stark economic carnage of biological invasions threatening the world

    Australia; SAFlinders University

  5. Superspreading fuelled NZ’s Covid-19 outbreak

    Publicly released: Wed 31 Mar 2021 at 1145 AEDT, 1345 NZDT

    PLOS One

    One in five New Zealand adults with Covid-19 were responsible for up to 85 per cent of the virus’ transmission. ... That’s according to researchers who have analysed the virus’s spread through the Read more about Superspreading fuelled NZ’s Covid-19 outbreak

    New ZealandTe Pūnaha Matatini | University of Canterbury

  6. Smokers want to quit to help the health system during COVID-19

    Publicly released: Wed 31 Mar 2021 at 1000 AEDT, 1200 NZDT

    Nicotine & Tobacco Research

    It’s always a good time to quit, but COVID-19 is making smokers think about doing it sooner rather than later. ... According to a new study from The George Institute for Global Health, many smokers want Read more about Smokers want to quit to help the health system during COVID-19

    Australia; NSWGeorge Institute for Global Health

  7. Coughing can create 100 times more aerosol particles, putting healthcare workers at risk

    Publicly released: Wed 31 Mar 2021 at 0901 AEDT, 1101 NZDT

    Anaesthesia

    The study set out to examine whether oxygen therapies used for patients with severe COVID-19 produce large amounts of small respiratory particles called aerosols, which can transmit virus and can Read more about Coughing can create 100 times more aerosol particles, putting healthcare workers at risk

    Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney | The University of New South Wales

  8. Privacy trumped other rights during pandemic in NZ

    Publicly released: Wed 31 Mar 2021 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand

    Researchers say the Covid-19 pandemic showed how New Zealand is stuck in the 19th century when it comes to privacy in disasters. ... The authors compare NZ’s response to Taiwan’s, where technology is Read more about Privacy trumped other rights during pandemic in NZ

    New ZealandMassey University | University of Canterbury

  9. Release of the report on the Wuhan field visit on the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus

    Publicly released: Wed 31 Mar 2021 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

    The report on the Wuhan field visit January 12 - February 10 on the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus will be published at 2am AEDT Wed 31 March. ... March 30, the report on the Wuhan field visit January 12 Read more about Release of the report on the Wuhan field visit on the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus

    Australia; InternationalWorld Health Organization

  10. Mystery of photosynthetic algae evolution finally solved

    Publicly released: Tue 30 Mar 2021 at 1330 AEDT, 1530 NZDT

    Nature Communications

    An evolutionary mystery that had eluded molecular biologists for decades may never have been solved if it weren’t for the COVID-19 pandemic. ... And the deal between the organisms is sort of like, Read more about Mystery of photosynthetic algae evolution finally solved

    Australia; NSW; QLDThe University of New South Wales | The University of Queensland ...

  11. Factors that may predict next pandemic

    Publicly released: Tue 30 Mar 2021 at 1200 AEDT, 1400 NZDT

    Transboundary and Emerging Diseases

    A country’s land area, human population density, and area of forest are associated with zoonotic diseases, like COVID-19. ... Human development index, average annual temperature, and health expenditure Read more about Factors that may predict next pandemic

    Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney

  12. Strays pick up Covid-19 in Brazil

    Publicly released: Tue 30 Mar 2021 at 1100 AEDT, 1300 NZDT

    PLOS One

    A stray cat and dog in Brazil are likely to have had Covid-19 earlier in the pandemic, scientists say. ... The researchers tested 96 stray and domestic cats and dogs across the country, finding just two Read more about Strays pick up Covid-19 in Brazil

    InternationalInstituto Oswaldo Cruz, Brazil

  13. COVID-19 vaccines based on new variants may also protect against original strains

    Publicly released: Tue 30 Mar 2021 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

    Nature

    Alex Sigal and colleagues compare the neutralizing activity of convalescent plasma from individuals with COVID-19 on SARS-CoV-2 variants from the first and the current (second) wave of the Read more about COVID-19 vaccines based on new variants may also protect against original strains

    InternationalAfrica Health Research Institute, South Africa

  14. How face masks hinder communication

    Publicly released: Mon 29 Mar 2021 at 1700 AEDT, 1900 NZDT

    Scientific Reports

    Face masks are essential for health professionals and others to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, however, mask-wearing has a significant impact on communication. ... The authors declare no Read more about How face masks hinder communication

    Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney

  15. New ICU monitoring tool CHRIS saved lives in Victoria’s COVID-19 2nd wave

    Publicly released: Mon 29 Mar 2021 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

    MJA

    A national tool for monitoring and sharing intensive care unit capacity was a vital component of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Victoria and has the potential to augment ... to the COVID-19 Read more about New ICU monitoring tool CHRIS saved lives in Victoria’s COVID-19 2nd wave

    Australia; VIC; ACTAlfred Health, Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society, Australian Government Department of Health, Ambulance Victoria

  16. Very few rapid COVID-19 tests are up to standard, especially for those without symptoms

    Publicly released: Fri 26 Mar 2021 at 1000 AEDT, 1200 NZDT

    Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

    decision-making, publishes an updated systematic review assessing rapid tests for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19). ... During the COVID-19 pandemic, swift diagnosis of people who are Read more about Very few rapid COVID-19 tests are up to standard, especially for those without symptoms

    InternationalUniversity of Birmingham, UK

  17. Lockdown stunted a bunch of other viruses too

    Publicly released: Fri 26 Mar 2021 at 1000 AEDT, 1200 NZDT

    Journal of Medical Virology

    been ‘severely curtailed’ by Covid-19 restrictions. ... They first saw the effect in Australia and New Zealand, but are now seeing a similar effect in the UK and Europe. Read more about Lockdown stunted a bunch of other viruses too

    Australia; New Zealand; International; VIC; QLD; WAThe University of Queensland | Canterbury Health Laboratories, Children’s Heath Queensland, Pathwest Laboratory Medicine, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza

  18. Discovery of a third T cell lineage

    Publicly released: Fri 26 Mar 2021 at 0911 AEDT, 1111 NZDT

    Science

    combat cancer and viral infections such as COVID-19. ... Molecular Imaging, and funding from the US National Science Foundation, the US National Institutes of Health and the Australian Research Council. Read more about Discovery of a third T cell lineage

    Australia; VICMonash University

  19. Coronavirus spread earlier than thought in New Zealand

    Publicly released: Fri 26 Mar 2021 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

    New Zealand Medical Journal

    The earliest known cluster of COVID-19 infection in New Zealand has been reported, after researchers found that the coronavirus was transmitting locally - undetected - back in February 2020. Read more about Coronavirus spread earlier than thought in New Zealand

    New ZealandWaikato District Health Board

  20. Low levels of QR code scanning in Dunedin

    Publicly released: Fri 26 Mar 2021 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

    New Zealand Medical Journal

    Key PointsThe speed with which contacts of newly diagnosed community cases of COVID-19 are identified, tested and quarantined/isolated is a critical determinant of how effective contact tracing is in Read more about Low levels of QR code scanning in Dunedin

    New ZealandUniversity of Otago

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