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. COVID-19 virus can infect brain cells and cause brain damage

    Publicly released: Thu 14 Jan 2021 at 1400 AEDT, 1600 NZDT

    Journal of Experimental Medicine

    Finally, the team looked at the brains of three patients who died of COVID-19, and found tissue damage and dead cells in all three, although the virus itself was only ... Though COVID-19 is considered Read more about COVID-19 virus can infect brain cells and cause brain damage

    InternationalYale School of Medicine, USA

  2. What’s app-ening with my lungs?

    Publicly released: Thu 14 Jan 2021 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

    Larrakia Elder and chair of the Menzies Child Health Indigenous Reference Group Aunty Bilawara Lee says the app is even more important for families during the coronavirus pandemic. ... The threat of Read more about What’s app-ening with my lungs?

    Australia; NTMenzies School of Health Research | Lung Foundation Australia

  3. Another COVID-19 vaccine shows promise

    Publicly released: Thu 14 Jan 2021 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

    NEJM

    Interim results of a phase 1-2a trial of a COVID-19 candidate vaccine, Ad26. ... These trials were focused on the vaccine candidate's safety and ability to produce immune responses, and the results Read more about Another COVID-19 vaccine shows promise

    InternationalJanssen Vaccines and Prevention, the Netherlands

  4. Plasma from recovered COVID patients works better if it has more antibodies

    Publicly released: Thu 14 Jan 2021 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

    New England Journal of Medicine

    COVID patients who receive blood plasma with higher SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels had a lower risk of death than those who received plasma with lower antibody levels, according to US ... research. This sort Read more about Plasma from recovered COVID patients works better if it has more antibodies

    InternationalMayo Clinic, USA

  5. Clinical trial finds vitamin D does not ward off colds and flu

    Publicly released: Thu 14 Jan 2021 at 0759 AEDT, 0959 NZDT

    The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology

    The studies that have been published do suggest that having higher vitamin D levels may reduce the risk and severity of COVID-19, but these studies have had fairly serious limitations, ... The D-Health Read more about Clinical trial finds vitamin D does not ward off colds and flu

    Australia; QLDQIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute

  6. EXPERT REACTION: Scientists call for pause to AstraZeneca vaccine rollout

    Publicly released: Wed 13 Jan 2021 at 1009 AEDT, 1209 NZDT

    The Australian and New Zealand Society for Immunology says the federal government should immediately pause the planned rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine because it may not be effective enough to Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Scientists call for pause to AstraZeneca vaccine rollout

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

  7. Impact of COVID lockdown on aeromedical retrievals

    Publicly released: Wed 13 Jan 2021 at 0944 AEDT, 1144 NZDT

    Internal Medicine Journal

    New data released this week by Australian researchers reveals the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown period on aeromedical retrievals in rural and remote regions. ... Dr Gardiner says 230 patients suspected Read more about Impact of COVID lockdown on aeromedical retrievals

    Australia; VIC; QLD; SA; WA; ACTUniversity of South Australia | The University of Western Australia ...

  8. Slave labour is being used to meet our demand for PPE in the pandemic

    Publicly released: Tue 12 Jan 2021 at 1045 AEDT, 1245 NZDT

    Annals of Internal Medicine

    COVID-19-related increases in supply and demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) are likely to have exacerbated the prevalence of forced labour in global PPE supply chains, according to Read more about Slave labour is being used to meet our demand for PPE in the pandemic

    InternationalCleveland Clinic, USA

  9. Gut bugs could influence COVID-19 severity

    Publicly released: Tue 12 Jan 2021 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

    Gut

    SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. ... This suggests that the gut microbiome might influence the immune system response to COVID-19 infection and potentially affect disease severity and Read more about Gut bugs could influence COVID-19 severity

    InternationalThe Chinese University of Hong Kong, China

  10. Saliva-based COVID-19 testing is as effective and cheaper than uncomfortable nasal swabs

    Publicly released: Tue 12 Jan 2021 at 1029 AEDT, 1229 NZDT

    Annals of Internal Medicine

    syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), but they require a trained health care professional and extensive personal protective equipment. ... Authors from McGill University summarize evidence comparing the Read more about Saliva-based COVID-19 testing is as effective and cheaper than uncomfortable nasal swabs

    InternationalMcGill University, Canada

  11. COVID-19 pandemic disrupted heart disease diagnosis and treatment

    Publicly released: Tue 12 Jan 2021 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

    Journal of the American College of Cardiology

    The COVID-19 pandemic delayed and disrupted heart disease diagnosis and timely treatment across the world, according to Australian and international researchers. ... DiseaseThe COVID-19 pandemic caused Read more about COVID-19 pandemic disrupted heart disease diagnosis and treatment

    Australia; International; VICThe University of Melbourne | Columbia University, USA

  12. Frozen egg wastage prompts calls for women to donate unused eggs

    Publicly released: Mon 11 Jan 2021 at 1106 AEDT, 1306 NZDT

    BMJ Ethics

    the future, could donate their eggs and be reimbursed for the egg freezing costs they had incurred,” Dr Polyakov said. ... Moreover, in the past year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this avenue of Read more about Frozen egg wastage prompts calls for women to donate unused eggs

    Australia; VICThe University of Melbourne

  13. Meaningful lockdown activity is more satisfying than busyness

    Publicly released: Mon 11 Jan 2021 at 1048 AEDT, 1248 NZDT

    PLOS ONE

    The study showed positive and negative affect worked together, not as opposites,” Saling said. ... Increased meaningful activity while social distancing dampens affectivity; mere busyness heightens it: Read more about Meaningful lockdown activity is more satisfying than busyness

    Australia; NSWRMIT University | Charles Sturt University

  14. Lingering symptoms and diminishing immunity raise long-term concerns over COVID-19

    Publicly released: Sat 9 Jan 2021 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

    The Lancet

    1] The new study included 1,733 COVID-19 patients who were discharged from Jin Yin-tan Hospital in Wuhan, China, between January 7th and May 29th 2020. ... Impaired lung function and exercise capacity Read more about Lingering symptoms and diminishing immunity raise long-term concerns over COVID-19

    InternationalWuhan Research Center for Communicable Disease Diagnosis and Treatment, China

  15. Increased trust in government and science amid pandemic

    Publicly released: Fri 8 Jan 2021 at 1824 AEDT, 2024 NZDT

    Australian Journal of Public Administration

    New Curtin University research has found a dramatic increase in people’s trust in government in Australia and New Zealand as a result of the COVID pandemic. ... The research paper, ‘Trust in Read more about Increased trust in government and science amid pandemic

    Australia; New ZealandCurtin University

  16. COVID-19 likely lingered longer than reported in Wuhan

    Publicly released: Fri 8 Jan 2021 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

    PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases

    Rapid antibody tests are used to diagnosis present and past infections with the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19; positive IgG antibodies suggests a previous infection while IgM antibodies Read more about COVID-19 likely lingered longer than reported in Wuhan

    InternationalWuhan University, China

  17. If COVID vaccines just shortened the infectious period they'd save millions of lives and billions of dollars

    Publicly released: Fri 8 Jan 2021 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

    PLOS Computational Biology

    The researchers created a computer model that simulates the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. ... To clarify the potential value of shortening the infectious period, Lee and Read more about If COVID vaccines just shortened the infectious period they'd save millions of lives and billions of dollars

    InternationalCity University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, USA

  18. More than half of all COVID-19 is spread by people without symptoms

    Publicly released: Fri 8 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    JAMA Network Open

    The authors say this shows that that the identification and isolation of persons with symptomatic COVID-19 alone will not control the ongoing spread of SARS-CoV-2. ... SARS-CoV-2 Transmission From People Read more about More than half of all COVID-19 is spread by people without symptoms

    InternationalUS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

  19. EXPERT REACTION: Aussie COVID vaccine rollout brought forward to February

    Publicly released: Thu 7 Jan 2021 at 1600 AEDT, 1800 NZDT

    The rollout of a coronavirus vaccine in Australia will be brought forward to next month, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison saying the first groups are expected to receive the jab in ... The PM said the Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Aussie COVID vaccine rollout brought forward to February

    Australia; NSW; VIC; SA; TAS; ACTAustralian Science Media Centre

  20. Effect of COVID-19 greatest on people living with dementia

    Publicly released: Thu 7 Jan 2021 at 0901 AEDT, 1101 NZDT

    Nature Reviews Neurology

    The COVID-19 global pandemic is affecting people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias in a unique way. ... This process ultimately causes further neurodegeneration,” says Dr Numbers. The Read more about Effect of COVID-19 greatest on people living with dementia

    Australia; NSWCHeBA

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