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. New method to assist fast-tracking of vaccines for pre-clinical tests

    Publicly released: Tue 19 Jan 2021 at 0700 AEDT, 0900 NZDT

    PNAS

    A tuberculosis vaccine demonstrated a strong immune response in mice; and the method can be applied to other respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. ... CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Read more about New method to assist fast-tracking of vaccines for pre-clinical tests

    Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney | Centenary Institute

  2. EXPERT REACTION: Deaths in elderly Norwegians after Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

    Publicly released: Mon 18 Jan 2021 at 1246 AEDT, 1446 NZDT

    Norway has reported a number of deaths and side effects in elderly people after being given the Pfizer vaccine. ... According to the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), of 40,000 people Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Deaths in elderly Norwegians after Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

    International; NSW; VICAustralian Science Media Centre

  3. Virus receptor may help explain why older people and men are more at risk from COVID-19

    Publicly released: Mon 18 Jan 2021 at 0500 AEDT, 0700 NZDT

    Respirology

    The virus which causes COVID-19 gets into our cells through a receptor called ACE2, and now Australian researchers have shown that older people and men tend to have more of ... this receptor on the cells Read more about Virus receptor may help explain why older people and men are more at risk from COVID-19

    Australia; NSW; WA; TASThe University of Newcastle | Telethon Kids Institute ...

  4. COVID-19 increases risks for women giving birth

    Publicly released: Sat 16 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    JAMA Internal Medicine

    with COVID-19 than in those without COVID-19, according to a US study of 6,380 mums-to-be who had COVID-19, and 400,066 who did not. ... compared among hospitalized women with and without COVID-19 who Read more about COVID-19 increases risks for women giving birth

    InternationalBrigham andWomen’s Hospital, USA

  5. Keep your nose out of it: Saliva tests may be just as good as nose swabs for COVID-19

    Publicly released: Sat 16 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    JAMA Internal Medicine

    A review of studies has found that saliva sample-based tests are just as good as nose swab based tests when it comes to detecting the virus that causes COVID-19, ... The researchers looked at the data for Read more about Keep your nose out of it: Saliva tests may be just as good as nose swabs for COVID-19

    InternationalMcGill University, Canada

  6. Australian Academy of Science statement on the pandemic, vaccines and misinformation

    Publicly released: Fri 15 Jan 2021 at 0830 AEDT, 1030 NZDT

    None of the vaccines that have been approved for use have demonstrated that they can stop transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) – conclusive data is not ... The approval and Read more about Australian Academy of Science statement on the pandemic, vaccines and misinformation

    AustraliaAustralian Academy of Science

  7. COVID-19 antibody test helps select donor blood samples for therapeutic use

    Publicly released: Fri 15 Jan 2021 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

    PLOS Pathogens

    SARS-CoV-2 antibody test helps select donor blood samples for therapeutic use Researchers have developed and applied a robust, versatile antibody test to assist health authorities in managing the Read more about COVID-19 antibody test helps select donor blood samples for therapeutic use

    InternationalFundacio´n Instituto Leloir-CONICET, Argentina

  8. COVID-19 lockdowns may be making more kids near-sighted

    Publicly released: Fri 15 Jan 2021 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    JAMA Ophthalmology

    US and Chinese scientists say being stuck indoors during the pandemic may be affecting some kids' eyesight, making them more near-sighted. ... They looked at eye tests of more than 120,000 children aged 6 Read more about COVID-19 lockdowns may be making more kids near-sighted

    InternationalEmory University, USA

  9. Notifications to child protection services fell under COVID-19 lockdowns

    Publicly released: Fri 15 Jan 2021 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

    Notifications to authorities of suspected child abuse fell in Australia during COVID-19 ‘lockdowns’ in 2020 and increased again as restrictions were eased, according to a new report from the Read more about Notifications to child protection services fell under COVID-19 lockdowns

    Australia; VICAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)

  10. Men more susceptible to COVID-19 than women

    Publicly released: Thu 14 Jan 2021 at 1530 AEDT, 1730 NZDT

    PLOS ONE

    Men are more likely to test positive for COVID-19, more likely to have complications and more likely to die from the virus than women, independent of age, according to US ... The authors add: “Males Read more about Men more susceptible to COVID-19 than women

    InternationalHouston Methodist Research Institute, USA

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. 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 ...

  18. 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

  19. 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

  20. 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

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