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. Slower lockdown in Victoria may explain why second outbreak was 10 times bigger

    Publicly released: Fri 9 Oct 2020 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

    The Innovation

    An analysis of the two waves of COVID-19 outbreaks in Victoria suggests that the slower lockdown on the second wave, which was not implemented until cases hit 143, compared with ... just 17 cases for the Read more about Slower lockdown in Victoria may explain why second outbreak was 10 times bigger

    Australia; VICMonash University | Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, China

  2. COVID-Karens tend to be Fox News fans

    Publicly released: Fri 9 Oct 2020 at 0930 AEDT, 1130 NZDT

    BMJ Global Health

    People who prefer right-wing US TV media are more likely to ignore preventative measures against COVID-19, say US researchers. ... Additionally, they say that the TV-right-wingers were significantly more Read more about COVID-Karens tend to be Fox News fans

    InternationalUniversity of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA

  3. EXPERT REACTION: Trial finds hydroxychloroquine doesn't stop people dying from COVID-19

    Publicly released: Fri 9 Oct 2020 at 0800 AEDT, 1000 NZDT

    New England Journal of Medicine

    A randomised clinical trial has found hydroxychloroquine is of no benefit for preventing death from COVID-19. ... The international RECOVERY Collaborative Group found in patients hospitalised with Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Trial finds hydroxychloroquine doesn't stop people dying from COVID-19

    International; NSW; VIC; QLD; ACTLa Trobe University | The Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society ...

  4. Do cloth masks work? Only if you machine wash them after use

    Publicly released: Fri 9 Oct 2020 at 0717 AEDT, 0917 NZDT

    BMJ Open

    A new publication from researchers at UNSW Sydney advises daily washing of cloth masks to reduce the likelihood of contamination and transmission of viruses such as SARS-CoV-2. ... Cloth masks must be Read more about Do cloth masks work? Only if you machine wash them after use

    Australia; NSWThe University of New South Wales | The Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society

  5. Kiwi GPs kept up pandemic appointments, but mostly online

    Publicly released: Fri 9 Oct 2020 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

    NZMJ

    New research suggests that GPs were able to maintain numbers of patient consultations in the first two weeks of New Zealand's COVID-19 response in 2020, compared to the same ... However, only one fifth Read more about Kiwi GPs kept up pandemic appointments, but mostly online

    New ZealandUniversity of Otago

  6. Potential COVID-19 vaccines not affected by dominant 'G-strain'

    Publicly released: Thu 8 Oct 2020 at 2001 AEDT, 2201 NZDT

    npj Vaccines

    New research by CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has shown potential vaccines should not be affected by how SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has changed to ... Since then, Read more about Potential COVID-19 vaccines not affected by dominant 'G-strain'

    AustraliaCSIRO

  7. To catch COVID-19 cases, we need to test those without symptoms

    Publicly released: Thu 8 Oct 2020 at 1630 AEDT, 1830 NZDT

    Clinical Epidemiology

    Of UK residents who tested positive for COVID-19 during lockdown, 86 per cent did not have specific virus symptoms such as cough, and/or fever, or loss of taste/smell, ... The authors say a more Read more about To catch COVID-19 cases, we need to test those without symptoms

    InternationalUniversity College London, UK

  8. One stillbirth occurs every 16 seconds

    Publicly released: Thu 8 Oct 2020 at 1101 AEDT, 1301 NZDT

    Report of the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation

    They say that 84 per cent of stillbirths occur in low- and lower-middle-income countries. ... Additionally, the report warns that the COVID-19 pandemic could worsen the global number of stillbirths, as Read more about One stillbirth occurs every 16 seconds

    InternationalWorld Health Organization

  9. EXPERT REACTION: Cancer screening down in Australia amid COVID-19 pandemic

    Publicly released: Thu 8 Oct 2020 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

    The number of cancer screening tests performed as part of national population screening programs declined during the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, according to a new Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Cancer screening down in Australia amid COVID-19 pandemic

    Australia; New Zealand; NSW; VIC; QLD; SA; WA; TAS; NT; ACTAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)

  10. Protecting wildlife from COVID-infected humans

    Publicly released: Wed 7 Oct 2020 at 1501 AEDT, 1701 NZDT

    Mammal Review

    A wide range of mammals, including threatened species, are susceptible to infection with the COVID-19 virus, warn an international team of scientists. ... Not only does this pose a risk to wildlife, but Read more about Protecting wildlife from COVID-infected humans

    InternationalRega Institute, University of Antwerp

  11. Novel drug in development to inhibit acute inflammation

    Publicly released: Wed 7 Oct 2020 at 1201 AEDT, 1401 NZDT

    Researchers at the Baker Institute and the University of Melbourne are taking the next steps in developing a new anti-inflammatory drug that could lessen the damage from heart attacks, extend Read more about Novel drug in development to inhibit acute inflammation

    Australia; VICThe University of Melbourne | Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute

  12. EXPERT REACTION: Federal Budget 2020-21

    Publicly released: Wed 7 Oct 2020 at 0956 AEDT, 1156 NZDT

    Australian experts from a variety of fields respond to the Federal Government's 2020-21 budget announced on 6 October. Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Federal Budget 2020-21

    Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; SA; ACTAustralian Science Media Centre | Flinders University

  13. COVID-19 outcomes in patients with rare inborn immune disorders

    Publicly released: Tue 6 Oct 2020 at 1500 AEDT, 1700 NZDT

    Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

    There has been substantial anxiety within the PID community that their immune condition would result in a more severe clinical outcome should they contract SARS-CoV-2 and develop COVID-19,” Read more about COVID-19 outcomes in patients with rare inborn immune disorders

    Australia; NSWGarvan Institute of Medical Research | KU Leuven

  14. Australia's COVID-19 response may have saved more than 16,000 lives

    Publicly released: Tue 6 Oct 2020 at 1430 AEDT, 1630 NZDT

    MJA

    Australia's response to COVID-19 may have saved more than 16,000 lives according to modelling that used the UK response as a template, say Australian authors. ... In contrast, by 24 May there had been 103 Read more about Australia's COVID-19 response may have saved more than 16,000 lives

    Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney | The Westmead Institute for Medical Research

  15. EXPERT REACTION: Trump returns to the White House + US review recommends Remdesivir to treat COVID-19

    Publicly released: Tue 6 Oct 2020 at 1300 AEDT, 1500 NZDT

    Annals of Internal Medicine

    US President Donald Trump has been discharged from hospital this morning and returned to the White House, following his COVID-19 diagnosis on Friday. ... They found an overall benefit for using a 5-day Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Trump returns to the White House + US review recommends Remdesivir to treat COVID-19

    International; VIC; QLD; WA; ACTAustralian Science Media Centre | Hudson Institute of Medical Research ...

  16. Coronavirus outbreaks more likely to outlast lockdowns in crowded cities

    Publicly released: Tue 6 Oct 2020 at 0901 AEDT, 1101 NZDT

    Nature Medicine

    Scientists have found a link between how dense a population is, and how long its coronavirus outbreak is likely to last. ... They say densely packed cities might have to account for significant COVID-19 Read more about Coronavirus outbreaks more likely to outlast lockdowns in crowded cities

    InternationalBoston Children’s Hospital, USA

  17. New tech could offer ‘faster, cheaper and mobile’ COVID-19 diagnosis

    Publicly released: Tue 6 Oct 2020 at 0847 AEDT, 1047 NZDT

    Nature Protocols

    Technology that helps to quickly extract and analyse genetic material could be used for cheap, accurate and mobile COVID-19 testing, including at airports and remote testing centres. ... Dipstick’ Read more about New tech could offer ‘faster, cheaper and mobile’ COVID-19 diagnosis

    Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland

  18. Pandemic manels: men dominate nearly all COVID-19 decision-making boards

    Publicly released: Fri 2 Oct 2020 at 0830 AEST, 1130 NZDT

    BMJ Global Health

    New research shows men tip the scales on 85 per cent of the world's COVID-19 decision-making and advisory boards - with 81 per cent having a man at the ... The male-dominated groups included New Read more about Pandemic manels: men dominate nearly all COVID-19 decision-making boards

    Australia; New Zealand; InternationalCambridge University, UK

  19. The pandemic has created a flood of potentially substandard research

    Publicly released: Fri 2 Oct 2020 at 0830 AEST, 1130 NZDT

    Journal of Medical Ethics

    The COVID-19 pandemic has created a flood of potentially substandard research amid the rush to publish, with a string of papers retracted or under a cloud and a surge in ... By July 31, 19 published Read more about The pandemic has created a flood of potentially substandard research

    Australia; QLDBond University

  20. 'Loss of smell' is an important symptom of COVID-19

    Publicly released: Fri 2 Oct 2020 at 0400 AEST, 0700 NZDT

    PLOS Medicine

    'Loss of smell' should be globally recognised as a symptom of COVID-19, say international researchers who tested 597 people who reported smell and/or taste loss for SARS-CoV-2 ... They found 78 per cent Read more about 'Loss of smell' is an important symptom of COVID-19

    InternationalUniversity College London, UK

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