Resources for Journalists

Accuracy of commercial kits for detecting COVID-19 antibodies varies widely

Publicly released: Fri 25 Sep 2020 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

PLOS Pathogens

Unlike throat and nose swab tests used to establish if someone is infected with COVID-19, antibody tests determine whether someone has had the virus in the past - an important part ... UK and Dutch Read more about Accuracy of commercial kits for detecting COVID-19 antibodies varies widely

Low mask stocks undermined health workers’ trust in their employers

Publicly released: Fri 25 Sep 2020 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

NZMJ

Low stocks of personal protective equipment (PPE) at the start of New Zealand’s COVID-19 outbreak forced healthcare workers to decide whether to protect themselves or help others, according to Read more about Low mask stocks undermined health workers’ trust in their employers

As lockdown cut COVID-19 exposure in Italy, proportion of patients requiring intensive care dropped

Publicly released: Thu 24 Sep 2020 at 1639 AEST, 1839 NZST

ESCMID Conference on Coronavirus Disease

An Italian study of 373 people with COVID-19 found the amount of virus detected in patients dropped between March and May 2020 following lockdown, and so did the proportion of ... 1 per cent in April, Read more about As lockdown cut COVID-19 exposure in Italy, proportion of patients requiring intensive care dropped

As pandemic progresses, patients are carrying less COVID-19 virus and fewer are dying

Publicly released: Thu 24 Sep 2020 at 1612 AEST, 1812 NZST

ESCMID Conference on Coronavirus Disease

A US study suggests that the initial SARS-CoV-2 viral load detected in nasal swab samples from patients has been decreasing as the pandemic progresses, and as the viral load ... has dropped, so have Read more about As pandemic progresses, patients are carrying less COVID-19 virus and fewer are dying

Men with COVID-19 fare worse than women, and it could be down to inflammation

Publicly released: Thu 24 Sep 2020 at 1554 AEST, 1754 NZST

ESCMID Conference on Coronavirus Disease

The researchers looked at data from around 3,000 adults with COVID-19 and found the disease was more likely to reach critical condition in men (30. ... They found 17. 1 per cent of male patients studied Read more about Men with COVID-19 fare worse than women, and it could be down to inflammation

COVID-19 control rests with human behaviour, at least until a vaccine arrives

Publicly released: Thu 24 Sep 2020 at 1311 AEST, 1511 NZST

Social Psychological and Personality Science

As the world awaits a COVID-19 vaccine and confirmed cases exceed 30M, QUT behavioural researchers say the key to containment rests in understanding human behaviour and how our personalities may Read more about COVID-19 control rests with human behaviour, at least until a vaccine arrives

Could COVID-19 spread through viral tears?

Publicly released: Wed 23 Sep 2020 at 1451 AEST, 1651 NZST

American Journal of Ophthalmology

New Zealand researchers have taken a close look at the link between COVID-19 and our eyes. ... After reviewing the literature, they say that a small percentage of COVID-19 patients develop conjunctivitis, Read more about Could COVID-19 spread through viral tears?

Life in lockdown: health-wise, it’s not as bad as you think

Publicly released: Wed 23 Sep 2020 at 1207 AEST, 1407 NZST

While Victorians continue to endure restrictions from a second wave of COVID-19, new research from the University of South Australia is providing much-needed good news about people’s overall Read more about Life in lockdown: health-wise, it’s not as bad as you think

COVID-19 herd immunity approach is impractical, modelling shows

Publicly released: Wed 23 Sep 2020 at 1200 AEST, 1400 NZST

PNAS

Strategies aiming to produce herd immunity to COVID-19 would require constant and very precise fine-tuning of social distancing and self-isolation guidelines, according to new modelling by Read more about COVID-19 herd immunity approach is impractical, modelling shows

COVID-19 may have initially spread faster than we thought thanks to 'superspreaders'

Publicly released: Wed 23 Sep 2020 at 0901 AEST, 1101 NZST

Royal Society Open Science

The initial rate of spread of COVID-19, known as the R0 rate, may have been underestimated during the early stages of the pandemic, according to Polish scientists. ... They used computer models to Read more about COVID-19 may have initially spread faster than we thought thanks to 'superspreaders'

People with asymptomatic COVID-19 have as much virus in their system as those with symptoms

Publicly released: Wed 23 Sep 2020 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

Thorax

People with asymptomatic COVID-19 infection have as much coronavirus in their noses and throats as those with symptoms, according to research from South Korea. ... Given how many of these people there are- Read more about People with asymptomatic COVID-19 have as much virus in their system as those with symptoms

Up to a third of COVID-19 cases could be asymptomatic

Publicly released: Wed 23 Sep 2020 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

PLOS Medicine

A new review suggests 20 to 30 per cent of positive COVID-19 cases could go through their infection without ever showing symptoms. ... Seven studies specifically screened for and followed up with Read more about Up to a third of COVID-19 cases could be asymptomatic

NEWS BRIEFING: Neurological consequences of COVID-19: The ‘Silent Wave’

Publicly released: Wed 23 Sep 2020 at 0200 AEST, 0400 NZST

Journal of Parkinson's Disease

ONLINE BRIEFING - recording now available Is the world prepared for a wave of neurological consequences that may be on its way as a result of COVID-19? ... A team of neuroscientists and clinicians are Read more about NEWS BRIEFING: Neurological consequences of COVID-19: The ‘Silent Wave’

When does a second COVID surge end? Look at the maths

Publicly released: Wed 23 Sep 2020 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

Chaos

New maths on US infection rates helps identify COVID turning points; analysis of surge data could have lessons for Victoria, Australia. Read more about When does a second COVID surge end? Look at the maths

Who is the weakest link? A better understanding of global supply chains

Publicly released: Tue 22 Sep 2020 at 1130 AEST, 1330 NZST

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused “kinks” in the movement of goods and services around the globe, but how important a role do multinational companies play in local economies and supply Read more about Who is the weakest link? A better understanding of global supply chains

Virus tests support use of fabric masks against COVID-19

Publicly released: Tue 22 Sep 2020 at 1049 AEST, 1249 NZST

Pathogens

Testing of commonly available fabric masks has found they significantly reduce the number of aerosolised viruses a wearer could be exposed to. ... The Flinders University study, published in Pathogens, Read more about Virus tests support use of fabric masks against COVID-19

COVID pushing more people to ditch the smokes

Publicly released: Tue 22 Sep 2020 at 0900 AEST, 1100 NZST

Journal of Addiction Medicine

The COVID-19 pandemic has more than doubled the number of smokers wanting to quit but a different approach may be needed to help them succeed, according to a new study ... from The George Institute for Read more about COVID pushing more people to ditch the smokes

DIY face masks? Silk may be most protective from COVID-19

Publicly released: Mon 21 Sep 2020 at 1517 AEST, 1717 NZST

PLOS ONE

New research suggests that silk face masks may be more effective at reducing the risk of coronavirus transmission than cotton or polyester versions. ... Lab experiments by US scientists showed the silk Read more about DIY face masks? Silk may be most protective from COVID-19

Telehealth offers an opportunity to address limited access to early medical abortions

Publicly released: Mon 21 Sep 2020 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

MJA

Reducing restrictions on telehealth services offers an opportunity to address limited access to early medical abortions during COVID-19 and beyond, say Australian authors. ... Access to early medical Read more about Telehealth offers an opportunity to address limited access to early medical abortions

Video shows how easily COVID-19 could spread when people sing together

Publicly released: Sat 19 Sep 2020 at 0800 AEST, 1000 NZST

Journal of Infectious Diseases

A new study from UNSW Sydney published in the journal, Clinical Infectious Diseases, features a video showing the droplets and aerosols – normally unseen by the naked eye - that are emitted by Read more about Video shows how easily COVID-19 could spread when people sing together