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. Why is COVID-19 twice as fatal for men as women?

    Publicly released: Thu 20 Aug 2020 at 1000 AEST, 1200 NZST

    Obesity Research and Clinical Practice

    Across Australia and the world, COVID-19 is twice as fatal for men as women. ... The editorial is based on a paper titled "Obesity is the comorbidity more strongly associated for Covid-19 in Mexico. Read more about Why is COVID-19 twice as fatal for men as women?

    Australia; SASouth Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) ...

  2. COVID-19 leaves kids vulnerable to immune disease

    Publicly released: Thu 20 Aug 2020 at 0915 AEST, 1115 NZST

    Nature Medicine

    They found the children had a similar immune response to an adult with COVID-19, and the illness appears to be distinct from Kawasaki disease, another inflammatory syndrome which has been ... They say Read more about COVID-19 leaves kids vulnerable to immune disease

    InternationalKing’s College London, UK

  3. AusSMC BRIEFING: Genomic testing for COVID-19 - ask the experts

    Publicly released: Wed 19 Aug 2020 at 1100 AEST, 1300 NZST

    Recording now available: As cases continue in Victoria and NSW, a lot has been said about genomic testing; including that it could link 99 per cent of Victoria's second wave ... But how does it work, what Read more about AusSMC BRIEFING: Genomic testing for COVID-19 - ask the experts

    Australia; NSW; VICAustralian Science Media Centre | The University of Sydney ...

  4. CSIRO welcomes Australian agreement with AstraZeneca to provide access to Oxford’s COVID-19 vaccine

    Publicly released: Wed 19 Aug 2020 at 1000 AEST, 1200 NZST

    CSIRO welcomes the Australian Government’s agreement with pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, to give Australians access to the University of Oxford’s COVID-19 vaccine, should it prove successful, Read more about CSIRO welcomes Australian agreement with AstraZeneca to provide access to Oxford’s COVID-19 vaccine

    AustraliaCSIRO

  5. Nose 'smell zone' may be major entry point for COVID-19, explaining sense of smell loss

    Publicly released: Wed 19 Aug 2020 at 0901 AEST, 1101 NZST

    European Respiratory Journal

    This enzyme is thought to be the ‘entry point’ that allows coronavirus to get into the cells of the body and cause an infection. ... This may explain why so many people with COVID-19 lose their sense Read more about Nose 'smell zone' may be major entry point for COVID-19, explaining sense of smell loss

    InternationalJohns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA

  6. How COVID-19 spread onboard one international flight

    Publicly released: Wed 19 Aug 2020 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

    JAMA Network Open

    The researchers found there were two other passengers who most likely caught SARS-CoV-2 on this flight. ... Both people were seated within 2 rows of a COVID-19 case. The researchers say the airflow in Read more about How COVID-19 spread onboard one international flight

    InternationalGoethe University, Germany

  7. Official Aussie COVID-19 websites may be too difficult for many Australians to read

    Publicly released: Wed 19 Aug 2020 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

    JAMA Network Open

    COVID-19 information on official Australian government sites uses technical terminology and language that is too difficult for the average person to read, according to US research. ... The found the World Read more about Official Aussie COVID-19 websites may be too difficult for many Australians to read

    Australia; InternationalDartmouth College, USA

  8. Dry air increases COVID risk; another reason to wear a mask

    Publicly released: Tue 18 Aug 2020 at 1300 AEST, 1500 NZST

    Transboundary and Emerging Diseases

    A second Australian study confirms a link between COVID-19 and low humidity. ... Expert says we could face increased risks when humidity is low: August has the lowest humidity in some parts of Australia, Read more about Dry air increases COVID risk; another reason to wear a mask

    Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney

  9. People with autoimmune diseases: keep taking your meds during the pandemic

    Publicly released: Tue 18 Aug 2020 at 1052 AEST, 1252 NZST

    Australian Prescriber

    In a new editorial, Australian researchers have advised people with these diseases to keep taking their medicines as prescribed, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. ... The authors say currently available Read more about People with autoimmune diseases: keep taking your meds during the pandemic

    Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland | Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital, Princess Alexandra Hospital

  10. Dr Fauci on the history of infectious disease

    Publicly released: Tue 18 Aug 2020 at 1041 AEST, 1241 NZST

    Cell

    One of the foremost medical experts fighting COVID-19 in the US, Dr Anthony Fauci, has co-authored a paper on the history of infectious diseases. ... The paper says novel diseases emerge through dynamic Read more about Dr Fauci on the history of infectious disease

    InternationalNational Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, US

  11. COVID-19 a reminder of zoonotic diseases at home

    Publicly released: Tue 18 Aug 2020 at 0900 AEST, 1100 NZST

    The coronavirus pandemic is a timely reminder that diseases can jump from animals to humans in our own backyard too, a UNSW virologist says. Read more about COVID-19 a reminder of zoonotic diseases at home

    Australia; NSWThe University of New South Wales

  12. Why do people believe conspiracy theories? New research challenges old theories

    Publicly released: Tue 18 Aug 2020 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

    PLOS ONE

    The researchers ran a range of psychology experiments online to test the link between people's feelings of control and their inclination to believe in conspiracy theories. ... While their findings suggest Read more about Why do people believe conspiracy theories? New research challenges old theories

    New Zealand; InternationalUniversity of Otago

  13. COVID cases and deaths seems to occur in a weekly cycle

    Publicly released: Tue 18 Aug 2020 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

    JAMA Network Open

    New cases of COVID-19 and deaths from COVID-19 seem to occur in weekly cycle which peaks and dips over a 7 day period, according to International research. ... say it is also likely that other social or Read more about COVID cases and deaths seems to occur in a weekly cycle

    InternationalHarvard Medical School, USA

  14. EXPERT Q&A: Victoria records largest number of deaths to date alongside 282 new cases

    Publicly released: Mon 17 Aug 2020 at 1400 AEST, 1600 NZST

    Victoria has on Monday recorded its highest COVID-19 daily death toll to date with 25 deaths, alongside 282 new cases. ... Below, Professor Catherine Bennett, Chair in Epidemiology at Deakin University, Read more about EXPERT Q&A: Victoria records largest number of deaths to date alongside 282 new cases

    Australia; VICAustralian Science Media Centre | Deakin University

  15. Food safety model may help pandemic management

    Publicly released: Mon 17 Aug 2020 at 1000 AEST, 1200 NZST

    Frontiers in Public Health

    No precedent exists for managing the COVID-19 pandemic – although a plan for working through major public food scares may point to the best ways of alerting and communicating with the Read more about Food safety model may help pandemic management

    Australia; SAFlinders University

  16. Heart health linked to risk of death from COVID-19

    Publicly released: Sat 15 Aug 2020 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

    PLOS ONE

    Pre-existing cardiovascular problems and risk factors for heart disease are both linked to increased risk of death from COVID-19 in hospitalised patients. ... Researchers in Italy looked at data from more Read more about Heart health linked to risk of death from COVID-19

    InternationalUniversita degli Studi Magna Graecia di Catanzaro, Italy

  17. Kids are not an important source of COVID-19 infection

    Publicly released: Fri 14 Aug 2020 at 1100 AEST, 1300 NZST

    Archives of Disease in Childhood

    Children made up a very small proportion - just 1 per cent - of all confirmed COVID-19 cases in England during the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic, despite the large numbers ... The researchers say Read more about Kids are not an important source of COVID-19 infection

    InternationalPublic Health England, UK

  18. A different type of COVID-19 vaccine shows early promise

    Publicly released: Fri 14 Aug 2020 at 1100 AEST, 1300 NZST

    JAMA

    Early clinical testing of a Chinese vaccine against COVID-19 has shown promise, with the vaccine able to trigger anitbody production and also showing a low rate of adverse reactions. ... The vaccine is Read more about A different type of COVID-19 vaccine shows early promise

    InternationalChina National Biotec Group Company Limited

  19. Expert calls for schools to close in areas with community transmission

    Publicly released: Fri 14 Aug 2020 at 1100 AEST, 1300 NZST

    MJA

    Complacency about the vulnerability of children to COVID-19 infection and their ability to transmit the virus cannot continue, according to an Aussie expert who says schools must not remain open Read more about Expert calls for schools to close in areas with community transmission

    Australia; NSW; VIC; WAThe University of Western Australia

  20. Household contact may be the greatest risk for transmission of COVID-19

    Publicly released: Fri 14 Aug 2020 at 1000 AEST, 1200 NZST

    Annals of Internal Medicine

    Researchers in China say household contact may be the main way COVID-19 is spread and that rates of secondary spread of the virus were far higher in homes than in ... The authors found that risk for Read more about Household contact may be the greatest risk for transmission of COVID-19

    InternationalSouthern Medical University, China

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