Resources for Journalists

EXPERT REACTION: South Australian COVID-19 vaccine trial clears phase 1

Publicly released: Fri 31 Jul 2020 at 1400 AEST, 1600 NZST

It is being reported today that South Australian company Vaxine is to begin phase two trials of its COVID-19 vaccine after the vaccine was found to be safe and generate ... Led by Professor Nikolai Read more about EXPERT REACTION: South Australian COVID-19 vaccine trial clears phase 1

Two candidate vaccines show promise in protecting monkeys against COVID-19

Publicly released: Fri 31 Jul 2020 at 1130 AEST, 1330 NZST

Nature

Two candidate COVID vaccines have shown they can help protect monkeys exposed to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. ... It was able to offer partial or full protection against SARS-CoV-2 Read more about Two candidate vaccines show promise in protecting monkeys against COVID-19

Antiviral drug "probably" helps with severe COVID-19, but more evidence still needed

Publicly released: Fri 31 Jul 2020 at 0901 AEST, 1101 NZST

The BMJ

An expert panel has made a “weak recommendation” for using the antiviral drug remdesivir to treat severe cases of COVID-19. ... The review shows that remdesivir "probably reduces length of hospital Read more about Antiviral drug "probably" helps with severe COVID-19, but more evidence still needed

Younger kids may help COVID-19 spread as restrictions ease

Publicly released: Fri 31 Jul 2020 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Pediatrics

Kids under five may be important drivers of the COVID-19 virus spreading, according to US researchers who found young children with COVID-19 had more of the virus' genetic material ... The authors say the Read more about Younger kids may help COVID-19 spread as restrictions ease

COVID-19 dogs could be sniffing out cases in months

Publicly released: Thu 30 Jul 2020 at 1630 AEST, 1830 NZST

University of Adelaide researchers are working with international partners to train sniffer dogs to detect COVID-19 infection. ... It is hoped the first COVID-19 detection dogs could be working within Read more about COVID-19 dogs could be sniffing out cases in months

EXPERT REACTION: Victoria records 723 new COVID-19 cases

Publicly released: Thu 30 Jul 2020 at 1300 AEST, 1500 NZST

Victoria has today recorded 723 new COVID-19 cases - the country's highest daily total to date. ... There are now 4,516 active cases in metropolitan Melbourne and 255 in regional Victoria. Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Victoria records 723 new COVID-19 cases

Convalescent plasma treatment added to Australian COVID-19 trials

Publicly released: Thu 30 Jul 2020 at 1030 AEST, 1230 NZST

Convalescent plasma has been introduced to the AustralaSian COVID-19 Trial (ASCOT) and Randomised, Embedded, Multi-factorial, Adaptive Platform Trial for Community-Acquired Pneumonia (REMAP-CAP) Read more about Convalescent plasma treatment added to Australian COVID-19 trials

People with COVID-19 could test positive for up to 35 days

Publicly released: Thu 30 Jul 2020 at 0500 AEST, 0700 NZST

Clinical & Translational Immunology

A study of around 200 people with COVID-19 has found that the viruses genetic material, known as RNA, is shed for 14 days on average, but may still be detectable ... Like the COVID-19 tests being used in Read more about People with COVID-19 could test positive for up to 35 days

Why does COVID-19 hit some nursing homes but not others?

Publicly released: Thu 30 Jul 2020 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

A study of nursing homes in the US has found that facilities with COVID-19 cases were more likely to be for-profit facilities, have higher rates of deficiencies and complaints, ... and be in areas with Read more about Why does COVID-19 hit some nursing homes but not others?

SARS-CoV-2 may have diverged from bat viruses approximately 40–70 years ago

Publicly released: Wed 29 Jul 2020 at 1015 AEST, 1215 NZST

Nature Microbiology

SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind COVID-19, is likely to have diverged from the most closely related bat viruses approximately 40–70 years ago, reports international research. ... The authors suggest Read more about SARS-CoV-2 may have diverged from bat viruses approximately 40–70 years ago

Boosting the immune system with other vaccines could mitigate COVID-19

Publicly released: Wed 29 Jul 2020 at 0901 AEST, 1101 NZST

Royal Society Open Biology

Researchers are proposing a new way to mitigate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection by giving the body’s immune system a “head start” with another, unrelated vaccine (e. ... The study authors say Read more about Boosting the immune system with other vaccines could mitigate COVID-19

Depression, stress and anxiety climb for Aussies during COVID-19 pandemic

Publicly released: Wed 29 Jul 2020 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

PLOS ONE

More than three-quarters of Aussies claim their mental health has worsened since the outbreak of COVID-19, a NSW study has found. ... 7 per cent) were very concerned about their loved ones contracting Read more about Depression, stress and anxiety climb for Aussies during COVID-19 pandemic

Paramedics also need care

Publicly released: Tue 28 Jul 2020 at 1630 AEST, 1830 NZST

BMC Psychiatry

As COVID-19 dominates the health system, paramedics and other health workers’ own health and wellbeing is in the spotlight. ... A new Flinders University publication highlights the interaction between Read more about Paramedics also need care

COVID-19 may cause high rates of heart damage

Publicly released: Tue 28 Jul 2020 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Cardiology

The first study found that in 100 German patents who had recently recovered from COVID-19, 78 had abnormal heart readings on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and 60 patients had signs ... A second Read more about COVID-19 may cause high rates of heart damage

If a COVID-19 patient breathes and coughs in a room, how much virus do they shed?

Publicly released: Tue 28 Jul 2020 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Network Open

Just one person with COVID-19 breathing and coughing in a poorly-ventilated room could be enough to generate large numbers of viruses within that space, according to Swiss research. ... The study used Read more about If a COVID-19 patient breathes and coughs in a room, how much virus do they shed?

A dog a day keeps COVID loneliness at bay

Publicly released: Mon 27 Jul 2020 at 1704 AEST, 1904 NZST

International Journal of Social Psychiatry

Owning a dog during COVID-19 lockdowns can help those who live alone feel less lonely, say Australian researchers. ... The study surveyed 384 participants and asked them about their loneliness, Read more about A dog a day keeps COVID loneliness at bay

Common anti-inflammatory drugs ok to use for COVID-19 symptom relief

Publicly released: Mon 27 Jul 2020 at 0500 AEST, 0700 NZST

Clinical & Translational Immunology

There was no increase in adverse outcomes in COVID-19 patients who were given a type of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, known as a COX-2 inhibitor, according to research ... They also found some Read more about Common anti-inflammatory drugs ok to use for COVID-19 symptom relief

Social distancing, the weather and fewer people may explain why COVID spread less in some places

Publicly released: Fri 24 Jul 2020 at 1030 AEST, 1230 NZST

JAMA Network Open

The researchers were looking at the spread of COVID-19 across 211 counties in 46 states and found that while social distancing, temperate weather, and lower population density were all linked Read more about Social distancing, the weather and fewer people may explain why COVID spread less in some places

Two layers better but three layers best when it comes to home-made face masks

Publicly released: Fri 24 Jul 2020 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

Thorax

of COVID-19, Australian researchers say. ... The study found a 3-ply mask was the most effective and while a 1-ply mask reduced the spread of droplets while speaking, a 2-ply mask was better than Read more about Two layers better but three layers best when it comes to home-made face masks

'Anthropause': The sound of seismic silence during lockdown

Publicly released: Fri 24 Jul 2020 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

Science

Whole chunks of the globe have come to a stop for COVID-19 lockdowns, causing the longest and most prominent reduction in man-made noise on record. ... The researchers suggest the strong correlation Read more about 'Anthropause': The sound of seismic silence during lockdown