Resources for Journalists

GPs ‘unsung heroes’ of NZ’s COVID-19 response

Publicly released: Thu 23 Apr 2020 at 2201 AEST, Fri 24 Apr 20 at 0001 NZST

New Zealand Medical Journal

General practitioners (GPs) have seen the increasing risk and weathered the ‘wholesale scramble’ of the COVID-19 pandemic, writes the chair of the New Zealand Medical Association in an editorial. Read more about GPs ‘unsung heroes’ of NZ’s COVID-19 response

Major injuries halve during NZ lockdown

Publicly released: Thu 23 Apr 2020 at 2201 AEST, Fri 24 Apr 20 at 0001 NZST

New Zealand Medical Journal

Researchers have examined the volume and type of injuries seen in a Waikato trauma centre before and during New Zealand’s Alert Level 4 COVID-19 lockdown. ... Post-lockdown injuries mainly happened at Read more about Major injuries halve during NZ lockdown

How common is loss of smell or taste in COVID-19 patients?

Publicly released: Thu 23 Apr 2020 at 1654 AEST, 1854 NZST

JAMA

Italian and UK scientists have surveyed 202 COVID-19 patients to determine how common loss of sense of smell or taste are as symptoms of the disease. ... Around one in five noticed the sensory symptoms at Read more about How common is loss of smell or taste in COVID-19 patients?

COVID-19-related sepsis reported in a baby boy

Publicly released: Thu 23 Apr 2020 at 1634 AEST, 1834 NZST

NEJM

a result of contracting the SARS-CoV-2 virus. ... The bub was fine after nine days of hospital treatment, but the case highlights that COVID-19 can affect children severely, they say. Read more about COVID-19-related sepsis reported in a baby boy

Review of Trump's 'miracle' COVID-19 drug hydroxychloroquine suggests it's no cure

Publicly released: Thu 23 Apr 2020 at 1550 AEST, 1750 NZST

Journal of Medical Virology

Indian scientists have conducted a review of seven studies that looked at using hydroxychloroquine - the drug touted by Donald Trump as a 'miracle' cure - to treat COVID-19 patients. ... Overall, they say Read more about Review of Trump's 'miracle' COVID-19 drug hydroxychloroquine suggests it's no cure

Vaping may not be the best idea during the COVID-19 epidemic

Publicly released: Thu 23 Apr 2020 at 1531 AEST, 1731 NZST

Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology

Following last year's spate of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI), it's probably best to give e-cigarettes a wide berth during the COVID-19 ... He summarises the pattern of Read more about Vaping may not be the best idea during the COVID-19 epidemic

COVID-19 in kids and adolescents reviewed

Publicly released: Thu 23 Apr 2020 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

JAMA Pediatrics

Italian scientists have brought together the available evidence on COVID-19 in kids and adolescents, including 18 studies with 1,065 participants. ... No children between the ages of zero and nine have Read more about COVID-19 in kids and adolescents reviewed

Fears children’s immunisation rates will drop

Publicly released: Wed 22 Apr 2020 at 1146 AEST, 1346 NZST

PLOS ONE

There are fears parents will skip vital vaccinations for their children and that there may be disease outbreaks, because parents are concerned about taking their children to their GP during the Read more about Fears children’s immunisation rates will drop

Keep children from hospital during pandemic

Publicly released: Wed 22 Apr 2020 at 1105 AEST, 1305 NZST

Patient Education and Counseling

With stressed hospital services, and concerns about the spread of COVID-19, experts are reminding carers of children and young people of the importance of safely adhering to supported chronic Read more about Keep children from hospital during pandemic

BACKGROUND BRIEFING: When can Australia start to lift COVID-19 restrictions? Ask an epidemiologist 

Publicly released: Wed 22 Apr 2020 at 1100 AEST, 1300 NZST

With positive signs Australia is continuing to flatten the COVID-19 curve, attention now turns to the possibility of lifting restrictions. ... But when is the right time and what will be the best way Read more about BACKGROUND BRIEFING: When can Australia start to lift COVID-19 restrictions? Ask an epidemiologist 

How green space can keep the blues at bay

Publicly released: Wed 22 Apr 2020 at 1001 AEST, 1201 NZST

How can you keep your mind and body strong while stuck at home during COVID-19? ... Ecology and health expert Professor Pierre Horwitz from Edith Cowan University believes the key is to get outside and Read more about How green space can keep the blues at bay

Superbugs could trigger our next Global Financial Crisis

Publicly released: Tue 21 Apr 2020 at 1501 AEST, 1701 NZST

As Australia grapples with the economic fallout of COVID-19, an even bigger financial disaster is on the horizon, with drug-resistant bacteria set to cost the nation up to $283 Read more about Superbugs could trigger our next Global Financial Crisis

Spatial distancing rules for health workers may be insufficient

Publicly released: Tue 21 Apr 2020 at 0755 AEST, 0955 NZST

Journal of Infectious Diseases

Current advice for COVID-19 health workers is based on the assumption that droplets bearing the virus travel no further than 2 metres and do not remain in the air. ... The body of published evidence Read more about Spatial distancing rules for health workers may be insufficient

Update on the AustralaSian COVID-19 Trial

Publicly released: Mon 20 Apr 2020 at 1622 AEST, 1822 NZST

Principal and Chief Investigators of the AustralaSian COVID-19 Trial (ASCOT) will provide an update on the trial on Tuesday 21 April at 10. ... The aim of the study is to test whether using these drugs in Read more about Update on the AustralaSian COVID-19 Trial

How to make and use a coronavirus face mask

Publicly released: Mon 20 Apr 2020 at 1527 AEST, 1727 NZST

JAMA

US experts have produced a guide to face masks for COVID-19, including ideas for making a mask at home and instructions on how to use masks effectively. ... Face coverings can be made from household items Read more about How to make and use a coronavirus face mask

Some COVID-19 patients develop autoimmune nerve condition

Publicly released: Mon 20 Apr 2020 at 1424 AEST, 1624 NZST

NEJM

Italian doctors say they've identified five COVID-19 patients who developed Guillain–Barré Syndrome - a disorder in which the body's immune system attacks the nerves, resulting in weakness and Read more about Some COVID-19 patients develop autoimmune nerve condition

The eyes have it: SARS-CoV-2 may linger in and spread through eyes

Publicly released: Mon 20 Apr 2020 at 1358 AEST, 1558 NZST

Annals of Internal Medicine

Italian doctors say they detected the COVID-19 virus in secretions from the eyes of a 65-year-old woman who had tested negative for the virus using nasal swabs five ... The patient suffered conjunctivitis Read more about The eyes have it: SARS-CoV-2 may linger in and spread through eyes

COVID-19 movement restrictions can be more targeted to allow relaxing of blanket lockdowns

Publicly released: Mon 20 Apr 2020 at 1206 AEST, 1406 NZST

IEEE Computer Society

A QUT researcher who specialises in tracking infectious disease outbreaks based on people’s movement patterns says blanket COVID-19 lockdowns could become targeted to designated hotspots or Read more about COVID-19 movement restrictions can be more targeted to allow relaxing of blanket lockdowns

EXPERT REACTION: Coronavirus tracing app

Publicly released: Mon 20 Apr 2020 at 1130 AEST, 1330 NZST

Several politicians have raised concerns about the COVID tracker, the federal government app which will be available in the next couple of weeks, to help track down people who may have ... been in Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Coronavirus tracing app

CSIRO unlocks new way to understand evolving strains of SARS-CoV-2

Publicly released: Mon 20 Apr 2020 at 0600 AEST, 0800 NZST

Transboundary and Emerging Diseases Journal

Researchers from CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, have unveiled a new approach to analysing the genetic codes – or the blueprint – of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. Read more about CSIRO unlocks new way to understand evolving strains of SARS-CoV-2