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. A new tool in the arsenal against COVID-19 is being put to the test

    Publicly released: Tue 14 Feb 2023 at 1630 AEDT, 1830 NZDT

    Nature Communications

    Appearing to ‘blow up’ the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, a newly discovered class of antibodies shows potential protection against COVID-19 variants. ... A new class of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies has been Read more about A new tool in the arsenal against COVID-19 is being put to the test

    Australia; International; NSWGarvan Institute of Medical Research | Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney ...

  2. Parliament invites leading experts to contribute to Long COVID & Repeat Infections Inquiry

    Publicly released: Tue 14 Feb 2023 at 1430 AEDT, 1630 NZDT

    The country’s leading experts will address a roundtable discussion at Parliament House in Canberra on 17 February 2023, to inform the Inquiry into Long COVID and Repeated COVID Infections. Read more about Parliament invites leading experts to contribute to Long COVID & Repeat Infections Inquiry

    AustraliaAustralian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences ...

  3. Community co-design a key to targeting Indigenous diabetes

    Publicly released: Mon 13 Feb 2023 at 1607 AEDT, 1807 NZDT

    Nature Medicine

    The Coorong Diabetes Collaborative project emerged from intensive engagement during COVID-19 outbreaks, when clinicians trained in Eurocentric-based medicine and the Ngarrindjeri community recognised Read more about Community co-design a key to targeting Indigenous diabetes

    Australia; NSW; SAFlinders University | The University of New South Wales

  4. Paxlovid cuts risk of severe COVID-19 in half

    Publicly released: Mon 13 Feb 2023 at 1601 AEDT, 1801 NZDT

    CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal)

    Our study, in conjunction with previous clinical trials and observational research, supports the effectiveness of nirmatrelvir–ritonavir at reducing hospital admission from COVID-19 and all-cause Read more about Paxlovid cuts risk of severe COVID-19 in half

    InternationalPublic Health Ontario, ICES Central, University of Toronto, Toronto East Health Network, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael’s Hospital, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (Canada)

  5. How was happiness hit by the pandemic’s first year? Data from 10 countries

    Publicly released: Sat 11 Feb 2023 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

    PLOS ONE

    Daily data from Twitter was combined with AI to find that changes in the “Gross National Happiness” (GNH) measure were related to new COVID-19 infections, policy stringency, residential mobility, Read more about How was happiness hit by the pandemic’s first year? Data from 10 countries

    InternationalAUT University | Institut national de la statistique et des e´tudes e´conomiques du Grand-Duche´ du Luxembourg (Luxembourg), University of Johannesburg (South Africa)

  6. Receptor that blocks COVID-19 infection discovered

    Publicly released: Fri 10 Feb 2023 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

    PLOS Biology

    This protein, the leucine-rich repeat-containing protein 15 (LRRC15), is an inbuilt receptor that binds the SARS-CoV-2 virus without passing on the infection. ... The receptor sticks to the virus and Read more about Receptor that blocks COVID-19 infection discovered

    Australia; NSWThe University of Sydney

  7. What happens when the COVID-19 virus hits our sewerage system?

    Publicly released: Fri 10 Feb 2023 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    Nature Water

    During the COVID-19 pandemic, governments have relied on our sewerage system to detect and monitor COVID-19 outbreaks but what actually happens to the virus once it enters the sewers? ... Australian Read more about What happens when the COVID-19 virus hits our sewerage system?

    Australia; QLDThe University of Queensland | CSIRO

  8. Broad spectrum antiviral effective for early treatment of COVID-19 across dominant variants

    Publicly released: Thu 9 Feb 2023 at 1159 AEDT, 1359 NZDT

    The New England Journal of Medicine

    Treatment with an exogenous source of interferon lambda such as pegylated interferon lambda could stimulate antiviral immunity and treat early SARS-CoV-2 infection. ... In more than 20 clinical trials, Read more about Broad spectrum antiviral effective for early treatment of COVID-19 across dominant variants

    Australia; VICMonash University

  9. Increasing trends of intrauterine device interest and insertion during the COVID-19 pandemic

    Publicly released: Thu 9 Feb 2023 at 1129 AEDT, 1329 NZDT

    Digital Health

    The research was focused on understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its related lockdowns on the rates of long-acting reversible contraceptive utilization, plus interest in seeking Read more about Increasing trends of intrauterine device interest and insertion during the COVID-19 pandemic

    Australia; QLDGriffith University

  10. A COVID-19 vax during pregnancy could be good for mum AND bub

    Publicly released: Thu 9 Feb 2023 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

    The BMJ

    However, they note that in the rapidly shifting landscape of SARS-CoV-2, even solid conclusions cannot provide definitive answers to many practical questions. ... landscape of new SARS-CoV-2 strains and Read more about A COVID-19 vax during pregnancy could be good for mum AND bub

    InternationalUniversity of Toronto, Canada

  11. Beijing analysis suggests no new COVID-19 variants have emerged during China's recent outbreak

    Publicly released: Thu 9 Feb 2023 at 0930 AEDT, 1130 NZDT

    The Lancet

    was important to investigate whether any new ones emerged following the recent changes to China’s COVID-19 prevention and control policies. ... However, they urge caution in drawing conclusions about Read more about Beijing analysis suggests no new COVID-19 variants have emerged during China's recent outbreak

    InternationalBeijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, China

  12. Chronic fatigue syndrome linked to changes in gut bugs

    Publicly released: Thu 9 Feb 2023 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

    Cell Host & Microbe

    Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome is associated with distinct changes in the microbiome and gut metabolitesOver the past three years, the emergence of long-term effects associated Read more about Chronic fatigue syndrome linked to changes in gut bugs

    InternationalThe Jackson Laboratory, USA and Columbia University, USA

  13. Older people are more likely to die once hospitalised with COVID-19 than with other pneumonia

    Publicly released: Wed 8 Feb 2023 at 1901 AEDT, 2101 NZDT

    Journal of the American Geriatrics Society

    The team compared Dutch ICU data from people over 70 years old admitted with COVID-19 during the pandemic to data from those admitted because of bacterial and other viral pneumonia ... They found 39. 7% Read more about Older people are more likely to die once hospitalised with COVID-19 than with other pneumonia

    InternationalDiakonessenhuis, The Netherlands

  14. NZ contact tracing gaps went unreported in 2020

    Publicly released: Tue 7 Feb 2023 at 0938 AEDT, 1138 NZDT

    IJID Regions

    New Zealand saw its second COVID-19 outbreak in August 2020, involving 179 cases who were mostly Pasifika (59%) or Māori (25%) in Auckland. ... Pacific contacts were reached significantly later than Read more about NZ contact tracing gaps went unreported in 2020

    New Zealand; PacificUniversity of Auckland | University of Otago | ESR (Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd) ...

  15. Take these 5 steps to help older adults become digitally savvy

    Publicly released: Fri 3 Feb 2023 at 0945 AEDT, 1145 NZDT

    Research Anthology on Supporting Healthy Aging in a Digital Society

    More older Australians are digitally engaged compared to pre-COVID levels, but research shows they are also feeling overwhelmed by the advancement of technological change, and cannot keep up with Read more about Take these 5 steps to help older adults become digitally savvy

    Australia; VICSwinburne University of Technology

  16. EXPERT REACTION: COVID could carry on for decades, says US research funding giant

    Publicly released: Fri 3 Feb 2023 at 0913 AEDT, 1113 NZDT

    Science

    The importance of investing in basic and applied research, and improving how we communicate science in the face of misinformation, are top lessons from COVID-19, according to a policy review Read more about EXPERT REACTION: COVID could carry on for decades, says US research funding giant

    InternationalNational Human Genome Research Institute, The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Merck, The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, National Cancer Institute, US Food and Drug Administration, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Vir Biotechnology, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (USA), Galapagos (Belgium). Roche (Switzerland).

  17. Probes strike gold to stop the trots in pigs

    Publicly released: Fri 3 Feb 2023 at 0910 AEDT, 1110 NZDT

    Biosensors

    We envisage this technology will be invaluable for biosecurity systems, helping to limit the spread of the virus in Australia and other countries, ensuring the health of pigs and protecting the Read more about Probes strike gold to stop the trots in pigs

    Australia; SAUniversity of South Australia

  18. 1 in 3 Dunedin students didn’t report their COVID infection

    Publicly released: Fri 3 Feb 2023 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

    New Zealand Medical Journal

    COVID-19 began to spread through the University of Otago student population in Dunedin in mid February 2022, and reported case numbers rose rapidly between late February and early March. ... 4%) of Read more about 1 in 3 Dunedin students didn’t report their COVID infection

    New ZealandUniversity of Otago

  19. Social isolation could be associated with a higher dementia risk

    Publicly released: Thu 2 Feb 2023 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

    PLOS ONE

    the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Kimia Shafighi of McGill University, Canada, and colleagues. ... The authors add: “Given the uncertain impact of social distancing measures imposed by COVID-19, our Read more about Social isolation could be associated with a higher dementia risk

    InternationalMcGill University, Canada

  20. Modelling the shift from elimination to mitigation in Aotearoa New Zealand

    Publicly released: Wed 1 Feb 2023 at 1101 AEDT, 1301 NZDT

    Royal Society Open Science

    to stamp out transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). ... To investigate how the traffic light system might be used to limit the health burden manage the tricky transition to living with the virus, Read more about Modelling the shift from elimination to mitigation in Aotearoa New Zealand

    New ZealandA Better Start National Science Challenge | Covid-19 Modelling Aotearoa

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