Category: Environment

A LITERATURE REVIEW AND META-ANALYSISOF THE EFFECTS OF LOCKDOWNS ONCOVID-19 MORTALITY

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This systematic review and meta-analysis are designed to determine whether there is empiricalevidence to support the belief that “lockdowns” reduce COVID-19 mortality. Lockdowns aredefined as the imposition of at least one compulsory, non-pharmaceutical intervention (NPI).NPIs are any government mandate that directly restrict peoples’ possibilities, such as policies thatlimit internal movement, close schools and businesses, and… Continue reading A LITERATURE REVIEW AND META-ANALYSISOF THE EFFECTS OF LOCKDOWNS ONCOVID-19 MORTALITY

Rapid emergence of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant is associated with an infection advantage over Delta in vaccinated persons

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The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants continues to shape the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. The detection and rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (lineage B.1.1.529) in Botswana and South Africa became a global concern because it contained 15 mutations in the spike protein immunogenic receptor binding domain and… Continue reading Rapid emergence of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant is associated with an infection advantage over Delta in vaccinated persons

The Lancet: COVID-19 pandemic led to stark rise in depressive and anxiety disorders globally in 2020, with women and younger people most affected

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First global estimates of impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in 2020 suggests additional 53 million cases of major depressive disorder and 76 million cases of anxiety disorders were due to the pandemic.Women and younger people were the most affected by major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders in 2020.Countries hit hardest by the… Continue reading The Lancet: COVID-19 pandemic led to stark rise in depressive and anxiety disorders globally in 2020, with women and younger people most affected

Transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 among fully vaccinated individuals

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Vaccine effectiveness studies have conclusively demonstrated the benefit of COVID-19 vaccines in reducing individual symptomatic and severe disease, resulting in reduced hospitalisations and intensive care unit admissions.1 However, the impact of vaccination on transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 needs to be elucidated. A prospective cohort study in the UK by Anika Singanayagam and colleagues2 regarding community transmission… Continue reading Transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 among fully vaccinated individuals

Clarifying the evidence on SARS-CoV-2 antigen rapid tests in public health responses to COVID-19

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The use of rapid lateral flow antigen testing (LFT) for SARS-CoV-2 has been questioned1, 2, 3 with uncorroborated4 reports of poor LFT sensitivity. The debate surrounding the use of the Innova Lateral Flow SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Test in the UK risks confusing policy makers internationally and potentially stalling deployment of LFTs in other countries.5 As scientists… Continue reading Clarifying the evidence on SARS-CoV-2 antigen rapid tests in public health responses to COVID-19

Triple Vaccinated put the most pressure on the NHS by far over the past 4 weeks according to UKHSA with 74% of Covid-19 hospitalisations recorded among the Vaccinated

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The latest data available from the UK Health Security Agency confirms that the triple vaccinated population accounted for the majority of all Covid-19 hospitalisations between 20th Dec 21 and 16th Jan 22, with the double vaccinated population not far behind. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) publish a weekly Covid-19 Vaccine Surveillance Report containing data… Continue reading Triple Vaccinated put the most pressure on the NHS by far over the past 4 weeks according to UKHSA with 74% of Covid-19 hospitalisations recorded among the Vaccinated

Effectiveness of Adding a Mask Recommendation to Other Public Health Measures to Prevent SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Danish Mask Wearers

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Observational evidence suggests that mask wearing mitigates transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It is uncertain if this observed association arises through protection of uninfected wearers (protective effect), via reduced transmission from infected mask wearers (source control), or both. Objective:To assess whether recommending surgical mask use outside the home reduces wearers' risk… Continue reading Effectiveness of Adding a Mask Recommendation to Other Public Health Measures to Prevent SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Danish Mask Wearers

Recognising Italy’s mistakes in the public health response to COVID-19

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The Day of the Dead in Italy this year was not only a time for remembrance but also for demanding justice for lives lost to COVID-19. On Nov 2, 2021, members of the #Sereni (also known as Serene and Always United) Association demonstrated in Rome against institutional omerta (ie, law of silence) and for the… Continue reading Recognising Italy’s mistakes in the public health response to COVID-19