The Count

Research News

Twin study says half of the variability in COVID-19 symptoms is genetic, fine particles may increase deaths, outcomes vary substantially among ICU's, only 3% of infected young and middle aged adults require hospitalization, interventions dramatically reduced transmission rates for Influenza, and a Boston homeless shelter sees an explosive outbreak

• An analysis of data from a British cohort of twins** comparing symptoms in monozygotic and dizygotic twins concludes that half of the variability in individual symptoms from the virus can be explained by genetics
• Annual averages of fine particulate (PM2.5) air pollution** are associated with COVID-19 mortality rates at the county level in the US, but it is not entirely clear from the preprint that the critical factor of population density, which is closely correlated with both exposure and outcome, has been fully addressed in the analysis.
• A comparison of COVID-19 survival rates** finds marked differences among British ICUs. Understanding the basis for these differences should improve overall disease survival rates.
• Among health care workers in a major Spanish hospital,** 31% were tested for SARS-CoV-2, and, of those, 38% tested positive. Most of the infections did not have severe symptoms and only 3% were hospitalized. These data suggest that, among the represented age range (20-68) there are more than 30 infections for every hospitalized case.
• Influenza surveillance in Singapore and Taiwan demonstrates dramatic drops in the number of cases of influenza following the introduction of strong social distancing measures.
• An analysis of influenza and COVID-19 deaths** in New York city suggests that SARS-CoV-2 has more than 20 times the fatality rate of the seasonal flu.
• A study of SARS CoV-2 infections in a homeless shelter following the diagnosis of multiple symptomatic cases demonstrated the presence of many infections with mild or no symptoms, but did not follow patients to determine if they later developed symptoms.
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*Preprint **Not peer reviewed.

• Covid19- Ahead of the Curve.
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