As the COVID-19 pandemic begins to loosen its initial grip on the globe and we contemplate starting the long road back towards normalcy, the medical community will be facing many challenges, none more paramount than preventing the further spread of COVID-19 and limiting the possibility and the extent of a potential ‘second wave.’ The purpose of this document is to provide a list of recommendations aimed at reducing pathogen transfer during the reintroduction of elective orthopaedic s...

Respiratory infections occur through the transmission of virus-containing droplets (>5 to 10 μm) and aerosols (≤5 μm) exhaled from infected individuals during breathing, speaking, coughing, and sneezing. Traditional respiratory disease control measures are designed to reduce transmission by droplets produced in the sneezes and coughs of infected individuals. However, a large proportion of the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) appears to be occurring through airborne transmi...

As many countries emerge from lockdowns, researchers are poised to use genome sequencing to avoid an expected second wave of COVID-19 infections.

Since the first whole-genome sequence of the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, was shared online on 11 January, scientists have sequenced and shared some 32,000 viral genomes from around the world. Such a vast amount of data has allowed researchers to trace the origin of COVID-19 outbreaks in their countries and pinpoint when communi...

Experts in health policy are contending with the real possibility that the United States will pull away from the World Health Organization (WHO), fracturing a relationship that began in the wake of the Second World War.

They say that the repercussions could range from a resurgence of polio and malaria, to barriers in the flow of information on COVID-19. Scientific partnerships around the world would also be damaged, and the United States could lose influence over global health init...

A drug treatment called remdesivir that appears to shorten recovery time for people with coronavirus is being made available on the NHS. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said it was probably the biggest step forward in the treatment of coronavirus since the crisis began. Remdesivir is an anti-viral medicine that has been used against Ebola.

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The test, track and trace system will focus on spikes in schools and workplaces - and getting hyperlocal groups to follow stricter lockdown rules will free up the rest of Britain, a Cabinet Minister has said.

Robert Jenrick told the BBC: "The purpose of this system if we can get it right is to ensure the population can get back to normal degree of life, only if you come into contact with an individual who has tested positive.

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Pan American Health Organization warns of ‘very tough’ weeks ahead; US approaches 100,000 deaths; New Zealand has fifth day with no cases. 


The Americas have emerged as the new centre of the coronavirus pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said, as a US study forecast deaths surging in Brazil and other Latin American countries through August.

“Now is not the time for countries to ease restrictions,” Carissa Etienne, WHO director for the A...

An outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)1–3, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)4 spread globally. Countermeasures are needed to treat and prevent further dissemination of the virus. In this study, we report the isolation of 2 specific human monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) from a convalescent COVID-19 patient. CA1 and CB6 demonstrated potent SARS-CoV-2-specific neutralization activity in vitro against SARS-CoV-2. In addition...

South Koreans from all walks of lives are experiencing a strong sense of déjà vu as the Covid-19 pandemic has miraculously turned their country into the poster child for how to manage a public health crisis. The so-called "K-quarantine" and "K-testing", which have been duplicated worldwide, have added an extra layer to the existing Hallyu or "Korean Wave" of virtuosity and respectability, as the nation's actions have protected and saved lives even though the government is still fighting a...

SK Telecom has developed a new autonomous robot to handle disinfection and monitoring duties as part of efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the company said on Tuesday.

The robot, which was co-developed with South Korean industrial automation solution provider Omron, will disinfect designated areas of the telco's headquarters in Seoul by using ultraviolet lamps.

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Between March 16 and March 27, 2020, we screened 195 individuals for eligibility. Of them, 108 participants (51% male, 49% female; mean age 36·3 years) were recruited and received the low dose (n=36), middle dose (n=36), or high dose (n=36) of the vaccine. All enrolled participants were included in the analysis. At least one adverse reaction within the first 7 days after the vaccination was reported in 30 (83%) participants in the low dose group, 30 (83%) participants in the middle dose group...

The coronavirus pandemic will have a “disastrous” impact on children’s rights worldwide, making them more vulnerable to forced labour and underage marriage, a rights group has said, as the World Health Organization warned of an “immediate second peak” in cases if restrictions were lifted too soon.

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