SARS-CoV-2 is a betacoronavirus that is most closely related to SARS-CoV. Both viruses use the angiotensin-converting enzyme–related carboxypeptidase (ACE2) receptor to gain entry to cells. This receptor is widely expressed in cardiopulmonary tissues but also in some hematopoietic cells, including monocytes and macrophages. A key feature of COVID-19 infection is lymphopenia (low blood lymphocyte count), which correlates with clinical severity. SARS-CoV efficiently infects primary human mo...

The newly emergent human virus SARS-CoV-2 is resulting in high fatality rates and incapacitated health systems. Preventing further transmission is a priority. We analyzed key parameters of epidemic spread to estimate the contribution of different transmission routes and determine requirements for case isolation and contact-tracing needed to stop the epidemic. We conclude that viral spread is too fast to be contained by manual contact tracing, but could be controlled if this process was faster...

A team at Oxford University is sharing an epidemiological model to help configure a contact tracing app for coronavirus. The model offers several safe configurations to introduce an app and a framework to optimise the app after it is released.The simulations confirm that if around half the total population use the app, alongside other interventions, it has the potential to stop the epidemic and help to keep countries out of lockdown. These research efforts are supporting several European proj...

The World Health Organization published this Interim Guide for clinicians involved in the care of adult, pregnant, and pediatric patients with or at risk for severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) when infection with the COVID-19 virus is suspected. Considerations for pediatric patients and pregnant women are highlighted throughout the text. It is not meant to replace clinical judgment or specialist consultation but rather to strengthen clinical management of these patients and to provide ...

Balancing the risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) for patients with cancer and health-care workers with the need to continue to provide effective treatment and care is changing how oncology teams work worldwide. “The pandemic has meant a transformation of every aspect of cancer care, irres- pective of treatment, inpatient or outpatient, and radical or palliative intent,” said James Spicer (Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK).

High rates of sickne...

The Italian Society of Colorectal Surgery (SICCR) published last week an article with some recommendations for good clinical practice in colorectal surgery during the novel coronavirus pandemic. 
As a summary, they believe that the COVID-19 epidemic should not lead to approaches that impair oncologic results or expose patients to excessive morbidity. In COVID-19-negative patients, elective surgery should be performed following the current guidelines, using the least aggressive treatment po...

Here you have the panel discussion of the Leadership during COVID-19 event. 

Valerie Rusch gives her lecture named "Looking forward International Preparedness".

Aneel Bhangu gives his lecture about how to collaborate in COVIDSURG international collaboration.

Dr. Melina Kibbe gives her lecture about the impact on surgical research of COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Susan Galandiuk gives her lecture about the impact on surgical journals of COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Heidi Nelson gives her lecture about care for the cancer patient during COVID19 pandemic.