Update on COVID-19 pandemic, BMJ Best Practice (updated 8th January 2021)

Over 88 million cases have been reported globally, with over 49 million cases recovered so far, and approximately 1.9 million deaths according to data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. What ' s new at this update: Epidemiology: updated data on children and pregnant women; updated risk factors (residence in a long-term care facility; cardiovascular diseases; diabetes; chronic respiratory diseases). Aetiology: new section on SARS-CoV-2 variants; updated data on secondary attack rates. Investigations: WHO recommends PCR test results are considered in combination with specimen type, clinical observations, patient history, epidemiological information, and cycle threshold. Treatment algorithm: NHS England recommends therapeutic doses of anticoagulation for VTE prophylaxis should not be used unless there is a standard indication for therapeutic anticoagulation. Emerging: updated monoclonal antibodies, convalescent plasma, stem cell therapy, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) sections. Prevention: AstraZeneca vaccine now authorised in the UK and Moderna vaccine now authorised in Europe; updated guidance on vaccination in people with history of allergies/anaphylaxis and pregnant/breastfeeding women; updated safety and efficacy data on vaccines; new vaccine comparison table.
Source: Current Awareness Service for Health (CASH) - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news