Researchers Identify First Reinfection Case In US
The 25-year-old man from Nevada was much sicker the second time. Three other reinfections are known to exist, calling into question the immune systems' ability to prevent more serious illness.
The Hill:
Researchers Find First US Case Of COVID-19 Reinfection
Researchers have documented what appears to be the first U.S. instance of someone getting reinfected with COVID-19. In a preprint of a paper submitted to the journal The Lancet, researchers said a 25-year-old man in Nevada was reinfected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus in late May, after recovering from a relatively mild case the month before. Infectious disease experts said reinfections are normal and should be expected, and caution against drawing broad conclusions. (Weixel, 8/28)
Reno Gazette Journal:
First US Confirmed Coronavirus Case To Be Re-Infected With COVID Twice
Led by the [Nevada State Public Health Laboratory], scientists from the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine determined that the patient tested negative twice in May, only to test positive again in June. "It's significant in that it's the first of its kind," said Dr. Mark Pandori, the director of the NSPHL. "We know that people can get reinfected by viruses even though they've been vaccinated or have had exposure. There was a great unknown as to whether we would see that with [COVID-19] so we know that it can happen now." (Avery, 8/28)
In other public health news —
NPR:
Asymptomatic COVID-19 Infections And 'Disease Tolerance'
One of the reasons Covid-19 has spread so swiftly around the globe is that for the first days after infection, people feel healthy. Instead of staying home in bed, they may be out and about, unknowingly passing the virus along. But in addition to these pre-symptomatic patients, the relentless silent spread of this pandemic is also facilitated by a more mysterious group of people: the so-called asymptomatics. According to various estimates, between 20 and 45 percent of the people who get COVID-19 — and possibly more, according to a recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — sail through a coronavirus infection without realizing they ever had it. No fever or chills. No loss of smell or taste. No breathing difficulties. They don't feel a thing. (Laber-Warren, 8/29)
New Orleans Times-Picayune:
The Syndrome That Seems To Predict A 'Lethal Outcome' In Coronavirus Patients
Dr. Josh Denson treated the first known case of severe coronavirus in Louisiana in early March. As patients flooded hospitals in New Orleans, he started noticing a pattern in who fared the worst. “I could identify a patient that would do poorly from this just by standing at the edge of the room,” said Denson, assistant professor of medicine and pulmonary and critical care medicine physician at Tulane University School of Medicine. (Woodruff, 8/31)
Politico:
Pandemic Creates Lifesaving Ripple Effects Amid Devastating Loss
It’s hard to find a silver lining amid a coronavirus pandemic that has brought unprecedented death and economic devastation across the globe. But some researchers say they are seeing one positive development come out of the health crisis, thanks to policy experiments that would have been impossible in normal times. New policies aimed at combating health threats ranging from excessive alcohol consumption to urban air pollution have potentially long-term implications, researchers say, long after the world has gotten the pandemic under control. (Paun, 8/28)
USA Today:
'Small Events Add Up To A Lot': Limited Gatherings Quietly Emerge As Source Of Coronavirus Infections
Images of packed beaches, lakes and bars have made the rounds on traditional and social media for much of the summer, drawing scorn from those concerned about the coronavirus spreading among those crowds. Less prominent but also troubling are the growing instances of case clusters arising from smaller gatherings. (Ortiz, 8/30)
Stat:
With Science And Scripture, A Pastor Fights Covid-19 Vaccine Skepticism
Terris King is finally back at Liberty Grace Church of God, surrounded by its familiar wood-paneled walls and red pulpit. This time, he’s speaking straight into a camera, facing rows of empty pews. As a pastor in a church in the area of Baltimore hit hardest by Covid-19, King knows his decision to keep services remote is the right one, even if it’s unpopular. Since the beginning of the pandemic, King, 60, has been fighting an uphill battle, weaving together science and scripture in the hopes his approximately 300 congregants will adhere to public health guidelines: mask-wearing, hand-washing, and social distancing. (Sokolow, 8/31)
CNN:
With Canada And Mexico Borders Closed, Americans Are Trapped In Their Own Healthcare System
"Want to hear the joke about insulin?" goes the bleak gag about America's drug prices. "You have to go to Canada to get it." But even that's not an option anymore. Pandemic travel restrictions have made Americans prisoners of their country. Even within North America, Mexico and Canada have closed thousands of miles of border to all but essential travel, roiling plans for vacation, work, and school. (Hu, 8/31)
CNN:
Twitter Removes QAnon Supporter's False Claim About Coronavirus Death Statistics That Trump Had Retweeted
Twitter on Sunday took down a tweet containing a false claim about coronavirus death statistics that was made by a supporter of the baseless QAnon conspiracy theory -- a post that President Donald Trump had retweeted earlier in the day. The tweet -- which has been replaced with a message saying, "This Tweet is no longer available because it violated the Twitter Rules -- from "Mel Q," copied from someone else's Facebook post, claimed that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had "quietly" updated its numbers "to admit that only 6%" of people listed as coronavirus deaths "actually died from Covid," since "the other 94% had 2-3 other serious illnesses." (Dale and Gumbrecht, 8/30)
In sports news —
ABC News:
US Open Competitor Tests Positive As Fans Eye Tournament's Start On Monday
A player set to compete in the U.S. Open tennis championship has tested positive for COVID-19 and has been forced to withdraw from the tournament, the USTA announced on Sunday. The player, who was not identified by tournament organizers, is asymptomatic, US Open officials said in a statement. The player has been advised that they must isolate for at least 10 days and contact tracing has been initiated to determine if anyone must quarantine for 14 days, the USTA said. (Hoyos, 8/30)
