The following is a roundup of some of the latest scientific studies on the novel coronavirus and efforts to find treatments and vaccines for COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus.
Monthly Archives: October 2020
Easing coronavirus lockdown restrictions not likely before October 18
Israel –
Netanyahu: No decision on changes until at least Monday
Police car blasts ‘go Netanyahu’ to protesters
Israel Police Spokesperson’s Unit replied to the video in a tweet, saying that “following examination of the incident, it was discovered that [the responsible for blasting the slogan] were two volunteers acting in breach of norms of conduct expected from uniformed volunteers.”
According to police, “their activity has been forthwith suspended, and their further volunteer service in Israel Police will be examined in light of the incident.”
A video shows a police car blasting “rak Bibi” (literally, “only Netanyahu”) over the loudspeaker while passing under the bridge.
L.A. County won’t move into a new reopening tier this week, officials say
Despite some promising metrics, Los Angeles County is not expected to move into a more permissive phase of relaxing coronavirus restrictions this week.
‘We hear you’: Officials gather at L.A. City Hall in solidarity with Armenian community

A group of elected officials gathered Monday to decry the deadly conflict between neighboring Armenia and Azerbaijan and call on the Trump administration to intervene.
Canada to suspend arms exports to Turkey over Armenia, Azerbaijan conflict allegations

Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne announced the new move today after ordering an investigation last week.
The CDC’s Updated Guidance On Airborne & Asymptomatic Spread Of COVID-19 – Redux
Note: The above retraction by the CDC was posted Sept 21st – 3 days after the new guidance was posted.
#15,487
Two weeks ago, in The CDC’s Updated Guidance On Airborne & Asymptomatic Spread Of COVID-19, we looked at recently posted changes to the CDC’s COVID-19 guidance on COVID-19 transmission that placed more emphasis on the potential for airborne spread.
While welcomed, the CDC’s acknowledgement that COVID-19 can spread via aerosols and by asymptomatic cases was more of an incremental change than a seismic shift. In July 200+ scientists from around the world signed an open letter to the WHO, urging them to reconsider their stance on the airborne spread of the virus.
Hours after I posted that blog, that new guidance disappeared and the (above) retraction was posted on the CDC site.
Although I can’t promise today’s changes won’t be reversed again, the CDC has posted a new update (dated today, Oct 5th) that incorporates much of what was published – and then retracted – 2 weeks ago. After which you’ll find a link to a more detailed scientific brief from the CDC.
How COVID-19 Spreads
Updated Oct. 5, 2020
COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly through close contact from person to person, including between people who are physically near each other (within about 6 feet). People who are infected but do not show symptoms can also spread the virus to others. We are still learning about how the virus spreads and the severity of illness it causes.
COVID-19 spreads very easily from person to personHow easily a virus spreads from person to person can vary. The virus that causes COVID-19 appears to spread more efficiently than influenza but not as efficiently as measles, which is among the most contagious viruses known to affect people.
- COVID-19 most commonly spreads during close contact
- People who are physically near (within 6 feet) a person with COVID-19 or have direct contact with that person are at greatest risk of infection.
- When people with COVID-19 cough, sneeze, sing, talk, or breathe they produce respiratory droplets. These droplets can range in size from larger droplets (some of which are visible) to smaller droplets. Small droplets can also form particles when they dry very quickly in the airstream.
- Infections occur mainly through exposure to respiratory droplets when a person is in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
- Respiratory droplets cause infection when they are inhaled or deposited on mucous membranes, such as those that line the inside of the nose and mouth.
- As the respiratory droplets travel further from the person with COVID-19, the concentration of these droplets decreases. Larger droplets fall out of the air due to gravity. Smaller droplets and particles spread apart in the air.
- With passing time, the amount of infectious virus in respiratory droplets also decreases.
COVID-19 can sometimes be spread by airborne transmission
- Some infections can be spread by exposure to virus in small droplets and particles that can linger in the air for minutes to hours. These viruses may be able to infect people who are further than 6 feet away from the person who is infected or after that person has left the space.
- This kind of spread is referred to as airborne transmission and is an important way that infections like tuberculosis, measles, and chicken pox are spread.
- There is evidence that under certain conditions, people with COVID-19 seem to have infected others who were more than 6 feet away. These transmissions occurred within enclosed spaces that had inadequate ventilation. Sometimes the infected person was breathing heavily, for example while singing or exercising.
- Under these circumstances, scientists believe that the amount of infectious smaller droplet and particles produced by the people with COVID-19 became concentrated enough to spread the virus to other people. The people who were infected were in the same space during the same time or shortly after the person with COVID-19 had left.
- Available data indicate that it is much more common for the virus that causes COVID-19 to spread through close contact with a person who has COVID-19 than through airborne transmission. [1]
COVID-19 spreads less commonly through contact with contaminated surfaces
- Respiratory droplets can also land on surfaces and objects. It is possible that a person could get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes.
- Spread from touching surfaces is not thought to be a common way that COVID-19 spreads
COVID-19 rarely spreads between people and animals
- It appears that the virus that causes COVID-19 can spread from people to animals in some situations. CDC is aware of a small number of pets worldwide, including cats and dogs, reported to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19. Learn what you should do if you have pets.
- At this time, the risk of COVID-19 spreading from animals to people is considered to be low. Learn about COVID-19 and pets and other animals.
Protect yourself and othersThe best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. You can take steps to slow the spread.
- Stay at least 6 feet away from others, whenever possible. This is very important in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others. This helps reduce the risk of spread both by close contact and by airborne transmission.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid crowded indoor spaces and ensure indoor spaces are properly ventilated by bringing in outdoor air as much as possible. In general, being outdoors and in spaces with good ventilation reduces the risk of exposure to infectious respiratory droplets.
- Stay home and isolate from others when sick.
- Routinely clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
Pandemics can be stressful, especially when you are staying away from others. During this time, it’s important to maintain social connections and care for your mental health.Learn more about what you can do to protect yourself and others.1Pathogens that are spread easily through airborne transmission require the use of special engineering controls to prevent infections. Control practices, including recommendations for patient placement and personal protective equipment for health care personnel in healthcare settings, can be found in Section 2 of Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Scientific Brief: SARS-CoV-2 and Potential Airborne Transmission
Updated Oct. 5, 2020
Trump to return to White House, where COVID-19 continues to spread
MDH: 7 new COVID-19 deaths, 1,048 new cases | KSTP.com (Minnesota)
The Minnesota Department of Health on Sunday reported seven new deaths from COVID-19, as well as 1,048 newly reported positive COVID-19 tests.
So far, 2,080 people have died of the coronavirus in Minnesota, including 1,486 in long-term care and assisted living facilities.
To date, 7,887 COVID-19 patients have been hospitalized in Minnesota.
According to MDH, the 1,048 newly reported positive COVID-19 tests in Minnesota on Sunday moved the state’s total to 103,826 since pandemic record-keeping began.
Source: MDH: 7 new COVID-19 deaths, 1,048 new cases | KSTP.com

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