COVID-19 Headline Round-Up for July 27, 2020

1. Understanding Herd Immunity in the U.S.
2. Lessons from the 1918 Pandemic: Are We Repeating History?
3. Key Events Leading to the CDC Data Shift to the White House
4. The Hidden Dangers of Reversed ICE Policy

COVID-19 Global Status Update

According to the WHO COVID-19 Situation Report from July 26, there are 15.75 million confirmed cases globally (with 200,625 new cases) and 640,016 deaths (7,097 new). Notably, the global daily incidence report omits U.S. data for the second time in a week, leading us to estimate around 275,000 new cases worldwide, marking it as the third-highest total ever recorded.

The WHO reported the two highest global daily totals on July 24 and July 25, with 284,196 and 284,083 new cases, respectively. The Johns Hopkins CSSE dashboard noted 4.26 million cases and 147,103 deaths in the U.S. as of 1:00 PM on July 27.

U.S. Society's Response to COVID-19

While some states have peaked in daily cases, others continue to report rising mortality rates. The U.S. has experienced over 1,000 daily deaths for four consecutive days, with many states recording their highest death tolls yet. COVID-19 is now the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S., surpassing diseases like Alzheimer's and diabetes. Projections suggest it may overtake additional causes, potentially becoming the third leading cause by mid-August.

Reports have surfaced regarding hospitals in hard-hit regions, including Miami and Houston, facing overwhelming patient loads. A hospital in Starr County, Texas, has resorted to forming ethics committees to prioritize care for COVID-19 patients. Those unlikely to survive may be sent home under family care. In response, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced the deployment of medical resources from the U.S. Department of Defense to assist in southern Texas.

Long-Term Health Consequences

The CDC, collaborating with researchers, analyzed the long-term health impacts of COVID-19 on patients who were not hospitalized. The study revealed that 35% of 270 interviewed patients had not returned to their pre-infection health status two to three weeks post-diagnosis.

Wuhan Institute of Virology Insights

A senior researcher from the Wuhan Institute of Virology recently addressed allegations suggesting the lab's involvement in the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2. Despite concerns leading to the termination of a funding grant for coronavirus research at WIV by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, officials do not suspect the lab as the outbreak's origin. Rising tensions between the U.S. and China continue to unfold.

Impact on Nonprofit Organizations

Nonprofits, which became the third-largest employer sector in the U.S. by 2017, have faced severe challenges due to the pandemic. The Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies estimates a loss of over 1.6 million nonprofit jobs between March and May. Many organizations struggled to access federal aid, risking closure and threatening essential services for vulnerable populations.

Economic Relief Efforts Amid the Pandemic

As federal eviction protections and enhanced unemployment benefits are set to expire, lawmakers are in negotiations over a potential "Phase 5" economic relief package. These benefits have provided an additional $600 per week to the unemployed, but negotiations are complex, with some officials suggesting that discussions should occur one issue at a time. Even with a potential agreement, implementation could face delays.

Vaccines & Therapeutics Updates

Moderna, Inc. has initiated Phase 3 clinical trials for its mRNA-1273 vaccine, involving around 30,000 participants across various U.S. hotspots. The success criterion is that fewer than 150 participants develop COVID-19. Alongside Moderna, three other vaccines are in Phase 3 trials, including candidates from China and the UK. Public hesitancy about vaccination due to fears of side effects poses an additional challenge.

The Importance of Quality Research

Concerns are growing regarding the proliferation of low-quality COVID-19 studies, which could misinform public opinion and influence policy decisions. A report from the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security emphasizes the need for improved public understanding and trust in vaccines, focusing on communication and outreach strategies.

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Editors of NOVEL SCIENCE [email protected]

DISCLAIMER: This compilation aims to keep the public informed and is not affiliated with any other persons or institutions.

In the first video titled "As COVID-19 surges in NEO, public health experts discuss new vaccine," public health experts share insights about the ongoing pandemic and vaccine developments.

The second video, "Toning Down and Tuning In: Addressing Archival Silences of COVID-19 Community Curation," explores the community's response and archival efforts related to COVID-19.