ISAR NEWS

SARS CoV-2 / COVID-19 Older resources

ISAR has adopted the taxonomy and nomenclature recommended by the Coronavirus Study Group (CSG) of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses. The virus is considered a sister to the SARS virus. This group of coronaviruses has been renamed as SARS-CoVs, and the previously known as 2019-nCoV is now named SARS CoV-2.

ISAR has also adopted the disease name indicated by WHO, COVID-19 (for coronavirus disease- 2019).

With the COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak progressing so quickly since it in December 2019, the situation has been very dynamic and the information equally fluid. New information has become available by the hour, drastically changing the potential impact of the epidemic or incrementally increasing our understanding of the outbreak and its agent. In such a dynamic scenario, information becomes too quickly outdated or superseded as to attempt to periodically summarize it or cover it all.

This page includes older, now mostly outdated links. For current information, please see this page

THE ISAR HOSTED WEBINAR ON THE SARS CoV-2 COVID-19 OUTBREAK IS AVAILABLE

Primary sources of official information:

AstraZeneca initiates CALAVI clinical trial with Calquence against COVID-19

NIH clinical trial of hydroxychloroquine, a potential therapy for COVID-19, begins

Lack of evidence to support use of darunavir-based treatments for SARS-CoV-2 - J&J

OLDER UNCLASSIFIED PREPRINTS AND PUBLICATIONS

Analysis and projections of transmission dynamics of nCoV in Wuhan

Novel Coronavirus Infection in Hospitalized Infants Under 1 Year of Age in China

(Limited) Evidence of recombination in coronaviruses implicating pangolin origins of nCoV-2019

The Australian protocol to culture the virus in clinical specimens (Biosafety level 3 or higher ONLY)

Long-Term Persistence of IgG Antibodies in SARS-CoV Infected Healthcare Workers

The global spread of 2019-nCoV: a molecular evolutionary analysis

A Locally Transmitted Case of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Taiwan

The Pathogenicity of 2019 Novel Coronavirus in hACE2 Transgenic Mice

Caution on Kidney Dysfunctions of 2019-nCoV Patients

Characteristics of lymphocyte subsets and cytokines in peripheral blood of 123 hospitalized patients with 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP)

Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Predicts Severe Illness Patients with 2019 Novel Coronavirus in the Early Stage

Severe acute respiratory syndrome disease named "COVID-2019" WHO

A review on possible therapeutic approaches for the 2019-nCOV

Clinical characteristics of 2019 novel coronavirus infection in China

Clinical evidence does not support corticosteroid treatment for 2019-nCoV lung injury

Remdesivir and chloroquine effectively inhibit the recently emerged novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in vitro

Evidence and characteristics of human-to-human transmission of 2019-nCoV

Modelling the epidemic trend of the 2019-nCOV outbreak in Hubei Province, China

Risk assessment of novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV outbreaks outside China

Potent neutralization of 2019 novel coronavirus by recombinant ACE2-Ig

The novel coronavirus 2019 (2019-nCoV) uses the SARS-coronavirus receptor ACE2 and the cellular protease TMPRSS2 for entry into target cells

MRCA time and epidemic dynamics of the 2019 novel coronavirus

First Case of 2019 Novel Coronavirus in the United States

Early Transmission Dynamics in Wuhan, China, of Novel Coronavirus–Infected Pneumonia

Transmission of 2019-nCoV Infection from an Asymptomatic Contact in Germany (the main conclusion of this article - transmission from an asymptomatic patient has been rebutted)

A Novel Coronavirus from Patients with Pneumonia in China, 2019

Importation and Human-to-Human Transmission of a Novel Coronavirus in Vietnam

Nowcasting and forecasting the potential domestic and international spread of the 2019-nCoV outbreak originating in Wuhan, China: a modelling study

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 99 cases of 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia in Wuhan, China: a descriptive study

Therapeutic Drugs Targeting 2019-nCoV Main Protease by High-Throughput Screening

Genomic characterisation and epidemiology of 2019 novel coronavirus: implications for virus origins and receptor binding

Evolution and variation of 2019-novel coronavirus

Estimated effectiveness of traveller screening to prevent international spread of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

Risk of 2019 novel coronavirus importations throughout China prior to the Wuhan quarantine

Full-genome evolutionary analysis of the novel corona virus (2019-nCoV) rejects the hypothesis of emergence as a result of a recent recombination event

Origin time and epidemic dynamics of the 2019 novel coronavirus

Transmission dynamics of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

The 2019-new coronavirus epidemic: evidence for virus evolution

Modelling the epidemic trend of the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak in China

Functional assessment of cell entry and receptor usage for lineage B β-coronaviruses, including 2019-nCoV

Pattern of early human-to-human transmission of Wuhan 2019-nCoV

The incubation period of 2019-nCoV infections among travellers from Wuhan, China

A familial cluster of pneumonia associated with the 2019 novel coronavirus indicating person-to-person transmission: a study of a family cluster

A Novel Coronavirus from Patients with Pneumonia in China, 2019

Complete genome characterisation of a novel coronavirus associated with severe human respiratory disease in Wuhan, China

Single-cell RNA expression profiling of ACE2, the putative receptor of Wuhan 2019-nCov

Host and infectivity prediction of Wuhan 2019 novel coronavirus using deep learning algorithm

Pattern of early human-to-human transmission of Wuhan 2019-nCoV

Novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV: early estimation of epidemiological parameters and epidemic predictions

Clinical features of patients infected with 2019 novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China

Models_of_Wuhan_Coronavirus_3CLpro_Protease

Novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV: early estimation of epidemiological parameters and epidemic predictions

Discovery of a novel coronavirus associated with the recent pneumonia outbreak in humans and its potential bat origin

A mathematical model for simulating the transmission of Wuhan novel Coronavirus

Genomic and protein structure modelling analysis depicts the origin and infectivity of 2019-nCoV, a new coronavirus which caused a pneumonia outbreak in Wuhan, China

Homologous recombination within the spike glycoprotein of the newly identified coronavirus 2019-nCoV may boost cross-species transmission from snake to human

Older News:

European Medicines Agency provides free scientific advise to developers of vaccines or therapeutics

CDC guidance on "large" (public or private) gatherings

CDC guidance for individuals at higher risk

CDC guidance on how to be best prepared

WHO:Advice on how to minimize exposure and risk

ECDC: Novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) - Discharge criteria for confirmed COVID-19 cases

EPA: list of disinfectants approved to be used against SARS CoV-2

USA OSHA guidelines

Phase 3 Randomized Clinical Trial or remdesivir in severe patients of 2019-nCoV Acute Respiratory Disease- Recruiting patients

Phase 3 Randomized Clinical Trial or remdesivir in mild/moderate patients of 2019-nCoV Acute Respiratory Disease- Recruiting patients

All 2019-nCoV clinical trials registered and listed in "clinical trials.gov" (most are not yet recruiting)

WHO Clinical management recommendations

WHO Interim case report form (data to be collected)

WHO laboratory detection guidance

WHO training: Critical care in severe acute respiratory infection

WHO training: Methods for detection, prevention, response and control

WHO: All technical guidance documents

CDC information and documents regarding the 2019-nCOV

Scripps Research scientists leveraging ReFRAME drug repurposing collection against COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic

SARS CoV-2 RNA is often detected in feces

Favipiravir may be useful against COVID-19 in mild cases, but perhaps not so much for patients with more severe symptoms

Care for Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19 JAMA insight

Critical Care Utilization for the COVID-19 Outbreak in Lombardy, Italy: Early Experience and Forecast During an Emergency Response- JAMA viewpoint

From Containment to Mitigation of COVID-19 in the US- JAMA viewpoint

COVID-19 Antiviral and Pharmacotherapy Recommendations- Nebraska Medicine

The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Clinic Operations -AMA Education hub

Opinions for and against the name selected for the virus

Nature discusses the pros and cons of the criteria used to count cases (not including PCR positive asymptomatic individuals)

Coronavirus latest: has the outbreak in China peaked? - A commentary in Nature discussing the apparent peak and the possibility of a secondary peak around February 21 as a consequence of the return to work after the New Year Holiday

A utopsy findings appear to differ for the original SARS and COVID-19

The challenges to molecular diagnostics to confirm SARS CoV-2 infection

A commentary on the naming of the virus and the disease Science commentary

Science swift reaction to the outbreak

Breaking News about the outbreak from Nature

Covid-19 — Navigating the Uncharted

Covid-19: surge in cases in Italy and South Korea makes pandemic look more likely - A commentary in BMJ

Genome Composition and Divergence of the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Originating in China- CHM commentaryFacing Covid-19 in Italy — Ethics, Logistics, and Therapeutics on the Epidemic’s Front Line

The role of nosocomial infection in the COVID-19 outbreak in Northern Italy and the importance of community based care- NEJM Catalyst "Innovations in Care Delivery"

The convalescent sera option for containing COVID-19

Undiagnosed infections with SARS CoV-2 may be highly prevalent, and a major driver of the pandemic

WHO: the total number of cases and fatalities are now larger outside China than in China

NIH Clinical Trial of Investigational Vaccine for COVID-19 Begins

COVID-19 Response Fund

The Republic of Korea undertook an aggressive testing approach and has limited the number of new cases to one- to two-hundred and fifty per day in just sixteen days from the beginning, and nine days from the peak, of the outbreak

WHO Declares SARS CoV-2-caused COVID 19 a pandemic (March 11)

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Announces the COVID-19 Therapeutics Accelerator

More than 4,000 dog, cat and equine samples collected in areas of high SARS CoV-2 prevalence have tested negative for SASR CoV-2

The Japanese evaluation of avigan (favipiravir) for potential approval against COVID-19 has been postponed until at least late June

Remdesivir receives Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the FDA

Gilead Announces Results From Phase 3 Trial of Investigational Antiviral Remdesivir in Patients With Severe COVID-19

NIH clinical trial shows Remdesivir accelerates recovery from advanced COVID-19

FDA cautions against use of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine for COVID-19 outside of the hospital setting or a clinical trial due to risk of heart rhythm problems

Regulators split on antimalarials for COVID-19- A Discussion in The Lancet

Potential benefit of remdesivir therapy in compassionate care use

The epidemic is waning in Europe, and slowly declining in North America, while still growing in South America, Eastern Mediterranean, Africa and South East Asia

China has reported no deaths for more than a month and only a trickle of suspected cases (less than 5 suspected cases at any given time) whereas in the Republic of Korea the number of daily cases has shown an uptick but remains below 50.

The number of daily new cases in Denmark has decreased since the lockdown was eased from mid April 14 The number of daily new cases in Denmark has decreased since the lockdown was eased from mid April 14

Report of the WHO-China Joint Mission on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

CDC Confirms Possible Instance of Community Spread of COVID-19 in U.S.

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control : Outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2): increased transmission beyond China – fourth update

WHO: No new countries reporting cases in the last 24 h and the vast majority of cases outside China were acquired in Hubei Province, China

WHO: First death outside China (in a patient who had been in China)

WHO: Third generation human-to-human transmission and first health care worker infected outside China

CDC information about number of suspected and confirmed cases in the USA- Updated

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control : Interim Guidance for environmental cleaning in non-health care facilities exposed to SARS CoV-2.

WHO: For the moment, only a handful of countries have signs of sustained community transmission (March 9).

WHO statement on cases of COVID-19 surpassing 100,000

The Republic of Korea reports only 131 new cases on March 10, and 92% of Italian cases are still in Lombardia, Emilia Romagna, Veneto, Piemonte, Marche, and Toscana with Campania, Lazio and Liguria reporting more than a 100 cases and Friuli, 93.

WHO- almost 110,000 cases of COVID-19, which is now reported in more than 100 countries.

Can China's COVID-19 strategy work elsewhere?

WHO: Comparison between SARS CoV-2 and influenza

WHO: The increase of COVID-19 cases in the Eastern Mediterranean Region is of great concern

WHO: The almost 5200 cases in the Republic of Korea appear to be coming mostly from suspected cases from the 5 known clusters, rather than the community

WHO increases the global risk level to "VERY HIGH" (10:24am EST February 28)

Repeated detection of (low levels of) COVID-1 virus in the Hong Kong dog indicates ongoing viral infection

88 countries/territories, in all continents (except Antarctica) reporting COVID-19, with four more reporting in the last 24 h

Detection of low levels of COVID-19 virus in pet dog in Hong Kong- the significance is still unclear

More new cases are now reported outside China than in China, and most cases outside China are now acquired locally.

Who press conference February 27

First confirmed COVID-19 case in South America - abc News and Official Brazilian Health Ministry Twitter

WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 - 24 February 2020

Joint WHO and ECDC mission in Italy to support COVID-19 control and prevention efforts

NIH clinical trial of remdesivir to treat COVID-19 begins - In Omaha, Nebraska

Several new countries reporting cases

Four new countries reported COVID-19 in the last 24 h according to WHO records

ECDC statement on the rapid increase of COVID-19 cases in Italy

Coronavirus latest: Infections surge outside China- Nature discussion of the latest infection clusters outside China with no known link to China

COVID-19: fighting panic with information (The Lancet Editorial)

Statement in support of the scientists, public health professionals, and medical professionals of China combatting COVID-19

Two new countries report cases, and most new cases outside China were acquired locally

A cluster of cases in Iran

Frequent changes in the way cases are reported induce fluctuations in the numbers of new and confirmed cases

WHO - A new country reporting confirmed COVID 2 (Iran), with apparent local spread (CBC Canada News)

The NIH NIAID makes available images of SARS CoV-2

The disease has been named COVID-19 (for coronavirus disease- 2019)

The official proposal for the name and taxonomy of the virus

WHO Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) advice for the public

WHO video providing background information on the outbreak

A primer on the virus and the outbreak (Nature magazine video)

CBS News Interview with Steven Lee Mayers providing background information on the virus and outbreak

Are pangolins infected with the 2019-nCoV?_Nature commentary on yet unpublished research- A link to the preprint presenting the (limited) evidence under "Pre-Prints and Published papers" below.

Viral Metagenomics Revealed Sendai Virus and Coronavirus Infection of Malayan Pangolins (Manis javanica)-Previously published research concluding that pangolins are infected with coronaviruses

The reportedly "asymptomatic" patient that transmitted the nCoV in Germany appears to actually have been feeling unwell and taking paracetamol (fever medication) at the time of transmission

Gilead Sciences has partnered with Chinese health authorities to conduct a randomized Phase III clinical trial of remdesivir against nCoV (links to the clinical trials under "Primary Sources of Information")

DIAGNOSTICS- CDC: Real-Time RT-PCR Panel for Detection 2019-Novel Coronavirus

The experimental antiviral remdesivir has been made available under request for a limited number of patients, and will be tested against 2019-nCoV

Gilead working with China to test Ebola drug as new coronavirus treatment -Reuters

BBC report on the first 2019-nCoV acute respiratory disease death outside China

Coronavirus outbreak: what’s next? _Nature magazine commentary

Mining coronavirus genomes for clues to the outbreak’s origins Science magazine commentary

WHO declares the new coronavirus outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern

First human-to-human transmission in the USA reported

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Economic Forum have set up a public private collaboration to provide a platform for data sharing and operational coordination, “The Pandemic Supply Chain Network (PSCN).

The 2019 nCoV has been grown in culture in Australia and will be made available to other researchers

WHO situation report : First confirmed person-to-person transmission outside China (Jan 26)

2019nCoV RNA detected in 31 environmental samples in the sections of the food market where wild animals were sold

The EU's Response to COVID-19