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Here is what the editors at Physician’s Briefing chose as the most important COVID-19 developments for you and your practice for the week of Dec. 21 to 23, 2020. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal studies and other trusted sources that is most likely to affect clinical practice.<\/p>\n
First COVID-19 Cases Reported in Antarctica<\/strong><\/p>\n WEDNESDAY, Dec. 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A COVID-19 outbreak in Antarctica means that the new coronavirus is now spreading on every continent.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n COVID-19 Mortality Rates Dropped Over First Months of Pandemic<\/strong><\/p>\n WEDNESDAY, Dec. 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) — COVID-19 mortality rates decreased in U.S. hospitals during the first months of the pandemic, according to a study published online Dec. 22 in JAMA Internal Medicine<\/em>.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n Public Health Videos Cut COVID-19 Knowledge Gap for Minorities<\/strong><\/p>\n WEDNESDAY, Dec. 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For Black and Latinx participants, watching public health video messages recorded by a diverse set of physicians reduces COVID-19 knowledge gaps, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in the Annals of Internal Medicine<\/em>.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n No Evidence Found of Placental Infection, Vertical Transmission of SARS-CoV-2<\/strong><\/p>\n WEDNESDAY, Dec. 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) — There is no evidence of placental infection or vertical transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, according to a study published online Dec. 22 in JAMA Network Open.<\/em><\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n Majority Do Not Support COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates for Adults<\/strong><\/p>\n WEDNESDAY, Dec. 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The public does not support COVID-19 vaccine mandates for U.S. adults, according to a research letter published online Dec. 18 in JAMA Network Open<\/em>.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n Poll: Pandemic-Related Concerns Top of Mind for Parents<\/strong><\/p>\n TUESDAY, Dec. 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Parents’ biggest concerns are not with COVID-19 itself, but rather with the impacts of the pandemic, according to the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n Care Rationing Being Considered by California Hospitals<\/strong><\/p>\n TUESDAY, Dec. 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Plans for rationing lifesaving care are being considered by some hospitals in California as the state struggles with overwhelming numbers of COVID-19 patients.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n European Union Approves Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine<\/strong><\/p>\n TUESDAY, Dec. 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was approved by the European Union on Monday and should soon be available in all 27 member nations.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n Buprenorphine Rx Fills for OUD Plateau During Pandemic<\/strong><\/p>\n TUESDAY, Dec. 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The number of individuals filling buprenorphine prescriptions for opioid use disorder has plateaued but not decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a research letter published online Dec. 21 in JAMA Internal Medicine<\/em>.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n Most Pregnant Women With SARS-CoV-2 Infection Are Asymptomatic<\/strong><\/p>\n TUESDAY, Dec. 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Most pregnant women with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection are asymptomatic, according to a study published online Dec. 10 in PLOS ONE<\/em>.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n Risk for Severe COVID-19 Not Increased for Children With Cancer<\/strong><\/p>\n TUESDAY, Dec. 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Children with cancer with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 do not seem to be at increased risk for severe infection, according to a study published online Dec. 10 in the British Journal of Cancer<\/em>.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n U.S. Army Researchers Analyze New Coronavirus Variant<\/strong><\/p>\n MONDAY, Dec. 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The new coronavirus variant in the United Kingdom that appears to spread faster is being studied by U.S. military scientists to determine if it might be resistant to vaccines.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n Low U.S. Flu Rates Seen as Pandemic Rages<\/strong><\/p>\n MONDAY, Dec. 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Higher flu vaccination rates are one reason why flu cases are way down in the United States, experts say.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n FDA Issues EUA for Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine<\/strong><\/p>\n MONDAY, Dec. 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A second COVID-19 vaccine is poised to be administered in the coming weeks after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted emergency use authorization to the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on Friday.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n Antibody Cocktail Enhances Clearance of SARS-CoV-2 Virus<\/strong><\/p>\n MONDAY, Dec. 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) — An interim analysis of data from an ongoing phase 1 to 3 trial shows that an antibody cocktail enhances clearance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, according to a study published online Dec. 17 in the New England Journal of Medicine<\/em>.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n Risk for Death, Complications Higher With COVID-19 Versus Flu<\/strong><\/p>\n MONDAY, Dec. 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) — COVID-19 is associated with an increased risk for extrapulmonary organ dysfunction and death and increased health care resource use compared with seasonal influenza, according to a study published online Dec. 10 in The BMJ<\/em>.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n Gatherings Contribute to SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Children<\/strong><\/p>\n MONDAY, Dec. 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Close contacts with individuals with COVID-19 and gatherings contribute to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection among children, according to research published in the Dec. 18 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report<\/em>.<\/p>\n