Covid Act Now Daily Download
By the numbers // 20:30 ET 22 July 2020
We added a new risk indicator today, Daily New Cases, read more about that here.
Cases: 3,946,708
+70,043 / 24h
Deaths: 135,438
+1,126 / 24h
Tests: 48,020,777
+796,395 / 24h*Data derived from The COVID Tracking Project
The Day’s Top COVID Stories
CNN reports that the U.S. Government and Pfizer have reached a $1.95 billion agreement to produce 100 million doses of a COVID vaccine in the United States once a vaccine is ready. The doses would be delivered to locations at the U.S. government's direction and would be available to American people at no cost, but health care professionals could charge insurers for vaccine administration. Preliminary data released in a pre-print paper this week showed that the vaccine appeared safe and promising, but more research is needed, along with regulatory approval, to move into the next phase of trials.
The NYT reports that President Trump has acknowledged the coronavirus pandemic is growing more severe in the United States. Mr. Trump urged Americans to avoid packed bars and offered his most robust endorsement of masks, saying, “When you can, use a mask.”
STAT News unpacks the growing confusion over who decides what populations should receive a vaccine first. Multiple independent groups grapple with the weight of the priority line: should they address individual risk — like age, underlying health conditions, or occupation — or group risks such as people of color, people in prisons, or the homeless. But these independent groups are also unsure if any of their work and suggestions will be adopted by the U.S government.
New COVID Literature & Studies
A study characterizes the 3D structure of the spike protein (the protein on the novel coronavirus that helps it enter host cells) and describes how the structure changes as it interacts with receptors on human cells. This research has implications for vaccine development, as the various conformations of the protein present potential new targets for antibodies. Read the study.
A study describes how levels of antibody against the novel coronavirus can rapidly decrease within a few months in patients who recover from mild COVID infections. This result raises questions about the validity of natural herd immunity and “immunity passports,” as well as the long term protective effects of vaccines. Read the study.
- A study modeling outbreak sizes in various countries suggests that up to 80% of secondary COVID transmissions may be caused by a relatively low proportion (~10%) of infected individuals (super-spreaders). Interventions against COVID should include measures curbing situations that facilitate super-spreading. Read the study.
Below the Fold
Covid Act Now in the News
On a Lighter Note
Alex Trebek Turns 80, Releases New Memoir From Lockdown: “The Answer Is…” (Good News Network)
