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By the Editors
Edited by André Sofair, MD, MPH, and William E. Chavey, MD, MS
This week, the FDA approved remdesivir to treat COVID-19 in hospitalized patients aged 12 years and older weighing at least 40 kg. In addition, the CDC changed how it defines a close contact of a person with COVID-19. Now, contact within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes over a 24-hour period is considered close contact, whereas previously, the 15 minutes had to be consecutive. In other CDC news, the agency issued a strong recommendation for wearing face masks on public transportation. Elsewhere, a study found no clinical benefit from convalescent plasma in moderate COVID-19, and three studies yielded conflicting results for tocilizumab. Catch up on these and all of our COVID-19 stories from the past week at the links below.
Why We Chose This as Our Top Story:
André Sofair, MD, MPH: The most important aspect of the COVID-19 roundup this week is that it will help us refine treatment for patients in the hospital, especially with respect to use of remdesivir, tocilizumab, and convalescent plasma.
William E. Chavey, MD, MS: The refined definition of close contact will increase the number of individuals requiring quarantine. I think it will be difficult for many patients to reliably assess if they have had 15 minutes of intermittent contact.
Comment
LINK(S):
COVID-19: Remdesivir Approved / Close Contact Redefined / Convalescent Plasma / Flu Guidelines / Down Syndrome (Oct. 22) (Free)
Brief, Frequent Exposures May Have Led to COVID-19 in Corrections Officer (Oct. 21) (Free)
COVID-19: Human Challenge Trial / Masks on Public Transportation / Mortality in NYC (Oct. 20) (Free)
Tocilizumab for COVID-19? Three Studies Yield Mixed Findings (Oct. 20) (Free)
COVID-19: Vaccine Approval Process / Racial Disparities in Mortality (Oct. 18) (Free)