MMWR

A new study looking at 600 hospitalized pregnant women with COVID-19 found that pregnant women can have severe illness, including need for ICU care, and adverse birth outcomes. More than half of women with COVID-19 had no symptoms. Surveillance of pregnant women with COVID-19, including those who don’t have symptoms, is important to understand the short- and long-term consequences of COVID-19 for mothers and newborns. Read the new MMWR: bit.ly/6938e1

In August 2020, 55 COVID-19 cases were identified among 81 attendees of indoor high-intensity classes at a Chicago gym. Many attendees participated in classes while ill or unknowingly infectious and didn’t wear masks consistently during exercise. To limit spread of COVID-19, gyms should: Require staff and patrons to wear masks at all times Require physical distancing Decrease class sizes... Improve ventilation bit.ly/MMWR22421b

A new MMWR finds that 21 COVID-19 cases in two gyms in Hawaii were linked to an instructor who taught classes before showing symptoms of COVID-19. At the time of this outbreak, the facilities did not require masks. To reduce the spread of COVID-19 in gyms, wear a well-fitting mask, even during high-intensity exercise, and stay at least 6 feet apart from others. Exercising outdoors or virtually could further reduce your risk of getting COVID-19. bit.ly/MMWR22421

MMWR and Medscape are offering a new, free CE on assessing solid organ donors and monitoring transplant recipients. Over 100,000 patients need a lifesaving organ transplant. The U.S. Public Health Service has guidance to increase the use of available organs and enhance safety measures for transplant patients. Earn CE here: medscape.org/viewarticle/941448

After the COVID-19 emergency declaration in March 2020, weekly routine vaccination rates among Medicare beneficiaries declined by up to 89% compared with 2019. As the pandemic continues, vaccination providers should assure older patients that vaccines can be delivered safely and emphasize the importance of routine vaccination to protect their health. Read the latest MMWR: http://bit.ly/7007a4

A new study of COVID-19 clusters in Georgia elementary schools found that initial infections among educators played a substantial role in in-school spread. The study highlights the importance of preventing infections among educators in particular. Multifaceted mitigation measures in schools, including promotion of COVID-19 precautions outside of school, minimizing in-person adult interactions at school, and ensuring universal and correct mask use and physical distancing among educators and students when in-person interaction is unavoidable, are important in preventing in-school transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Although not required for reopening schools, COVID-19 vaccination should be considered as an additional mitigation measure to be added when available. Learn more: bit.ly/MMWR22221

Among San Francisco County residents, premature death among individuals with lupus is high among all racial and ethnic groups, but is especially pronounced in Asian and Hispanic/Latino populations. Death was four times higher than expected among Asian females with lupus, and nearly six times higher than expected among Hispanic/Latinas with lupus: http://bit.ly/7007a2

A new CDC report found that frequent and regular social interactions among extended families, a characteristic of the Hopi Tribe, may have provided multiple opportunities for COVID-19 to spread. In communities with similar interactions among extended families, it’s important to emphasize ways to reduce the risk for infection, including wearing masks, washing hands often (and use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when soap and water are not readily available), and staying 6 feet apart from non-household members: http://bit.ly/6944a5

This report shows high levels of awareness of individual stroke signs and symptoms and the need to call 9-1-1, however, only two-thirds of U.S. adults have the combination of all recommended stroke knowledge: http://bit.ly/6944a1

A new report from MMWR compares telework between people with and without COVID-19 and provides evidence of the health benefits of teleworking during the pandemic. Businesses and employers should continue to promote alternative work site options, where possible, to reduce workplace exposures to COVID-19: https://bit.ly/MMWR11520

prevention and control measures in Delaware, including mandating mask wearing in public, conducting contact tracing, and issuing stay-at-home orders, rates of COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths dropped dramatically. From late April through June: -Infection rates dropped by 82% -Hospitalizations dropped by 88% ... -Deaths dropped by 100% Read the full report: bit.ly/MMWR11620

People living and working in jails and prisons have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. A new CDC MMWR report conducted in the Cook County Jail (CCJ) in Chicago, Illinois, uses network science to help show where transmission may be occurring at higher rates. Correctional and detention facilities can significantly reduce the spread of COVID-19 among detained people and staff by implementing appropriate and timely interventions, such as moving detained people who test positive to medical isolation. Learn more: http://bit.ly/mm6944a3

MMWR and Medscape are offering a new free CE on testing and clinical management of health care personnel potentially exposed to hepatitis C virus, based on recent guidance from CDC that updates recommendations for testing and clinical management. Earn CE here: medscape.org/viewarticle/937339

A new study looking at nearly 4,000 infants born to mothers with COVID-19 during pregnancy found that 12.9% of infants were born preterm, higher than the 10.2% national estimate reported last year. Women with COVID-19 during pregnancy might be at risk for preterm delivery. Collecting data on pregnant women and their babies is important to understand the short- and long-term consequences of COVID-19 during pregnancy. Read the new MMWR: bit.ly/MMWR11220

Telehealth visits increased by more than 50% during the first 3 months of 2020 compared with the same period in 2019, a new CDC MMWR report finds. Increasing use of telehealth has many important benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic, including expanding access to care, reducing exposures between staff and patients, and preserving scarce supplies of personal protective equipment. Learn more: http://bit.ly/mm6943a3

Efforts to eradicate Guinea worm disease in humans worldwide have seen great progress. Learn more about what is needed to get to zero cases globally: http://bit.ly/6943a2 Photo Credit: R. Hartwig/The Carter Center/Chad GWEP

One in four COVID-19 exposures among healthcare workers in Minnesota were higher-risk, or involved close, prolonged contact without appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) with someone who had the virus, according to a new MMWR report. Although almost two out of three higher-risk exposures involved direct patient care, one out of three of these exposures occurred outside of patient care. This report also found that a single COVID-19 case in congregate living or long-term care settings resulted in the higher-risk exposure of a median of three healthcare workers. These findings highlight the importance of providing flexible sick leave, PPE, and access to testing. bit.ly/MMWR102920b

Use of 2 or more dietary supplements among children and adolescents increased from 4.3% in 20092010 to 7.1% in 20172018. Read more in the new CDC MMWR report: http://bit.ly/6943a1

A new MMWR report looking at household transmission of COVID-19 found that COVID-19 spread in households is common and can occur rapidly. Key numbers to remember include: 75: percent of secondary infections identified within 5 days of when the index case developed symptoms 53: percent of household members infected from a household member with COVID-19 These findings show the importance of immediately isolating people with COVID-19 from others in their household as soon as they begin to feel ill, are being tested because of a high-risk exposure, or test positive for COVID-19. All household members should wear a mask when in shared spaces in the household. bit.ly/MMWR103020

A new MMWR report details an investigation of a COVID-19 outbreak at a summer retreat where students stayed in dorms and yurts without staying 6 feet apart or wearing masks. A day after arriving, one student developed symptoms of COVID-19 despite testing negative the previous week and later tested positive. 76% of attendees went on to develop COVID-19. These findings highlight the importance of preventive measures in congregate settings, such as testing and 14-day quarantine before arrival, mask use, and keeping interactions to smaller groups. bit.ly/MMWR102920