Top in ID: J&J vaccine against variants, pandemic-themed escape room
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Data from two preprint studies show that the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine produced a strong antibody response against variants. It was the top story in infectious disease last week.
Another top story was about the efficacy of a pandemic-themed escape room as an educational tool for hospital staff. Researchers said the escape room improved infection prevention measures, with increased adherence lasting at least 3 months following the activity.
Read these and more top stories in infectious disease below:
J&J vaccine protects against delta variant for at least 8 months, studies find
Data from two preprint studies showed that Johnson & Johnson’s one-dose COVID-19 vaccine generates “strong, persistent activity” against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, including the rapidly spreading delta variant, the company reported. Read more.
Pandemic-themed escape room improves infection control adherence among hospital staff
A pandemic-themed escape room increased staff adherence to infection prevention and control measures in a Texas health care system, researchers reported at the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology meeting. Read more.
Universal N95 use by HCWs in SARS-CoV-2 hot spots could lower nosocomial transmission
Because SARS-CoV-2 is most contagious before symptom onset, universal use of N95 respirators by health care providers in regions with high community infection rates could decrease nosocomial transmission, researchers argued. Read more.
Patients with SARS-CoV-2 alpha variant do not carry more virus in upper respiratory tract
Patients with the alpha variant of SARS-CoV-2 do not carry more virus in their upper respiratory tract despite increased transmissibility, according to data presented at the World Microbe Forum. Read more.
Infection preventionists’ journals give behind-the-scenes look at pandemic
“Fear of personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages creating panic ... Hoarding and possible theft of PPE ... adding to crisis.” This and other thoughts described what it was like behind the scenes for infectious preventionists as they kept health care workers and patients safe during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to researchers. Read more.