New Covid-19 Studies and Findings

FIT OF FACE MASKS AS IMPORTANT AS ITS MATERIAL

Researchers at the University of Cambridge recently published findings of a study that the fit of a face mask is as important as the material it is made of as an effective deterrent against Covid-19.

Published in the PLoS ONE journal, the study was done with a particle counter that measured the particle concentration values outside and inside a mask. Qualitative fit tests were conducted with different types of masks like an N95 mask, a KN95 mask, surgical masks, fabric masks and others.

It was found that when worn properly, an N95 mask can filter more than 95 percent of airborne particles. When not properly worn, the mask’s effectiveness was comparably as effective as surgical or cloth masks – leading researchers to conclude that the proper fit of a face mask is as important as the material it is made of. The study also found that most of the N95 masks used in the study didn’t adequately fit most of its participants, citing that the “widely-fitting masks” that were used fit only three of its seven participants.

The study was conducted to provide insight on ongoing developments in face masks/ coverings, apart from bringing attention to the importance of properly wearing a face mask for Covid-19 prevention.

COVID-19 IRREVERSIBLE POSTINFECTION DAMAGE

A recent study conducted by researchers at the Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Israel found that a majority of Covid-19-recovered patients do not suffer from irreversible cardiac or respiratory system damage. Citing that though symptoms like shortness of breath linger after recovery, the researchers found that most of these symptoms disappear after a six-month period.

The researchers checked over 160 recovered Covid-19 patients, noting that they are “cautiously reporting” that majority of its respondents’ symptoms faded in three to six months’ time.

The study’s data note that shortness of breath was the most “lasting symptom” experienced by its respondents (57 percent of respondents experienced this), followed by weakness (55 percent), sustained coughs (25 percent), chest pains (17 percent) and loss of taste and smell (11 percent).

Fitness activities (at an average of three to four times a week) is cited to have had direct contributions to a patient’s recovery.

An open-source database of Covid-19 resources and epidemiology data – called outbreak.info – recently launched a feature that’s focused on tracking the prevalence of new variants of the disease.

Still maintained by The Center for Viral Systems Biology at the US-based

Scripps Research organization, which launched it in 2020, the site’s new feature provides pertinent data and information on Covid-19 mutations – the B.1.1.7 variant being one of many.

Though the data hosted on the site is mainly aimed for the perusal of medical professionals and scientists, its dashboard feature provides informative data on Covid-19 mutations. Currently, the site’s data calculates that the B.1.1.7 would be the dominant variant starting around March.