LOCAL

Twin Cities’ climate favors the spread of coronavirus

The links between temperature, humidity and the spread of coronaviruses have been closely studied by the University of Maryland. According to the study, the Twin Cities of Minnesota are on the northern fringe of theorized location for the greatest potential spread of COVID-19 between now and the end of April. The study clearly noted that most of the largest known outbreaks of COVID-19 have taken place in a specific latitudinal zone, where a colder and drier air mass appears to be more conducive to the virus’s spread.

The study hypothesized that areas in latitudes between 30 and 50 degrees, along with other temperature and climatological factors, could be particularly vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19. The Twin Cities’ latitude sits at approximately 45 degrees north, placing the cities along with all of Minnesota in the potentially more vulnerable zone for the virus’s spread. Coronavirus hot spots like China, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Italy and western Washington are all within similar latitudes.  

The temperatures between 41 and 52 degrees Fahrenheit, or 5 and 11 degrees Celsius, appear to be the most conducive to the virus’s spread. Average humidity values between 47 and 79 percent are also noted within the other zones of COVID-19 spread. Minneapolis’s average daily temperature will fall within the predicted 41- to 52-degree zone until the last week of April. Minneapolis’ daytime relative humidity values are also typically within the 47-79 percent threshold listed in the study.

Dr. Mohammad Sajadi, an associate professor at the University of Maryland’s School of Medicine, stressed that their findings need to be validated and that even being in a high-risk area does not necessarily mean that a significant outbreak will definitely happen there, or that public health measures have no role in the control of COVID-19. 
 

NATIONAL

A time to have a big jump in testing the invisible enemy

On March 21, The US Food and Drug Administration announced it has approved the use of the first rapid diagnostic test that could detect coronavirus in approximately 45 minutes. The test was developed by California-based molecular diagnostics company Cepheid. The company intends to roll out the availability of its testing by March 30. The systems do not require users to have specialty training to perform testing and are capable of running around the clock, according to the Cepheid President. 

The United States has lagged behind other advanced nations in testing for the coronavirus; former government officials and public health experts point to a series of policy and procedural decisions that they say hindered the nation's response to the pandemic. The Food and Drug Administration didn’t approve tests other than the CDC’s until February 29, more than five weeks after discussions with outside labs had begun. About 60,000 tests have been run by public and private labs in a country of 330 million, federal officials said on March 18. As a result, U.S. officials couldn’t fully grasp how many Americans have been infected and where they are concentrated—crucial to containment efforts.

For just as long, however, officials in the United States have said something very different: If you suspect you’re infected, stay home. Even those who live in close quarters with someone who faces a higher risk of becoming severely ill or dying from the infection have been discouraged from seeking testing unless they are having difficulty breathing.

Many medical experts said that the delayed and chaotic testing in the United States will cost lives, potentially including those of doctors and nurses. Considering the South Korean experience, a country that has tested more than 338,000 people in the country for COVID-19 since January 3 and has contained the outbreak there to fewer than 9,000 infections, the US should broadly test the population for curbing the coronavirus' catastrophe.

It is also important to note that as of today, the FDA has not authorized any test that is available to purchase for testing yourself at home for COVID-19. 

INTERNATIONAL

Human-to-dog transmission of COVID-19: Panic began among pet owners

A two year-old German Shepherd dog owned by a COVID-19-infected 30 year old woman in Hong Kong has contracted the coronavirus in a likely case of human-to-animal transmission. The sick puppy’s diagnosis came just three days after the first known dog to test positive for the coronavirus a 17-year-old Pomeranian died in Hong Kong after returning home from quarantine.  Another pooch from the same home, a 4-year-old mixed breed, was also placed on lockdown but tested negative, according to Hong Kong’s animal welfare authority.  Neither mixed breed dog nor the German Shepard has shown any signs of disease.

It is very likely that the two positive cases are examples of human-to-dog transmission, according to Malik Peiris, a public health virologist at the University of Hong Kong. But the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) said that infectious disease experts and multiple international and domestic human and animal health organizations, all agree there is no evidence at this point to indicate that pets become ill with Covid-19 or that they spread it to other animals, including people. 

The dog was sent for quarantine along with another mixed-breed dog from the same residence on March 19, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said. The department continued closely monitoring both dogs and conduct repeated tests on the animals. Along with the canines, four cats are also under quarantine.

The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and CDC have both stated that there is no justification in taking measures against companion animals which may compromise their welfare. The American Medical Association advised that out of an abundance of caution, it is recommended that those ill with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus. The Hong Kong government also reminded pet owners to use good hygiene practices and urged them to avoid kissing their pets. 

Twin Cities
Independent

Reuters
CNN
FDA

New York Post
CNN 
Market Watch