27 JAN 2021

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Wednesday, 27 January 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: JAN 27, 2021, 04:50 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	20,658		124		16.794	3,740	8,686	52	632,628

map.html

Botswana

20,658 Total confirmed cases

124 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 24 January 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 27 JANUARY 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

BITRI CONFIRM THE PRESENCE OF THE 501Y.V2 VARIANT IN BOTSWANA

BITRI in collaboration with the National Health Laboratory has confirmed the presence of the 501Y.V2 variant in Botswana using Nanopore whole genome sequencing technology. This technology will be used in genomic surveillance to determine the distribution and prevalence of this variant and other unique lineages in Botswana.

BITRI was tasked by the Director of Health Services in the Ministry of Health and Wellness to determine if the new and more transmissible coronavirus 501Y.V2 variant first described in South Africa was present in Botswana.

NEWS

China, India’s COVID-19 vaccinations to stretch to late 2022 – study. COVID-19 vaccination programmes in China and India will stretch until late 2022 due to the sheer size of their population, and more than 85 poor countries will not have widespread access to vaccines before 2023, a study showed on Wednesday. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccine-access/china-indias-covid-19-vaccinations-to-stretch-to-late-2022-study-idUSKBN29W0E2

Stop hoarding COVID-19 vaccines, South Africa’s Ramaphosa tells rich nations. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-davos-meeting-ramaphosa/stop-hoarding-covid-19-vaccines-south-africas-ramaphosa-tells-rich-nations-idUSKBN29V0TI

Gambia vows to name and shame latest COVID-19 quarantine cheats. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-gambia/gambia-vows-to-name-and-shame-latest-covid-19-quarantine-cheats-idUSKBN29V2EB

Moderna says it believes vaccine will work against new variants. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-moderna/moderna-says-it-believes-vaccine-will-work-against-new-variants-idUSKBN29U1HC

Global absence and targeting of protective immune states in severe COVID-19. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03234-7

COVID research updates: Moderna vaccine vanquishes viral variants. Nature wades through the literature on the new coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

Vaccine 2.0: Moderna and other companies plan tweaks that would protect against new coronavirus mutations. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/01/vaccine-20-moderna-and-other-companies-plan-tweaks-would-protect-against-new

Monoclonal antibodies protect against COVID-19 in a second study. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/01/monoclonal-antibodies-protect-against-covid-19-second-study

Prospective mapping of viral mutations that escape antibodies used to treat COVID-19. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2021/01/22/science.abf9302?rss=1

COVID Vaccine Rollout Pits Fairness against Speed. Emergency physician Leana Wen says we must balance prioritizing those who most “deserve” a vaccine with getting people vaccinated quickly. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/covid-vaccine-rollout-pits-fairness-against-speed/

Comprehensive analysis of T cell immunodominance and immunoprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 epitopes in COVID-19 cases. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00015-X

Data and Policy to Guide Opening Schools Safely to Limit the Spread of SARS-CoV-2 Infection. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2775875

Covid-19: Moderna plans booster doses to counter variants. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n232

Inclusion of Pregnant and Lactating Persons in COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M21-0173

Thrombosis, Bleeding, and the Observational Effect of Early Therapeutic Anticoagulation on Survival in Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M20-6739

The Dual Burden of Type 1 Diabetes and COVID-19. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M21-0367

RESOURCES

Unite for Sight Virtual Conference

January 31st, 2021 deadline for abstracts for oral & poster presentations.

https://www.uniteforsight.org/conference/submit-abstract

Quote Tweet

@uniteforsight 2021 Confirmed Global Health & Innovation Conference Speakers (uniteforsight.org) https://www.uniteforsight.org/conference/speakers-2021

Join us for 18th annual Global Health & Innovation Conference – a 4 day live virtual event on April 8-11 with keynotes, panel sessions, workshops, poster sessions, social impact labs, & Innovation Prize competition. Register: https://bit.ly/3k4EvLo #globalhealth #socent #SDGs

GLOBAL SURGERY STUDENT ALLIANCE. Registration is free Events on March 26th and 27th: Registration is free https://www.globalsurgerystudents.org All events will be held exclusively in a virtual environment

JBI Evidence Synthesis. COVID 19 ARTICLES: https://journals.lww.com/jbisrir/pages/collectiondetails.aspx?TopicalCollectionId=15

Cell Press Coronavirus Resource Hub. https://www.cell.com/COVID-19?dgcid=STMJ_1594154018_SC

LANCET RESOURCES https://www.thelancet.com/coronavirus?dgcid=kr_pop-up_tlcoronavirus20

Top of Form

BMJ’s Coronavirus (Covid-19) Hub. https://www.bmj.com/coronavirus

BMJ BEST PRACTICES—UPDATED DAILY https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/3000201

JAMA Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/pages/coronavirus-alert?utm_campaign=COVID19&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=house&utm_content=box&utm_term=300×250

OTHER NEWS

Cancer research needs a better map. It is time to move beyond tumour sequencing data to identify vulnerabilities in cancers. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00182-0

USMLE Step 2 CS Cancelled Permanently — Medical licensing authorities looking for “innovative ways to assess clinical skills”. https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/exclusives/90900

Fund Black scientists. https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(21)00011-8#%20

FROM 26 JAN

Building sustainable and consequential research capacity within a global alliance of paediatric surgical centres. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00383-021-04858-6

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Thursday, 28 January 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: JAN 28, 2021, 03:53 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	20,658		124		16.794	3,740	8,686	52	632,628

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 28-01-2021 05:22 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

20,658 Total confirmed cases

124 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 26 January 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 28 JANUARY 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

BITRI CONFIRM THE PRESENCE OF THE 501Y.V2 VARIANT IN BOTSWANA

NEWS

South Africa, hit hard by coronavirus second wave, expects first vaccines Feb. 1. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica/south-africa-hit-hard-by-coronavirus-second-wave-expects-first-vaccines-feb-1-idUSKBN29W2GX

South Africa approves AstraZeneca vaccine for emergency use. South Africa has given fast-track approval to AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use and is reviewing applications by rival manufacturers Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson, the medicines regulator said on Wednesday.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-coronavirus-health-safrica-regulator/south-africa-approves-astrazeneca-vaccine-for-emergency-use-idUSKBN29W1EE

How epidemiology has shaped the COVID pandemic. Nature’s third progress report, coming at the end of the pandemic’s first year, highlights key findings from epidemiology — from sounding the early alarm to following the impact of new variants. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00183-z

COVID research updates: Moderna vaccine vanquishes viral variants. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

Decrying vaccines, Tanzania leader says ‘God will protect’ from COVID-19. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-tanzania/decrying-vaccines-tanzania-leader-says-god-will-protect-from-covid-19-idUSKBN29W1Z6

Uganda conducting clinical trials of possible drug against COVID-19 infections – statement. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-uganda/uganda-conducting-clinical-trials-of-possible-drug-against-covid-19-infections-statement-idUSKBN29W21I

Covid-19 controversies: the tocilizumab chapter. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n244

Covid-19: Moderna plans booster doses to counter variants. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n232

CDC finds scant spread of coronavirus in schools with precautions in place. https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/cdc-school-virus-spread/2021/01/26/bf949222-5fe6-11eb-9061-07abcc1f9229_story.html?utm_campaign=wp_post_most&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_most&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F2ef1ac8%2F601198569d2fda4c88c7fe35%2F5cd2efff9bbc0f0bf88b0810%2F24%2F70%2F601198569d2fda4c88c7fe35

Navigating inequities: a roadmap out of the pandemic. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/1/e004087

T cell response to SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans: A systematic review. http://europepmc.org/article/PMC/7833159

New Zealand, Taiwan top COVID performance ranking, U.S., UK languish. Other countries in the top 10 include Thailand, Cyprus, Rwanda, Iceland, Australia, Latvia and Sri Lanka – countries with fewer reported cases and deaths both in aggregate and per capita terms. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-australia-lowy/new-zealand-taiwan-top-covid-performance-ranking-u-s-uk-languish-idUSKBN29W311

Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamics in lungs of African green monkeys. https://stm.sciencemag.org/content/13/578/eabe8146

RESOURCES

Unite for Sight Virtual Conference

January 31st, 2021 deadline for abstracts for oral & poster presentations.

https://www.uniteforsight.org/conference/submit-abstract

Quote Tweet @uniteforsight 2021 Confirmed Global Health & Innovation Conference Speakers (uniteforsight.org) https://www.uniteforsight.org/conference/speakers-2021

Bridging Gaps And Empowering Global Communities In The Surgical Ecosystem. REGISTER https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cugh-global-surgery-satellite-session-2021-tickets-137340600433

Date And Time. Thu, Mar 4, 2021, 5:00 PM –Fri, Mar 5, 2021, 8:00 PM SAST

JBI Evidence Synthesis. COVID 19 ARTICLES: https://journals.lww.com/jbisrir/pages/collectiondetails.aspx?TopicalCollectionId=15

Cell Press Coronavirus Resource Hub. https://www.cell.com/COVID-19?dgcid=STMJ_1594154018_SC

LANCET RESOURCES https://www.thelancet.com/coronavirus?dgcid=kr_pop-up_tlcoronavirus20

Top of Form

BMJ’s Coronavirus (Covid-19) Hub. https://www.bmj.com/coronavirus

BMJ BEST PRACTICES—UPDATED DAILY https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/3000201

JAMA Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/pages/coronavirus-alert?utm_campaign=COVID19&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=house&utm_content=box&utm_term=300×250

OTHER NEWS

MegaMap on Child Well-being Interventions in LMIC’s. https://www.unicef-irc.org/megamap/

Biden orders sweeping review of government science integrity policies. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/01/new-biden-scientific-integrity-policy

How global is global health research? A large-scale analysis of trends in authorship. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/1/e003758

FROM 27 JAN

Cancer research needs a better map. It is time to move beyond tumour sequencing data to identify vulnerabilities in cancers. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00182-0

Fund Black scientists. https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(21)00011-8#%20

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Friday, 29 January 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: JAN 29, 2021, 04:03 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	21,293	[635]	134	[10]	16.794	3,961	8,951	56	648,636

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 29-01-2021 05:22 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

21,293 Total confirmed cases

134 Deaths

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 28 JANUARY 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

BITRI CONFIRM THE PRESENCE OF THE 501Y.V2 VARIANT IN BOTSWANA

NEWS

South African trial of Novavax vaccine seen to be 60% effective, says head of trial. South Africa’s mid-stage trial of U.S.-based biotech company Novavax Inc’s COVID-19 vaccine has shown it to be 60% effective for non-HIV individuals, the principal investigator of the study said late on Thursday. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica-novavax/south-african-trial-of-novavax-vaccine-seen-to-be-60-effective-says-head-of-trial-idUSKBN29X2ZL

Novavax says COVID-19 vaccine 89% effective in UK trial, less in South Africa, shares jump. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccines-novavax/novavax-says-covid-19-vaccine-89-effective-in-uk-trial-less-in-south-africa-shares-jump-idUSKBN29X2W0

First known U.S. cases of potent South African COVID-19 variant found in South Carolina. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-south-carolina/first-known-u-s-cases-of-potent-south-african-covid-19-variant-found-in-south-carolina-idUSKBN29X2FK

South Africa’s mining industry prepares for $20 million COVID-19 vaccine rollout effort. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica-vaccines-i/south-africas-mining-industry-prepares-for-20-million-covid-19-vaccine-rollout-effort-idUSKBN29X2NU

Africa secures 400 million more COVID-19 vaccine doses. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-africa/africa-secures-400-million-more-covid-19-vaccine-doses-idUSKBN29X1CE

Morocco starts coronavirus vaccination campaign. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-morocco/morocco-starts-coronavirus-vaccination-campaign-idUSKBN29X2JY

International collaboration and covid-19: what are we doing and where are we going? https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n180

Covid-19 pandemic and the social determinants of health. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n129

Covid-19 vaccination for medical students: the grey area. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n261

COVID research updates: The workers who keep us fed face some of the highest COVID risk. Nature wades through the literature on the new coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

First evidence that COVID vaccines protect people against new variants. Novavax’s experimental shot is highly effective against the variant identified in Britain — but saw a worrying drop in efficacy against a lineage detected in South Africa. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00268-9

Novavax vaccine delivers 89% efficacy against COVID-19 in UK—but is less potent in South Africa. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/01/novavax-vaccine-delivers-89-efficacy-against-covid-19-uk-less-potent-south-africa

MTN partners with African Union on COVID-19 vaccinations in Africa. https://africacdc.org/news-item/mtn-partners-with-african-union-on-covid-19-vaccinations-in-africa/?fbclid=IwAR0geD06nI5R1XmoXR7LtqrTQoPVLgWIK-o0rjGvaUigKDWpIkNz8GSimWs

Vaccine nationalism means that poor countries will be left behind. In some, coverage won’t be widespread until 2023, if ever. https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2021/01/28/vaccine-nationalism-means-that-poor-countries-will-be-left-behind?utm_campaign=the-economist-today&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_source=salesforce-marketing-cloud&utm_term=2021-01-28&utm_content=article-link-5&etear=nl_today_5

The Rockefeller Foundation Announces Grant to Expand Access to COVID-19 Testing and Tracing in Africa. https://africacdc.org/news-item/the-rockefeller-foundation-announces-grant-to-expand-access-to-covid-19-testing-and-tracing-in-africa/?fbclid=IwAR35YfHJwgnDph_DiM_9j3xGfsUDNkFa9JngfMUJF2XPFD8bRWMrYkD_HYo

Circulating SARS-CoV-2 spike N439K variants maintain fitness while evading antibody-mediated immunity. https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(21)00080-5

Duration of Culturable SARS-CoV-2 in Hospitalized Patients with Covid-19. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2027040?query=featured_home

SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines and the Growing Threat of Viral Variants. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2776039

Respiratory and Psychophysical Sequelae Among Patients With COVID-19 Four Months After Hospital Discharge. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2775643

RESOURCES

Unite for Sight Virtual Conference

January 31st, 2021 deadline for abstracts for oral & poster presentations.

https://www.uniteforsight.org/conference/submit-abstract

Quote Tweet @uniteforsight 2021 Confirmed Global Health & Innovation Conference Speakers (uniteforsight.org) https://www.uniteforsight.org/conference/speakers-2021

Bridging Gaps And Empowering Global Communities In The Surgical Ecosystem. REGISTER https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cugh-global-surgery-satellite-session-2021-tickets-137340600433

Date And Time. Thu, Mar 4, 2021, 5:00 PM –Fri, Mar 5, 2021, 8:00 PM SAST

JBI Evidence Synthesis. COVID 19 ARTICLES: https://journals.lww.com/jbisrir/pages/collectiondetails.aspx?TopicalCollectionId=15

Cell Press Coronavirus Resource Hub. https://www.cell.com/COVID-19?dgcid=STMJ_1594154018_SC

LANCET RESOURCES https://www.thelancet.com/coronavirus?dgcid=kr_pop-up_tlcoronavirus20

Top of Form

BMJ’s Coronavirus (Covid-19) Hub. https://www.bmj.com/coronavirus

BMJ BEST PRACTICES—UPDATED DAILY https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/3000201

JAMA Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/pages/coronavirus-alert?utm_campaign=COVID19&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=house&utm_content=box&utm_term=300×250

OTHER NEWS

Estimating the health impact of vaccination against ten pathogens in 98 low-income and middle-income countries from 2000 to 2030: a modelling study. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)32657-X/fulltext

Development of a Model to Estimate the Association Between Delay in Cancer Treatment and Local Tumor Control and Risk of Metastases. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2775638

Antibodies periodically wax and wane in survivors of Ebola. For those fortunate enough to have survived a deadly disease, a vital question remains: how long does their hard-earned immunity last? Tracking of antibodies in Ebola survivors reveals a surprising pattern. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-03044-3

Risk of being scooped drives scientists to shoddy methods | Science | AAAS (sciencemag.org).https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/01/risk-being-scooped-drives-scientists-shoddy-methods

Fighting the Quiet Crisis of Noncommunicable Diseases. COVID-19 has undermined capacity for care of patients with chronic, non-infectious diseases. Public-private partnerships aim to restore and improve. https://www.scientificamerican.com/custom-media/fighting-the-quiet-crisis-of-noncommunicable-diseases/?mvt=i&mvn=508f9f72176247d28e550670f4ff3762&mvp=NA-SCIEAMERLIVE-11237933&mvl=HomeLatest

Levonorgestrel vs. Copper Intrauterine Devices for Emergency Contraception. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2022141?query=featured_home

Evaluation of Data Sharing After Implementation of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors Data Sharing Statement Requirement. These findings suggest that there is a wide gap between declared and actual sharing of clinical trial data. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2775667

Factors Associated With Violence Against Children in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression of Nationally Representative Data. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1524838020985532

FROM 28 JAN

Revised UNAIDS/WHO Ethical Guidance for HIV Prevention Trials. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2775959

MegaMap on Child Well-being Interventions in LMIC’s. https://www.unicef-irc.org/megamap/

Biden orders sweeping review of government science integrity policies. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/01/new-biden-scientific-integrity-policy

How global is global health research? A large-scale analysis of trends in authorship. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/1/e003758

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Saturday, 30 January 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: JAN 30, 2021, 03:43 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	21,293	[635]	134	[10]	16.794	3,961	8,951	56	648,636

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 30-01-2021 05:22 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

21,293 Total confirmed cases

134 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 28 January 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 30 JANUARY 2021

PRESS RELEASE EXTENSION – RESTRICTION ON MOVEMENT

Notice is hereby given that His Excellency the President of the Republic of Botswana Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, has in accordance with Regulation 5 (1) and (4) of the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) Regulations, 2020, and on evidence submitted to him by the Director of Health Services that the risks posed by COVID-19 have increased in Botswana, extended the restriction on movement from 31st January, 2021 to 28th February, 2021.

The restriction on movement of persons shall continue to apply from 2000 hours to 0400 hours daily.

A person shall be required to carry a movement permit (essential services) issued under Regulation 7 (1) to travel during the hours where movement is restricted.

From 31st January, 2021 to 28th February, 2021, the following shall continue to apply-

(a) the sale of liquor is suspended; and

(b) the consumption of liquor in public places is suspended.

Andrew O. Sesinyi PERMANENT SECRETARY GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS

RESPONSE TO FALSE AND MISLEADING INFORMATION CIRCULATING ON SOCIAL MEDIA ABOUT SIR KETUMILE MASIRE TEACHING HOSPITAL’S WORKFORCE BEING ON STRIKE, PATIENTS STATUS AND WARDS. https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/photos/a.336021353147196/3705591726190125/CAPACITY

NEWS

Good News, Bad News for Novovax COVID Vaccine— Encouraging British data; but results from South Africa bring more questions than answers. https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19/90940?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2021-01-29&eun=g1652901d0r&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Headlines%20Top%20Cat%20HeC%20%202021-01-29&utm_term=NL_Daily_DHE_dual-gmail-definition

How Much Protection Do Babies Get From Mom’s COVID Antibodies?— Study is first to investigate maternal neutralizing activity. https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/smfm/90937?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2021-01-29&eun=g1652901d0r&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Headlines%20Top%20Cat%20HeC%20%202021-01-29&utm_term=NL_Daily_DHE_dual-gmail-definition

Wake-up call for Zimbabwe’s elite as COVID-19 floods hospitals, killing rich and poor. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-zimbabwe/wake-up-call-for-zimbabwes-elite-as-covid-19-floods-hospitals-killing-rich-and-poor-idUSKBN29Y13U

J&J vaccine adds to COVID-19 armoury, includes South African variant. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccines-johnson-j/jj-vaccine-adds-to-covid-19-armoury-includes-south-african-variant-idUSKBN29Y1PE

Instant View: J&J COVID-19 vaccine is 66% effective globally. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccines-johnson-j/instant-view-jj-covid-19-vaccine-is-66-effective-globally-idUSKBN29Y1TG

J&J’s one-shot COVID vaccine offers hope for faster protection. But vaccine shows reduced protection against one fast-spreading coronavirus variant. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00119-7

Novavax offers first evidence that COVID vaccines protect people against variants. Novavax’s experimental shot is highly effective against the variant identified in Britain — but saw a worrying drop in efficacy against a lineage detected in South Africa. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00268-9

How do the leading COVID-19 vaccines work? Science explains. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/01/how-leading-covid-19-vaccines-work

The Most Worrying Mutations in Five Emerging Coronavirus Variants. Here is a guide to novel versions of the COVID-causing virus—and genetic changes that can make them more contagious and evasive in the body. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-most-worrying-mutations-in-five-emerging-coronavirus-variants/

Coronavirus News Roundup: January 23–January 29. Pandemic highlights for the week. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/coronavirus-news-roundup-january-23-january-29/

Safety and immunogenicity of S-Trimer (SCB-2019), a protein subunit vaccine candidate for COVID-19 in healthy adults: a phase 1, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00241-5/fulltext

The differential impact of pediatric COVID-19 between high-income countries and low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review of fatality and ICU admission in children worldwide. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0246326

COVID research updates: An antibody that clamps onto the COVID virus’s ‘Achilles heel’ Nature wades through the literature on the new coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

How to redesign COVID vaccines so they protect against variants. Lineages that can evade immunity are spurring vaccine makers to explore ways to redesign their shots. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00241-6

Urgent needs of low-income and middle-income countries for COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00242-7/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_email

SARS-CoV-2 serosurveys in low-income and middle-income countries. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00188-4/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_email

The need for a global COVID-19 maternal immunisation research plan. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00146-X/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_email

UCSF research team finds anti-cancer drug kills COVID-19. The research, published Monday, found that anti-cancer drug Aplidin was about 30 times more potent than remdesivir. https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/ucsf-research-team-finds-anti-cancer-drug-kills-covid-19/ar-BB1dcVwW?ocid=msedgntp

Covid-19: Countries are learning what others paid for vaccines. South Africa’s government found itself on the defensive this week after a senior health official revealed that 1.5 million doses of the Oxford and AstraZeneca vaccine just purchased for use among health workers would cost $5.25 (£3.84; €4.32) a dose, more than twice what the European Union is paying at $2.15. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n281?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_term=hootsuite&utm_content=sme&utm_campaign=usage

Johnson & Johnson’s Vaccine Offers Strong Protection but Fuels Concern About Variants. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/johnson-johnson-s-vaccine-offers-strong-protection-but-fuels-concern-about-variants/ar-BB1dcGQE?ocid=msedgntp

A global vaccine apartheid is unfolding. People’s lives must come before profit. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/jan/29/a-global-vaccine-apartheid-is-unfolding-peoples-lives-must-come-before-profit

What you need to know about the coronavirus right now. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-snapshot/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-coronavirus-right-now-idUSKBN29Y0I2

Words matter: political and gender analysis of speeches made by heads of government during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/1/e003910

RESOURCES
Unite for Sight Virtual Conference

January 31st, 2021 deadline for abstracts for oral & poster presentations.

https://www.uniteforsight.org/conference/submit-abstract

Quote Tweet @uniteforsight 2021 Confirmed Global Health & Innovation Conference Speakers (uniteforsight.org) https://www.uniteforsight.org/conference/speakers-2021

Bridging Gaps And Empowering Global Communities In The Surgical Ecosystem. REGISTER https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cugh-global-surgery-satellite-session-2021-tickets-137340600433

Date And Time. Thu, Mar 4, 2021, 5:00 PM –Fri, Mar 5, 2021, 8:00 PM SAST

JBI Evidence Synthesis. COVID 19 ARTICLES: https://journals.lww.com/jbisrir/pages/collectiondetails.aspx?TopicalCollectionId=15

Cell Press Coronavirus Resource Hub. https://www.cell.com/COVID-19?dgcid=STMJ_1594154018_SC

LANCET RESOURCES https://www.thelancet.com/coronavirus?dgcid=kr_pop-up_tlcoronavirus20

Top of Form

BMJ’s Coronavirus (Covid-19) Hub. https://www.bmj.com/coronavirus

BMJ BEST PRACTICES—UPDATED DAILY https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/3000201

JAMA Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/pages/coronavirus-alert?utm_campaign=COVID19&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=house&utm_content=box&utm_term=300×250

OTHER NEWS

Announcing the Lancet Commission on Medicine and the Holocaust: Historical Evidence, Implications for Today, Teaching for Tomorrow. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00157-4/fulltext?dgcid=etoc-edschoice_email_lancetholocaust21

High burden of postoperative cancer mortality in LMICs. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00187-2/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_email

Large study finds trauma surgeons and emergency surgeons positively impact patient satisfaction. https://www.facs.org/media/press-releases/2021/patient-satisfaction-012921

A systematic review and realist synthesis on toilet paper hoarding: COVID or not COVID, that is the question. The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with a worldwide increase in toilet paper hoarding. Social media and social cognitive biases are major contributors and might explain some differences in toilet paper hoarding between countries. Other mental health-related factors, such as the stressful situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, fear of contagion, or particular personality traits (conscientiousness), are likely to be involved. https://peerj.com/articles/10771/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=Organic&utm_campaign=10771

Botswana investigates 11 new elephant deaths. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-botswana-elephants/botswana-investigates-11-new-elephant-deaths-idUSKBN29Y101

FROM 29 JAN

Development of a Model to Estimate the Association Between Delay in Cancer Treatment and Local Tumor Control and Risk of Metastases. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2775638

Antibodies periodically wax and wane in survivors of Ebola. For those fortunate enough to have survived a deadly disease, a vital question remains: how long does their hard-earned immunity last? Tracking of antibodies in Ebola survivors reveals a surprising pattern. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-03044-3

Risk of being scooped drives scientists to shoddy methods | Science | AAAS (sciencemag.org).https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/01/risk-being-scooped-drives-scientists-shoddy-methods

Fighting the Quiet Crisis of Noncommunicable Diseases. COVID-19 has undermined capacity for care of patients with chronic, non-infectious diseases. Public-private partnerships aim to restore and improve. https://www.scientificamerican.com/custom-media/fighting-the-quiet-crisis-of-noncommunicable-diseases/?mvt=i&mvn=508f9f72176247d28e550670f4ff3762&mvp=NA-SCIEAMERLIVE-11237933&mvl=HomeLatest

Levonorgestrel vs. Copper Intrauterine Devices for Emergency Contraception. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2022141?query=featured_home

Evaluation of Data Sharing After Implementation of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors Data Sharing Statement Requirement. These findings suggest that there is a wide gap between declared and actual sharing of clinical trial data. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2775667

Factors Associated With Violence Against Children in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression of Nationally Representative Data. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1524838020985532

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Monday, 1 February 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: FEB 1, 2021, 03:43 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	21,293	[635]	134	[10]	16.794	3,961	8,951	56	648,636

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 01-02-2021 05:23 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

21,293 Total confirmed cases

134 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 28 JAN 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 1 FEB 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

PRESS RELEASE EXTENSION – RESTRICTION ON MOVEMENT

The restriction on movement of persons shall continue to apply from 2000 hours to 0400 hours daily.

A person shall be required to carry a movement permit (essential services) issued under Regulation 7 (1) to travel during the hours where movement is restricted.

From 31st January, 2021 to 28th February, 2021, the following shall continue to apply-

(a) the sale of liquor is suspended; and

(b) the consumption of liquor in public places is suspended.

Andrew O. Sesinyi PERMANENT SECRETARY GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS

RESPONSE TO FALSE AND MISLEADING INFORMATION CIRCULATING ON SOCIAL MEDIA ABOUT SIR KETUMILE MASIRE TEACHING HOSPITAL’S WORKFORCE BEING ON STRIKE, PATIENTS STATUS AND WARDS. https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/photos/a.336021353147196/3705591726190125/CAPACITY

NEWS

South Africa to receive extra 20 million COVID-19 vaccines, paper says. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica-vaccine/south-africa-to-receive-extra-20-million-covid-19-vaccines-paper-says-idUSKBN2A0080

Fresh data show toll South African virus variant takes on vaccine efficacy,CHICAGO (Reuters) – Clinical trial data on two COVID-19 vaccines show that a coronavirus variant first identified in South Africa is lessening their ability to protect against the illness, underscoring the need to vaccinate vast numbers of people as quickly as possible, scientists said. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccines-variant/fresh-data-show-toll-south-african-virus-variant-takes-on-vaccine-efficacy-idUSKBN29Z0I7

J&J vaccine adds to COVID-19 armoury, includes South African variant. Johnson & Johnson said on Friday that its single-dose vaccine was 66% effective in preventing COVID-19 in a large global trial against multiple variants, giving health officials another weapon to tackle the pandemic. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccines-johnson-j/jj-vaccine-adds-to-covid-19-armoury-includes-south-african-variant-idUSKBN29Z0F0

Obesity and mortality of COVID-19. Meta-analysis. BMI>25 increases risk of death by 2.5x. https://www.reddit.com/r/science/comments/l8gmk6/obesity_and_mortality_of_covid19_metaanalysis/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

A shocking number of COVID-19 survivors have been diagnosed with neurological issues. https://www.mdlinx.com/news/a-shocking-number-of-covid-19-survivors-have-been-diagnosed-with-neurological-issues/3FXO4r4QldDJLY5Vn6qvVH?show_order=2&utm_campaign=All+SP+1%2F31%2F2021+Morning+Alert&utm_medium=email&ipost_environment=m3usainc&utm_source=iPost&iqs=9z2z0kf2psq2b0bet1d074gqpo16m1kh100kt3beuog

From lockdowns to pool parties: how Covid rules vary around the world. Countries have adopted different rules on business activity, education, socialising and travel. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/30/from-lockdowns-to-pool-parties-how-covid-rules-vary-around-the-world

COVID-19 rarely spreads through surfaces. So why are we still deep cleaning?. The coronavirus behind the pandemic can linger on doorknobs and other surfaces, but these aren’t a major source of infection. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00251-4

Stable neutralizing antibody levels six months after mild and severe COVID-19 episode. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00035-0

Combating the COVID-19 infodemic: a three-level approach for low and middle-income countries. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/1/e004671

RESOURCES

Bridging Gaps And Empowering Global Communities In The Surgical Ecosystem. REGISTER https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cugh-global-surgery-satellite-session-2021-tickets-137340600433

Date And Time. Thu, Mar 4, 2021, 5:00 PM –Fri, Mar 5, 2021, 8:00 PM SAST

BMJ GLOBAL HEALTH January 2021 – Volume 6 – 1. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/1?current-issue=y

JBI Evidence Synthesis. COVID 19 ARTICLES: https://journals.lww.com/jbisrir/pages/collectiondetails.aspx?TopicalCollectionId=15

Cell Press Coronavirus Resource Hub. https://www.cell.com/COVID-19?dgcid=STMJ_1594154018_SC

LANCET RESOURCES https://www.thelancet.com/coronavirus?dgcid=kr_pop-up_tlcoronavirus20

Top of Form

BMJ’s Coronavirus (Covid-19) Hub. https://www.bmj.com/coronavirus

BMJ BEST PRACTICES—UPDATED DAILY https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/3000201

JAMA Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/pages/coronavirus-alert?utm_campaign=COVID19&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=house&utm_content=box&utm_term=300×250

OTHER NEWS

Low- and Middle-Income Country Host Perceptions of Short-Term Experiences in Global Health. A Systematic Review. https://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/Abstract/9000/Low__and_Middle_Income_Country_Host_Perceptions_of.96908.aspx?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=amexpress&utm_content=newsletter

Factbox: 10 facts about the most dangerous diseases you’ve never heard of. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-health-disease/factbox-10-facts-about-the-most-dangerous-diseases-youve-never-heard-of-idUSKBN29Z09B

Understanding abortion-related complications in health facilities: results from WHO multicountry survey on abortion (MCS-A) across 11 sub-Saharan African countries. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/1/e003702

Estimating the burden of cardiovascular risk in community dwellers over 40 years old in South Africa, Kenya, Burkina Faso and Ghana. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/1/e003499

Workforce capacity for the care of patients with kidney failure across world countries and regions https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/1/e004014

A systematic approach to context-mapping to prepare for health interventions: development and validation of the SETTING-tool in four countries. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/1/e003221

Selfie consents, remote rapport, and Zoom debriefings: collecting qualitative data amid a pandemic in four resource-constrained settings. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/1/e004193

FROM 30 JAN

High burden of postoperative cancer mortality in LMICs. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00187-2/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_email

Large study finds trauma surgeons and emergency surgeons positively impact patient satisfaction. https://www.facs.org/media/press-releases/2021/patient-satisfaction-012921

Botswana investigates 11 new elephant deaths. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-botswana-elephants/botswana-investigates-11-new-elephant-deaths-idUSKBN29Y101

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Tuesday, 2 February 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: FEB 2, 2021, 03:24 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	22,738	[445]	148	[14]	18,468	4,122	9,556	62	668,789

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 02-02-2021 05:22 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

22,738 Total confirmed cases

148 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 28 JAN 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 1 FEB 2021

NEWS

What we know about the South African variant of Covid. Experts say 501Y.V2 variant is more infectious and resistant to vaccines, though there are no signs that it leads to more severe disease. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/01/what-we-know-about-the-south-african-variant-of-covid

Ramaphosa welcomes first vaccines arriving in South Africa. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa hailed the arrival of the first doses of COVID-19 vaccine on Monday as a chance to “turn the tide” on a disease that has devastated the country. Ramaphosa and other top officials were at the OR Tambo international airport to receive the 1 million shots of the AstraZeneca vaccine, produced by the Serum Institute of India. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica-vaccine/ramaphosa-welcomes-first-vaccines-arriving-in-south-africa-idUSKBN2A13EA

Nigeria expects 41 million COVID-19 vaccine doses from African Union. Shuaib said the request was for 7.6 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, 15.3 million of the AstraZeneca vaccine and 18.4 million of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. He said the doses were expected to arrive by the end of April. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-nigeria-vaccine/nigeria-expects-41-million-covid-19-vaccine-doses-from-african-union-idUSKBN2A13FS

Covid-19: WHO warns against “vaccine nationalism” or face further virus mutations. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n292

Covid-19: Novavax vaccine efficacy is 86% against UK variant and 60% against South African variant. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n296

Covid-19: AstraZeneca vaccine is approved in EU with no upper age limit. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n295

Urgent needs of low-income and middle-income countries for COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00242-7/fulltext

Public health actions to control new SARS-CoV-2 variants. https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(21)00087-8?utm_medium=homepage

Had Covid? You May Need Only One Dose of Vaccine, Study Suggests. People who have already been sick with Covid-19 should still be vaccinated, experts say, but they may experience intense side effects even after one dose. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/01/health/have-you-had-covid-19-coronavirus.html

Which Covid Vaccine Should You Get? Experts Cite the Effect Against Severe Disease. Infectious disease doctors say getting a shot of the J&J vaccine, which has a lower efficacy against the virus than other vaccines, would still be well worthwhile. But Dr. Fauci said that the more crucial measure was the ability to prevent severe disease, which translates to keeping people out of the hospital and preventing deaths. And that result, for Johnson & Johnson, was 85 percent in all of the countries where it was tested, including South Africa, where a rapidly spreading variant of the virus had shown some ability to elude vaccines. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/29/health/Covid-vaccine-explainer.html

Novavax’s Vaccine Works Well — Except on Variant First Found in South Africa. An early analysis in Britain found that the vaccine had an efficacy rate of nearly 90 percent. But in a small South Africa trial, the efficacy rate dropped to just under 50 percent. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/28/health/covid-vaccine-novavax-south-africa.html

How the Coronavirus Turns the Body Against Itself. Some patients struggling with Covid-19 develop antibodies against their own tissues, scientists have found. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/28/health/coronavirus-antibodies-immunity.html

Clinical Decision Making During the COVID-19 Pandemic. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M20-8179

RESOURCES

RCSI’s Annual Charter Meeting will take place virtually from Tuesday, 2 February to Saturday, 6 February 2021. Time:09:30 – 13:00 Category:General events, Surgical Location:Online . Register free https://rcsi.eventsair.com/charter-meeting-2021/chartermeeting2021/Site/Register

https://www.rcsi.com/dublin/news-and-events/events/event/2021/charter-meeting-2021

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY TWiV 713: COVID-19 clinical update #47 with Dr. Daniel Griffin. TWiV e https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EgtLRtbLYI&feature=youtu.be

Bridging Gaps And Empowering Global Communities In The Surgical Ecosystem. REGISTER https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cugh-global-surgery-satellite-session-2021-tickets-137340600433

Date And Time. Thu, Mar 4, 2021, 5:00 PM –Fri, Mar 5, 2021, 8:00 PM SAST

BMJ GLOBAL HEALTH January 2021 – Volume 6 – 1. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/1?current-issue=y

JBI Evidence Synthesis. COVID 19 ARTICLES: https://journals.lww.com/jbisrir/pages/collectiondetails.aspx?TopicalCollectionId=15

Cell Press Coronavirus Resource Hub. https://www.cell.com/COVID-19?dgcid=STMJ_1594154018_SC

LANCET RESOURCES https://www.thelancet.com/coronavirus?dgcid=kr_pop-up_tlcoronavirus20

Top of Form

BMJ’s Coronavirus (Covid-19) Hub. https://www.bmj.com/coronavirus

BMJ BEST PRACTICES—UPDATED DAILY https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/3000201

JAMA Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/pages/coronavirus-alert?utm_campaign=COVID19&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=house&utm_content=box&utm_term=300×250

OTHER NEWS

Want a stronger world after COVID-19? Choose more women leaders. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-women-politics-trfn/want-a-stronger-world-after-covid-19-choose-more-women-leaders-idUSKBN2A12OH

FROM 1 FEB

Estimating the burden of cardiovascular risk in community dwellers over 40 years old in South Africa, Kenya, Burkina Faso and Ghana. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/1/e003499

Workforce capacity for the care of patients with kidney failure across world countries and regions https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/1/e004014

A systematic approach to context-mapping to prepare for health interventions: development and validation of the SETTING-tool in four countries. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/1/e003221

Selfie consents, remote rapport, and Zoom debriefings: collecting qualitative data amid a pandemic in four resource-constrained settings. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/1/e004193

FROM 30 JAN

High burden of postoperative cancer mortality in LMICs. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00187-2/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_email

Large study finds trauma surgeons and emergency surgeons positively impact patient satisfaction. https://www.facs.org/media/press-releases/2021/patient-satisfaction-012921

Botswana investigates 11 new elephant deaths. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-botswana-elephants/botswana-investigates-11-new-elephant-deaths-idUSKBN29Y101

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Wednesday, 3 February 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: FEB 3, 2021, 04:14 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	22,738		148		18,468	4,122	9,556	62	668,789

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 03-02-2021 05:23 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

22,738 Total confirmed cases

148 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 28 JAN 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 3 FEB 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

CIRCULAR SAVINGRAM

REF:DP 19/72 VIII (XX) 29th January 2021

FLEXIBLE WORKING ARRANGEMENTS IN RESPONSE TO COVID 19

Following the increasing COVID-19 infections across the country, it has been decided to enforce flexible work arrangements previously established to contain the spread of the virus. The main purpose of employing these work interventions is to reduce the number of people in the workplace at any given time, decongest public transport; and reduce the risk of infection while ensuring continued delivery of public services. Addressees are duly directed to utilise any or a combination of the following interventions as may be applicable to their work environment and suitable to their employees’ nature of duty. PLEASE NOTE THAT IT IS MANDATORY TO DECONGEST WORKPLACES.

NEWS

Variation in SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks across sub-Saharan Africa. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-021-01234-8

Safety and efficacy of an rAd26 and rAd5 vector-based heterologous prime-boost COVID-19 vaccine: an interim analysis of a randomised controlled phase 3 trial in Russia. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00234-8/fulltext?utm_campaign=tlcoronavirus21&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social

WHO director-general says COVID-19 vaccine nationalism harmful for all. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccine-who/who-director-general-says-covid-19-vaccine-nationalism-harmful-for-all-idUSKBN2A22ZC

Zimbabwe will have access to Chinese COVID-19 vaccine soon, ambassador says. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-zimbabwe-china/zimbabwe-will-have-access-to-chinese-covid-19-vaccine-soon-ambassador-says-idUSKBN2A210A

Tunisia expects COVID-19 vaccines from GAVI alliance mid-February: minister.Tunisia expects to receive four million free doses of COVID-19 vaccine through the Geneva-based GAVI vaccine alliance from mid-February. Tunisia become the third country in Africa to approve use of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) said on Saturday. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-tunisia-vaccine/tunisia-expects-covid-19-vaccines-from-gavi-alliance-mid-february-minister-idUSKBN2A22JU

Rethink how we plan research to shrink COVID health disparities. Barber shops, churches, libraries — that’s where researchers must go to tackle inequity. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00258-x

COVID research updates: Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine shows high effectiveness. Nature wades through the literature on the new coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

Coronavirus is in the air — there’s too much focus on surfaces. Catching the coronavirus from surfaces is rare. The World Health Organization and national public-health agencies need to clarify their advice. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00277-8

Maturation and persistence of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 memory B cell response. https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(21)00093-3

Azithromycin in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00149-5/fulltext

RESOURCES

https://www.rcsi.com/dublin/news-and-events/events/event/2021/charter-meeting-2021

Bridging Gaps And Empowering Global Communities In The Surgical Ecosystem. REGISTER https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cugh-global-surgery-satellite-session-2021-tickets-137340600433

Date And Time. Thu, Mar 4, 2021, 5:00 PM –Fri, Mar 5, 2021, 8:00 PM SAST

BMJ GLOBAL HEALTH January 2021 – Volume 6 – 1. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/1?current-issue=y

JBI Evidence Synthesis. COVID 19 ARTICLES: https://journals.lww.com/jbisrir/pages/collectiondetails.aspx?TopicalCollectionId=15

Cell Press Coronavirus Resource Hub. https://www.cell.com/COVID-19?dgcid=STMJ_1594154018_SC

LANCET RESOURCES https://www.thelancet.com/coronavirus?dgcid=kr_pop-up_tlcoronavirus20

Top of Form

BMJ’s Coronavirus (Covid-19) Hub. https://www.bmj.com/coronavirus

BMJ BEST PRACTICES—UPDATED DAILY https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/3000201

JAMA Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/pages/coronavirus-alert?utm_campaign=COVID19&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=house&utm_content=box&utm_term=300×250

OTHER NEWS

Time to take critical race theory seriously: moving beyond a colour-blind gender lens in global health. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(20)30536-2/fulltext

Kenyan recycles plastic waste into bricks stronger than concrete. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-kenya-environment-recycling/kenyan-recycles-plastic-waste-into-bricks-stronger-than-concrete-idUSKBN2A211N

A Price on African Genomes. The scientific importance of diverse genomic data has triggered intense interest in datasets from Africans, and it’s creating new ethical dilemmas. https://www.scientificamerican.com/custom-media/good-medicine/a-price-on-african-genomes/?mvt=i&mvn=1f70721fd4964c7490f1863c43a23122&mvp=NA-SCIEAMERLIVE-11237933&mvl=HomeLatest

Psychosocial influences on help-seeking behaviour for cancer in low-income and lower middle-income countries: a mixed-methods systematic review. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e004213

Richard Smith: Peer reviewers—time for mass rebellion? https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/02/01/richard-smith-peer-reviewers-time-for-mass-rebellion/

The psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns: a review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies and natural experiments. The psychological impact of COVID-19 lockdowns is small in magnitude and highly heterogeneous, suggesting that lockdowns do not have uniformly detrimental effects on mental health and that most people are psychologically resilient to their effects. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/psychological-medicine/article/psychological-impact-of-covid19-pandemic-lockdowns-a-review-and-metaanalysis-of-longitudinal-studies-and-natural-experiments/04BBA90C535107A90B851DFCE8D4693C

FROM 2 FEB

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Thursday, 4 February 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: FEB 4, 2021, 03:35 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	22,738		148		18,468	4,122	9,556	62	668,789

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 04-02-2021 05:22 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

22,738 Total confirmed cases

148 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 28 JAN 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 4 FEB 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

CIRCULAR SAVINGRAM

REF:DP 19/72 VIII (XX) 29th January 2021

FLEXIBLE WORKING ARRANGEMENTS IN RESPONSE TO COVID 19

NEWS

COVAX allocates first tranche of 330 million vaccine doses to poor countries. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccines-covax/covax-allocates-first-tranche-of-330-million-vaccine-doses-to-poor-countries-idUSKBN2A31FY

Scientists call for fully open sharing of coronavirus genome data. Other researchers say that restrictions at the largest SARS-CoV-2 genome platform encourage fast sharing while protecting data providers’ rights. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00305-7

COVID’s mental-health toll: how scientists are tracking a surge in depression. Researchers are using huge data sets to link changes in mental health to coronavirus-response measures. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00175-z

‘A question of choices.’ Pfizer vaccine leader on confronting new coronavirus variants. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/02/question-choices-pfizer-vaccine-leader-confronting-new-coronavirus-variants

Death of EPA’s controversial ‘censored science’ rule delights researchers. Death of EPA’s controversial ‘censored science’ rule delights researchers

Stable neutralizing antibody levels six months after mild and severe COVID-19 episode. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00035-0

Efficacy and Safety of the mRNA-1273 SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2035389?query=featured_home

Microvascular Injury in the Brains of Patients with Covid-19. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2033369?query=featured_home

A New Vaccine to Battle Covid-19. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2035557?query=featured_secondary

Who Goes First? Government Leaders and Prioritization of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMpv2036128?query=featured_secondary

Necessity of 2 Doses of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2776229

COVID-19 Outcomes Among Persons Living With or Without Diagnosed HIV Infection in New York State. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2775827

Put to the test: use of rapid testing technologies for covid-19. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n208

Why aren’t covid-19 vaccines being manufactured in standard prefilled syringes? https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n263

Update to living systematic review on prediction models for diagnosis and prognosis of covid-19. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n236

Covid-19: Social murder, they wrote—elected, unaccountable, and unrepentant. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n314

What went wrong in the global governance of covid-19? https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n303

Covid-19: New data on Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine backs 12 week dosing interval. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n326

Covid-19: Four in 10 people with evidence of past infection had no classic symptoms, study finds. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n321

Covid-19: Surge testing for the South Africa variant begins in England. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n305

RESOURCES

https://www.rcsi.com/dublin/news-and-events/events/event/2021/charter-meeting-2021

Bridging Gaps And Empowering Global Communities In The Surgical Ecosystem. REGISTER https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cugh-global-surgery-satellite-session-2021-tickets-137340600433

Date And Time. Thu, Mar 4, 2021, 5:00 PM –Fri, Mar 5, 2021, 8:00 PM SAST

BMJ GLOBAL HEALTH January 2021 – Volume 6 – 1. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/1?current-issue=y

JBI Evidence Synthesis. COVID 19 ARTICLES: https://journals.lww.com/jbisrir/pages/collectiondetails.aspx?TopicalCollectionId=15

Cell Press Coronavirus Resource Hub. https://www.cell.com/COVID-19?dgcid=STMJ_1594154018_SC

LANCET RESOURCES https://www.thelancet.com/coronavirus?dgcid=kr_pop-up_tlcoronavirus20

Top of Form

BMJ’s Coronavirus (Covid-19) Hub. https://www.bmj.com/coronavirus

BMJ BEST PRACTICES—UPDATED DAILY https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/3000201

OTHER NEWS

Variations in Persistent Use of Low-Value Breast Cancer Surgery. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/fullarticle/2775941?guestAccessKey=c03b3a08-d0a6-4e85-a682-957070169b60&utm_source=silverchair&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=article_alert-jamasurgery&utm_content=olf&utm_term=020321

Prevalence and trends in tobacco use among adolescents aged 13–15 years in 143 countries, 1999–2018: findings from the Global Youth Tobacco Surveys. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanchi/article/PIIS2352-4642(20)30390-4/fulltext?utm_campaign=lancet&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social

Vaccine Innovations — Past and Future. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2029466?query=featured_home

Breast Cancer Risk Genes — Association Analysis in More than 113,000 Women. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1913948?query=featured_home

Association Between Statin Use at the Time of Intra-abdominal Surgery and Postoperative Adhesion-Related Complications and Small-Bowel Obstruction. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2775824

Lessons and risks of medical device deployment in a global pandemic. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00028-0/fulltext

FROM 3 FEB

Time to take critical race theory seriously: moving beyond a colour-blind gender lens in global health. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(20)30536-2/fulltext

Psychosocial influences on help-seeking behaviour for cancer in low-income and lower middle-income countries: a mixed-methods systematic review. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e004213

Richard Smith: Peer reviewers—time for mass rebellion? https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/02/01/richard-smith-peer-reviewers-time-for-mass-rebellion/

FROM 2 FEB

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Friday, 5 February 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: FEB 5, 2021, 03:35 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	23,503	[765]	163	[15]	19,574	3,766	9,876	68	692,131

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 05-02-2021 05:22 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

23,503 Total confirmed cases

163 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 28 JAN 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 5 FEB 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS ON THE COVID-19 NATIONAL DEPLOYMENT AND VACCINATION PLAN

04 February, 2021

1. Bagaetsho, despite the ravaging effect of the COVID-19 global pandemic, my Ministry is privileged to share with the nation a progress update on measures being taken by the Government of the Republic of Botswana to combat the disease and to reduce its adverse impact.

2. I wish to preface my brief with the heartening news that through Africa’s continental platform, MTN- a leading mobile network- has donated a total of US$25 million worth of vaccines to support the African Union’s (AU’s) COVID-19 vaccination programme.

3. The donation will help secure up to seven (7) million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, which are intended to cater for frontline workers across the continent. As part of the AU, Botswana stands to benefit from these.

4. I now wish to share with the Nation, the Botswana Government overview of the COVID-19 National Deployment and Vaccination plan (NDVP), and the country’s progress towards securing the much needed COVID-19 Vaccine.

5. As part of the broader strategy of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government has embarked on an initiative to acquire, and quickly deploy safe and secure vaccines for the citizens and residents of Botswana.

6. This program is in line with the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ Expanded Program on Immunisation; as well as the Public Health Act 2014, regarding the Prevention of the Spread of Immunisable Diseases and their Re-emergence.

7. The Government has, thus far, identified different platforms for the procurement of vaccines. Furthermore, payments approximating US$10million have already been made, in order to secure the various vaccines. This allocation is population based. The said platforms are as follows:

i. COVAX Facility: Through this platform, the Government has secured enough doses to cover its frontline workers.

ii. African Medical Supplies Platform through African Union (AU): The African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team (AVATT) established by the African Union has been able to secure a provisional 270 million for Africa—from which Botswana will receive its share.

iii. Private Sector: Bagaetsho, as you will all be aware, the government cannot successfully combat the pandemic on its own. So, I am pleased to share that we are engaging with the wider private sector, and other partners, to facilitate the availability of these vaccines to all of us. The private sector has received our pleas for collaboration, and has come up with ideas on how it can contribute to protect its employees, their families and the communities around it.

8. With the above strategic participation by the country, considerable work has been done to ready the country to receive such vaccinations; once the allocations are announced and distributed.

9. In terms of the law and policy, coordination structures have been set up to ensure the ethical, equitable and timely distribution of the vaccine across the country; in order to reach the citizens. As a country, our aim is to reach population impact coverage.

10. The administration or distribution of vaccines will be done in phases. The initial phase will, however, focus on the health system strengthening and economic activity revival.

11. This consideration requires that there be prioritisation of key populations such as healthcare workers and those that participate in essential service. The idea is to reach these first so that they can then be ready to spread around the country and attend to the rest of the population.

12. Finally the public should be reassured that more communication as to the deployment and vaccination plan will be shared within a reasonably short period of time.

13. I must reiterate that the main goal of our COVID-19 vaccine deployment and vaccination plan is to save lives and mitigate societal and economic impact by reducing transmission and mortality due to the viral infections.

14. Bagaetsho, in accordance with the Public Health Act (2014), the COVID-19 vaccine will be administered free of charge, with intended universal coverage of the population.

15. In order to successfully reduce disease transmission and contain the pandemic, it will be imperative to ensure that the entire eligible population is vaccinated against the pandemic.

16. Bagaetsho, we need to strongly advise that these developments towards acquisition of the COVID-19 vaccine should not lead us into complacency; with the dire consequences of failing to protect ourselves against the disease.

17. The vaccine has the potential to reduce transmission and contain the pandemic, BUT, IT IS NOT A CURE, but a protection with limitations.

18. With the COVID-19 increasing disease-burden, we will have to continue to adhere to the COVID-19 safety protocols of wearing a face mask, washing hands, social distancing, and sanitizing where possible.

I thank you!

NEWS

Should travelers be double masking on planes? https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2021/02/03/double-mask-flights-covid/?utm_campaign=wp_to_your_health&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_tyh&wpmk=1&pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJjb29raWVuYW1lIjoid3BfY3J0aWQiLCJpc3MiOiJDYXJ0YSIsImNvb2tpZXZhbHVlIjoiNWNkMmVmZmY5YmJjMGYwYmY4OGIwODEwIiwidGFnIjoiNjAxYjEzMDE5ZDJmZGE0Yzg4ZDFmOWNlIiwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL3RyYXZlbC8yMDIxLzAyLzAzL2RvdWJsZS1tYXNrLWZsaWdodHMtY292aWQvP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj13cF90b195b3VyX2hlYWx0aCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ3cGlzcmM9bmxfdHloJndwbWs9MSJ9.NaeIttof_c4tOmQD7ttDEKRJmQBuggrwLMct2j-eioE

Autoimmune Patients Face No Higher COVID Risk— People with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and IBD no more likely to die. https://www.medpagetoday.com/rheumatology/generalrheumatology/91022?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2021-02-04&eun=g1652901d0r&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Headlines%20Top%20Cat%20HeC%20%202021-02-04&utm_term=NL_Daily_DHE_dual-gmail-definition

Nisreen Alwan: We must pay more attention to covid-19 morbidity in the second year of the pandemic. https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/02/03/nisreen-alwan-we-must-pay-more-attention-to-covid-19-morbidity-in-the-second-year-of-the-pandemic/

COVID-19 Outcomes Among Persons Living With or Without Diagnosed HIV Infection in New York State. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2775827#:~:text=Population%2Dlevel%20rates%20of%20COVID,and%20geography%20(Table%201).

African nations fear more Covid deaths before vaccination begins. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/feb/04/african-nations-fear-more-covid-deaths-before-vaccination-begins

WHO’s COVAX initiative aims to start shipping 90 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Africa in February. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-africa-who-vaccine/whos-covax-initiative-aims-to-start-shipping-90-million-covid-19-vaccine-doses-to-africa-in-february-idUSKBN2A42P0

Zimbabwe to get 200,000 COVID-19 doses from China’s Sinopharm. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-zimbabwe-china/zimbabwe-to-get-200000-covid-19-doses-from-chinas-sinopharm-idUSKBN2A42FZ

Sixteen African nations show interest in AU vaccine plan. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-africa/sixteen-african-nations-show-interest-in-au-vaccine-plan-idUSKBN2A418L

Could mixing COVID vaccines boost immune response? Combining different coronavirus shots could speed immunization campaigns — and even boost immune response. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00315-5

COVID research updates: What makes a person with COVID more contagious? Hint: not a cough. Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine shows high effectiveness, Nature wades through the literature on the new coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

Covid-19: Four in 10 people with evidence of past infection had no classic symptoms, study finds. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n321

Efficacy and Safety of the mRNA-1273 SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2035389?query=featured_home

A Cluster-Randomized Trial of Hydroxychloroquine for Prevention of Covid-19. Postexposure therapy with hydroxychloroquine did not prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection or symptomatic Covid-19 in healthy persons exposed to a PCR-positive case patient. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2021801?query=featured_home

Microvascular Injury in the Brains of Patients with Covid-19. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2033369?query=featured_home

Genomic sequencing in pandemics. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00257-9/fulltext

Offline: COVID-19 and the convergence of nations. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00309-3/fulltext

RESOURCES

Bridging Gaps And Empowering Global Communities In The Surgical Ecosystem. REGISTER https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cugh-global-surgery-satellite-session-2021-tickets-137340600433 Date And Time. Thu, Mar 4, 2021, 5:00 PM –Fri, Mar 5, 2021, 8:00 PM SAST

NUVANCE HEALTH AND THE UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT LARNER COLLEGE OF MEDICINE Global Health eMagazine. https://shoutout.wix.com/so/62NTgGd3K?languageTag=en&status=Draft&cid=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000#/main

JBI Evidence Synthesis. COVID 19 ARTICLES: https://journals.lww.com/jbisrir/pages/collectiondetails.aspx?TopicalCollectionId=15

Cell Press Coronavirus Resource Hub. https://www.cell.com/COVID-19?dgcid=STMJ_1594154018_SC

LANCET RESOURCES https://www.thelancet.com/coronavirus?dgcid=kr_pop-up_tlcoronavirus20

Top of Form

BMJ’s Coronavirus (Covid-19) Hub. https://www.bmj.com/coronavirus

OTHER NEWS

Complicated legacies: The human genome at 20. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/371/6529/564

On-demand biomanufacturing of protective conjugate vaccines. https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/7/6/eabe9444

Africans begin to take the reins of research into their own genomes. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/02/africans-begin-take-reins-research-their-own-genomes

CARD8 is an inflammasome sensor for HIV-1 protease activity. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2021/02/03/science.abe1707?rss=1

Evaluation of the Neonatal Sequential Organ Failure Assessment and Mortality Risk in Preterm Infants With Late-Onset Infection. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2775925

The political and security dimensions of the humanitarian health response to violent conflict. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00130-6/fulltext

FROM 4 FEB

Variations in Persistent Use of Low-Value Breast Cancer Surgery. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/fullarticle/2775941?guestAccessKey=c03b3a08-d0a6-4e85-a682-957070169b60&utm_source=silverchair&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=article_alert-jamasurgery&utm_content=olf&utm_term=020321

Vaccine Innovations — Past and Future. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2029466?query=featured_home

Breast Cancer Risk Genes — Association Analysis in More than 113,000 Women. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1913948?query=featured_home

Lessons and risks of medical device deployment in a global pandemic. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00028-0/fulltext

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Saturday, 6 February 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: FEB 6, 2021, 05:14 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	23,503		163		19,574	3,766	9,876	68	692,131

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 06-02-2021 06:22 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

23,503 Total confirmed cases

163 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 28 JAN 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 5 FEB 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS ON THE COVID-19 NATIONAL DEPLOYMENT AND VACCINATION PLAN

04 February, 2021

i. COVAX Facility: Through this platform, the Government has secured enough doses to cover its frontline workers.

8. With the above strategic participation by the country, considerable work has been done to ready the country to receive such vaccinations; once the allocations are announced and distributed.

10. The administration or distribution of vaccines will be done in phases. The initial phase will, however, focus on the health system strengthening and economic activity revival.

12. Finally the public should be reassured that more communication as to the deployment and vaccination plan will be shared within a reasonably short period of time.

14. Bagaetsho, in accordance with the Public Health Act (2014), the COVID-19 vaccine will be administered free of charge, with intended universal coverage of the population.

15. In order to successfully reduce disease transmission and contain the pandemic, it will be imperative to ensure that the entire eligible population is vaccinated against the pandemic.

17. The vaccine has the potential to reduce transmission and contain the pandemic, BUT, IT IS NOT A CURE, but a protection with limitations.

I thank you!

NEWS

South Africa says secures vaccines for at least 26 million people. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica-vaccines/south-africa-says-secures-vaccines-for-at-least-26-million-people-idUSKBN2A519O

Vatican urges U.N. Security Council meeting on COVID vaccine access. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vatican-un/vatican-urges-u-n-security-council-meeting-on-covid-vaccine-access-idUSKBN2A51GM

How Covid could be the ‘long overdue’ shake-up needed by the aid sector. Analysis: as need outstrips funding, experts are making the case for overhauling ‘old-fashioned’ donor-recipient narratives. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/feb/05/were-all-connected-how-aid-can-be-made-to-work-better-after-covid

Cash injection urged to help poor fight COVID-19 during vaccine wait. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-poverty-trfn/cash-injection-urged-to-help-poor-fight-covid-19-during-vaccine-wait-idUSKBN2A52EX

What’s the risk of dying from a fast-spreading COVID-19 variant?. Deaths linked to the B.1.1.7 variant are rising, but questions remain about what is causing them. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00299-2

Vaccines are curbing COVID: Data from Israel show drop in infections. The country is the first to see a direct effect of vaccines working in such a large group of people. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00316-4

COVID therapy drives worrisome viral mutations. Nature wades through the literature on the new coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

SARS-CoV-2 evolution during treatment of chronic infection. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03291-y

Monoclonal Antibodies for COVID-19. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2776307

The Pandemic Has Caused a Steep Decline in Living Standards. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-pandemic-has-caused-a-steep-decline-in-living-standards/

SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN Coronavirus News Roundup, January 30-February 5. Pandemic highlights for the week. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/coronavirus-news-roundup-january-30-february-5/

CELL PRESS RECENTLY PUBLISHED https://www.cell.com/COVID-19?utm_medium=homepage

Efficacy of convalescent plasma therapy for COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis. In all, these data indicate that a mortality benefit with convalescent plasma is unclear, although there remain benefits with convalescent plasma therapy for COVID-19. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33544910/

RESOURCES

JBI Evidence Synthesis. COVID 19 ARTICLES: https://journals.lww.com/jbisrir/pages/collectiondetails.aspx?TopicalCollectionId=15

Cell Press Coronavirus Resource Hub. https://www.cell.com/COVID-19?dgcid=STMJ_1594154018_SC

LANCET RESOURCES https://www.thelancet.com/coronavirus?dgcid=kr_pop-up_tlcoronavirus20

Top of Form

BMJ’s Coronavirus (Covid-19) Hub. https://www.bmj.com/coronavirus

OTHER NEWS

Improving surgical quality in low-income and middle-income countries: why do some health facilities perform better than others? https://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/early/2021/02/04/bmjqs-2020-011795

FROM 5 FEB

Complicated legacies: The human genome at 20. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/371/6529/564

On-demand biomanufacturing of protective conjugate vaccines. https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/7/6/eabe9444

Africans begin to take the reins of research into their own genomes. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/02/africans-begin-take-reins-research-their-own-genomes

CARD8 is an inflammasome sensor for HIV-1 protease activity. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2021/02/03/science.abe1707?rss=1

The political and security dimensions of the humanitarian health response to violent conflict. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00130-6/fulltext

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Monday, 8 February 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: FEB 8, 2021, 04:02 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	23,503		163		19,574	3,766	9,876	68	692,131

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 08-02-2021 05:22 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

23,503 Total confirmed cases

163 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 28 JAN 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/ NOT UPDATED SINCE 28 JAN 2021

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 8 FEB 2021

BWgovernment Yesterday 7 FEB at 12:48 AM · PRESS RELEASE

The Office of the President wishes to alert the public to the grossly inaccurate and misleading allegations in the edition of the Sunday Standard newspaper dated February 7th, 2021, purporting that Botswana will wait until 2023 for the COVID-19 vaccine.

The public is advised to ignore and dismiss these false allegations because as announced by the Honourable Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Edwin Dikoloti on February 4th, 2021, the Government of Botswana is making good progress towards securing the much needed COVID-19 Vaccine. As mentioned in the Statement by the Honourable Minister, the Government has embarked on an initiative to acquire, and quickly deploy safe and secure vaccines for the citizens and residents of Botswana.

The Statement also indicates that Government has, thus far, identified different platforms for the procurement of vaccines and that payments have already been made, in order to secure the various vaccines.

Furthermore, the statement indicates that coordination structures have been set up to ensure the ethical, equitable and timely distribution of the vaccine across the country; in order to reach the citizens. The aim is to reach population impact coverage.

The public is once again reassured that more communication as to the deployment and vaccination plan will be shared within a reasonably short period of time.

Andrew O. Sesinyi

PERMANENT SECRETARY

GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS

NEWS

South Africa puts AstraZeneca vaccinations on hold over variant data. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica/south-africa-puts-astrazeneca-vaccinations-on-hold-over-variant-data-idUSKBN2A70PY

Australia urges calm over AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine after South Africa. – Australia on Monday moved to reassure its citizens over the efficacy of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine after South Africa suspended use of the shot because data showed it offered limited protection against a new strain of the virus. suspends use, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-australia/australia-urges-calm-over-astrazenecas-covid-19-vaccine-after-south-africa-suspends-use-idUSKBN2A80A4

Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID shot less effective against South African variant: study. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-astrazeneca-varian/oxford-astrazeneca-covid-shot-less-effective-against-south-african-variant-study-idUSKBN2A60SH

South Africa suspends use of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine after it fails to clearly stop virus variant. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/02/south-africa-suspends-use-astrazenecas-covid-19-vaccine-after-it-fails-clearly-stop

Vaccines Alone Are Not Enough to Beat COVID. It could take years to immunize everyone, so we need to work on discovering new treatments as well—and fast. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/vaccines-alone-are-not-enough-to-beat-covid/

Whose Underlying Conditions Count for Priority in Getting the Vaccine?Some disorders that make COVID riskier don’t appear on official lists. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/whose-underlying-conditions-count-for-priority-in-getting-the-vaccine/

How to vaccinate the world against covid-19. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n211

Covid-19: The E484K mutation and the risks it poses. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n359

Covid-19: Risk of aerosol transmission to staff outside of intensive care is likely to be higher than predicted. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n354

RESOURCES

Peña Course: The 65th Workshop for the Surgical Treatment of Colorectal Problems in Children. Virtual. Free. Registration required. March 25, 2021 to March 26, 2021. https://ce.childrenscolorado.org/content/pe%C3%B1a-course-65th-workshop-surgical-treatment-colorectal-problems-children#group-tabs-node-course-default1

Summary of Important COVID19 Articles February 04, 2021Nuvance Health/UVMLCOM Global Health Program. https://spark.adobe.com/page/YwBZtYMqegREE/

JBI Evidence Synthesis. COVID 19 ARTICLES: https://journals.lww.com/jbisrir/pages/collectiondetails.aspx?TopicalCollectionId=15

Cell Press Coronavirus Resource Hub. https://www.cell.com/COVID-19?dgcid=STMJ_1594154018_SC

LANCET RESOURCES https://www.thelancet.com/coronavirus?dgcid=kr_pop-up_tlcoronavirus20

Top of Form

BMJ’s Coronavirus (Covid-19) Hub. https://www.bmj.com/coronavirus

OTHER NEWS

New Ebola case detected in eastern Congo, health ministry says. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-ebola-congo/new-ebola-case-detected-in-eastern-congo-health-ministry-says-idUSKBN2A70HQ

The new WHO Foundation — global health deserves better. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e004950

Policing is a threat to public health and human rights. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e004582

Global Dietary Database 2017: data availability and gaps on 54 major foods, beverages and nutrients among 5.6 million children and adults from 1220 surveys worldwide. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e003585

FROM 6 FEB

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Tuesday, 9 February 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: FEB 9, 2021, 04:11 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	24,435	[932]	179	[16]	20,542	3,714	10,266	75	703,522

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 09-02-2021 05:23 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

24,435 Total confirmed cases

179 Deaths

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 9 FEB 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

BWgovernment 7 FEB at 12:48 AM · PRESS RELEASE

The public is once again reassured that more communication as to the deployment and vaccination plan will be shared within a reasonably short period of time.

Andrew O. Sesinyi

PERMANENT SECRETARY

GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS

NEWS

Variant-proof vaccines — invest now for the next pandemic. COVID’s evolution signals the importance of rational vaccine design based on broadly neutralizing antibodies. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00340-4

COVID research updates: Why it matters that COVID viruses are losing parts of their genome. Nature wades through the literature on the new coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

South Africa scrambles for new Covid strategy after AstraZeneca vaccine blow https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/08/south-africa-scrambles-for-new-covid-strategy-after-astrazeneca-vaccine-news

South Africa suspends use of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine after it fails to clearly stop virus variant. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/02/south-africa-suspends-use-astrazenecas-covid-19-vaccine-after-it-fails-clearly-stop

Coronavirus vaccine strategy needs rethink after resistant variants emerge, say scientists. Oxford vaccine shown to have only limited effect against South African variant of coronavirus. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/feb/07/scientists-call-for-rethink-as-doubts-grow-about-achieving-herd-immunity

South Africa to start COVID-19 vaccinations with J&J doses. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-africa/south-africa-to-start-covid-19-vaccinations-with-jj-doses-idUSKBN2A812P

Factbox: What we know about the South African variant of COVID-19. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-africa-variant-fac/factbox-what-we-know-about-the-south-african-variant-of-covid-19-idUSKBN2A827E

Global health officials back AstraZeneca vaccine after South Africa study rings alarm. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-britain/global-health-officials-back-astrazeneca-vaccine-after-south-africa-study-rings-alarm-idUSKBN2A80ME

AstraZeneca vaccine has major role to play, South Africa trial lead says. The lead investigator on the South African trial of AstraZeneca’s vaccine said he believed it had a major role to play in Africa and globally, despite data showing the vaccine offered minimal protection against mild-to-moderate COVID-19 disease caused by the country’s dominant virus variant. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica-astrazenec/astrazeneca-vaccine-has-major-role-to-play-south-africa-trial-lead-says-idUSKBN2A821A

South Africa to roll out AstraZeneca vaccine in steps to assess efficacy. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who-safrica/south-africa-to-roll-out-astrazeneca-vaccine-in-steps-to-assess-efficacy-idUSKBN2A81XV

As vaccines arrive, South Africa faces widespread scepticism over safety. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica-anti-vacci/as-vaccines-arrive-south-africa-faces-widespread-scepticism-over-safety-idUSKBN2A81WJ

French health minister reaffirms support for AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-france-astrazeneca/french-health-minister-reaffirms-support-for-astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine-idUSKBN2A814P

We paused our Ph.D. research to lead a COVID-19 contact tracing team. Here’s what we learned. https://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2021/02/we-paused-our-phd-research-lead-covid-19-contact-tracing-team-here-s-what-we-learned

COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnant and Lactating Women. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2776449

Pregnancy, Postpartum Care, and COVID-19 Vaccination in 2021. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2776447

Comparison of Demand for Drugs Used for COVID-19 Treatment and Other Drugs During the Early Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776016

Outpatient Dietary Management of Electrolyte Disorders During COVID-19. Food as Medicine. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2775595

The Toxic Effects of an Incomplete Medication History. A Teachable Moment. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2775596

Comprehensive mapping of mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain that affect recognition by polyclonal human plasma antibodies. https://www.cell.com/cell-host-microbe/fulltext/S1931-3128(21)00082-2

RESOURCES

Peña Course: The 65th Workshop for the Surgical Treatment of Colorectal Problems in Children. Virtual. Free. Registration required. March 25, 2021 to March 26, 2021. https://ce.childrenscolorado.org/content/pe%C3%B1a-course-65th-workshop-surgical-treatment-colorectal-problems-children#group-tabs-node-course-default1

OTHER NEWS

Hundreds of ‘predatory’ journals indexed on leading scholarly database. Scopus has stopped adding content from most of the flagged titles, but the analysis highlights how poor-quality science is infiltrating literature. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00239-0

Integrating rights and evidence: a technical advance in abortion guideline development. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e004141

Outdated career ideals stifle medical women and hurt us all. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n353

Seasonal malaria chemoprevention in the Sahel subregion of Africa: a cost-effectiveness and cost-savings analysis. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(20)30475-7/fulltext

FROM 8 FEB

The new WHO Foundation — global health deserves better. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e004950

Policing is a threat to public health and human rights. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e004582

Africa CDC Dashboard 28 JAN 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/ NOT UPDATED SINCE 28 JAN 2021

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Wednesday, 10 February 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: FEB 10, 2021, 03:49 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	24,435	[932]	179	[16]	20,542	3,714	10,266	75	703,522

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 10-02-2021 05:22 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

24,435 Total confirmed cases

179 Deaths

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 10 FEB 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

BWgovernment 7 FEB at 12:48 AM · PRESS RELEASE

The public is once again reassured that more communication as to the deployment and vaccination plan will be shared within a reasonably short period of time.

Andrew O. Sesinyi

PERMANENT SECRETARY

GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS

NEWS

J&J applies for COVID-19 vaccine emergency authorisation from South Africa. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica-j-j/jj-applies-for-covid-19-vaccine-emergency-authorisation-from-south-africa-idUSKBN2A92N3

eSwatini will not use AstraZeneca vaccine after South Africa trial data. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-eswatini/eswatini-will-not-use-astrazeneca-vaccine-after-south-africa-trial-data-idUSKBN2A92OA

U.S. joins WHO programme aimed at boosting COVID-19 fight. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who-act-us/u-s-joins-who-programme-aimed-at-boosting-covid-19-fight-idUSKBN2A91N2

WHO welcomes U.S. move to join effort to boost COVID vaccines, testing, treatments. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who-act/who-welcomes-u-s-move-to-join-effort-to-boost-covid-vaccines-testing-treatments-idUSKBN2A91L5

As vaccines arrive, South Africa faces widespread scepticism over safety. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica-anti-vacci/as-vaccines-arrive-south-africa-faces-widespread-scepticism-over-safety-idUSKBN2A81WJ

Does the world need new COVID vaccines? ‘Jury is out’, Oxford’s Pollard says. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccine/does-the-world-need-new-covid-vaccines-jury-is-out-oxfords-pollard-says-idUSKBN2A90Y7

Ethiopia says it has secured 9 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines till April. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-ethiopia/ethiopia-says-it-has-secured-9-million-doses-of-covid-19-vaccines-till-april-idUSKBN2A916S

Rapid coronavirus tests: a guide for the perplexed. Scientists still debate whether millions of cheap, fast diagnostic kits will help control the pandemic. Here’s why. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00332-4

Test behavioural nudges to boost COVID immunization. Studies to promote uptake are as essential as research to develop vaccines. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00329-z

COVID research updates: Nimble coronaviruses could leap straight from bats to humans. Nature wades through the literature on the new coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

Signs of self-sustained inflammatory circuits in severe COVID pneumonia. Pneumonia is a hallmark of severe COVID-19, but many details about the lung inflammation observed in this disease are unknown. An analysis of cells from the lungs of people with this condition sheds some light on the mystery. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00296-5

SARS-CoV-2 infection is effectively treated and prevented by EIDD-2801. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03312-w

Pandemic hit academic mothers especially hard, new data confirm. https://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2021/02/pandemic-hit-academic-mothers-especially-hard-new-data-confirm

South Africa suspends use of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine after it fails to clearly stop virus variant. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/02/south-africa-suspends-use-astrazenecas-covid-19-vaccine-after-it-fails-clearly-stop

Safely Reopening Requires Testing, Tracing and Isolation, Not Just Vaccines. No matter how effective vaccines are, they are not enough. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/safely-reopening-requires-testing-tracing-and-isolation-not-just-vaccines/

Major Update: Remdesivir for Adults With COVID-19. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M20-8148

The protective association between statins use and adverse outcomes among COVID-19 patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. This article is a preprint and has not been certified by peer review [what does this mean?]. It reports new medical research that has yet to be evaluated and so should not be used to guide clinical practice. Conclusion: Patients administered statins after COVID-19 diagnosis or non-ICU admitted patients were at lower risk of mortality relative to non-statin users. https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.08.21251070v1

RESOURCES

Peña Course: The 65th Workshop for the Surgical Treatment of Colorectal Problems in Children. Virtual. Free. Registration required. March 25, 2021 to March 26, 2021. https://ce.childrenscolorado.org/content/pe%C3%B1a-course-65th-workshop-surgical-treatment-colorectal-problems-children#group-tabs-node-course-default1

OTHER NEWS

Immunogenicity and Safety of Reduced-Dose Intradermal vs Intramuscular Influenza Vaccines. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776045

Effect of Clinical Decision Support on Diagnostic Imaging for Pediatric Appendicitis. A Cluster Randomized Trial. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776046

COVID-19 in the Middle East and North Africa region: an urgent call for reliable, disaggregated and openly shared data. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e005175

Covid-19: Why test and trace will fail without support for self-isolation. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n327

Covid-19: More young children are being infected in Israel and Italy, emerging data suggest. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n383

Covid-19: South Africa pauses use of Oxford vaccine after study casts doubt on efficacy against variant. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n372

FROM 9 FEB

Integrating rights and evidence: a technical advance in abortion guideline development. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e004141

Outdated career ideals stifle medical women and hurt us all. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n353

Africa CDC Dashboard 28 JAN 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/ NOT UPDATED SINCE 28 JAN 2021

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Thursday, 11 February 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: FEB 11, 2021, 03:37 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	24,435	[932]	179	[16]	20,542	3,714	10,266	75	703,522

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 11-02-2021 05:22 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

24,435 Total confirmed cases

179 Deaths

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 11 FEB 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

NEWS

South Africa may sell AstraZeneca shots as it switches to J&J vaccine to fight variant. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica/south-africa-may-sell-astrazeneca-shots-as-it-switches-to-jj-vaccine-to-fight-variant-idUSKBN2AA0G2

AstraZeneca vaccine could get WHO emergency approval by mid-February: WHO. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who-astrazeneca-em/astrazeneca-vaccine-could-get-who-emergency-approval-by-mid-february-who-idUSKBN2AA28S

WHO to issue recommendations on AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who-astrazeneca-br/who-to-issue-recommendations-on-astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine-on-wednesday-idUSKBN2AA1LT

Use AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 shot even in countries with South African variant, says WHO panel. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who-astrazeneca/use-astrazenecas-covid-19-shot-even-in-countries-with-south-african-variant-says-who-panel-idUSKBN2AA228

South Africa aims to immunise 500,000 health workers in J&J study, scientist says. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica-johnson-jo/south-africa-aims-to-immunise-500000-health-workers-in-jj-study-scientist-says-idUSKBN2AA2EM

As vaccines arrive, South Africa faces widespread scepticism over safety. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica-anti-vacci/as-vaccines-arrive-south-africa-faces-widespread-scepticism-over-safety-idUSKBN2A81WJ

Pfizer could directly deliver COVID-19 shot to S.Africa vaccination points. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica-pfizer/pfizer-could-directly-deliver-covid-19-shot-to-south-africa-vaccination-points-idUSKBN2AA132

Repurposed Antiviral Drugs for Covid-19 — Interim WHO Solidarity Trial Results. WHO Solidarity Trial Consortium. These remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir, and interferon regimens had little or no effect on hospitalized patients with Covid-19, as indicated by overall mortality, initiation of ventilation, and duration of hospital stay. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2023184?query=featured_home

Antibody Status and Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Health Care Workers. https://outlook.office.com/mail/inbox/id/AAMkADkzN2IzNzA4LTU2ZDAtNGQ4My04YmVhLTEwZjg3ZDlmNTM2NwBGAAAAAAC8WMpHWuWOS57LQryZCLW3BwANMwsi6utOTb58IHOQliyvAAAATEIBAADyO5zJQCD4Q6tRqr2CWd5rAAE4%2BvnyAAA%3D

Effectiveness of Mask Wearing to Control Community Spread of SARS-CoV-2. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2776536

Researchers Investigate What COVID-19 Does to the Heart. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2776538

Experts Discuss COVID-19—Vaccine Doses, Virus Variants, and More. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2776539

Tanzania experiencing surge in COVID-19 cases, says U.S. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-tanzania/tanzania-experiencing-surge-in-covid-19-cases-says-u-s-idUSKBN2AA2BA

Researchers learn what’s driving ‘brain fog’ in people with COVID-19. https://www.mdlinx.com/news/researchers-learn-whats-driving-brain-fog-in-people-with-covid-19/7d6TfDPus6yF4osz0Om1Cb?show_order=1&utm_campaign=All+SP+2%2F10%2F2021+Morning+Alert&utm_source=iPost&ipost_environment=m3usainc&utm_medium=email&iqs=9z2zkocqhvdnlp0ke91u5btmrv4pltj3u0mudmogfbg

Inhaled budesonide in the treatment of early COVID-19 illness: a randomised controlled trial. This article is a preprint and has not been certified by peer review [what does this mean?]. It reports new medical research that has yet to be evaluated and so should not be used to guide clinical practice. https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.04.21251134v1

‘Major stones unturned’: COVID origin search must continue after WHO report, say scientists. Investigation team rules out idea that the coronavirus came from a laboratory leak, but offered two hypotheses popular in Chinese media. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00375-7

Trust in COVID vaccines is growing. Survey spanning several countries finds encouraging trends, but researchers warn vaccine hesitancy could slow pandemic recovery. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00368-6

Is It Safe to Delay a Second COVID Vaccine Dose?. Some evidence indicates that short waits are safe, but there is a chance that partial immunization could help risky new coronavirus variants to develop. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-it-safe-to-delay-a-second-covid-vaccine-dose/

Long covid: WHO calls on countries to offer patients more rehabilitation. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n405

Persistence of SARS-CoV-2 specific B- and T-cell responses in convalescent COVID-19 patients 6-8 months after the infection. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00038-6

RESOURCES

Peña Course: The 65th Workshop for the Surgical Treatment of Colorectal Problems in Children. Virtual. Free. Registration required. March 25, 2021 to March 26, 2021. https://ce.childrenscolorado.org/content/pe%C3%B1a-course-65th-workshop-surgical-treatment-colorectal-problems-children#group-tabs-node-course-default1

Sexual Harassment in the Context of Cultural Backgrounds. https://indd.adobe.com/view/e98d6dcf-e581-4209-81b8-cd87d010588d

OTHER NEWS

A Shared Evaluation Platform for Medical Training. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2031317

Sequence three million genomes across Africa. Capture the full scope of variation to improve health care, equity and medical research globally. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00313-7

The next 20 years of human genomics must be more equitable and more open. By re-committing to data sharing, researchers can fulfil the long-delayed promise of the Human Genome Project. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00328-0

Lifetime alcohol intake, drinking patterns over time, and risk of stomach cancer: A pooled analysis of data from two prospective cohort studies. https://www.mdlinx.com/journal-summary/lifetime-alcohol-intake-drinking-patterns-over-time-and-risk-of-stomach-cancer-a-pooled-analysis-of/3Bquy2TsoPla4yxN9jKN6p?show_order=5&utm_campaign=All+2%2F9%2F2021+Evening+Alert+-snippet+header&ipost_environment=m3usainc&utm_medium=email&utm_source=iPost&iqs=9z2zn070h9ggvbbig17p1a75pj2b4temdh709vstea0

Is Academic Medicine Making Mid-Career Women Physicians Invisible? https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/jwh.2019.7732?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori%3Arid%3Acrossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub++0pubmed&

How do patient feedback systems work in low-income and middle-income countries? Insights from a realist evaluation in Bangladesh. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e004357

Adolescent sexual and reproductive health research in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review of substantive focus, research volume, geographic distribution and Africa-led inquiry. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e004129

Developing vaccines for neglected and emerging infectious diseases. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n373

FROM 10 FEB

Effect of Clinical Decision Support on Diagnostic Imaging for Pediatric Appendicitis. A Cluster Randomized Trial. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776046

COVID-19 in the Middle East and North Africa region: an urgent call for reliable, disaggregated and openly shared data. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e005175

Covid-19: Why test and trace will fail without support for self-isolation. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n327

Covid-19: More young children are being infected in Israel and Italy, emerging data suggest. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n383

Covid-19: South Africa pauses use of Oxford vaccine after study casts doubt on efficacy against variant. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n372

Africa CDC Dashboard 28 JAN 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/ NOT UPDATED SINCE 28 JAN 2021

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Friday, 12 February 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: FEB 12, 2021, 03:35 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	24,926	[491]	202	[23]	21,214	3,510	10,470	85	706,026

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 12-02-2021 05:24 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

24,926 Total confirmed cases

202 Deaths

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 12 FEB 2021

Ministry of Health and Wellness, Republic of BotswanaFebruary 10 at 6:49 PM · FEQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON SAFE BURIALS FOR COVID 19 RELATED DEATHS

https://www.facebook.com/OFFICIAL.MOHW.BW/photos/pcb.1864277790385941/1864270320386688/

NEWS

South Africa to start vaccinating millions against local COVID-19 variant: Ramaphosa. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica/south-africa-to-start-vaccinating-millions-against-local-covid-19-variant-ramaphosa-idUSKBN2AB29Z

Africa not ‘walking away’ from AstraZeneca vaccine, CDC says. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-africa/africa-not-walking-away-from-astrazeneca-vaccine-cdc-says-idUSKBN2AB0Q4

Not perfect, but saves lives, AstraZeneca says as Africa backs COVID-19 shot. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-astrazeneca-results/not-perfect-but-saves-lives-astrazeneca-says-as-africa-backs-covid-19-shot-idUSKBN2AB0K

China donates 100,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses to Equatorial Guinea. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-equatorial/china-donates-100000-covid-19-vaccine-doses-to-equatorial-guinea-idUSKBN2AB15Q

Morocco receives 4 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine from India. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-morocco/morocco-receives-4-million-doses-of-astrazeneca-vaccine-from-india-idUSKBN2AB1P

World’s largest COVID-19 drug trial identifies second compound that cuts risk of death. The anti-inflammatory drug tocilizumab cut the death risk of people hospitalized with the disease, reduced their need for a mechanical ventilator, and shortened time spent in the hospital, investigators of the United Kingdom’s Recovery trial announced today at a press conference. A preprint about the data has been published on medRxiv. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/02/world-s-largest-covid-19-drug-trial-identifies-second-compound-cuts-risk-death

World’s largest COVID-19 drug trial identifies second compound that cuts risk of death. https://www.acpjournals.org/topic/category/journal-club

A Visual Guide to the New Coronavirus Variants. https://www.scientificamerican.com/video/a-visual-guide-to-the-new-coronavirus-variants/

Early initiation of prophylactic anticoagulation for prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 mortality in patients admitted to hospital in the United States: cohort study. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n311

Offline: The path out of lockdown. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00360-3/fulltext

RESOURCES

Peña Course: The 65th Workshop for the Surgical Treatment of Colorectal Problems in Children. Virtual. Free. Registration required. March 25, 2021 to March 26, 2021. https://ce.childrenscolorado.org/content/pe%C3%B1a-course-65th-workshop-surgical-treatment-colorectal-problems-children#group-tabs-node-course-default1

Sexual Harassment in the Context of Cultural Backgrounds. https://indd.adobe.com/view/e98d6dcf-e581-4209-81b8-cd87d010588d

OTHER NEWS

Assessment of the Association of Leadership Behaviors of Supervising Physicians With Personal-Organizational Values Alignment Among Staff Physicians. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776044

Research in forced displacement: guidance for a feminist and decolonial approach. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00024-6/fulltext

Rich countries fall short in sciences gender equality: UNESCO. https://phys.org/news/2021-02-rich-countries-fall-short-sciences.html

Never Let a Good Crisis Go to Waste: Continuing Professional Development in COVID-19. https://www.facs.org/education/division-of-education/publications/rise/articles/prof-dev-covid19

It’s OK to Ask for Help. Destigmatizing Mentoring for Junior Surgeons. https://journals.lww.com/annalsofsurgery/Fulltext/2021/02000/It_s_OK_to_Ask_for_Help__Destigmatizing_Mentoring.35.aspx

FROM 11 FEB

A Shared Evaluation Platform for Medical Training. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2031317

How do patient feedback systems work in low-income and middle-income countries? Insights from a realist evaluation in Bangladesh. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e004357

Developing vaccines for neglected and emerging infectious diseases. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n373

Africa CDC Dashboard 28 JAN 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/ NOT UPDATED SINCE 28 JAN 2021

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Saturday, 13 February 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: FEB 13, 2021, 04:47 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	24,926		202		21,214	3,510	10,470	85	706,026

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 12302-2021 06:22 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

24,926 Total confirmed cases

202 Deaths

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 13 FEB 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

NEWS

Vaccine production not perfect but our drug saves lives, AstraZeneca says, as Africa backs COVID-19 shot. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-astrazeneca-results/vaccine-production-not-perfect-but-our-drug-saves-lives-astrazeneca-says-as-africa-backs-covid-19-shot-idUSKBN2AB0KS

Why did a German newspaper insist the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine was inefficacious for older people—without evidence? https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n414

Poverty, health, and covid-19. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n376

How ‘killer’ T cells could boost COVID immunity in face of new variants. In the race against emerging coronavirus variants, researchers are looking beyond antibodies for clues to lasting protection from COVID-19. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00367-7

COVID research updates: Vaccines spur antibody surge against a COVID variant. Nature wades through the literature on the new coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

Should you mix and match COVID-19 vaccines? Scientists are seeking answers. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/02/should-you-mix-and-match-covid-19-vaccines-scientists-are-seeking-answers

Coronavirus News Roundup, February 6 – February 12. Pandemic highlights for the week. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/coronavirus-news-roundup-february-6-february-12/

Reports of Anaphylaxis After Receipt of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines in the US—December 14, 2020-January 18, 2021. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2776557

SARS-CoV-2 Viral Variants—Tackling a Moving Target. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2776542

Effect of High-Dose Zinc and Ascorbic Acid Supplementation vs Usual Care on Symptom Length and Reduction Among Ambulatory Patients With SARS-CoV-2 Infection. The COVID A to Z Randomized Clinical Trial. These findings suggest that treatment with zinc, ascorbic acid, or both does not affect SARS-CoV-2 symptoms. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776305

Supplements for the Treatment of Mild COVID-19—Challenging Health Beliefs With Science From A to Z. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776299

Age- and Sex-Associated Variations in the Sensitivity of Serological Tests Among Individuals Infected With SARS-CoV-2. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776300

Factbox: Latest on the worldwide spread of the coronavirus. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-latest-factbox/factbox-latest-on-the-worldwide-spread-of-the-coronavirus-idUSKBN2AC0DV

Breakingviews – Breakdown: Slaying virus Hydra is Herculean task. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-covid19-vaccines-breakingviews/breakingviews-breakdown-slaying-virus-hydra-is-herculean-task-idUSKBN2AC0XJ

Covid 19: Two million deaths, so what went wrong? https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n393

RESOURCES

Peña Course: The 65th Workshop for the Surgical Treatment of Colorectal Problems in Children. Virtual. Free. Registration required. March 25, 2021 to March 26, 2021. https://ce.childrenscolorado.org/content/pe%C3%B1a-course-65th-workshop-surgical-treatment-colorectal-problems-children#group-tabs-node-course-default1

Sexual Harassment in the Context of Cultural Backgrounds. https://indd.adobe.com/view/e98d6dcf-e581-4209-81b8-cd87d010588d

OTHER NEWS

Delirium as a predictor of mortality and disability among hospitalized patients in Zambia. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0246330

You’ve tweeted about your hot new paper! Don’t expect many clicks. https://www.sciencemag.org/

Availability and funding of clinical genomic sequencing globally. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e004415

Guidance for providing effective feedback in clinical supervision in postgraduate medical education: a systematic review. https://pmj.bmj.com/content/early/2021/02/08/postgradmedj-2020-139566.long

FROM 12 FEB

Assessment of the Association of Leadership Behaviors of Supervising Physicians With Personal-Organizational Values Alignment Among Staff Physicians. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776044

Research in forced displacement: guidance for a feminist and decolonial approach. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00024-6/fulltext

Rich countries fall short in sciences gender equality: UNESCO. https://phys.org/news/2021-02-rich-countries-fall-short-sciences.html

Never Let a Good Crisis Go to Waste: Continuing Professional Development in COVID-19. https://www.facs.org/education/division-of-education/publications/rise/articles/prof-dev-covid19

It’s OK to Ask for Help. Destigmatizing Mentoring for Junior Surgeons. https://journals.lww.com/annalsofsurgery/Fulltext/2021/02000/It_s_OK_to_Ask_for_Help__Destigmatizing_Mentoring.35.aspx

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Monday, 15 February 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: FEB 15, 2021, 04:41 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	24,926		202		21,214	3,510	10,470	85	706,026

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 15-02-2021 06:24 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

24,926 Total confirmed cases

202 Deaths

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 15 FEB 2021

NEWS

Lack of Covid data may leave African countries behind in vaccine rush. Experts say continent may not be seen as priority because true extent of pandemic is unknown. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/15/lack-of-covid-data-may-leave-african-countries-behind-in-vaccine-rush

Coronavirus: Research, Commentary, and News. https://www.sciencemag.org/collections/coronavirus

Masks Can Be Detrimental to Babies’ Speech and Language Development. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/masks-can-be-detrimental-to-babies-speech-and-language-development/

Managing Risk in the Time of COVID-19. Patients with type 2 diabetes or heart disease face additional burdens during the pandemic, presenting unique challenges for those treating them. A recent virtual expert panel discussion put these challenges into focus. https://www.scientificamerican.com/custom-media/managing-risk-in-the-time-of-covid-19/?mvt=i&mvn=d7dee51282a54c378251f10a8c7eee94&mvp=NA-SCIEAMERLIVE-11237933&mvl=HomeLatest

Israeli study finds 94% drop in symptomatic COVID-19 cases with Pfizer vaccine. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-israel-vaccine-idUKKBN2AE0Q2?taid=60298bd9a77dbd00013d1f85&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter

CRISPR-Based COVID-19 Smartphone Test in Development. A simplified point-of-care assay that turns a smartphone into a fluorescence microscope could expand coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing capability, researchers reported in a study in Cell. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2776182?utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=content-shareicons&utm_content=article_engagement&utm_medium=social&utm_term=021421#.YCmlego4XSo.twitter

RESOURCES

Check out this page with many free articles on Covid and other issues relating to medical education.. Academic Medicine (lww.com) https://journals.lww.com/AcademicMedicine/pages/default.aspx?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=amexpress&utm_content=newsletter

Peña Course: The 65th Workshop for the Surgical Treatment of Colorectal Problems in Children. Virtual. Free. Registration required. March 25, 2021 to March 26, 2021. https://ce.childrenscolorado.org/content/pe%C3%B1a-course-65th-workshop-surgical-treatment-colorectal-problems-children#group-tabs-node-course-default1

Sexual Harassment in the Context of Cultural Backgrounds. https://indd.adobe.com/view/e98d6dcf-e581-4209-81b8-cd87d010588d

OTHER NEWS

We Burn Out, We Break, We Die. Medical Schools Must Change Their Culture to Preserve Medical Student Mental Health. https://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/Abstract/9000/We_Burn_Out,_We_Break,_We_Die__Medical_Schools.96826.aspx?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=amexpress&utm_content=newsletter

Emerging Issues in Assessment in Medical Education: A Collection. https://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/Fulltext/2021/02000/Emerging_Issues_in_Assessment_in_Medical.1.aspx?context=FeaturedArticles&collectionId=8

Gender Bias. Another Rising Curve to Flatten? https://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/Abstract/9000/Gender_Bias__Another_Rising_Curve_to_Flatten_.96813.aspx?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=amexpress&utm_content=newsletter

Gender-Based Microaggressions in Surgery: A Scoping Review of the Global Literature. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00268-021-05974-z

Putting Our Steps to Practice: Practical Advice for Publishing Medical Education Scholarship. https://academicmedicineblog.org/putting-our-steps-to-practice-practical-advice-for-publishing-medical-education-scholarship/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=acadmedjournal&utm_content=2ee25a75-0385-4fcc-bf53-a600abe30796

Guinea enters ‘epidemic situation’ as seven Ebola cases confirmed. Health minister says officials ‘really concerned’ after three deaths from the infectious disease. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/13/ebola-kills-four-in-guinea-in-first-resurgence-of-disease-in-five-years

Surgical Management of Pediatric Inguinal Hernia: A Systematic Review and Guideline from the European Pediatric Surgeons’ Association Evidence and Guideline Committee. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33567466/

FROM 13 FEB

Delirium as a predictor of mortality and disability among hospitalized patients in Zambia. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0246330

You’ve tweeted about your hot new paper! Don’t expect many clicks. https://www.sciencemag.org/

Availability and funding of clinical genomic sequencing globally. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e004415

FROM 12 FEB

Assessment of the Association of Leadership Behaviors of Supervising Physicians With Personal-Organizational Values Alignment Among Staff Physicians. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776044

Research in forced displacement: guidance for a feminist and decolonial approach. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00024-6/fulltext

Rich countries fall short in sciences gender equality: UNESCO. https://phys.org/news/2021-02-rich-countries-fall-short-sciences.html

Never Let a Good Crisis Go to Waste: Continuing Professional Development in COVID-19. https://www.facs.org/education/division-of-education/publications/rise/articles/prof-dev-covid19

It’s OK to Ask for Help. Destigmatizing Mentoring for Junior Surgeons. https://journals.lww.com/annalsofsurgery/Fulltext/2021/02000/It_s_OK_to_Ask_for_Help__Destigmatizing_Mentoring.35.aspx

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Tuesday, 16 February 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: FEB 16, 2021, 04:41 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	25,802	[876]	226	[24]	21,893	3,683	10,836	95	721,535

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 16-02-2021 06:24 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

24,926 Total confirmed cases

202 Deaths

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 16 FEB 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

NEWS

Quantifying asymptomatic infection and transmission of COVID-19 in New York City using observed cases, serology, and testing capacity. At least 50% of COVID-19 infections come from people who aren’t showing symptoms. https://www.pnas.org/content/118/9/e2019716118

COVID research updates: Drug can be a lifeline for people hospitalized for COVID Nature wades through the literature on the coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear.. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

Zimbabwe receives 200,000 doses of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines. A plane carrying Zimbabwe’s first coronavirus vaccines, 200,000 doses donated by China, arrived in the capital Harare on Monday. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-zimbabwe/zimbabwe-receives-200000-doses-of-sinopharm-covid-19-vaccines-idUSKBN2AF0HI

How ‘killer’ T cells could boost COVID immunity in face of new variants. In the race against emerging coronavirus variants, researchers are looking beyond antibodies for clues to lasting protection from COVID-19. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00367-7

Covid-19: Are cloth masks still effective? And other questions answered. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n432

J&J’s vaccine implementation study in S.Africa gets regulator nod. South Africa’s drugs regulator SAHPRA said on Monday it has approved an implementation study of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine, clearing the way to start the country’s first inoculations among health workers. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica-j-j/jjs-vaccine-implementation-study-in-s-africa-gets-regulator-nod-idUSKBN2AF0CF

Scientists identify 7 coronavirus variants that originated in U.S., new study says. https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/scientists-identify-7-coronavirus-variants-that-originated-in-u-s-new-study-says/vi-BB1dHyv4?ocid=msedgntp

RESOURCES

Peña Course: The 65th Workshop for the Surgical Treatment of Colorectal Problems in Children. Virtual. Free. Registration required. March 25, 2021 to March 26, 2021. https://ce.childrenscolorado.org/content/pe%C3%B1a-course-65th-workshop-surgical-treatment-colorectal-problems-children#group-tabs-node-course-default1

Sexual Harassment in the Context of Cultural Backgrounds. https://indd.adobe.com/view/e98d6dcf-e581-4209-81b8-cd87d010588d

OTHER NEWS

Representation of Women on National Institutes of Health Study Sections. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776437

World Health Assembly 73: A Step Forward for Global Surgery. https://www.annalsofglobalhealth.org/article/10.5334/aogh.3237/

FROM 15 FEB

Gender-Based Microaggressions in Surgery: A Scoping Review of the Global Literature. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00268-021-05974-z

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Wednesday 17 February 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: FEB 17, 2021, 04:35 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	25,802		226		21,893	3,683	10,836	95	721,535

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 17-02-2021 05:26 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

25,802 Total confirmed cases

226 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 14 FEB 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 17 FEB 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

NEWS

South Africa medical association says J&J vaccines could arrive on Tuesday. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica-johnson-jo/south-africa-medical-association-says-jj-vaccines-could-arrive-on-tuesday-idUSKBN2AG18D

Coronavirus Variants and Mutations. Each coronavirus contains nearly 30,000 letters of RNA. This genetic information allows the virus to infect cells and hijack them to make new viruses. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/health/coronavirus-variant-tracker.html?smid=tw-nythealth&smtyp=cur

Malawi sacks heads of Covid-19 taskforce amid audit of use of funds. President Lazarus Chakwera fires several officials and warns ‘no penny meant for saving lives will be stolen, abused or wasted’. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/feb/16/malawi-heads-covid-19-taskforce-audit-funds-lazarus-chakwera

What you need to know about the coronavirus right now. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-snapshot/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-coronavirus-right-now-idUSKBN2AF0AZ

South Africa wants to return 1 million AstraZeneca vaccine doses to Serum Institute: report. The African country, which is yet to launch its COVID-19 vaccination program, has decided to start vaccinating health workers with Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine in the form of an “implementation study” with researchers.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica-astrazenec/south-africa-wants-to-return-1-million-astrazeneca-vaccine-doses-to-serum-institute-report-idUSKBN2AG08P

The coronavirus is here to stay — here’s what that means. A Nature survey shows many scientists expect the virus that causes COVID-19 to become endemic, but it could pose less danger over time. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00396-2

COVID research updates: ‘Robin’ leads a flock of new US COVID variants. Nature wades through the literature on the coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

Some antibodies can dampen antiviral defences in people with severe COVID. Defects in the immune defences induced by the protein interferon are associated with some severe cases of COVID-19. An analysis of patients’ blood samples sheds light on how antibodies might contribute to these defects. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00352-0

How soon will COVID-19 vaccines return life to normal? https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/02/how-soon-will-covid-19-vaccines-return-life-normal

Keeping schools open without masks or quarantines doubled Swedish teachers’ COVID-19 risk. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/02/keeping-schools-open-without-masks-or-quarantines-doubled-swedish-teachers-covid-19

Seasonal human coronavirus antibodies are boosted upon SARS-CoV-2 infection but not associated with protection. https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(21)00160-4?utm_medium=homepage

Covid-19: How the lessons of HIV can help end the pandemic. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n216

International experiences with co-production and people centredness offer lessons for covid-19 responses. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.m4752

RESOURCES

Peña Course: The 65th Workshop for the Surgical Treatment of Colorectal Problems in Children. Virtual. Free. Registration required. March 25, 2021 to March 26, 2021. https://ce.childrenscolorado.org/content/pe%C3%B1a-course-65th-workshop-surgical-treatment-colorectal-problems-children#group-tabs-node-course-default1

Sexual Harassment in the Context of Cultural Backgrounds. https://indd.adobe.com/view/e98d6dcf-e581-4209-81b8-cd87d010588d

OTHER NEWS

Representation of Women on National Institutes of Health Study Sections. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776437

JGME is Open Access. Beginning in 2021, all articles in the Journal of Graduate Medical Education are open access. https://meridian.allenpress.com/jgme/pages/announcements

Role of Diet in Colorectal Cancer Incidence. Umbrella Review of Meta-analyses of Prospective Observational Studies https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776517

Research for Health Justice: an ethical framework linking global health research to health equity. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e002921

Assessing the health benefits of development interventions. To achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3—healthy lives and well-being for all people—development interventions (such as improved housing, water and sanitation) are critically needed in addition to biomedical interventions (such as drugs, vaccines and insecticides).https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e005169

Power and the commercial determinants of health: ideas for a research agenda. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e003850

Do not routinely offer imaging for uncomplicated low back pain. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n291

Effective engagement and involvement with community stakeholders in the co-production of global health research. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n178

Strengthening capacities and resource allocation for co-production of health research in low and middle income countries. AUTHORS FROM GHANA & BURKINA FASO https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n166

Collective sensemaking for action: researchers and decision makers working collaboratively to strengthen health systems. AUTHORS FROM SOUTH AFRICA & KENYA AND UK. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.m4650

FROM 16 FEB

Representation of Women on National Institutes of Health Study Sections. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776437

World Health Assembly 73: A Step Forward for Global Surgery. https://www.annalsofglobalhealth.org/article/10.5334/aogh.3237/

FROM 15 FEB

Gender-Based Microaggressions in Surgery: A Scoping Review of the Global Literature. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00268-021-05974-z

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Thursday, 18 February 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: FEB 18, 2021, 03:54 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	25,802		226		21,893	3,683	10,836	95	721,535

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 18-02-2021 05:23 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

25,802 Total confirmed cases

226 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 16 FEB 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 17 FEB 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

NEWS

Covid-19 deaths in Africa: prospective systematic postmortem surveillance study. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n334

Harmful alcohol use rising during pandemic. https://www.mdlinx.com/news/harmful-alcohol-use-rising-during-pandemic/5ArzM8nKlfzlN6y294E0VI?show_order=4&utm_campaign=All+SP+2%2F17%2F2021+Morning+Alert&utm_source=iPost&ipost_environment=m3usainc&utm_medium=email&iqs=9z2zbg0rcvt8kjul11gbi765lvuvgfkvnf74sim4rqo

Effect of a Single High Dose of Vitamin D3 on Hospital Length of Stay in Patients With Moderate to Severe COVID-19. A Randomized Clinical Trial. The study does not support the use of a high dose of vitamin D3 for treatment of moderate to severe COVID-19 in hospitalized patients. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/27767

Discriminant Accuracy of the SOFA Score for Determining the Probable Mortality of Patients With COVID-19 Pneumonia Requiring Mechanical Ventilation. The discriminant accuracy of the SOFA score for mortality prediction in patients prior to intubation for COVID-19 pneumonia was poor and significantly inferior to simply using age. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2776737

Teacher Unions, Education Ministry To Discuss Schools Closure. https://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?aid=88761&dir=2021/february/15

Retailers cash in on search for COVID-19 home remedies. https://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?aid=88704&dir=2021/february/12

Britain pushes U.N. Security Council to call for COVID-19 vaccination ceasefires. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-un-britain/britain-pushes-u-n-security-council-to-call-for-covid-19-vaccination-ceasefires-idUSKBN2AH1XG

Zimbabwe says it will start COVID-19 vaccinations this week. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-zimbabwe-vaccine/zimbabwe-says-it-will-start-covid-19-vaccinations-this-week-idUSKBN2AG298

To aid vaccine research, U.K. approves deliberate infections of volunteers with coronavirus. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/02/aid-vaccine-research-uk-approves-deliberate-infections-volunteers-coronavirus

Unprotected African health workers die as rich countries buy up COVID-19 vaccines, https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/02/unprotected-african-health-workers-die-rich-countries-buy-covid-19-vaccines

COVID Vaccines Are Safe and Effective—What the Research Says. As more coronavirus vaccines are rolled out, researchers are learning about the extent and nature of side effects. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/covid-vaccines-are-safe-and-effective-what-the-research-says/

Audio Interview: Viral Variants and Covid-19. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2102882?query=featured_home

Delayed Second Dose versus Standard Regimen for Covid-19 Vaccination. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMclde2101987?query=featured_home

Neutralizing Activity of BNT162b2-Elicited Serum — Preliminary Report. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2102017?query=featured_home

Emergency Intubation in Covid-19. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMvcm2007198?query=featured_home

Vaccinating Children against Covid-19 — The Lessons of Measles. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2034765?query=featured_home

Early High-Titer Plasma Therapy to Prevent Severe Covid-19 in Older Adults. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2033700?query=featured_home

A Randomized Trial of Convalescent Plasma in Covid-19 Severe Pneumonia, https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2031304?query=featured_home

Open Schools, Covid-19, and Child and Teacher Morbidity in Sweden. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2026670?query=featured_home

Maintaining Safety with SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra2035343?query=featured_home

No Jab, No Job? Ethical Issues in Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination of Healthcare Personnel. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e004877

Should spreading anti-vaccine misinformation be criminalised? https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n272

What makes new variants of SARS-CoV-2 concerning is not where they come from, but the mutations they contain. https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/02/16/what-makes-new-variants-of-sars-cov-2-concerning-is-not-where-they-come-from-but-the-mutations-they-contain/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+bmj%2Fblogs+%28Latest+BMJ+blogs%29&g=w_bmj-com

RESOURCES

Peña Course: The 65th Workshop for the Surgical Treatment of Colorectal Problems in Children. Virtual. Free. Registration required. March 25, 2021 to March 26, 2021. https://ce.childrenscolorado.org/content/pe%C3%B1a-course-65th-workshop-surgical-treatment-colorectal-problems-children#group-tabs-node-course-default1

Sexual Harassment in the Context of Cultural Backgrounds. https://indd.adobe.com/view/e98d6dcf-e581-4209-81b8-cd87d010588d

OTHER NEWS

A year of virtual science conferences: how are you managing? Nature is polling readers about the move to online meetings during the COVID pandemic. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00447-8

Evaluation of Optimal Diastolic Blood Pressure Range Among Adults With Treated Systolic Blood Pressure Less Than 130 mm Hg. The findings suggest that a DBP of less than 60 mm Hg may be harmful and a DBP between 70 and 80 mm Hg is an optimal target for patients with treated SBP of less than 130 mm Hg; this topic merits further study. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776530

Trends in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Incidence and Risk Among Persons With HIV in the US and Canada, 1996-2015. These findings underscore the importance of achieving immune recovery along with monitoring for and long-term management of viral hepatitis among people with HIV. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776529

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes Associated With Oral Anticoagulant Use Among Patients Hospitalized With Intracerebral Hemorrhage. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776519

Embed capacity development within all global health research. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e004692

Preventing post-partum haemorrhage at home during COVID-19: what are we waiting for? https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00003-6/fulltext

Association between vision impairment and mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(20)30549-0/fulltext

Breaking the inverse care law. In a 1971 issue of The Lancet, British general practitioner Julian Tudor Hart posited that “the availability of good medical care tends to vary inversely with the need of the population served.” https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00049-8/fulltext

FROM 17 FEB

Representation of Women on National Institutes of Health Study Sections. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776437

JGME is Open Access. Beginning in 2021, all articles in the Journal of Graduate Medical Education are open access. https://meridian.allenpress.com/jgme/pages/announcements

Role of Diet in Colorectal Cancer Incidence. Umbrella Review of Meta-analyses of Prospective Observational Studies https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776517

Research for Health Justice: an ethical framework linking global health research to health equity. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e002921

Power and the commercial determinants of health: ideas for a research agenda. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e003850

Do not routinely offer imaging for uncomplicated low back pain. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n291

Effective engagement and involvement with community stakeholders in the co-production of global health research. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n178

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Friday, 19 February 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: FEB 19, 2021, 04:15 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	26,524	[722]	254	[28]	22,363	3,907	11,137	107	736,373

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 19-02-2021 05:24 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

26,524 Total confirmed cases

254 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 17 FEB 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 17 FEB 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

NEWS

Research in forced displacement: guidance for a feminist and decolonial approach. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00024-6/fulltext?utm_campaign=comment21&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social

Pfizer, Moderna vaccines show reduced antibody response to South Africa variant. https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/02/18/coronavirus-covid-live-updates-us/#link-IGOY67IBQ5BM3GT73QFHMXCF5A

Safety and Efficacy of the BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine. Even before the second dose, BNT162b2 was highly efficacious, with a vaccine efficacy of 92.6%, a finding similar to the first-dose efficacy of 92.1% reported for the mRNA-1273 vaccine (Moderna). https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2036242

Covid-19 deaths in Africa: prospective systematic postmortem surveillance study. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n334

Individual vaccine arrangements undermine fair distribution, WHO head says.The World Health Organization on Thursday urged nations producing COVID-19 vaccines not to distribute them unilaterally but to donate them to the global COVAX scheme to ensure fairness. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who-briefing/individual-vaccine-arrangements-undermine-fair-distribution-who-head-says-idUSKBN2AI2HF

Pfizer study another worry for South Africa’s vaccine rollout. Scientists will meet on Thursday to advise South Africa’s government on its next steps after a study suggested the dominant local coronavirus variant may reduce protective antibodies from Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine by two-thirds. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica/pfizer-study-another-worry-for-south-africas-vaccine-rollout-idUSKBN2AI10V

Pfizer says South African variant could significantly reduce protective antibodies. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccines-variants/pfizer-says-south-african-variant-could-significantly-reduce-protective-antibodies-idUSKBN2AH2VG

Researchers urge delaying Pfizer vaccine’s second dose as first highly effective.The second dose of Pfizer Inc’s COVID-19 vaccine could be delayed in order to cover all priority groups as the first one is highly protective, two Canada-based researchers said in a letter published in the New England Journal of Medicine. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-pfizer/researchers-urge-delaying-pfizer-vaccines-second-dose-as-first-highly-effective-idUSKBN2AI0EC

Zimbabwe starts COVID-19 vaccinations, vice-president gets first shot. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-zimbabwe/zimbabwe-starts-covid-19-vaccinations-vice-president-gets-first-shot-idUSKBN2AI1KJ

The Price of Success—How to Evaluate COVID-19 Vaccines When They’re Available Outside of Clinical Trials. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2776787

Covid-19 will become endemic but with decreased potency over time, scientists believe. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n494

RESOURCES

Peña Course: The 65th Workshop for the Surgical Treatment of Colorectal Problems in Children. Virtual. Free. Registration required. March 25, 2021 to March 26, 2021. https://ce.childrenscolorado.org/content/pe%C3%B1a-course-65th-workshop-surgical-treatment-colorectal-problems-children#group-tabs-node-course-default1

Sexual Harassment in the Context of Cultural Backgrounds. https://indd.adobe.com/view/e98d6dcf-e581-4209-81b8-cd87d010588d

OTHER NEWS

Global Eye Health: vision beyond 2020. https://www.thelancet.com/commissions/global-eye-health

A GUIDE TO GLOBAL HEALTH DIPLOMACY. https://www.graduateinstitute.ch/sites/internet/files/2021-02/GHC-Guide.pdf

Clinical Trials Overlook Diseases of Low-Income Countries. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2776342?guestAccessKey=ec5a0515-13ba-4c75-986a-a2eeac169621&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social_jama&utm_term=4496567231&utm_campaign=article_alert&linkId=111485015

Diversity and solidarity in global health. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00029-2/fulltext

Virtual Conferences Aren’t as Accessible as You Might Think. They have some advantages for people with disabilities—but plenty of problems as well. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/virtual-conferences-arent-as-accessible-as-you-might-think/

Investigating the risks of removing wild meat from global food systems. https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(21)00144-5

Global Partnership Aims to Improve Infant HIV Care. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2776343

Evidence-based interventions to reduce mortality among preterm and low-birthweight neonates in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e003618

FROM 18 FEB

Embed capacity development within all global health research. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e004692

Preventing post-partum haemorrhage at home during COVID-19: what are we waiting for? https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00003-6/fulltext

Association between vision impairment and mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(20)30549-0/fulltext

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Saturday, 20 February 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: FEB 20, 2021, 03:58 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	26,524		254		22,363	3,907	11,137	107	736,373

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 20-02-2021 03:23 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

26,524 Total confirmed cases

254 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 18 FEB 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 20 FEB 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

NEWS

Covid-19: No evidence that vaccines can affect fertility, says new guidance. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n509

Covid-19 in Africa. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n457

South Africa advisers back Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine after study. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica/south-africa-advisers-back-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-after-study-idUSKBN2AJ1IJ

Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine Is Highly Effective After One Dose and Can Be Stored in Normal Freezers, Data Shows.Peer-reviewed study comes as some governments debate whether to delay second vaccine doses. https://www.wsj.com/articles/single-dose-of-pfizer-vaccine-is-85-effective-israeli-study-shows-11613723218

Single-dose administration and the influence of the timing of the booster dose on immunogenicity and efficacy of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine: a pooled analysis of four randomised trials. The results of this primary analysis of two doses of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 were consistent with those seen in the interim analysis of the trials and confirm that the vaccine is efficacious, with results varying by dose interval in exploratory analyses. A 3-month dose interval might have advantages over a programme with a short dose interval for roll-out of a pandemic vaccine to protect the largest number of individuals in the population as early as possible when supplies are scarce, while also improving protection after receiving a second dose. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00432-3/fulltext

Covid-19: Recognise long covid as occupational disease and compensate frontline workers, say MPs. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n503?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_term=hootsuite&utm_content=sme&utm_campaign=usage

South Africa leads backlash against big pharma over Covid vaccine access. Pressure mounts for patent waivers to allow poorer countries to develop their own manufacturing capacity to boost availability. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/feb/19/south-africa-leads-backlash-against-big-pharma-over-access-to-covid-vaccines

African Union says Russia offers 300 million doses of Sputnik V vaccine. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-africa/african-union-says-russia-offers-300-million-doses-of-sputnik-v-vaccine-idUSKBN2AJ0Y3

Insecurity, suspicion will mar vaccine rollout in Africa war zones. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-africa-vaccine-trf/insecurity-suspicion-will-mar-vaccine-rollout-in-africa-war-zones-idUSKBN2AJ160

Africa COVID-19 deaths surpass 100,000 after second wave. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-africa-death/africa-covid-19-deaths-surpass-100000-after-second-wave-idUSKBN2AI0UH

Daily briefing: Vaccine inequality leaves doctors to die in Africa. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00464-7

Can COVID vaccines stop transmission? Scientists race to find answers. Controlling the pandemic will require shots that prevent viral spread, but that feature is difficult to measure. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00450-z

COVID research updates: Longer infections could fuel a variant’s quick spread. Nature wades through the literature on the coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

The long road. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/371/6531/768

Experts Answer the Biggest COVID Vaccine Questions What does “95 percent effective” mean? Should you get vaccinated if you have had COVID? Is there a best vaccine? https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/experts-answer-the-biggest-covid-vaccine-questions1/

Coronavirus News Roundup, February 13 – February 19. Pandemic highlights for the week. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/coronavirus-news-roundup-february-13-february-19/

SARS-CoV-2 Positivity on or After 9 Days Among Quarantined Student Contacts of Confirmed Cases. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2776857

Sequelae in Adults at 6 Months After COVID-19 Infection. The most common persistent symptoms were fatigue (24 of 177 patients [13.6%]) and loss of sense of smell or taste (24 patients [13.6%]) (Figure, B). Overall, 23 patients (13.0%) reported other symptoms, including brain fog (4 [2.3%]). A total of 51 outpatients and hospitalized patients (30.7%) reported worse HRQoL compared with baseline vs 4 healthy participants and asymptomatic patients (12.5%); 14 patients (7.9%) reported negative impacts on at least 1 activity of daily living (ADL), the most common being household chores. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776560

Assessment of the Inclusion of Racial/Ethnic Minority, Female, and Older Individuals in Vaccine Clinical Trials. In this cross-sectional study of 230 US-based clinical trials with 219 555 participants, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Hispanic or Latino, and older adults were underrepresented and women were overrepresented compared with the US population. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776562

Prophylactic anticoagulation for patients in hospital with covid-19. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n487

RESOURCES

Interprofessional Collaboration in Global Surgery. GLOBAL PERIOPERATIVE HEALTH ALLIANCE SYMPOSIUM. Robert Riviello, MD Keynote Speaker. https://med.emory.edu/departments/surgery/news-and-events/global-perioperative-symposium/schedule.html Please use this form to register for the inaugural symposium to take place virtually on March 6th and 7th, 2021. (9:00 – 14:00EST – 4p-9p CAT ) https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdhd07659vhfAtU5bsXVg6tUqxTUrnkcYFcGjxShgxSnr_vcg/viewform

Peña Course: The 65th Workshop for the Surgical Treatment of Colorectal Problems in Children. Virtual. Free. Registration required. March 25, 2021 to March 26, 2021. https://ce.childrenscolorado.org/content/pe%C3%B1a-course-65th-workshop-surgical-treatment-colorectal-problems-children#group-tabs-node-course-default1

Sexual Harassment in the Context of Cultural Backgrounds. https://indd.adobe.com/view/e98d6dcf-e581-4209-81b8-cd87d010588d

OTHER NEWS

Reinforcing locally led solutions for universal health coverage: a logic model with applications in Benin, Namibia and Uganda. Experience from three countries in sub-Saharan Africa suggests processes focused on promoting demand-driven knowledge exchanges and learning, multi-stakeholder and sectoral collaboration, and accountability mechanisms hold great potential to help overcome obstacles in progressing towards UHC. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e004273

Catastrophic expenditure for health: from antiquity to today. https://blogs.worldbank.org/opendata/catastrophic-expenditure-health-antiquity-today

No Cure without Care — Soothing Science Skepticism. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMms2101989?query=featured_home

Can we do for other essential medicines what we are doing for the COVID-19 vaccine? https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e005158

The inclusivity trap. Asking patients for their pronouns helps us treat them — unless they shut down. https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/02/19/gender-pronouns-doctors-patients-medical/?arc404=true&utm_campaign=wp_post_most&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_most&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F2fef287%2F602ff2279d2fda4c88e9fe81%2F5cd2efff9bbc0f0bf88b0810%2F39%2F70%2F602ff2279d2fda4c88e9fe81

FROM 19 FEB

Global Eye Health: vision beyond 2020. https://www.thelancet.com/commissions/global-eye-health

A GUIDE TO GLOBAL HEALTH DIPLOMACY. https://www.graduateinstitute.ch/sites/internet/files/2021-02/GHC-Guide.pdf

Diversity and solidarity in global health. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00029-2/fulltext

Investigating the risks of removing wild meat from global food systems. https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(21)00144-5

Global Partnership Aims to Improve Infant HIV Care. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2776343

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Monday, 22 February 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: FEB 22, 2021, 03:19 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	26,524		254		22,363	3,907	11,137	107	736,373

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 22-02-2021 04:24 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

26,524 Total confirmed cases

254 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 20 FEB 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 22 FEB 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

NEWS

WHO’s Tedros says he still has no details from Tanzania on its COVID response. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-tanzania/who-says-still-has-no-details-from-tanzania-covid-19-response-idUSKBN2AK0QK

eSwatini king says had COVID-19, recovered after Taiwan sent drugs. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-eswatini-taiwan/eswatini-king-says-had-covid-19-recovered-after-taiwan-sent-drugs-idUSKBN2AK025

Experts Answer the Biggest COVID Vaccine Questions. What does “95 percent effective” mean? Should you get vaccinated if you have had COVID? Is there a best vaccine? https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/experts-answer-the-biggest-covid-vaccine-questions1/

COVID Pollution: Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Global Plastic Waste Footprint. https://www.cell.com/heliyon/fulltext/S2405-8440(21)00448-5

Jeremy Farrar: Make vaccine available to other countries as soon as our most vulnerable people have received it. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n459

Covid-19: Infections in England fall by two thirds since January. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n491

RESOURCES

Peña Course: The 65th Workshop for the Surgical Treatment of Colorectal Problems in Children. Virtual. Free. Registration required. March 25, 2021 to March 26, 2021. https://ce.childrenscolorado.org/content/pe%C3%B1a-course-65th-workshop-surgical-treatment-colorectal-problems-children#group-tabs-node-course-default1

Sexual Harassment in the Context of Cultural Backgrounds. https://indd.adobe.com/view/e98d6dcf-e581-4209-81b8-cd87d010588d

OTHER NEWS

The Ethics of Million-Dollar Drugs. Allowing manufacturers in the U.S. to set prices creates problems for patients and is unsustainable for health-care payors. https://www.scientificamerican.com/custom-media/good-medicine/the-ethics-of-million-dollar-drugs/?mvt=i&mvn=d955a48f24f64ae0be03425cf99bc396&mvp=NA-SCIEAMERLIVE-11237933&mvl=HomeLatest

Still we rise. “That anger eventually melted into a drive to see to it that science benefits the Black women who have given so much to it.” https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(21)00074-X?utm_medium=homepage

Treatment of Uterine Fibroid Symptoms with Relugolix Combination Therapy. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2008283?query=featured_home

FROM 20 FEB

Adopting an anti-racist medical curriculum. There are currently calls for changes to the way migration, colonialism, and Britain’s role in the slave trade are taught in the school curriculum and included in teacher training. We call for a similar reassessment of medical training. https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/02/19/adopting-an-anti-racist-medical-curriculum/?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=socialnetwork

FROM 20 FEB

Catastrophic expenditure for health: from antiquity to today. https://blogs.worldbank.org/opendata/catastrophic-expenditure-health-antiquity-today

No Cure without Care — Soothing Science Skepticism. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMms2101989?query=featured_home

Can we do for other essential medicines what we are doing for the COVID-19 vaccine? https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e005158

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Tuesday, 23 February 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: FEB 23, 2021, 04:41 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	27,721	[1197]	300	[46]	22,773	4,648	11,637	126	778,246

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 23-02-2021 06:23 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

27,721 Total confirmed cases

300 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 20 FEB 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 23 FEB 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

NEWS

There will be enough vaccines for all—if rich countries share. Half of the world’s supply has been reserved for just 15% of its population. https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2021/02/13/there-will-be-enough-vaccines-for-all-if-rich-countries-share?utm_campaign=editorial-social&utm_medium=social-organic&utm_source=twitter

GLASSES-WEARERS UP TO THREE TIMES LESS LIKELY TO CATCH CORONAVIRUS, STUDY SUGGESTS. ‘Long term use of spectacles may prevent repeated touching and rubbing of the eyes,’ researchers say. https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/glasses-coronavirus-covid-contacts-study-b1805314.html

Contact-tracing apps help reduce COVID infections, data suggest.Evaluations find apps are useful, but would benefit from better integration into health-care systems. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00451-y

COVID research updates: A delayed second jab means better protection against COVID, Nature wades through the literature on the coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

A Vaccination against the Pandemic of Misinformation. False beliefs, similar to those seen in Alzheimer’s patients, may result from a lack of science literacy. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-vaccination-against-the-pandemic-of-misinformation/

Identifying COVID-19 Risk Through Observational Studies to Inform Control Measures. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2776937

What makes new variants of SARS-CoV-2 concerning is not where they come from, but the mutations they contain. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n504

Covid-19: Plans to share vaccines aren’t enough, says charity. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n516

Annals On Call – Pregnancy, Lactation, and the COVID-19 Vaccines. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/A20-0009

RESOURCES

SURG-Africa conducts research studies for a better understanding of the diverse range of issues affecting surgical care at a district level. From resource availability to surgical skills, communication and many others. Open access articles. https://www.surgafrica.eu/outputs2.html

Peña Course: The 65th Workshop for the Surgical Treatment of Colorectal Problems in Children. Virtual. Free. Registration required. March 25, 2021 to March 26, 2021. https://ce.childrenscolorado.org/content/pe%C3%B1a-course-65th-workshop-surgical-treatment-colorectal-problems-children#group-tabs-node-course-default1

Sexual Harassment in the Context of Cultural Backgrounds. https://indd.adobe.com/view/e98d6dcf-e581-4209-81b8-cd87d010588d

OTHER NEWS

Mixed‐methods systematic review: Cultural attitudes, beliefs and practices of internationally educated nurses towards end‐of‐life care in the context of cancer. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jan.14814

Hepcidin-Mediated Hypoferremia Disrupts Immune Responses to Vaccination and Infection. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(20)30021-0

The Reporting of Race and Ethnicity in Medical and Science Journals. Comments Invited. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2776936

Assessment of Blood Biomarker Profile After Acute Concussion During Combative Training Among US Military Cadets. A Prospective Study From the NCAA and US Department of Defense CARE Consortium. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776707

Empowering Resident Physicians to Lead by Teaching Principles of Quality and Safety in Surgery. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2776434

Disparities in pregnancy-related deaths: spatial and Bayesian network analyses of maternal mortality ratio in 54 African countries. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e004233

Vaccines for older adults. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n188

The Irie Classroom Toolbox, a universal violence-prevention teacher-training programme, in Jamaican preschools: a single-blind, cluster-randomised controlled trial. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00002-4/fulltext

FOR 22 FEB

Treatment of Uterine Fibroid Symptoms with Relugolix Combination Therapy. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2008283?query=featured_home

FROM 20 FEB

Catastrophic expenditure for health: from antiquity to today. https://blogs.worldbank.org/opendata/catastrophic-expenditure-health-antiquity-today

No Cure without Care — Soothing Science Skepticism. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMms2101989?query=featured_home

Can we do for other essential medicines what we are doing for the COVID-19 vaccine? https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e005158

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Wednesday, 24 February 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: FEB 24, 2021, 03:56 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	27,721		300		22,773	4,648	11,637	126	778,246

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 24-02-2021 05:24 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

27,721 Total confirmed cases

300 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 22 FEB 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 24 FEB 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

NEWS

Serious COVID-19 vaccine reactions are rare, says new CDC report. A vast majority of reported reactions were mild, like headaches and fatigue. https://abcnews.go.com/Health/covid-19-vaccine-reactions-rare-cdc-report/story?id=76006029

First real-world coronavirus vaccine data in Britain show decline in infections, hospitalizations after first dose. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/covid-vaccines-protection-uk/2021/02/22/216b1dac-751a-11eb-9489-8f7dacd51e75_story.html?utm_campaign=wp_post_most&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_most&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F3017522%2F603531519d2fda4c88efa22d%2F5cd2efff9bbc0f0bf88b0810%2F15%2F70%2F603531519d2fda4c88efa22d

India sends first vaccine doses to Africa under WHO’s COVAX programme. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-india-who/india-sends-first-vaccine-doses-to-africa-under-whos-covax-programme-idUSKBN2AN1L3

Afreximbank approves $2 billion for African nations to secure COVID-19 vaccines. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-afreximbank-vaccin/afreximbank-approves-2-billion-for-african-nations-to-secure-covid-19-vaccines-idUSKBN2AN1JZ

Superspreading drives the COVID pandemic — and could help to tame it. Uneven transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has had tragic consequences — but also offers clues for how best to target control measures. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00460-x

Why COVID vaccines are so difficult to compare. Despite the widespread roll-out of several vaccines, it could be months before they can be ranked. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00409-0

COVID research updates: Viral variant is less susceptible to a COVID vaccine’s effects. Nature wades through the literature on the coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

As trials ramp up, doctors stress need to vaccinate kids against COVID-19. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/02/trials-ramp-doctors-stress-need-vaccinate-kids-against-covid-19

COVID Variants May Arise in People with Compromised Immune Systems. The case history of a U.K. man in his 70s shows how selective “pressures” bring about viral mutations. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/covid-variants-may-arise-in-people-with-compromised-immune-systems/

7 Ways to Reduce Reluctance to Take COVID Vaccines. Trusted messengers and repeated reminders can overcome hesitancy, social science shows. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/7-ways-to-reduce-reluctance-to-take-covid-vaccines/

Deadly COVID-19 Among the Elderly: Innate Immune Memory Helping those Most in Need. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00065-9

Trends in Trauma Admissions During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Los Angeles County, California. https://wordpress.com/page/maggiesmusings688820798.com/1869

NIH launches new initiative to study “Long COVID”. https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/who-we-are/nih-director/statements/nih-launches-new-initiative-study-long-covid

RESOURCES

Topic: Botswana Grand Challenges —A new programme to fund impressive innovations— Launch Webinar

You are invited to a Zoom webinar.

When: Wednesday Feb 24, 2021

Time: 4:00PM Botswana Time (CAT) & 5:00PM East African Time (EAT)

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Wch0EB5zSoG3QcFeEReP8A

or http://bit.ly/GrandChallengeLaunch

*There is no password needed for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Peña Course: The 65th Workshop for the Surgical Treatment of Colorectal Problems in Children. Virtual. Free. Registration required. March 25, 2021 to March 26, 2021. https://ce.childrenscolorado.org/content/pe%C3%B1a-course-65th-workshop-surgical-treatment-colorectal-problems-children#group-tabs-node-course-default1

Sexual Harassment in the Context of Cultural Backgrounds. https://indd.adobe.com/view/e98d6dcf-e581-4209-81b8-cd87d010588d

Funding news for global health researchers February 22, 2021. https://www.fic.nih.gov/Funding/News/Pages/global-health-funding-news-2021-0222.aspx

OTHER NEWS

Global burden of postoperative death. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)33139-8/fulltext

Effect of High-Dose Baclofen on Agitation-Related Events Among Patients With Unhealthy Alcohol Use Receiving Mechanical Ventilation.A Randomized Clinical Trial. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2776690?guestAccessKey=86602294-5394-4dc0-ba7d-9808c6f6090b&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social_jama&utm_term=4514464166&utm_campaign=article_alert&linkId=111964302

Debunking the Myth: What You Really Need to Know about Clothing, Electronic Devices, and Surgical Site Infection. https://www.journalacs.org/article/S1072-7515(21)00008-9/fulltext

A scorecard of progress towards measles elimination in 15 west African countries, 2001–19: a retrospective, multicountry analysis of national immunisation coverage and surveillance data. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(20)30481-2/fulltext

From unusual suspect to serial killer: Cyanotoxins boosted by climate change may jeopardize African megafauna. https://www.cell.com/the-innovation/fulltext/S2666-6758(21)00017-5?utm_medium=homepage

Austerity, resilience and the management of actors in public hospitals: a qualitative study from South Africa. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e004157

Access to emergency and essential surgery obstetrics trauma and anaesthesia healthcare: a contemporary overview. Emmanuel Makasa. https://jphe.amegroups.com/article/view/6789/html

The Education Portfolio: Reflecting on the Past to Move Forward. https://academicmedicineblog.org/the-education-portfolio-reflecting-on-the-past-to-move-forward/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=acadmedjournal&utm_content=c77d5eb6-0462-4c52-84dd-13d08ab0c483

Measuring Africa’s Data Gap: The cost of not counting the dead. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-55674139

How to Avoid Making Your Systematic Review a Conventional Review Article. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00266-021-02185-8?wt_mc=Internal.Event.1.SEM.ArticleAuthorOnlineFirst&utm_source=ArticleAuthorOnlineFirst&utm_medium=email&utm_content=AA_en_06082018&ArticleAuthorOnlineFirst_20210220

Clinical manifestation and maternal complications and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women with COVID-19: a comprehensive evidence synthesis and meta-analysis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33602025/

Evidence-based interventions to reduce mortality among preterm and low-birthweight neonates in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33602687/

FROM 23 FEB

Hepcidin-Mediated Hypoferremia Disrupts Immune Responses to Vaccination and Infection. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(20)30021-0

The Reporting of Race and Ethnicity in Medical and Science Journals. Comments Invited. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2776936

Empowering Resident Physicians to Lead by Teaching Principles of Quality and Safety in Surgery. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2776434

Disparities in pregnancy-related deaths: spatial and Bayesian network analyses of maternal mortality ratio in 54 African countries. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e004233

Vaccines for older adults. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n188

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Friday, 26 February 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: FEB 26, 2021, 06:04 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	28,371	[650]	310	[10]	23,244	4,817	11,908	130	805,587

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 26-02-2021 07:22 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

28,371 Total confirmed cases

310 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 25 FEB 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 26 FEB 2021

NEWS

FDA says single-dose shot from J&J prevents severe COVID. https://www.mdlinx.com/news/fda-says-single-dose-shot-from-j-and-amp-j-prevents-severe-covid/46HmaEORA9E7I2KggWKx8C?show_order=1&utm_campaign=All+SP+2%2F25%2F2021+Morning+Alert&ipost_environment=m3usainc&utm_source=iPost&utm_medium=email&iqs=9z2z2pci9hbmidpnheij7jg6ev2tp69o6t35f7ovc3o

Feelings towards COVID-19 vaccination in Africa. A survey on confidence about

being vaccinated against COVID-19 in 15 African countries indicates that work on communication around vaccines is needed. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(21)00082-7/fulltext

COVID-19 mental health impact and responses in low-income and middle-income countries: reimagining global mental health. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(21)00025-0/fulltext

Kenya says first batch of COVID-19 vaccines to arrive in March. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-kenya/kenya-says-first-batch-of-covid-19-vaccines-to-arrive-in-march-idUSKBN2AP2E2

South Africa aims to vaccinate 1.1 million by end of March. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica/south-africa-aims-to-vaccinate-1-1-million-by-end-of-march-idUSKBN2AP1MQ

South African medical schemes may no longer need to subsidise COVID vaccines – executives. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica-medical-sc/south-african-medical-schemes-may-no-longer-need-to-subsidise-covid-vaccines-executives-idUSKBN2AP1TW

African Union backs call to waive IP rights on COVID-19 drugs. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-africa/african-union-backs-call-to-waive-intellectual-property-rights-on-covid-19-drugs-idUSKBN2AP1CP

Pfizer-BioNTech testing booster of their COVID-19 vaccine in new trial. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-pfizer-vaccine/pfizer-biontech-testing-booster-of-their-covid-19-vaccine-in-new-trial-idUSKBN2AP1FR

Factbox: Latest on the worldwide spread of the coronavirus. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-latest-factbox/factbox-latest-on-the-worldwide-spread-of-the-coronavirus-idUSKBN2AP1M1

COVID research updates: Trial hints that Pfizer vaccine could curb COVID transmission. Nature wades through the literature on the coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

Market design to accelerate COVID-19 vaccine supply. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2021/02/24/science.abg0889?rss=1

How COVID Is Changing the Cold and Flu Season. Measures meant to tame the coronavirus pandemic are quashing influenza and most other respiratory diseases, which could have wide-ranging implications. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-covid-is-changing-the-cold-and-flu-season/

Massive Google-Funded COVID Database Will Track Variants and Immunity. Open repository will give free access to more than 160 million data points with details about individual infections. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/massive-google-funded-covid-database-will-track-variants-and-immunity/

Association of SARS-CoV-2 Seropositive Antibody Test With Risk of Future Infection. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2776810

Risk Factors Associated With COVID-19 Transmission Among US Air Force Trainees in a Congregant Setting. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776903

How to Advise Persons Who Are Antibody Positive for SARS-CoV-2 About Future Infection Risk. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2776809

A double-edged sword—telemedicine for maternal care during COVID-19: findings from a global mixed-methods study of healthcare providers. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e004575

How to ensure a needs-driven and community-centred vaccination strategy for COVID-19 in Africa. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e005306

Covid-19: Pfizer BioNTech vaccine reduced cases by 94% in Israel, shows peer reviewed study. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n567

The case for an international pandemic treaty. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n527

RESOURCES

Global.health | a Data Science Initiative. Our COVID-19 dataset contains detailed information on over five million anonymized cases from over 100 countries. Global.health is the first of its kind, easy-to-use global data repository and visualization platform that enables open access to real-time epidemiological anonymized line-list data. This platform was created by researchers from leading institutions around the world including Oxford, Harvard, Northeastern, Boston Children’s Hospital, Georgetown, University of Washington, and Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.https://global.health/

Peña Course: The 65th Workshop for the Surgical Treatment of Colorectal Problems in Children. Virtual. Free. Registration required. March 25, 2021 to March 26, 2021. https://ce.childrenscolorado.org/content/pe%C3%B1a-course-65th-workshop-surgical-treatment-colorectal-problems-children#group-tabs-node-course-default1

Sexual Harassment in the Context of Cultural Backgrounds. https://indd.adobe.com/view/e98d6dcf-e581-4209-81b8-cd87d010588d

Funding news for global health researchers February 22, 2021. https://www.fic.nih.gov/Funding/News/Pages/global-health-funding-news-2021-0222.aspx

OTHER NEWS

Humanitarian Surgical Missions in Times of COVID-19: Recommendations to Safely Return to a Sub-Saharan Africa LowResource Setting. https://link.springer.com/epdf/10.1007/s00268-021-06001-x?sharing_token=slGRpCH_DAVlDnEKg6upCfe4RwlQNchNByi7wbcMAY4KpkYH9jiVrMSMSwwBDfI8gg2mrQZRDh3X7ucuXotUEAE58EyOLPH4yrkMsfPOwETf3HTkcZxl-MDaGSoytpBrBG6lp7UErP–VLGbW72FHMd2jrJ9eae5GDfvQ1E6jhc%3D

The unequal impact of parenthood in academia. https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/7/9/eabd1996

Maximizing Career Advancement During the COVID-19 Pandemic Recommendations for Postgraduate Training Programs. https://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/Abstract/9000/Maximizing_Career_Advancement_During_the_COVID_19.96860.aspx?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=acadmedjournal&utm_content=1dacee7e-e25c-424c-b703-9bed4dbb14b4

Virtual Undergraduate Research Experiences: More Than a Pandemic Stopgap. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00037-4?utm_medium=homepage

Geographical and temporal variation in reduction of malaria infection among children under 5 years of age throughout Nigeria. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e004250

FROM 25 FEB

Stress During Pregnancy and the Development of Diseases in the offspring: A Meta-Analysis. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0266613821000188

Exercise generates immune cells in bone. A specialized type of bone-cell progenitor has been identified in the bone marrow, and shown to support the generation of immune cells called lymphocytes in response to movement. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00419-y

How Structural Racism Works — Racist Policies as a Root Cause of U.S. Racial Health Inequities. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMms2025396?query=featured_home

Effect of screening by clinical breast examination on breast cancer incidence and mortality after 20 years: prospective, cluster randomised controlled trial in Mumbai. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n256

Decentralisation, integration, and task-shifting in hepatitis C virus infection testing and treatment: a global systematic review and meta-analysis. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(20)30505-2/fulltext

Supporting women in academia during and after a global pandemic. https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/7/9/eabg9310

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Saturday, 27 February 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: FEB 27, 2021, 04:59 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	28,371	[650]	310	[10]	23,244	4,817	11,908	130	805,587

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 27-02-2021 06:22 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

28,371 Total confirmed cases

310 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 25 FEB 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 27 FEB 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

NEWS

One hundred thirty-three observed COVID-19 deaths in 10 months: unpacking lower than predicted mortality in Rwanda. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e004547

Signs and symptoms to determine if a patient presenting in primary care or hospital outpatient settings has COVID‐19. https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD013665.pub2/full

COVID‐19 under 19: A meta‐analysis. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ppul.25312

COVID-19 oxygen emergency impacting more than half a million people in low- and middle-income countries every day, as demand surges. https://www.who.int/news/item/25-02-2021-covid-19-oxygen-emergency-impacting-more-than-half-a-million-people-in-low–and-middle-income-countries-every-day-as-demand-surges

Study estimates two-thirds of COVID-19 hospitalizations due to four conditions. A modeling study suggests a majority of adult COVID-19 hospitalizations nationwide are attributable to at least one of four pre-existing conditions: obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and heart failure, in that order. https://www.mdlinx.com/news/study-estimates-two-thirds-of-covid-19-hospitalizations-due-to-four-conditions/6RUAdmo1X1LFg1Lpi9JOQy?show_order=5&utm_campaign=All+SP+2%2F26%2F2021+Morning+Alert&utm_source=iPost&ipost_environment=m3usainc&utm_medium=email&iqs=9z2ztn1rmf6slmqo28ll8vdua8rov00325l5mqpe81o

Antibody response to first BNT162b2 dose in previously SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00501-8/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_email

Effect of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection on humoral and T-cell responses to single-dose BNT162b2 vaccine. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00502-X/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_email

The inverse care law re-examined: a global perspective. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00243-9/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_email

Offline: Thinking the pandemic. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00514-6/fulltext

The Secret Life of a Coronavirus. An oily, 100-nanometer-wide bubble of genes has killed more than two million people and reshaped the world. Scientists don’t quite know what to make of it. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/26/opinion/sunday/coronavirus-alive-dead.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage

‘Doctors are paying for supplies’: inside a stretched Burkina Faso Covid ward. In a country where pneumonia, malaria and TB are much bigger killers, doctors say ‘resource-intensive’ Covid-19 is diverting precious resources. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/feb/26/doctors-are-paying-for-supplies-inside-a-stretched-burkina-faso-covid-ward

World Bank head urges countries to sign vaccine contracts now. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-g20-world-bank/world-bank-head-urges-countries-to-sign-vaccine-contracts-now-idUSKBN2AQ29O

Can COVID spread from frozen wildlife? Scientists probe pandemic origins. Studies from China suggest that the coronavirus can be transmitted on frozen surfaces — but scientists say that’s unlikely to be how the pandemic started. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00495-0

Clonal expansion and activation of tissue-resident memory-like Th17 cells expressing GM-CSF in the lungs of severe COVID-19 patients. https://immunology.sciencemag.org/content/6/56/eabf6692

SARS-CoV-2 dependence on host pathways. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/371/6532/884

Coronavirus News Roundup: February 20–February 26. Pandemic highlights for the week. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/coronavirus-news-roundup-february-20-february-26/

Low awareness of past SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthy plasma donors. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00038-0

TOTAL PREDICTED MHC-I EPITOPE LOAD IS INVERSELY ASSOCIATED WITH POPULATION MORTALITY FROM SARS-COV-2. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00037-9

BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine in a Nationwide Mass Vaccination Setting. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2101765?query=featured_home

Interleukin-6 Receptor Antagonists in Critically Ill Patients with Covid-19. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2100433?query=featured_home

Tocilizumab in Hospitalized Patients with Severe Covid-19 Pneumonia. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2028700?query=featured_home

Dexamethasone in Hospitalized Patients with Covid-19. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2021436?query=featured_home

Research in the Context of a Pandemic. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2024638?query=featured_secondary

Association of Convalescent Plasma Treatment With Clinical Outcomes in Patients With COVID-19. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777060

SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777059

Emerging Lessons From COVID-19 for the US Clinical Research Enterprise. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777058

Household Transmission of SARS-CoV-2. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776908

Covid-19: One in seven people in England have antibodies from infection or vaccination, finds study. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n561

Percutaneous and Open Tracheostomy in Patients with COVID-19. Comparison and Outcomes of an Institutional Series in New York City. https://journals.lww.com/annalsofsurgery/Abstract/2021/03000/Percutaneous_and_Open_Tracheostomy_in_Patients.5.aspx

RESOURCES

Peña Course: The 65th Workshop for the Surgical Treatment of Colorectal Problems in Children. Virtual. Free. Registration required. March 25, 2021 to March 26, 2021. https://ce.childrenscolorado.org/content/pe%C3%B1a-course-65th-workshop-surgical-treatment-colorectal-problems-children#group-tabs-node-course-default1

OTHER NEWS

Averting malaria transmission with lethal house lure intervention. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00355-X/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_email

Meta-epidemiological study of publication integrity, and quality of conduct and reporting of randomized trials included in a systematic review of low back pain. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0895435621000317?dgcid=author

FROM 26 FEB

The unequal impact of parenthood in academia. https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/7/9/eabd1996

Virtual Undergraduate Research Experiences: More Than a Pandemic Stopgap. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00037-4?utm_medium=homepage

Geographical and temporal variation in reduction of malaria infection among children under 5 years of age throughout Nigeria. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e004250

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Monday, 1 March 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAR 1, 2021, 04:09 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	28,371	[650]	310	[10]	23,244	4,817	11,908	130	805,587

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 01-03-2021 05:23 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

28,371 Total confirmed cases

310 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 27 FEB 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 1 MAR 2021

NEWS

Dysnatremia is a predictor for morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. https://academic.oup.com/jcem/advance-article/doi/10.1210/clinem/dgab107/6148869

Tanzania leader says prayer will cure Covid, as hospitals overflow. Experts fear policies of John Magufuli could undermine vaccine programme in Africa. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/28/tanzania-leader-says-prayer-will-cure-covid-as-hospitals-overflow\\

What can we learn from Africa’s experience of Covid? https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/28/what-can-we-learn-from-africa-experience-of-covid-death-toll-paradox

Taking COVID-19 vaccine will not alter your DNA, Ghana president says. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-ghana-president/taking-covid-19-vaccine-will-not-alter-your-dna-ghana-president-says-idUSKCN2AS0S8

South Africa signs J&J vaccine deal, eases restrictions. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica/south-africa-signs-jj-vaccine-deal-eases-restrictions-idUSKCN2AS0NQ

Factbox: Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine authorized in U.S. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccines-johnson-j/factbox-johnson-johnsons-covid-19-vaccine-authorized-in-u-s-idUSKCN2AR0Q1

COVID research updates: A COVID vaccine passes a real-world test with flying colours. Nature wades through the literature on the coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

SARS-CoV-2 spike D614G change enhances replication and transmission. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03361-1

COVID, Quickly, Episode 1: Vaccines, Variants and Diabetes. https://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/covid-quickly-episode-1-vaccines-variants-and-diabetes/

In silico analysis of altered expression of long non-coding RNA in SARS-CoV-2 infected cells and their possible regulation by STAT1, STAT3 and interferon regulatory factors. https://www.cell.com/heliyon/fulltext/S2405-8440(21)00500-4

Metabolic programs define dysfunctional immune responses in severe COVID-19 patients. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(21)00177-7

It’s self-interest to share our vaccines globally. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n536

The Surprising Key to Combatting Vaccine Refusal. It’s not just one problem—and we’re going to need a portfolio of approaches to solve it. https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/02/vaccine-hesitancy-isnt-just-one-thing/618164/

Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy among ethnic minority groups. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n513?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_term=hootsuite&utm_content=sme&utm_campaign=usage

Kenya’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic: a balance between minimising morbidity and adverse economic impact [version 1; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations]. https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/4-3

High infectious disease burden as a basis for the observed high frequency of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections in sub-Saharan Africa [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]. https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/4-2

RESOURCES

A webinar to officially mark the launch of the RCSI Institute of Global Surgery will take place on Friday, 12 March at 15:00 (GMT), 07:00 (PST), 10:00 (EST). 16:00 (WAT). Free registration. https://rcsi.eventsair.com/institute-of-global-surgery-launch/igswebinarreg/Site/Register

Peña Course: The 65th Workshop for the Surgical Treatment of Colorectal Problems in Children. Virtual. Free. Registration required. March 25, 2021 to March 26, 2021. https://ce.childrenscolorado.org/content/pe%C3%B1a-course-65th-workshop-surgical-treatment-colorectal-problems-children#group-tabs-node-course-default1

OTHER NEWS

Decolonizing Global Health Education: Rethinking Institutional Partnerships and Approaches. https://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/Abstract/2021/03000/Decolonizing_Global_Health_Education__Rethinking.16.aspx

Association of Risk-Reducing Salpingo-Oophorectomy With Breast Cancer Risk in Women With BRCA1 and BRCA2 Pathogenic Variants. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/article-abstract/2776761

Research priorities in maternal and neonatal health in Africa: results using the Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative method involving over 900 experts across the continent [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]. https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/4-8/v1?utm_medium=email&utm_source=etoc_alert_WEEKLY

Institutionalizing research capacity strengthening in LMICs: A systematic review and meta-synthesis [version 3; peer review: 2 approved]. https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/3-43

Developing excellence in biostatistics leadership, training and science in Africa: How the Sub-Saharan Africa Consortium for Advanced Biostatistics (SSACAB) training unites expertise to deliver excellence [version 2; peer review: 2 approved, 1 approved with reservations]. REVISED https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/3-51

FROM 27 FEB

Averting malaria transmission with lethal house lure intervention. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00355-X/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_email

FROM 26 FEB

The unequal impact of parenthood in academia. https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/7/9/eabd1996

Virtual Undergraduate Research Experiences: More Than a Pandemic Stopgap. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00037-4?utm_medium=homepage

Geographical and temporal variation in reduction of malaria infection among children under 5 years of age throughout Nigeria. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/2/e004250

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Tuesday, 2 March 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAR 2, 2021, 03:14 GMT

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 02-03-2021 03:23 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

30,727 Total confirmed cases

332 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 28 FEB 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 2 MAR 2021

EXTRAORDINARY GAZETTE PAPER ON MOVEMENT RESTRICTIONS AND LIQUOR SALES IN MARCH https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V9QsMITYAee3wUeEgWj_gUdG8QNoKui2/view?fbclid=IwAR2xg1S-_h-gjaa1_ip1sHcPQ9MPQiGbCRpTwpiar1jW6Agps3f5OwF_PiI

NEWS

‘Falling off a cliff’: pandemic crippling world’s most fragile states, finds report. The world’s poorest are becoming poorer as the impact of Covid compounds existing crises, says Disaster Emergency Committee. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/mar/01/falling-off-a-cliff-pandemic-crippling-worlds-most-fragile-states-finds-report

WTO chief calls for more vaccine plants in developing countries. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-trade-wto-vaccines/wto-chief-calls-for-more-vaccine-plants-in-developing-countries-idUSKBN2AT2ZL

Zimbabwe eases COVID-19 lockdown as infections decline. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-zimbabwe-lockdown/zimbabwe-eases-covid-19-lockdown-as-infections-decline-idUSKBN2AT2S3

Nigeria begins registering residents for COVID-19 vaccinations. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-nigeria-vaccine/nigeria-begins-registering-residents-for-covid-19-vaccinations-idUSKCN2AT2JM

Ivory Coast launches first vaccination drive with COVAX shots. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-ivorycoast-vaccina/ivory-coast-launches-first-vaccination-drive-with-covax-shots-idUSKCN2AT2K6

Where did COVID come from? Five mysteries that remain. In the wake of the World Health Organization’s investigation, there are still key questions about when, where and how the pandemic began. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00502-4

SARS-CoV-2 spike D614G change enhances replication and transmission. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03361-1

Daily briefing: Can COVID spread through frozen meat? https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00547-5

J&J’s single-dose COVID vaccine raises hopes for faster rollout. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00526-w

Want to track pandemic variants faster? Fix the bioinformatics bottleneck. Tools, rules and incentives are buckling under the flood of coronavirus genome sequences — to help control the pandemic, researchers need new approaches. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00525-x

New Johnson & Johnson Shot Prevents Severe COVID As Well As Existing Vaccines Do, Experts Say. Trials of all three vaccines came up with different efficacy numbers, but all offer crucial protection in this health emergency. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/new-johnson-johnson-shot-prevents-severe-covid-as-well-as-existing-vaccines-do-experts-say/

A clinician’s primer on epidemiology for COVID-19. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00068-4

Binding and Neutralization Antibody Titers After a Single Vaccine Dose in Health Care Workers Previously Infected With SARS-CoV-2. Health care workers with previous COVID-19 infection, based on laboratory-confirmed serology testing, had higher antibody titer responses to a single dose of mRNA vaccine than those who were not previously infected. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777171

The Johnson & Johnson Vaccine for COVID-19—THE PATIENT PAGE. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777172

Recruitment and Results Reporting of COVID-19 Randomized Clinical Trials Registered in the First 100 Days of the Pandemic. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776802

Acute covid-19 and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n385

Researcher broke embargo to leak BMJ paper to Trump administration. Paul Alexander, a former assistant professor at McMaster University in Canada who specialises in health research methods, wrote in an email to Stephen Hahn, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), that the research lent support to a role for hydroxychloroquine. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n590

A living WHO guideline on drugs to prevent covid-19. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n526

Covid-19: School staff (in UK) testing positive for antibodies rose to around 15% in December. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n598

Inside ‘post-Covid’ clinics: How specialized centers are trying to treat long-haulers. NBC News surveyed dozens of “post-Covid” clinics across the country to find out how they’re helping patients recover from an illness with no known cure. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/inside-post-covid-clinics-how-specialized-centers-are-trying-treat-n1258879

RESOURCES

Peña Course: The 65th Workshop for the Surgical Treatment of Colorectal Problems in Children. Virtual. Free. Registration required. March 25, 2021 to March 26, 2021. https://ce.childrenscolorado.org/content/pe%C3%B1a-course-65th-workshop-surgical-treatment-colorectal-problems-children#group-tabs-node-course-default1

OTHER NEWS

Special Report-Donors bet a U.S. firm could transform disease testing in Africa. Then COVID-19 hit. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-africa-cepheid/special-report-donors-bet-a-u-s-firm-could-transform-disease-testing-in-africa-then-covid-19-hit-idUSKCN2AT273

The $450 question: Should journals pay peer reviewers? https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/03/450-question-should-journals-pay-peer-reviewers

African authorship on African papers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results from the 10 journals included in this analysis suggest that African representation in African COVID-19 literature is insufficient, particularly in opinion-based articles oriented towards providing advice on system response and clinical care.Seventeen per cent of the world’s population lives in Africa, but only 3.9% of articles related to COVID-19 published in the top 10 medical journals is relevant to the continent. One in five African COVID-19 papers had no African authors, and 66.1% of authors on African papers were not from Africa. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e004612

Africa’s contribution to the science of the COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Africans contributed just 3% of the global share of 36 326 indexed publications on SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 at 10 months into the pandemic. There were two dominant African COVID-19 publication coauthorship clusters mainly involving South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria; these link to over 100 African and non-African countries. African research groups should intensify and sustain intracontinental collaboration to generate a more accurate picture of what is going on in Africa as the pandemic evolves. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e004059

A novel development indicator based on population-average height trajectories of children aged 0–5 years modelled using 145 surveys in 64 countries, 2000–2018. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e004107

Global, regional, and national mortality trends in youth aged 15–24 years between 1990 and 2019: a systematic analysis. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00023-1/fulltext

Improving lung health in low-income and middle-income countries: from challenges to solutions. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00458-X/fulltext

The changing face of medical professionalism and the impact of COVID-19. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00436-0/fulltext

Relationships between constituents of energy drinks and beating parame… Some energy drinks elicited adverse effects on the cardiomyocyte’s electrophysiology. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278691521000132?via%3Dihub

Assessment of Delays in Emergency Surgical Care and Patient Postoperative Outcomes at a Referral Hospital in Northern Rwanda. https://link.springer.com/epdf/10.1007/s00268-021-06013-7?sharing_token=cu5ABiqSwV850jECMdSJOve4RwlQNchNByi7wbcMAY79t4Rc3vkySb8PRT5h1TEWOqxSrOJgIfD4UMDRW6BuNmgt0VHiSXQtZkLI315NHR-XuOfrLV3TG2etDSrW2SxIfu3I3v6exnWJmOqbMDPQ3TrXL4w_6GTHZSlqfnhhCtI%3D

Developing excellence in biostatistics leadership, training and science in Africa: How the Sub-Saharan Africa Consortium for Advanced Biostatistics (SSACAB) training unites expertise to deliver excellence [version 2; peer review: 2 approved, 1 approved with reservations]. REVISED https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/3-51

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Wednesday, 3 March 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAR 3, 2021, 03:30 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	30,727		332		24,884	5,511	12,894	139	815,362

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 02-03-2021 05::24 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

30,727 Total confirmed cases

322 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 1 MAR 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 3 MAR 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

EXTRAORDINARY GAZETTE PAPER ON MOVEMENT RESTRICTIONS AND LIQUOR SALES IN MARCH https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V9QsMITYAee3wUeEgWj_gUdG8QNoKui2/view?fbclid=IwAR2xg1S-_h-gjaa1_ip1sHcPQ9MPQiGbCRpTwpiar1jW6Agps3f5OwF_PiI

NEWS

Development of Severe COVID-19 Adaptive Risk Predictor (SCARP), a Calculator to Predict Severe Disease or Death in Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M20-6754

Feelings towards COVID-19 vaccination in Africa. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(21)00082-7/fulltext

The COVID-19 exit strategy—why we need to aim low. https://wordpress.com/page/maggiesmusings688820798.com/1869

Identification and validation of clinical phenotypes with prognostic implications in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19: a multicentre cohort study. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(21)00019-0/fulltext

Traditional healers in South Africa are exposed to infection, but few can get protective gear. https://theconversation.com/traditional-healers-in-south-africa-are-exposed-to-infection-but-few-can-get-protective-gear-155412?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=bylinetwitterbutton

COVAX vaccine programme to deliver 237 million doses to 142 nations by end-May. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who-vaccines/covax-vaccine-programme-to-deliver-237-million-doses-to-142-nations-by-end-may-idUSKBN2AU1CC

Pfizer requirements causing delays in COVAX deliveries: GAVI. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who-vaccines-pfize/pfizer-requirements-causing-delays-in-covax-deliveries-gavi-idUSKBN2AU1GH

The search for animals harbouring coronavirus — and why it matters. Scientists are monitoring pets, livestock and wildlife to work out where SARS-CoV-2 could hide, and whether it could resurge. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00531-z

Scientists want virtual meetings to stay after the COVID pandemic. A Nature poll shows that a year of online research conferences has brought big benefits, but blending them with in-person meetings in future will be a challenge. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00513-1

COVID research updates: Just one dose of vaccine protects against silent COVID infection. Nature wades through the literature on the coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

Critics slam letter in prestigious journal that downplayed COVID-19 risks to Swedish schoolchildren. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/03/critics-slam-letter-prestigious-journal-downplayed-covid-19-risks-swedish

The Variant Gambit: COVID’s Next Move. https://www.cell.com/cell-host-microbe/fulltext/S1931-3128(21)00099-8?utm_medium=homepage

Soluble ACE2-mediated cell entry of SARS-CoV-2 via interaction with proteins related to the renin-angiotensin system. https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(21)00283-X

Assessment of Respiratory Function in Infants and Young Children Wearing Face Masks During the COVID-19. Pandemic https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776928

An urgent call to collect data related to COVID-19 and Indigenous populations globally. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e004655

Covid-19: Where are we on vaccines and variants?. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n597

Covid-19: Single dose of Pfizer and Oxford vaccines cuts risk of hospital admission by 80% in over 80s, data suggest. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n612

RESOURCES

Peña Course: The 65th Workshop for the Surgical Treatment of Colorectal Problems in Children. Virtual. Free. Registration required. March 25, 2021 to March 26, 2021. https://ce.childrenscolorado.org/content/pe%C3%B1a-course-65th-workshop-surgical-treatment-colorectal-problems-children#group-tabs-node-course-default1

OTHER NEWS

FROM 2 MARCH

The $450 question: Should journals pay peer reviewers? https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/03/450-question-should-journals-pay-peer-reviewers

Improving lung health in low-income and middle-income countries: from challenges to solutions. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00458-X/fulltext

The changing face of medical professionalism and the impact of COVID-19. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00436-0/fulltext

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Thursday, 4 March 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAR 4, 2021, 04:53 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	30,727		332		24,884	5,511	12,894	139	815,362

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 03-04-2021 06:23 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

30,727 Total confirmed cases

322 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 2 MAR 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 3 MAR 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

EXTRAORDINARY GAZETTE PAPER ON MOVEMENT RESTRICTIONS AND LIQUOR SALES IN MARCH https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V9QsMITYAee3wUeEgWj_gUdG8QNoKui2/view?fbclid=IwAR2xg1S-_h-gjaa1_ip1sHcPQ9MPQiGbCRpTwpiar1jW6Agps3f5OwF_PiI

NEWS

Kenya hails first vaccine ‘bazookas’, Rwanda secures Pfizer shots. Kenya received over a million doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday, while Rwanda said it was the first in Africa to secure shots from Pfizer, as efforts to inoculate the world’s poorest nations accelerated. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-africa/kenya-hails-first-vaccine-bazookas-rwanda-secures-pfizer-shots-idUSKBN2AV19V

South African scientists find antibodies from variant may offer cross-protection. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica/south-african-scientists-find-antibodies-from-variant-may-offer-cross-protection-idUSKBN2AV1NI

World Bank readies COVID-19 vaccine funds for around 30 African countries. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-africa-worldbank/world-bank-readies-covid-19-vaccine-funds-for-around-30-african-countries-idUSKBN2AV0X3

COVID is amplifying the inadequacy of research-evaluation processes.Systems for assessing scientists’ work must properly account for a lost year of research – especially for female researchers. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00527-9

COVID research updates: Kids in the classroom could mean COVID at home. Nature wades through the literature on the coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

Broad neutralization of H1 and H3 viruses by adjuvanted influenza HA stem vaccines in nonhuman primates. https://stm.sciencemag.org/content/13/583/eabe5449

International megatrial of coronavirus treatments is at a standstill. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/03/international-megatrial-coronavirus-treatments-standstill

Science and Society Are Failing Children in the COVID Era. The school reopening debate points toward a broader range of problems facing the young. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/science-and-society-are-failing-children-in-the-covid-era/

SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7 is susceptible to neutralizing antibodies elicited by ancestral Spike vaccines. https://www.cell.com/cell-host-microbe/fulltext/S1931-3128(21)00102-5

Can COVID-19 innovations and systems help low- and middle-income countries to re-imagine healthcare delivery? Several low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) have responded to COVID-19 much better than expected, despite little help from high-income nations. LMICs can learn from the COVID-19 experience and re-imagine healthcare delivery. Using Bangladesh and India as examples, we explain how COVID-19 investments and systems can be leveraged to fight endemic infectious diseases. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00069-6

Delayed Large Local Reactions to mRNA-1273 Vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2102131?query=featured_home

Choices in a Crisis — Individual Preferences among SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2102146?query=featured_home

Baricitinib plus Remdesivir for Hospitalized Adults with Covid-19. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2031994?query=featured_home

Delayed Second Dose versus Standard Regimen for Covid-19 Vaccination. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMclde2101987?query=featured_home

Audio Interview: A New SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine and a New Look at Treatment. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2103680?query=featured_home

The Potential Future of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Will SARS-CoV-2 Become a Recurrent Seasonal Infection? https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777343

Filtering Facepiece Respirator (N95 Respirator) Reprocessing. A Systematic Review. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777342

Alcohol Withdrawal Rates in Hospitalized Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776942

Covid-19: Schedule breast screening before vaccine or 4 to 6 weeks after to avoid false positives, says guidance. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n617

Covid-19: Universities may need to test students every three days to prevent major outbreaks, say researchers. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n618

Covid-19: Single dose of Pfizer and Oxford vaccines cuts risk of hospital admission by 80% in over 80s, data suggest. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n612

RESOURCES

The UC Berkeley Online MPH Program is offering a total of 14 Global Public Health fellowships for international MPH students in 2021. A generous gift from Gilead Sciences will provide 10 fellowships to students from LMICs. Four fellowships will be awarded to MPH students based in India thanks to a generous gift from the Morris Family Fund. Fellows will be selected via a competitive evaluation process. https://publichealth.berkeley.edu/academics/online/global-health-fellowships/

Free access to Med till Sept–Med Request access to Med today! (cell.com) https://info.cell.com/request-access-to-med

Peña Course: The 65th Workshop for the Surgical Treatment of Colorectal Problems in Children. Virtual. Free. Registration required. March 25, 2021 to March 26, 2021. https://ce.childrenscolorado.org/content/pe%C3%B1a-course-65th-workshop-surgical-treatment-colorectal-problems-children#group-tabs-node-course-default1

OTHER NEWS

Major Physics Society Will Not Meet in Cities with Racist Policing Records. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/major-physics-society-will-not-meet-in-cities-with-racist-policing-records/

Pop-culture references in peer-reviewed scientific articles. https://www.cell.com/matter/fulltext/S2590-2385(21)00064-3?utm_medium=homepage

Call to Action to All Surgery Journal Editors for Diversity in the Editorial and Peer Review Process. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2770073

Diversity Is Needed Throughout All Aspects of the Editorial Peer Review Process for Surgery Journals. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2776797

Cost-effectiveness of community health systems strengthening: quality improvement interventions at community level to realise maternal and child health gains in Kenya. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e002452

Treatment effects in randomised trials using routinely collected data for outcome assessment versus traditional trials: meta-research study. Randomised clinical trials using routinely collected data for outcome ascertainment show smaller treatment benefits than traditional trials not using routinely collected data. These differences could have implications for healthcare decision making and the application of real world evidence. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n450

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Friday, 5 March 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAR 5, 2021, 02:56 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	31,746	[1,019]	359	[27]	26,760	4,627	13,320	151	825,247

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 03-05-2021 05:25 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

31,746 Total confirmed cases

359 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 3 MAR 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 5 MAR 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS, FRONTLINE WORKERS, PEOPLE WITH SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITIONS AND THE ELDERLY TO BE GIVEN PRIORITY!

EXTRAORDINARY GAZETTE PAPER ON MOVEMENT RESTRICTIONS AND LIQUOR SALES IN MARCH https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V9QsMITYAee3wUeEgWj_gUdG8QNoKui2/view?fbclid=IwAR2xg1S-_h-gjaa1_ip1sHcPQ9MPQiGbCRpTwpiar1jW6Agps3f5OwF_PiI

NEWS

An interactive website tracking COVID-19 vaccine development. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00043-7/fulltext

US health agency will invest $1 billion to investigate ‘long COVID’. The National Institutes of Health will fund researchers to track people’s recovery, and will host a biospecimen bank. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00586-y

Preventing the Next Pandemic. An influenza pandemic like that of 1918 could make the scourge of COVID-19 look mild. A vaccine to prevent it may finally be possible. https://www.scientificamerican.com/custom-media/preventing-the-next-pandemic/?mvt=i&mvn=ea7817eb814444dc857f1518ed7dbb97&mvp=NA-SCIEAMERLIVE-11237933&mvl=TopicAgenda

Effect of Ivermectin on Time to Resolution of Symptoms Among Adults With Mild COVID-19. A Randomized Clinical Trial. The findings do not support the use of ivermectin for treatment of mild COVID-19, although larger trials may be needed to understand effects on other clinically relevant outcomes. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777389

Approaches for Optimal Use of Different COVID-19 Vaccines. Issues of Viral Variants and Vaccine Efficacy. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777390

COVID-19 in 2021—Continuing Uncertainty. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777391

The Potential Future of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Will SARS-CoV-2 Become a Recurrent Seasonal Infection? https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777343

Assessment of the Temporal Trajectory of Clinical Trials for COVID-19 Interventions After Highly Publicized Lay and Medical Attention. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776966

Most African countries to begin vaccination drives by end of March – WHO. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-africa-who/most-african-countries-to-begin-vaccination-drives-by-end-of-march-who-idUSKBN2AW1K5

Avoiding exploitation in multinational covid-19 vaccine trials. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n541

Covid-19: Highest death rates seen in countries with most overweight populations. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n623

Vitamin D and covid-19. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n544

Covid 19: Why we can’t risk another wave. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n609

Covid-19: 237m vaccine doses to be distributed worldwide over next three months. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n631

Single-dose Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine followed by a 12-week booster. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00528-6/fulltext

Azithromycin for community treatment of suspected COVID-19 in people at increased risk of an adverse clinical course in the UK (PRINCIPLE): a randomised, controlled, open-label, adaptive platform trial. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00461-X/fulltext

RESOURCES

Free access to Med till Sept–Med Request access to Med today! (cell.com) https://info.cell.com/request-access-to-med

Interprofessional Collaboration in Global Surgery. GLOBAL PERIOPERATIVE HEALTH ALLIANCE SYMPOSIUM. Robert Riviello, MD Keynote Speaker. https://med.emory.edu/departments/surgery/news-and-events/global-perioperative-symposium/schedule.html  Please use this form to register for the inaugural symposium to take place virtually on March 6th and 7th, 2021. (9:00 – 14:00EST – 4p-9p CAT ) https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdhd07659vhfAtU5bsXVg6tUqxTUrnkcYFcGjxShgxSnr_vcg/viewform

Peña Course: The 65th Workshop for the Surgical Treatment of Colorectal Problems in Children. Virtual. Free. Registration required. March 25, 2021 to March 26, 2021. https://ce.childrenscolorado.org/content/pe%C3%B1a-course-65th-workshop-surgical-treatment-colorectal-problems-children#group-tabs-node-course-default1

OTHER NEWS

First ever global guide for assistive technology to improve the life of millions. https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/first-ever-global-guide-for-assistive-technology-to-improve-the-life-of-millions

Estimated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Decolonization in Intensive Care Units Associated With Single-Application Chlorhexidine Gluconate or Mupirocin. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776969

Association of Ibuprofen Prescription With Acute Kidney Injury Among Hospitalized Children in China. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776972

Improving lung health in low-income and middle-income countries: from challenges to solutions. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00458-X/fulltext

FROM MARCH 4

Pop-culture references in peer-reviewed scientific articles. https://www.cell.com/matter/fulltext/S2590-2385(21)00064-3?utm_medium=homepage

Call to Action to All Surgery Journal Editors for Diversity in the Editorial and Peer Review Process. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2770073

Diversity Is Needed Throughout All Aspects of the Editorial Peer Review Process for Surgery Journals. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2776797

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Saturday, 6 March 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAR 6, 2021, 02:56 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	31,746	[1,019]	359	[27]	26,760	4,627	13,320	151	825,247

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 03-06-2021 05:25 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

31,746 Total confirmed cases

359 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 4 MAR 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 6 MAR 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS, FRONTLINE WORKERS, PEOPLE WITH SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITIONS AND THE ELDERLY TO BE GIVEN PRIORITY!

EXTRAORDINARY GAZETTE PAPER ON MOVEMENT RESTRICTIONS AND LIQUOR SALES IN MARCH https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V9QsMITYAee3wUeEgWj_gUdG8QNoKui2/view?fbclid=IwAR2xg1S-_h-gjaa1_ip1sHcPQ9MPQiGbCRpTwpiar1jW6Agps3f5OwF_PiI

NEWS

WHO chief calls for waiving of patents on tools to fight COVID-19. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who/who-chief-calls-for-waiving-of-patents-on-tools-to-fight-covid-19-idUSKBN2AX1ZG

‘Coronavirus can’t kill me now’; Africans cheer rollout of COVAX vaccinations. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-africa/coronavirus-cant-kill-me-now-africans-cheer-rollout-of-covax-vaccinations-idUSKBN2AX1UX

Rwanda becomes first African nation to use Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-rwanda/rwanda-becomes-first-african-nation-to-use-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-idUSKBN2AX1P1

South Africa in African Union talks on COVID-19 shots for 10 million people. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica/south-africa-in-african-union-talks-on-covid-19-shots-for-10-million-people-idUSKBN2AX0RP

‘Feeling great’: East Africa’s biggest economy Kenya starts vaccinations. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-kenya/feeling-great-east-africas-biggest-economy-kenya-starts-vaccinations-idUSKBN2AX14N

Multitude of coronavirus variants found in the US — but the threat is unclear. Ramped-up sequencing efforts are helping to identify mutations that might boost transmission or help a virus evade immune responses. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00564-4

Outcomes and Mortality Among Adults Hospitalized With COVID-19 at US Medical Centers. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777028

Offline: It’s time to ask questions and learn lessons. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00571-7/fulltext?utm_campaign=offline&utm_content=156601472&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&hss_channel=tw-27013292

RESOURCES

Free access to Med till Sept–Med Request access to Med today! (cell.com) https://info.cell.com/request-access-to-med

OTHER NEWS

WHO sees Ebola risk as “very high” for Guinea’s neighbours. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-ebola-who/who-sees-ebola-risk-as-very-high-for-guineas-neighbours-idUSKBN2AX0VS

Short-term, medium-term and long-term effects of early parenting interventions in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e004067

FROM 5 MARCH

Association of Ibuprofen Prescription With Acute Kidney Injury Among Hospitalized Children in China. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776972

Improving lung health in low-income and middle-income countries: from challenges to solutions. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00458-X/fulltext

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Monday, 8 March 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAR 8, 2021, 04:26 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	31,746	[1,019]	359	[27]	26,760	4,627	13,320	151	825,247

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 03-08-2021 05:26 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

31,746 Total confirmed cases

359 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 5 MAR 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 8 MAR 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS, FRONTLINE WORKERS, PEOPLE WITH SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITIONS AND THE ELDERLY TO BE GIVEN PRIORITY!

EXTRAORDINARY GAZETTE PAPER ON MOVEMENT RESTRICTIONS AND LIQUOR SALES IN MARCH https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V9QsMITYAee3wUeEgWj_gUdG8QNoKui2/view?fbclid=IwAR2xg1S-_h-gjaa1_ip1sHcPQ9MPQiGbCRpTwpiar1jW6Agps3f5OwF_PiI

NEWS

COVID research updates: T cells might provide rescue from rampant COVID variants. Nature wades through the literature on the coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

The impact of Spike mutations on SARS-CoV-2 neutralization. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(21)00204-7

Prevalence of Inflammatory Heart Disease Among Professional Athletes With Prior COVID-19 Infection Who Received Systematic Return-to-Play Cardiac Screening. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamacardiology/fullarticle/2777308

COVID-19 Contact Tracing as an Enduringly Important Public Health Tool. https://jamanetwork.com/channels/health-forum/fullarticle/2777327

Reports Spotlight COVID-19 Outbreaks in Gyms. https://jamanetwork.com/channels/health-forum/fullarticle/2777209

Single-dose Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine followed by a 12-week booster. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00528-6/fulltext

Funding and COVID-19 research priorities – are the research needs for Africa being met? [version 1; peer review: 2 approved] We found significantly lower funding investments in COVID-19 research in Africa compared to high-income countries, seven months into the pandemic, indicating a paucity of research targeting the research priorities of relevance to Africa. https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/3-56/v1?utm_medium=email&utm_source=etoc_alert_WEEKLY

Kenya’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic: a balance between minimising morbidity and adverse economic impact [version 1; peer review: 1 approved, 3 approved with reservations] https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/4-3/v1?utm_medium=email&utm_source=etoc_alert_WEEKLY

After old age, intellectual disability is greatest risk factor for death from COVID-19. https://www.mdlinx.com/news/after-old-age-intellectual-disability-is-greatest-risk-factor-for-death-from-covid-19/7AmHlmUtq4Uj2w1viBWpDB?show_order=2&utm_campaign=8+selections+3%2F7%2F2021+Evening+Alert&tag=Evening&utm_medium=email&ipost_environment=m3usainc&utm_source=iPost&iqs=9z2zd7l44fm71ce1d152as7u4vl313k8c7811o49ks8

RESOURCES

Free access to Med till Sept–Med Request access to Med today! (cell.com) https://info.cell.com/request-access-to-med

OTHER NEWS

Establishing Equity in Medical Education — Supporting Clinical Trainees with Disabilities. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2035279?query=WB

Medical Education Research Ethics, https://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/pages/collectiondetails.aspx?TopicalCollectionId=74&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=acadmedjournal&utm_content=c01ea2ca-2548-4f2d-af0d-0e9098263f28&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=acadmedjournal&utm_content=4f4f4015-ef7a-4ee8-be53-564bd3c62182

Barriers and facilitators of facility-based kangaroo mother care in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33663415/

FROM 6 MARCH

WHO sees Ebola risk as “very high” for Guinea’s neighbours. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-ebola-who/who-sees-ebola-risk-as-very-high-for-guineas-neighbours-idUSKBN2AX0VS

Short-term, medium-term and long-term effects of early parenting interventions in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e004067

FROM 5 MARCH

Association of Ibuprofen Prescription With Acute Kidney Injury Among Hospitalized Children in China. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776972

Improving lung health in low-income and middle-income countries: from challenges to solutions. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00458-X/fulltext

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Tuesday, 9 March 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAR 9, 2021, 04:51 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	32,912	[1,166]	413	[54]	26,760	4,627	13,320	151	825,247

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 03-09-2021 06:28 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

32,912 Total confirmed cases

413 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 7 MAR 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 9 MAR 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS, FRONTLINE WORKERS, PEOPLE WITH SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITIONS AND THE ELDERLY TO BE GIVEN PRIORITY!

EXTRAORDINARY GAZETTE PAPER ON MOVEMENT RESTRICTIONS AND LIQUOR SALES IN MARCH https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V9QsMITYAee3wUeEgWj_gUdG8QNoKui2/view?fbclid=IwAR2xg1S-_h-gjaa1_ip1sHcPQ9MPQiGbCRpTwpiar1jW6Agps3f5OwF_PiI

NEWS

Serological evidence of human infection with SARS-CoV-2: a systematic review and meta-analysis. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00026-7/fulltext

Coronapod: COVID’s origins and the ‘lab leak’ theory. Where did the coronavirus come from? https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00599-7

Acute Allergic Reactions to mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777417

JAMA Network Open—The Year in Review, 2020. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777138

Covid-19 has made the obesity epidemic worse, but failed to ignite enough action. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n411

Many ‘Long Covid’ Patients Had No Symptoms From Their Initial Infection. An analysis of electronic medical records in California found that 32 percent started with asymptomatic infections but reported troubling aftereffects weeks and months later. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/08/health/long-covid-asymptomatic.html

Women Report Worse Side Effects After a Covid Vaccine. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/08/health/vaccine-side-effects-women-men.html

RESOURCES

OTHER NEWS

Traces of psychedelics make you feel good, but so does placebo, finds unusual ‘self-blinding’ study. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/03/traces-psychedelics-make-you-feel-good-so-does-placebo-finds-unusual-self-blinding

Acetylcholine production by group 2 innate lymphoid cells promotes mucosal immunity to helminths. https://immunology.sciencemag.org/content/6/57/eabd0359

Fish, Cardiovascular Disease, and Mortality—What Is the Global Evidence? https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2777332

Impact and effect mechanisms of mass campaigns in resource-constrained health systems: quasi-experimental evidence from polio eradication in Nigeria. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e004248

A vaccine against malaria: five minutes with . . . Richard Bucala. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n651

The volume of general surgery emergency cases in a government hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic and two other periods: a comparative, retrospective study. https://bmcsurg.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12893-021-01131-4

Article processing charges are stalling the progress of African researchers: a call for urgent reforms. https://gh.bmj.com/content/5/9/e003650

Guidelines for Perioperative Care for Emergency Laparotomy Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Society Recommendations: Part 1—Preoperative: Diagnosis, Rapid Assessment and Optimization. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00268-021-05994-9?wt_mc=Internal.Event.1.SEM.ArticleAuthorOnlineFirst&utm_source=ArticleAuthorOnlineFirst&utm_medium=email&utm_content=AA_en_06082018&ArticleAuthorOnlineFirst_20210307

FROM 8 MARCH

Establishing Equity in Medical Education — Supporting Clinical Trainees with Disabilities. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2035279?query=WB

Barriers and facilitators of facility-based kangaroo mother care in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33663415/

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Wednesday, 10 March 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAR 10, 2021, 02:50 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	32,912		413		26,760	4,627	13,320	151	825,247

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 03-10-2021 04:24 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

32,912 Total confirmed cases

413 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 8 MAR 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 9 MAR 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS, FRONTLINE WORKERS, PEOPLE WITH SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITIONS AND THE ELDERLY TO BE GIVEN PRIORITY!

𝐁𝐎𝐓𝐒𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐀 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐒 𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃-𝟏𝟗 𝐕𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒 Vice President Slumber Tsogwane this afternoon received 30 000 of Covishield vaccines from India on behalf of the people of Botswana.. Tsogwane said the consignment is a donation from India, and it marks the beginning of a new journey where government will be rolling out vaccination exercise. Vice President said in a weeks’ time Botswana will receive another batch that has been ordered by government of Botswana. Meanwhile Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Edwin Dikoloti said the roll out plan of the vaccination will be communicated in due time. On the efficacy of the vaccine he said the Botswana Medical Regulatory authority as a body that regulates medicines in Botswana, will do the necessary diligence before roll outs starts.

NEWS

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in six districts in Zambia in July, 2020: a cross-sectional cluster sample survey. The estimated number of SARS-CoV-2 infections was much higher than the number of reported cases in six districts in Zambia. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00053-X/fulltext

Waiving patents alone won’t solve COVID-19 vaccine access: developers. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who-ip/waiving-patents-alone-wont-solve-covid-19-vaccine-access-developers-idUSKBN2B0269

Pregnancy and COVID: what the data say. Pregnant women fare worse than others, although the risks to the fetus are slight. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00578-y

Emergence of a SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern with mutations in spike glycoprotein. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03402-9

WTO members urge DG to hold urgent talks with COVID-19 vaccine developers – document. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-trade-wto-vaccines-document/wto-members-urge-dg-to-hold-urgent-talks-with-covid-19-vaccine-developers-document-idUSKBN2B12NQ

Zimbabwe authorises Sputnik V, Sinovac coronavirus vaccines for emergency use. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-zimbabwe-vaccine/zimbabwe-authorises-sputnik-v-sinovac-coronavirus-vaccines-for-emergency-use-idUSKBN2B12IK

‘Does anyone have any of these?’: Lab-supply shortages strike amid global pandemic. Scientific labs worldwide struggle to find enough sterile gloves and other basics as supply and manufacturing chains break down. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00613-y

Countries now scrambling for COVID-19 vaccines may soon have surpluses to donate. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/03/countries-now-scrambling-covid-19-vaccines-may-soon-have-surpluses-donate

‘On the verge of a breakdown.’ Report highlights women academics’ pandemic challenges. https://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2021/03/verge-breakdown-report-highlights-women-academics-pandemic-challenges

All Medical Students Should Be Vaccinated. A patchwork of policies from state to state has led to confusion and sometimes resentment. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/all-medical-students-should-be-vaccinated/

The Organoid Platform: Promises and Challenges as Tools in the Fight against COVID-19. https://www.cell.com/stem-cell-reports/fulltext/S2213-6711(20)30457-4?utm_medium=homepage

Mitigating gender-based violence risk in the context of COVID-19: lessons from humanitarian crises. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e005448

Risk of mortality in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern 202012/1: matched cohort study. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n579

Serological evidence of human infection with SARS-CoV-2: a systematic review and meta-analysis. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00026-7/fulltext

Timing of surgery following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection: an international prospective cohort study. https://associationofanaesthetists-publications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/anae.15458

RESOURCES

OTHER NEWS

Achilles’ heel spotted for promising HIV prevention drug. Bi-monthly injections of cabotegravir kept most people free of HIV, but also hid infections and fueled resistance in rare cases, study finds. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00618-7

FROM 9 MARCH

Acetylcholine production by group 2 innate lymphoid cells promotes mucosal immunity to helminths. https://immunology.sciencemag.org/content/6/57/eabd0359

Fish, Cardiovascular Disease, and Mortality—What Is the Global Evidence? https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2777332

Impact and effect mechanisms of mass campaigns in resource-constrained health systems: quasi-experimental evidence from polio eradication in Nigeria. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e004248

A vaccine against malaria: five minutes with . . . Richard Bucala. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n651

Article processing charges are stalling the progress of African researchers: a call for urgent reforms. https://gh.bmj.com/content/5/9/e003650

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Thursday, 11 March 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAR 11, 2021, 02:48 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	32,912		413		26,760	4,627	13,320	151	825,247

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 03-11-2021 05:25 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

32,912 Total confirmed cases

413 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 9 MAR 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 11 MAR 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS, FRONTLINE WORKERS, PEOPLE WITH SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITIONS AND THE ELDERLY TO BE GIVEN PRIORITY!

𝐁𝐎𝐓𝐒𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐀 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐒 𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃-𝟏𝟗 𝐕𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒 Vice President Slumber Tsogwane this afternoon received 30 000 of Covishield vaccines from India on behalf of the people of Botswana.. Tsogwane said the consignment is a donation from India, and it marks the beginning of a new journey where government will be rolling out vaccination exercise. Vice President said in a weeks’ time Botswana will receive another batch that has been ordered by government of Botswana. Meanwhile Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Edwin Dikoloti said the roll out plan of the vaccination will be communicated in due time. On the efficacy of the vaccine he said the Botswana Medical Regulatory authority as a body that regulates medicines in Botswana, will do the necessary diligence before roll outs starts.

NEWS

On the importance of primary and community healthcare in relation to global health and environmental threats: lessons from the COVID-19 crisis. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e004111

Rich, developing nations wrangle over COVID vaccine patents. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-wto/rich-developing-nations-wrangle-over-covid-vaccine-patents-idUSKBN2B21V9

Explainer: Activists, drug groups split over suspending COVID-19 shot patents. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-wto-vaccines-expla/explainer-activists-drug-groups-split-over-suspending-covid-19-shot-patents-idUSKBN2B2285

UNICEF chief: $1 billion more needed for COVAX COVID-19 vaccine rollout. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-unicef/unicef-chief-1-billion-more-needed-for-covax-covid-19-vaccine-rollout-idUSKBN2B21MR

Vaccine deliveries under COVAX vaccine-sharing scheme. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccine/vaccine-deliveries-under-covax-vaccine-sharing-scheme-idUSKBN2B20YL

COVID research updates: A worrisome coronavirus variant brings hope for better vaccines. Nature wades through the literature on the coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

SARS-CoV-2 within-host diversity and transmission. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2021/03/09/science.abg0821

Epidemiological and evolutionary considerations of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine dosing regimes. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2021/03/08/science.abg8663

So, What Can People Actually Do after Being Vaccinated?. It’s complicated; not even the experts agree. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/so-what-can-people-actually-do-after-being-vaccinated/

What the CDC Guidelines for Vaccinated People Mean

Infectious disease specialist Nahid Bhadelia discusses new recommendations on how vaccinated people can gather with one another and small groups of unvaccinated individuals. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-the-cdc-guidelines-for-vaccinated-people-mean/

Audio Interview: The Implications of Changes in the Structural Biology of SARS-CoV-2. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2104138?query=featured_home

Doctor, How Long Should I Isolate? https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMclde2100910?query=featured_home

Antibody Responses in Seropositive Persons after a Single Dose of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2101667?query=featured_home

Seroprevalence surveys in sub-Saharan Africa: what do they tell us? https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00092-9/fulltext

CDC Interim Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People. An Important First Step. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777536

Risk Factors Associated With SARS-CoV-2 Seropositivity Among US Health Care Personnel. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777317

Association of Age With Likelihood of Developing Symptoms and Critical Disease Among Close Contacts Exposed to Patients With Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Italy. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777314

Assessment of Acute Kidney Injury and Longitudinal Kidney Function After Hospital Discharge Among Patients With and Without COVID-19. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777315

Characteristics of and Mortality Associated With Diabetic Ketoacidosis Among US Patients Hospitalized With or Without COVID-19. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777312

Risk of mortality in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern 202012/1: matched cohort study. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n579

Severe covid-19 pneumonia: pathogenesis and clinical management. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n436

How can we improve self-isolation and quarantine for covid-19? https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n625

Update to living systematic review on covid-19 in pregnancy. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n615

Mental health of children and young people during pandemic. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n614

RESOURCES

OTHER NEWS

Establishing Equity in Medical Education — Supporting Clinical Trainees with Disabilities. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2035279?query=featured_home

Severe malnutrition or famine exposure in childhood and cardiometabolic non-communicable disease later in life: a systematic review. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e003161

Community-based antibiotic access and use in six low-income and middle-income countries: a mixed-method approach. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00024-3/fulltext

FROM 10 MARCH

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Friday, 12 March 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAR 12, 2021, 04:47 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	34,098	[1186]	424	[11]	28,882	4,792	14,301	178	856,135

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 03-12-2021 06:22 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

34,098 Total confirmed cases

424 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 9 MAR 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 11 MAR 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS, FRONTLINE WORKERS, PEOPLE WITH SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITIONS AND THE ELDERLY TO BE GIVEN PRIORITY!

𝐁𝐎𝐓𝐒𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐀 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐒 𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃-𝟏𝟗 𝐕𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒 Vice President Slumber Tsogwane this afternoon received 30 000 of Covishield vaccines from India on behalf of the people of Botswana.. Tsogwane said the consignment is a donation from India, and it marks the beginning of a new journey where government will be rolling out vaccination exercise. Vice President said in a weeks’ time Botswana will receive another batch that has been ordered by government of Botswana. Meanwhile Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Edwin Dikoloti said the roll out plan of the vaccination will be communicated in due time. On the efficacy of the vaccine he said the Botswana Medical Regulatory authority as a body that regulates medicines in Botswana, will do the necessary diligence before roll outs starts.

NEWS

Access to COVID-19 vaccines: looking beyond COVAX. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00617-6/fulltext

COVID 19 Vaccine Perceptions: A 15 country study. https://africacdc.org/download/covid-19-vaccine-perceptions-a-15-country-study/?fbclid=IwAR3Ke3sqDuh8qBv_7X-Gw_gv9StQUJsilSNxR_9l1qb2PoX8EH7lZhboQy0

Breathless. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2032522?query=featured_home

Africans slam rich nations for blocking access to generic COVID vaccines. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-africa-vaccines/africans-slam-rich-nations-for-blocking-access-to-generic-covid-vaccines-idUSKBN2B32P9

Factbox: Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine recommended for EU authorization. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccines-johnson-j/factbox-johnson-johnsons-covid-19-vaccine-recommended-for-eu-authorization-idUSKBN2B31UV

Rich, developing nations wrangle over COVID vaccine patents. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-wto/rich-developing-nations-wrangle-over-covid-vaccine-patents-idUSKBN2B21V9

Explainer: Activists, drug groups in waiver war over COVID-19 shot patents. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-wto-vaccines-expla/explainer-activists-drug-groups-in-waiver-war-over-covid-19-shot-patents-idUSKBN2B2285

COVID research updates: Viral variant causes a more deadly form of COVID. Nature wades through the literature on the coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

Researchers race to develop antiviral weapons to fight the pandemic coronavirus. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/03/researchers-race-develop-antiviral-weapons-fight-pandemic-coronavirus

COVID, Quickly, Episode 2: Lessons From a Pandemic Year. https://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/covid-quickly-episode-2-lessons-from-a-pandemic-year/

Immunogenicity of the Ad26.COV2.S Vaccine for COVID-19. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777598

Assessment of Use and Fit of Face Masks Among Individuals in Public During the COVID-19 Pandemic in China. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777405

Redressing the impact of COVID-19 on medical education in Africa: the need for collective action. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e005067

Covid-19: European countries suspend use of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine after reports of blood clots. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n699

How the lessons of previous epidemics helped successful countries fight covid-19. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n486

The EMA covid-19 data leak, and what it tells us about mRNA instability. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n627

Check covid status when planning emergency bowel surgery, doctors are told. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n695

Update to living systematic review on covid-19 in pregnancy. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n615

RESOURCES

OTHER NEWS

Virtual Boot Camps—An Emerging Solution to the Undergraduate Medical Education–Graduate Medical Education Transition. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2774750

Treat physical and sexual violence against women as public health problem, says WHO. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n689

FROM 11 MARCH

Establishing Equity in Medical Education — Supporting Clinical Trainees with Disabilities. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2035279?query=featured_home

Severe malnutrition or famine exposure in childhood and cardiometabolic non-communicable disease later in life: a systematic review. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e003161

FROM 10 MARCH

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Saturday, 13 March 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAR 13, 2021, 04:48 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	34,098	[1186]	424	[11]	28,882	4,792	14,301	178	856,135

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 03-13-2021 06:24 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

34,098 Total confirmed cases

424 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 11 MAR 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 13 MAR 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

NEWS

Severe covid-19 pneumonia: pathogenesis and clinical management. https://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/372/bmj.n436.full.pdf

CDC’s ‘Huge Mistake’: Did Misguided Mask Advice Drive Up COVID Death Toll for Health Workers?. Until a month ago, the agency advised that a surgical mask was sufficient unless workers were performing “aerosol-generating procedures” https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/cdcs-huge-mistake-did-misguided-mask-advice-drive-up-covid-death-toll-for-health-workers/

Coronavirus News Roundup: March 6–March 12. Pandemic highlights for the week. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/coronavirus-news-roundup-march-6-march-12/

Multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants escape neutralization by vaccine-induced humoral immunity. https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(21)00298-1

Potent SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibodies Directed Against Spike N-Terminal Domain Target a Single Supersite. https://www.cell.com/cell-host-microbe/fulltext/S1931-3128(21)00133-5

Association of Acute Symptoms of COVID-19 and Symptoms of Depression in Adults. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777421

Ghana’s COVID-19 response: the Black Star can do even better. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e005569

Effect of Clear vs Standard Covered Masks on Communication With Patients During Surgical Clinic Encounters. A Randomized Clinical Trial. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/fullarticle/2777511?guestAccessKey=938af7ee-77c3-4f89-a529-068e3416f4ee&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social_jamasurg&utm_term=4567875719&utm_campaign=article_alert&linkId=113155881

WHO says no link between blood clots and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine as more nations suspend its use. https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/03/12/coronavirus-covid-live-updates-us/?utm_campaign=wp_post_most&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_most&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F3098867%2F604b9e9d9d2fda4c88077745%2F5cd2efff9bbc0f0bf88b0810%2F46%2F70%2F604b9e9d9d2fda4c88077745

Congo delays AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine rollout. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-astrazeneca-congo/congo-delays-astrazeneca-coronavirus-vaccine-rollout-idUSKBN2B428C

WHO’s Aylward hopes to have J&J vaccine in COVAX scheme by at least July. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who-covax/whos-aylward-hopes-to-have-jj-vaccine-in-covax-scheme-by-at-least-july-idUSKBN2B4256

WHO says its advisory committee looking at AstraZeneca vaccine issues. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who-vaccines/who-says-its-advisory-committee-looking-at-astrazeneca-vaccine-issues-idUSKBN2B418C

South Africa could get 20 million more J&J vaccine doses, minister says. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica-johnson-jo/south-africa-could-get-20-million-more-jj-vaccine-doses-minister-says-idUSKBN2B40VP

COVID antibody treatments show promise for preventing severe disease. But uptake by patients and physicians has been low in the United States, where some therapies have been authorized for months. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00650-7

COVID research updates: A small piece of land yields bats with a trove of new coronaviruses. Nature wades through the literature on the coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

Covid-19 leaves surgical training in crisis. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n659

Preventing the next pandemic: the power of a global viral surveillance network. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n485

Access to COVID-19 vaccines: looking beyond COVAX. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00617-6/fulltext

Rapid test can screen for SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. https://www.mdlinx.com/news/rapid-test-can-screen-for-sars-cov-2-variants-of-concern/3ki1IddjhI5M0Trblxt3zV?show_order=3&utm_campaign=8+selections+3%2F12%2F2021+Evening+Alert&tag=Evening&utm_source=iPost&ipost_environment=m3usainc&utm_medium=email&iqs=9z2zrkvin1h9lnvsvgbkvif63np8gsumpsaog3ct9bo

‘Friendly’ bacteria may impact COVID severity. https://www.mdlinx.com/news/-and-8216-friendly-and-8217-bacteria-may-impact-covid-severity/6fnMqqDZg3YrfJiFcRZEGi?show_order=8&tag=Evening&utm_campaign=8+selections+3%2F12%2F2021+Evening+Alert&utm_medium=email&utm_source=iPost&ipost_environment=m3usainc&iqs=9z2z968dickm1mu96kbdjoiu1pdv34mb7eh8np016qg

RESOURCES

OTHER NEWS

Cost and cost-effectiveness of a universal HIV testing and treatment intervention in Zambia and South Africa: evidence and projections from the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00034-6/fulltext

Science Needs to Face Up to Its Racist History. Elevating science’s role in policy making is important; so is reckoning with how science has been used to harm marginalized communities. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/science-needs-to-face-up-to-its-racist-history/

Temporal Associations Among Body Mass Index, Fasting Insulin, and Systemic Inflammation, A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777423

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy or Endocrine Therapy for Invasive Ductal Carcinoma of the Breast With High Hormone Receptor Positivity and Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 Negativity. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777427

Effect of Clear vs Standard Covered Masks on Communication With Patients During Surgical Clinic Encounters. A Randomized Clinical Trial. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/fullarticle/2777511

FROM 12 MARCH

Virtual Boot Camps—An Emerging Solution to the Undergraduate Medical Education–Graduate Medical Education Transition. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2774750

Treat physical and sexual violence against women as public health problem, says WHO. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n689

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Monday, 15 March 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAR 15, 2021, 03:14 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	34,098	[1186]	424	[11]	28,882	4,792	14,301	178	856,135

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 03-15-2021 05:26 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

34,098 Total confirmed cases

424 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 11 MAR 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 15 MAR 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

NEWS

Immunity to SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/371/6534/1103

Coronavirus: Research, Commentary, and News. https://www.sciencemag.org/collections/coronavirus

SARS-CoV-2 within-host diversity and transmission. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2021/03/10/science.abg0821?rss=1

Bacterial pulmonary superinfections are associated with longer duration of ventilation in critically ill COVID-19 patients. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00045-8

Discovery and functional interrogation of SARS-CoV-2 RNA-host protein interactions. https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(21)00297-X

RESOURCES

OTHER NEWS

New Ebola outbreak likely sparked by a person infected 5 years ago. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/03/new-ebola-outbreak-likely-sparked-person-infected-5-years-ago

Association of Early vs Late Tracheostomy Placement With Pneumonia and Ventilator Days in Critically Ill Patients. A Meta-analysis. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaotolaryngology/article-abstract/2777173

Rightsizing Treatment for Pneumonia in Children. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/2776974

Short-Course Antimicrobial Therapy for Pediatric Community-Acquired Pneumonia. The SAFER Randomized Clinical Trial, https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/2776976

Association of Umbilical Cord Management Strategies With Outcomes of Preterm Infants.A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/2776977

High‐flow nasal cannulae for respiratory support in adult intensive care patients. HFNC may lead to less treatment failure when compared to standard oxygen therapy, but probably makes little or no difference to treatment failure when compared to NIV or NIPPV. For most other review outcomes, we found no evidence of a difference in effect. However, the evidence was often of low or very low certainty. We found a large number of ongoing studies; including these in future updates could increase the certainty or may alter the direction of these effects. https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD010172.pub3/full

Retrospective study on the possible existence of a treatment paradox in sepsis scores in the emergency department. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/3/e046518

Establishing and augmenting views on the acceptability of a paediatric critical care randomised controlled trial (the FEVER trial): a mixed methods study. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/3/e041952

FROM 13 MARCH

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Tuesday, 16 March 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAR 16, 2021, 03:26 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	34,999	[901]	447	[23]	29,916	4,636	14,301	187	880,029

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 03-16-2021 05:26 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

34,999 Total confirmed cases

447 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 14 MAR 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 16 MAR 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

NEWS

Factbox: Latest on the worldwide spread of the coronavirus. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-latest/factbox-latest-on-the-worldwide-spread-of-the-coronavirus-idUSKBN2B715F

COVID-19 infections rose 11% over last week, WHO expert says. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who-infections/covid-19-infections-rose-11-over-last-week-who-expert-says-idUSKBN2B72FJ

WHO scientist says no deaths linked to COVID-19 shots, urges against panic. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who-vaccines-scien/who-scientist-says-no-deaths-linked-to-covid-19-shots-urges-against-panic-idUSKBN2B72DE

Ugandan leader says not yet had COVID vaccine as he’s “careful”. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-uganda/ugandan-leader-says-not-yet-had-covid-vaccine-as-hes-careful-idUSKBN2B71W2

Pandemic burnout is rampant in academia. Remote working, research delays and childcare obligations are taking their toll on scientists, causing stress and anxiety. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00663-2

Incentivizing Vaccination Uptake. The “Green Pass” Proposal in Israel. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777686

Association of Clinical, Biological, and Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings With Electroencephalographic Findings for Patients With COVID-19. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777441

SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence Data to Guide Local Public Health Interventions. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2777523

Factors Contributing to Missing COVID-19 Cases During Contact Tracing. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2777524

Evidence of the effectiveness of travel-related measures during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic: a rapid systematic review. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e004537

Children and the return to school: how much should we worry about covid-19 and long covid? https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n701

RESOURCES

OTHER NEWS

Zoom meetings present particular challenges for mothers. Here’s how colleagues can help. https://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2021/03/zoom-meetings-present-particular-challenges-mothers-here-s-how-colleagues-can-help

Assessment of Screening Mammography Recommendations by Breast Cancer Centers in the US. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2777520

Why you should share your data during a pandemic. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e004940

Preferred reporting items for journal and conference abstracts of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of diagnostic test accuracy studies (PRISMA-DTA for Abstracts): checklist, explanation, and elaboration. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n265

FROM 15 MARCH

New Ebola outbreak likely sparked by a person infected 5 years ago. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/03/new-ebola-outbreak-likely-sparked-person-infected-5-years-ago

Rightsizing Treatment for Pneumonia in Children. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/2776974

Short-Course Antimicrobial Therapy for Pediatric Community-Acquired Pneumonia. The SAFER Randomized Clinical Trial, https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/2776976

Retrospective study on the possible existence of a treatment paradox in sepsis scores in the emergency department. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/3/e046518

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Wednesday, 17 March 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAR 17, 2021, 04:19 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	34,999		447		29,916	4,636	14,301	187	880,029

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 03-17-2021 05:25 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

34,999 Total confirmed cases

447 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 15 MAR 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 16 MAR 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

NEWS

Antibody Response After SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Implications for Immunity. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M20-7547

Russia says its COVID vaccines work on new variants after South Africa cases discovered. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-russia-safrica/russia-says-its-covid-vaccines-work-on-new-variants-after-south-africa-cases-discovered-idUSKBN2B80OZ

COVID research updates: One mutation could explain a coronavirus variant’s rampage. Nature wades through the literature on the coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

Clofazimine broadly inhibits coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03431-4

Increased mortality in community-tested cases of SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.1.7. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03426-1

COVID Antibody Treatments Show Promise for Preventing Severe Disease. Uptake by patients and physicians has been low in the U.S., even though some therapies have been authorized for months. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/covid-antibody-treatments-show-promise-for-preventing-severe-disease/

The COVID-19 Postscript. A surprising number of COVID-recovered patients deal with an array of troublesome symptoms, well after the disease is gone. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-covid-19-postscript/

Many people who die of COVID-19 have the virus in their hearts. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/03/many-people-who-die-covid-19-have-virus-their-hearts

How do you treat coronavirus? Here are physicians’ best strategies | Science | AAAS (sciencemag.org). https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/03/how-do-you-treat-coronavirus-here-are-physicians-best-strategies

Structural impact on SARS-CoV-2 spike protein by D614G substitution. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2021/03/16/science.abf2303?rss=1

Efficacy of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Covid-19 Vaccine against the B.1.351 Variant. We conducted a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial to assess the safety and efficacy of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine (AZD1222) in people not infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in South Africa. A two-dose regimen of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine did not show protection against mild-to-moderate Covid-19 due to the B.1.351 variant. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2102214?query=featured_home

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in the US Adult Asymptomatic Population as of September 30, 2020. The findings of this cross-sectional study suggest that, based on a sample from an otherwise healthy population, the overall number of SARS-CoV-2 infections in the US may be substantially higher than estimates based on public health case reporting. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777502

Effectiveness of Elastomeric Half-Mask Respirators vs N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators During Simulated Resuscitation. A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777504

COVID-19 vaccines pricing policy options for low-income and middle- income countries. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e005347

The world must prepare now for the next pandemic. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e005184

RESOURCES

OTHER NEWS

Lesotho sacks hundreds of striking nurses as doctors warn of dire shortages. The African state was already struggling to cope with TB, HIV and Covid before latest response to demands for equal pay. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/mar/16/lesotho-sacks-hundreds-of-striking-nurses-as-doctors-warn-of-dire-shortages

‘We forget our troubles’: crystal meth use rises during lockdown in Zimbabwe. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/mar/16/crystal-meth-mutoriro-drug-use-rises-zimbabwe-lockdown

Modern Alchemists Turn Airborne CO2 into Diamonds. Each carat removes 20 tons of greenhouse gas from the sky, entrepreneurs say. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/modern-alchemists-turn-airborne-co2-into-diamonds/

Comparison of Survival Outcomes Among Patients With Breast Cancer With Distant vs Ipsilateral Supraclavicular Lymph Node Metastases. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777509

Adolescent health in the Sustainable Development Goal era: are we aligned for multisectoral action? https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e004448

Building back fairer in public health policy requires collective action with and for the most vulnerable in society. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e005555

The Lancet Global Health Commission on Global Eye Health: vision beyond 2020. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(20)30488-5/fulltext

Dynamic needs and challenges of people with drug-resistant tuberculosis and HIV in South Africa: a qualitative study. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(20)30548-9/fulltext

Variation in Calculating and Reporting Antimalarial Efficacy against Plasmodium falciparum in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review of Published Reports. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33724925/

FROM 16 MARCH

Assessment of Screening Mammography Recommendations by Breast Cancer Centers in the US. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2777520

Why you should share your data during a pandemic. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e004940

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Thursday, 18 March 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAR 18, 2021, 02:32 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	34,999		447		29,916	4,636	14,301	187	880,029

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 03-18-2021 03:26 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

34,999 Total confirmed cases

447 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 16 MAR 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 18 MAR 2021

NEWS

Uganda launches COVID-19 rapid test kit, eyes Africa market. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-testing-uganda/uganda-launches-covid-19-rapid-test-kit-eyes-africa-market-idUSKBN2B92NJ

Virus variants found to be deadlier, more contagious; some may thwart vaccines. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-science/virus-variants-found-to-be-deadlier-more-contagious-some-may-thwart-vaccines-idUSKBN2B92U7

COVID-19 has caused rich-poor split in sovereign rating cuts, study shows. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ratings-sovereign/covid-19-has-caused-rich-poor-split-in-sovereign-rating-cuts-study-shows-idUSKBN2B92OY

Daily briefing: Pandemic burnout is rampant in academia. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00714-8

Scarcity of COVID Shots Might Boost Demand among the Vaccine-Hesitant. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/scarcity-of-covid-shots-might-boost-demand-among-the-vaccine-hesitant/

‘It’s a very special picture.’ Why vaccine safety experts put the brakes on AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/03/it-s-very-special-picture-why-vaccine-safety-experts-put-brakes-astrazeneca-s-covid-19

Audio Interview: Efficacy of Current Covid-19 Vaccines against Variant Viruses. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2104584?query=featured_home

Efficacy of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Covid-19 Vaccine against the B.1.351 Variant. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2102214?query=featured_home

Four-Month Clinical Status of a Cohort of Patients After Hospitalization for COVID-19. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777787

Outcomes for Patients Following Hospitalization for COVID-19. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777784

COVID-19 Vaccines vs Variants—Determining How Much Immunity Is Enough. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777785

Experts Discuss COVID-19—Vaccine Questions, School Openings, and More. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777786

Vaccinating the world against COVID-19: getting the delivery right is the greatest challenge. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e005273

Domestic violence during the pandemic. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n722

RESOURCES

OTHER NEWS

Effector function does not contribute to protection from virus challenge by a highly potent HIV broadly neutralizing antibody in nonhuman primates. https://stm.sciencemag.org/content/13/585/eabe3349

Two Randomized Trials of Neutralizing Antibodies to Prevent HIV-1 Acquisition. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2031738?query=featured_home

Burden of disability in children and adolescents must be integrated into the global health agenda. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n9

Demographic challenges and opportunities for child health programming in Africa and Asia. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n19

A public health approach for deciding policy on infant feeding and mother–infant contact in the context of COVID-19. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(20)30538-6/fulltext

FROM 17 MARCH

Adolescent health in the Sustainable Development Goal era: are we aligned for multisectoral action? https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e004448

Building back fairer in public health policy requires collective action with and for the most vulnerable in society. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e005555

The Lancet Global Health Commission on Global Eye Health: vision beyond 2020. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(20)30488-5/fulltext

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Friday, 19 March 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAR 19, 2021, 04:27 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	35,493	[494]	458	[11]	31,128	3,907	14,881	192	889,158

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 03-19-2021 06:26 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

35,493 Total confirmed cases

458 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 17 MAR 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 19 MAR 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

NEWS

Aspirin use may decrease ventilation, ICU admission and death in COVID-19 patients. https://www.mdlinx.com/news/aspirin-use-may-decrease-ventilation-icu-admission-and-death-in-covid-19-patients/7qcGVS5t23ditJZFkpfXZt?show_order=2&utm_campaign=8+selections+3%2F18%2F2021+Evening+Alert&tag=Evening&ipost_environment=m3usainc&utm_medium=email&utm_source=iPost&iqs=9z2zgcmkhc8gk78hnvdm6gse41122tmef48q7rqs3og

Tanzania’s Covid-denying president, John Magufuli, dies aged 61. Leader’s death follows two-week absence from public life that prompted rumours he had virus. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/17/tanzanias-president-john-magufuli-dies-aged-61

African Union says use of AstraZeneca COVID shot should continue. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-africa/african-union-says-use-of-astrazeneca-covid-shot-should-continue-idUSKBN2BA13U

Existing COVID vaccines may protect against Brazilian variant – Oxford study. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-brazil-oxford/existing-covid-vaccines-may-protect-against-brazilian-variant-oxford-study-idUSKBN2BA16K

Five reasons why COVID herd immunity is probably impossible. Even with vaccination efforts in full force, the theoretical threshold for vanquishing COVID-19 looks to be out of reach. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00728-2

Has COVID peaked? Maybe, but it’s too soon to be sure. Global COVID-19 cases have fallen significantly since they peaked in early January. Scientists are asking whether this is the beginning of the end of the pandemic. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00705-9

European countries resume use of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine, hoping pause has not dented confidence. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/03/european-countries-resume-use-astrazenecas-covid-19-vaccine-hoping-pause-has-not-dented

Researchers hunt for cause of rare, COVID-19–linked immune disease in children. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/03/studies-chase-clues-help-kids-covid-19-linked-immune-syndrome

Achieving Path-Dependent Equity for Global COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00106-9

Serum Neutralizing Activity Elicited by mRNA-1273 Vaccine. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2102179?query=featured_home

Convalescent Plasma Antibody Levels and the Risk of Death from Covid-19. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2031893?query=featured_home

Effect of Intermediate-Dose vs Standard-Dose Prophylactic Anticoagulation on Thrombotic Events, Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Treatment, or Mortality Among Patients With COVID-19 Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. The INSPIRATION Randomized Clinical Trial. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777829

Finding the Optimal Thromboprophylaxis Dose in Patients With COVID-19. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777828

Key success factors of Mauritius in the fight against COVID-19. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e005372

Covid-19 dissenters—or the virtue in being less cheerful. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n731

Assessment of protection against reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 among 4 million PCR-tested individuals in Denmark in 2020: a population-level observational study. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00575-4/fulltext

COVID-19, community trials, and inclusion. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00661-9/fulltext

Triple jeopardy: disabled people and the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00625-5/fulltext

Association between living with children and outcomes from covid-19: OpenSAFELY cohort study of 12 million adults in England. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n628?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_term=hootsuite&utm_content=sme&utm_campaign=usage

Seroprevalence and humoral immune durability of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Wuhan, China: a longitudinal, population-level, cross-sectional study. First long-term #Wuhan seroprevalence study finds 6.9% of population had antibodies against #COVID19 by April 2020—with 82% of cases asymptomatic. 40% developed neutralising antibodies lasting at least 9 months. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00238-5/fulltext?utm_campaign=tlcoronavirus21&utm_content=158440806&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&hss_channel=tw-27013292

RESOURCES

OTHER NEWS

Excessive exercise training causes mitochondrial functional impairment and decreases glucose tolerance in healthy volunteers. https://www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/fulltext/S1550-4131(21)00102-9

Two Randomized Trials of Neutralizing Antibodies to Prevent HIV-1 Acquisition. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00106-9

The Political Nature of Sex — Transgender in the History of Medicine. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMms2029814?query=featured_home

STEP 1 for Effective Weight Control — Another First Step? https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2101705?query=featured_secondary

My Intern. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2004154?query=featured_secondary

Assessment of the Appropriateness of Antimicrobial Use in US Hospitals. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777635

Assessment of Concordance and Discordance Among Clinical Studies Posted as Preprints and Subsequently Published in High-Impact Journals. Although preprints are preliminary reports that should be critically assessed, similar to prior studies of text content,5 our findings suggest that the overarching study interpretations, as well as other study design details described in preprints of clinical studies that are subsequently published in high-impact journals, did not change markedly. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777629

Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Very Preterm Birth and Preterm Birth Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777602

Point-of-Care Digital Cytology With Artificial Intelligence for Cervical Cancer Screening in a Resource-Limited Setting. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777600

Methodological issues in economic evaluations of emergency transport systems in low-income and middle-income countries. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e004723

Ageism: a social determinant of health that has come of age. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00524-9/fulltext

Institutional Approaches to Mentoring Faculty Colleagues. https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2021/03/18/colleges-should-develop-formal-programs-mentoring-not-leave-it-individual-faculty?utm_campaign=to_build_an_inclusive_cli&utm_content=insidehighered&utm_medium=insidehighered&utm_source=insidehighered

FROM 18 MARCH

Two Randomized Trials of Neutralizing Antibodies to Prevent HIV-1 Acquisition. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2031738?query=featured_home

Burden of disability in children and adolescents must be integrated into the global health agenda. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n9

Demographic challenges and opportunities for child health programming in Africa and Asia. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n19

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Saturday, 20 March 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAR 20, 2021, 04:26 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	35,493	[494]	458	[11]	31,128	3,907	14,881	192	889,158

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 03-20-2021 06:25 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

35,493 Total confirmed cases

458 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 17 MAR 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 20 MAR 2021

NEWS

Free licensing of vaccines to end the COVID-19 crisis. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00467-0/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_email

Covid-19: AstraZeneca vaccine is not linked to increased risk of blood clots, finds European Medicine Agency. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n774

Long COVID symptoms are vanishing for some vaccinated patients, and we don’t know why. https://www.mdlinx.com/news/long-covid-symptoms-are-vanishing-for-some-vaccinated-patients-and-we-dont-know-why/3XhOczn4qhqmjLEUJnczGH?show_order=1&tag=Morning&utm_campaign=8+selections+3%2F19%2F2021+Morning+Alert&utm_medium=email&utm_source=iPost&ipost_environment=m3usainc&iqs=9z2z6s4h5imib467062ldi9r48a95dhhoa8orbie2co

Colombia’s President Duque offers to receive AstraZeneca vaccine to show safety. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-colombia/colombias-president-duque-offers-to-receive-astrazeneca-vaccine-to-show-safety-idUSKBN2BC00F

No virus variants can evade all antibody types, so far; new variants can infect mice. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-science/no-virus-variants-can-evade-all-antibody-types-so-far-new-variants-can-infect-mice-idUSKBN2BB2C2

Lessons from co-production of evidence and policy in Nigeria’s COVID-19 response. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e004793

Cameroon suspends use of AstraZeneca vaccine. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-astrazeneca-camero/cameroon-suspends-use-of-astrazeneca-vaccine-idUSKBN2BB1BQ

Rare COVID reactions might hold key to variant-proof vaccines. Some people mount an immune response able to fend off a menagerie of coronavirus variants. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00722-8

COVID research updates: Older people are at higher risk of getting COVID twice. Nature wades through the literature on the coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

Coronavirus News Roundup, March 13 – March 19. Pandemic highlights for the week. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/coronavirus-news-roundup-march-13-march-19/

Major coronavirus variant found in pets for first time. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/03/major-coronavirus-variant-found-pets-first-time

European countries resume use of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine, hoping pause has not dented confidence | Science | AAAS (sciencemag.org). https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/03/european-countries-resume-use-astrazenecas-covid-19-vaccine-hoping-pause-has-not-dented

Timing the SARS-CoV-2 index case in Hubei province. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2021/03/17/science.abf8003?rss=1

SARS-CoV-2 transmission without symptoms. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/371/6535/1206

Common variants at 21q22.3 locus influence MX1 and TMPRSS2 gene expression and susceptibility to severe COVID-19. https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(21)00290-X

A single intranasal dose of chimpanzee adenovirus-vectored vaccine protects against SARS-CoV-2 infection in rhesus macaques. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00046-X

Antiviral Drug Screen Identifies DNA-Damage Response Inhibitor as Potent Blocker of SARS-CoV-2 Replication. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(21)00254-0

The Silent Pandemic: Emergent Antibiotic Resistances Following the Global Response to SARS-CoV-2. https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(21)00272-8

COVID-19 Vaccines Based on Adenovirus Vectors. https://www.cell.com/trends/biochemical-sciences/fulltext/S0968-0004(21)00047-5

Therapeutic Potential of Metformin in COVID-19: Reasoning for its Protective Role. https://www.cell.com/trends/microbiology/fulltext/S0966-842X(21)00063-9

Neutralizing Antibodies Against SARS-CoV-2 Variants After Infection and Vaccination. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777898

Association of Vitamin D Levels, Race/Ethnicity, and Clinical Characteristics With COVID-19 Test Results. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777682

Covid-19: What do we know about Sputnik V and other Russian vaccines? https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n743

Covid-19: Stronger warnings are needed to curb socialising after vaccination, say doctors. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n783

Covid-19: Doctors must be allowed to rest and recover for patients’ safety, says BMA. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n777

Covid-19 vaccine shortages: what is the cause and what are the implications? https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n781

RESOURCES

OTHER NEWS

Redressing the impact of COVID-19 on medical education in Africa: the need for collective action. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7956729/

Trajectories of Children’s Executive Function After Traumatic Brain Injury. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777681

World TB day: a new opportunity to reimagine workplace health. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e005601

FROM 19 MARCH

Two Randomized Trials of Neutralizing Antibodies to Prevent HIV-1 Acquisition. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00106-9

The Political Nature of Sex — Transgender in the History of Medicine. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMms2029814?query=featured_home

STEP 1 for Effective Weight Control — Another First Step? https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2101705?query=featured_secondary

My Intern. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2004154?query=featured_secondary

Assessment of the Appropriateness of Antimicrobial Use in US Hospitals. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777635

Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Very Preterm Birth and Preterm Birth Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777602

Point-of-Care Digital Cytology With Artificial Intelligence for Cervical Cancer Screening in a Resource-Limited Setting. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777600

Methodological issues in economic evaluations of emergency transport systems in low-income and middle-income countries. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e004723

Ageism: a social determinant of health that has come of age. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00524-9/fulltext

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Monday, 22 March 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAR 22, 2021, 03:03 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	35,493		458		31,128	3,907	14,881	192	889,158

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 03-22-2021 04:27 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

35,493 Total confirmed cases

458 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 21 MAR 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/ NEW FORMAT TODAY

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 22 MAR 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

NEWS

Tanzania’s first female leader urges unity after Covid sceptic Magufuli dies. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/19/tanzania-swears-in-samia-suluhu-hassan-as-first-female-president

China donates 400,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine to Niger. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-niger/china-donates-400000-doses-of-sinopharm-vaccine-to-niger-idUSKBN2BD0UE

South Africa sells AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines to other African countries. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica-vaccine/south-africa-sells-astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccines-to-other-african-countries-idUSKBN2BD0K4

Kenyan COVID vaccine offer to diplomats draws local doctors’ ire. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-kenya/kenyan-covid-vaccine-offer-to-diplomats-draws-local-doctors-ire-idUSKBN2BC0LH

Factbox: Latest on the worldwide spread of the coronavirus. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-latest-factbox/factbox-latest-on-the-worldwide-spread-of-the-coronavirus-idUSKBN2BB15O

No virus variants can evade all antibody types, so far; new variants can infect mice. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-science/no-virus-variants-can-evade-all-antibody-types-so-far-new-variants-can-infect-mice-idUSKBN2BB2C2

We Need Social Science, Not Just Medical Science, to Beat the Pandemic. Human behavior and social inequity are huge confounding factors. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/we-need-social-science-not-just-medical-science-to-beat-the-pandemic/

European countries resume use of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine, hoping pause has not dented confidence. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/03/european-countries-resume-use-astrazenecas-covid-19-vaccine-hoping-pause-has-not-dented

Key success factors of Mauritius in the fight against COVID-19. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e005372

RESOURCES

GLOBAL SURGERY STUDENT ALLIANCE. Registration is free Events on March 25th –and 27th: Registration is free https://www.globalsurgerystudents.org All events will be held exclusively in a virtual environment REGISTRATION: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdqB0P7929rCYGyGKQzZbgElT0H5MW2q2FbTtLiszhe7m7nKQ/viewform

OTHER NEWS

Smile Train and BioDigital Shatter Barriers in Surgical Training Technology with Innovative, Accessible New App. https://www.smiletrain.org/news/smile-train-and-biodigital-shatter-barriers-surgical-training-technology-innovative-accessible. TO DOWNLOAD: https://www.smiletrain.org/medical-professionals/virtual-surgery-simulator

REVISED Analysis of the MUII-plus mentorship programme: reflections of Fellows’ experiences and lessons for other programmes [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations]. https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/3-37/v2?utm_medium=email&utm_source=etoc_alert_WEEKLY

Community-networks that facilitate engagement in health research: Ifakara Health Research Institute-Bagamoyo case study [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]. https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/4-13

REVISED Institutionalizing research capacity strengthening in LMICs: A systematic review and meta-synthesis [version 3; peer review: 2 approved]. https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/3-43

Predictors of mortality in COPD exacerbation cases presenting to the respiratory intensive care unit. https://respiratory-research.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12931-021-01657-4

FROM 20 MARCH

Redressing the impact of COVID-19 on medical education in Africa: the need for collective action. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7956729/

Trajectories of Children’s Executive Function After Traumatic Brain Injury. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777681

World TB day: a new opportunity to reimagine workplace health. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e005601

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Tuesday, 23 March 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAR 23, 2021, 03:27 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	37,559	[2,066]	485	[27]	32,550	4,524	15,743	203	901,776

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 03-23-2021 05:25 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

35,493 Total confirmed cases

458 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 22 MAR 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/ NEW FORMAT TODAY

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 23 MAR 2021

NEWS

Covid-19: AstraZeneca vaccine prevents 79% of symptomatic disease and 100% of severe disease, US study finds. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n793

SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, COVID‐19 and timing of elective surgery. https://associationofanaesthetists-publications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/anae.15464

African countries keen on AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine: WHO. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who-astrazeneca/african-countries-keen-on-astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine-who-idUSKBN2BE2MS

Common fungus emerges as threat to hospitalized COVID-19 patients. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/03/common-fungus-emerges-threat-hospitalized-covid-19-patients

AstraZeneca reports powerful COVID-19 protection in new vaccine trial. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/03/astrazeneca-reports-powerful-covid-19-protection-new-vaccine-trial

Association of Age With SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Response. This analysis revealed distinct antibody responses in different age groups, suggesting that age-targeted strategies for disease screening and management as well as vaccine development may be warranted. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777743

Body Weight Changes During Pandemic-Related Shelter-in-Place in a Longitudinal Cohort Study. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777737

Characterising the impact of COVID-19 environment on mental health, gender affirming services and socioeconomic loss in a global sample of transgender and non-binary people: a structural equation modelling. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e004424

Impact of social isolation on mortality and morbidity in 20 high-income, middle-income and low-income countries in five continents. Social isolation is associated with increased risk of mortality in countries at different economic levels. The increasing share of older people in populations in many countries argues for targeted strategies to mitigate its adverse effects. The HIC include Canada, Saudi Arabia, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates. The MIC include Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Iran, Malaysia, Palestine, Philippines, Poland, South Africa and Turkey. The LIC include Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e004124

Scholarly communications harmed by covid-19. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n742

Covid ‘may leave 12 million children unable to read’. UN finds pandemic is widening education inequality with millions of girls unlikely to return to school. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/mar/22/un-covid-impact-education-inequality-half-children-cannot-read-by-age-10

Congolese presidential candidate dies from Covid on election day. Guy Brice Parfait Kolelas, who urged voters to ‘fight for change’, died as he was being flown to France for treatment. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/22/congolese-presidential-candidate-dies-from-covid-on-election-day

Nigeria suspends Emirates flights over COVID-19 tests. Aviation minister Hadi Sirika told a news conference that the airline had demanded passengers from Nigeria undertake three COVID-19 tests within 24 hours, leading the government to suspend its operations, with the exemption of cargo and humanitarian flights. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-nigeria-aviation/nigeria-suspends-emirates-flights-over-covid-19-tests-idUSKBN2BE2OR

RESOURCES

OTHER NEWS

Surgical service monitoring and quality control systems at district hospitals in Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia: a mixed-methods study. https://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/early/2021/03/16/bmjqs-2020-012751

COVID-19 Postage Stamps—Messages in a Message. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777922

Association Between Disturbed Sleep and Depression in Children and Youths. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Cohort Studies. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777741

FROM 22 MARCH

REVISED Institutionalizing research capacity strengthening in LMICs: A systematic review and meta-synthesis [version 3; peer review: 2 approved]. https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/3-43

Predictors of mortality in COPD exacerbation cases presenting to the respiratory intensive care unit. https://respiratory-research.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12931-021-01657-4

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Wednesday, 24 March 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAR 24, 2021, 03:38 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	37,559		485		32,550	4,524	15,743	203	901,776

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 03-24-2021 04:23 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

37,559 Total confirmed cases

485 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 23 MAR 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/ NEW FORMAT TODAY

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 24 MAR 2021

https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/1346126279163203584/photo/1

PRESS RELEASE – RESTRICTION OF MOVEMENTS

Notice is hereby given that His Excellency the President of the Republic of Botswana Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, has in accordance with Regulation 5 (1) and (4) of the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) Regulations, 2020, and on evidence submitted to him by the Director of Health Services that the risks posed by COVID-19 have increased in Botswana, varied the restriction on movement from the 23rd March, 2021 to the 31st March, 2021.

The restriction on movement of persons shall continue to apply from 2000 hours to 0400 hours daily.

For the avoidance of doubt –

1) A person shall be required to carry a movement permit (essential services) issued under Regulation 7 (1) to travel during the hours where movement is restricted; and

2) From the 23rd March, 2021 to the 31st March, 2021, all gatherings are suspended with the exception of the following –

(a) a meeting of Cabinet;

(b) a meeting of the National Assembly;

(c) a meeting of a Council;

(d) a meeting of the National Task Force on COVID-19;

(e) a funeral may be held with a maximum of 50 persons for a maximum of two hours;

(f) a religious service may be held on any two days of the week, for less than two hours and the number of persons attending a service shall not exceed 50;

(g) wedding celebrations are suspended:

Provided that a solemnization may be held with a maximum of four persons excluding administrators;

(h) a cultural and traditional occasion (go isa mafoko, patlo, magadi, kgoroso) may be held with a maximum of 16 persons for a maximum of two hours;

(i) a meeting and workshop may be held with a maximum of 50 persons for a maximum of two hours;

(j) a restaurant shall operate at half capacity for on-site dining, with a maximum of 50 persons (excluding staff) at any given time; and

(k) sports and recreational activities are suspended:

Provided that a national team sport activity may be held and spectators shall not be in attendance at the facility where the national team sport activity is held.

NEWS

Evidence mounting that COVID-19 can cause diabetes type 2. https://www.mdlinx.com/news/evidence-mounting-that-covid-19-can-cause-diabetes-type-2/2GWAJJZI2Vys8XjcSB2Wgd?show_order=2&utm_campaign=8+selections+3%2F22%2F2021+Evening+Alert&tag=Evening&utm_medium=email&utm_source=iPost&ipost_environment=m3usainc&iqs=9z2z9v6r7jcv56s6o3selanl5bo8dvqrs1fe2og05a8

Targeting androgen regulation of TMPRSS2 and ACE2 as a therapeutic strategy to combat COVID-19. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004221002224?via%3Dihub

Beyond the tip of the iceberg: direct and indirect effects of COVID-19. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landig/article/PIIS2589-7500(21)00024-8/fulltext

Ghana takes delivery of first COVID-19 vaccines donated by MTN Group. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-ghana-vaccine/ghana-takes-delivery-of-first-covid-19-vaccines-donated-by-mtn-group-idUSKBN2BF2S8

Russia tests one-dose ‘light’ version of Sputnik V shot in UAE, Ghana – RDIF. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccine-russia-lig/russia-tests-one-dose-light-version-of-sputnik-v-shot-in-uae-ghana-rdif-idUSKBN2BF1OT

Daily briefing: The future of variant-proof vaccines. Rare COVID reactions might hold key to variant-proof vaccines. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00787-5

Politicians must dial down the rhetoric over COVID vaccines. Vaccine confidence will be the casualty of Europe’s war of words over the AstraZeneca–Oxford vaccine. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00769-7

Data concerns and safety worries fuel crisis of confidence in AstraZeneca vaccine. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/03/data-concerns-and-safety-worries-fuel-crisis-confidence-astrazeneca-vaccine

Early Evidence of the Effect of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine at One Medical Center. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2102153?query=featured_home

BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine Effectiveness among Health Care Workers. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2101951?query=featured_home

Antibody Responses after a Single Dose of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2102051?query=featured_home

SARS-CoV-2 Infection after Vaccination in Health Care Workers in California. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2101927?query=featured_home

On the Shoulders of Giants — From Jenner’s Cowpox to mRNA Covid Vaccines. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2034334?query=featured_secondary

Trends in Health Care Worker Intentions to Receive a COVID-19 Vaccine and Reasons for Hesitancy. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777776

Covid-19: variants and vaccination. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n771

Covid-19: Officials query data from AstraZeneca’s US vaccine trial. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n807

How health data have been used during covid-19, and whether the changes are here to stay. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n681

RESOURCES

OTHER NEWS

The fight against fake-paper factories that churn out sham science. Some publishers say they are battling industrialized cheating. A Nature analysis examines the ‘paper mill’ problem — and how editors are trying to cope. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00733-5

International Variation in Intubation and Extubation Practices and Adverse Events Among Critically Ill Patients Receiving Mechanical Ventilation. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2777692

Prevalence of Missing Data in the National Cancer Database and Association With Overall Survival. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777777

Decolonising global health in 2021: a roadmap to move from rhetoric to reform. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e005604

The changing climates of global health. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e005442

Understanding global mental health: a conceptual review. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e004631

Developing more detailed taxonomies of tobacco industry political activity in low-income and middle-income countries: qualitative evidence from eight countries. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e004096

Employing learning health system principles to advance research on severe neonatal and paediatric illness in Kenya. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e005300

The potential role of long-acting injectable cabotegravir–rilpivirine in the treatment of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: a modelling analysis. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00025-5/fulltext

COVID associated with hearing loss, tinnitus and vertigo – new study confirms link. Our analysis of the pooled data, published in the International Journal of Audiology, reveals that 7%-15% of adults diagnosed with COVID-19 report audio-vestibular symptoms. https://theconversation.com/covid-associated-with-hearing-loss-tinnitus-and-vertigo-new-study-confirms-link-157522

Inclusion for women in surgery involves re-envisioning the surgeon archetype: A commentary for the Social Consciousness in Surgical Care and Research series for Surgery. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0039606021000921?dgcid=coauthor

FROM 23 MARCH

COVID-19 Postage Stamps—Messages in a Message. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777922

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Thursday, 25 March 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAR 25, 2021, 03:38 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	37,559		485		32,550	4,524	15,743	203	901,776

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 03-25-2021 04:27 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

37,559 Total confirmed cases

485 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 24 MAR 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 25 MAR 2021

BWgovernment AVOID TRAVELING DURING THE UPCOMING EASTER HOLIDAYS, IT’S THE SAFEST THING TO DO.

#LetsDefeatCOVID19Together #AReFenyengCOVID19Mmogo

NEWS

Vaccine Efficacy of ALVAC-HIV and Bivalent Subtype C gp120–MF59 in Adults. A safe, effective vaccine is essential to eradicating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. A canarypox–protein HIV vaccine regimen (ALVAC-HIV plus AIDSVAX B/E) showed modest efficacy in reducing infection in Thailand. An analogous regimen using HIV-1 subtype C virus showed potent humoral and cellular responses in a phase 1–2a trial in South Africa. Efficacy data and additional safety data were needed for this regimen in a larger population in South Africa. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2031499?query=featured_home

Leveraging Open Science to Accelerate Research. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2034518?query=featured_home

Covid-19 and the Investigator Pipeline. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2100086?query=featured_home

Long-haul COVID: Physicians review what’s known. https://www.mdlinx.com/news/long-haul-covid-physicians-review-whats-known/56KAepT7bL3d1f8UJpqMS2?show_order=2&utm_campaign=8+selections+3%2F24%2F2021+Morning+Alert&tag=Morning&utm_medium=email&ipost_environment=m3usainc&utm_source=iPost&iqs=9z2zp4s61imsf6cll4pvph2ndvcmdqq4tfd339v0f8o

Common cold virus could offer some level of protection against COVID-19 infection, new study suggests. https://www.mdlinx.com/news/common-cold-virus-could-offer-some-level-of-protection-against-covid-19-infection-new-study-suggests/4xTPWUsOUVyUCnhIMfY9yv?show_order=8&utm_campaign=8+selections+3%2F24%2F2021+Morning+Alert&tag=Morning&utm_medium=email&utm_source=iPost&ipost_environment=m3usainc&iqs=9z2zb1oklo5laht7bjnbpcd42r9mdsn0mkmkofh3hpo

Exclusive: India likely to delay COVAX vaccine supplies for March, April, says UNICEF. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-india-vaccine-excl/exclusive-india-likely-to-delay-covax-vaccine-supplies-for-march-april-says-unicef-idUSKBN2BG3FV

What scientists do and don’t know about the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID vaccine. Results confirming the vaccine’s strong protection against COVID-19 were welcomed following last week’s pause in roll-outs — but fresh questions have now emerged about the data. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00785-7

COVID research updates: COVID viruses are mixing in infected people’s cells. Nature wades through the literature on the coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

The Coronavirus Variants Don’t Seem to Be Highly Variable So Far. SARS-CoV-2 may be settling into a limited set of mutations. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-coronavirus-variants-dont-seem-to-be-highly-variable-so-far/

The Biggest Barriers to COVID Vaccination for Black and Latinx People. Differences in life expectancy, car ownership and language may contribute to the racial and ethnic disparities. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-biggest-barriers-to-covid-vaccination-for-black-and-latinx-people1/

Using an adaptive, codesign approach to strengthen clinic-level immunisation services in Khayelitsha, Western Cape Province, South Africa. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e004004

Audio Interview: What Earlier Epidemics Teach Us about Covid-19. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2105030?query=featured_home

How the US Failed to Prioritize SARS-CoV-2 Variant Surveillance. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777988

Comparison of Time to Clinical Improvement With vs Without Remdesivir Treatment in Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19. Remdesivir administration is associated with more rapid clinical improvement than no remdesivir receipt among patients with coronavirus disease 2019. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777863

SARS-CoV-2 evolution in an immunocompromised host reveals shared neutralization escape mechanisms. https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(21)00355-X?utm_medium=homepage

RESOURCES

OTHER NEWS

Women must not be obscured in science’s history. The literature has failed to acknowledge many female researchers, especially those from marginalized backgrounds. But a new generation of historians is changing the narrative. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00770-0

Obesity, Immunity, and Cancer. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMcibr2035081?query=featured_home

Uhambo — Twists and Turns on the Journey to an Efficacious HIV-1 Vaccine. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2102358?query=featured_secondary

Botswana says preliminary probe rules out bacterial infections in latest elephants deaths. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-botswana-elephants/botswana-says-preliminary-probe-rules-out-bacterial-infections-in-latest-elephants-deaths-idUSKBN2BG1W2

FROM 24 MARCH

Prevalence of Missing Data in the National Cancer Database and Association With Overall Survival. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777777

Decolonising global health in 2021: a roadmap to move from rhetoric to reform. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e005604

The changing climates of global health. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e005442

Understanding global mental health: a conceptual review. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e004631

Employing learning health system principles to advance research on severe neonatal and paediatric illness in Kenya. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e005300

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Friday, 26 March 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAR 26, 2021, 03:38 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	38,466	[907]	506	[21]	32,550	4,524	15,743	203	901,776

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 03-26-2021 04:27 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

38,466 Total confirmed cases

506 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 24 MAR 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 25 MAR 2021

BWgovernment AVOID TRAVELING DURING THE UPCOMING EASTER HOLIDAYS, IT’S THE SAFEST THING TO DO.

#LetsDefeatCOVID19Together #AReFenyengCOVID19Mmogo

NEWS

The first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa: a cross-sectional study. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00632-2/fulltext

World’s poorest face vaccine delays through Covax programme. Technical problems at South Korean vaccine plant and setbacks in export licences from India cause holdup. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/25/worlds-poorest-face-vaccine-delays-through-covax-programme

‘Pricing out the poor’: Fears over COVID-19 vaccine access as Kenya lets in private sector. Kenya will let private hospitals charge for COVID-19 vaccinations and will not set a price limit on their cost – a measure charities warned would “price out the poor” and create greater inequalities in access. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-kenya-vaccine/pricing-out-the-poor-fears-over-covid-19-vaccine-access-as-kenya-lets-in-private-sector-idUSKBN2BH2Q9

Zambia sets out plans to vaccinate all people over 18 against COVID-19. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-zambia-vaccine/zambia-sets-out-plans-to-vaccinate-all-people-over-18-against-covid-19-idUSKBN2BH2NS

What it will take to vaccinate the world against COVID-19. A special report outlines the challenges — from unleashing the power of mRNA vaccines, to the battle for temporary intellectual-property relief. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00727-3

Latest results put Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID vaccine back on track. Scientists hope near-final clinical trial results showing 76% efficacy will quell doubts about the vaccine, after a tumultuous week. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00836-z

Daily briefing: ‘Science isn’t enough to save us’. Policymakers need insight from humanities and social sciences to tackle the pandemic, argues The British Academy’s Hetan Shah. Plus, the facts about the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID vaccine and ten great environmental books. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00832-3

Hidden Toll of COVID in Africa Threatens Global Pandemic Progress. Undercounting or ignoring cases of the disease on the continent could lead to new variants that might derail efforts to end the pandemic. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/hidden-toll-of-covid-in-africa-threatens-global-pandemic-progress/

mRNA vaccination boosts cross-variant neutralizing antibodies elicited by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our study highlights the importance of vaccinating both uninfected and previously infected persons to elicit cross-variant neutralizing antibodies. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2021/03/24/science.abg9175?rss=1

Modulation of MHC-E transport by viral decoy ligands is required for RhCMV/SIV vaccine efficacy. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2021/03/24/science.abe9233?rss=1

Effect of Helmet Noninvasive Ventilation vs High-Flow Nasal Oxygen on Days Free of Respiratory Support in Patients With COVID-19 and Moderate to Severe Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure. The HENIVOT Randomized Clinical Trial. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2778088

Respiratory Support During the COVID-19 Pandemic Is It Time to Consider Using a Helmet? https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2778089

Remote management of covid-19 using home pulse oximetry and virtual ward support. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n677

Covid-19: Middle aged women face greater risk of debilitating long term symptoms. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n829

Covid-19: Lateral flow tests are better at identifying people with symptoms, finds Cochrane review. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n823

RESOURCES

OTHER NEWS

How Do We Decolonize Global Health in Medical Education? https://annalsofglobalhealth.org/articles/10.5334/aogh.3220/

Row erupts over university’s use of research metrics in job-cut decisions. Critics say redundancies are being decided using unreliable measures related to funding and citations, highlighting broader unease about the use of metrics in science. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00793-7

Association of spontaneous abortion with all cause and cause specific premature mortality: prospective cohort study. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n530

Training digitally competent clinicians. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n757

Researchers slam UK cuts to global health research. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00671-1/fulltext

FROM 25 MARCH

Women must not be obscured in science’s history. The literature has failed to acknowledge many female researchers, especially those from marginalized backgrounds. But a new generation of historians is changing the narrative. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00770-0

Obesity, Immunity, and Cancer. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMcibr2035081?query=featured_home

Uhambo — Twists and Turns on the Journey to an Efficacious HIV-1 Vaccine. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2102358?query=featured_secondary

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0039606021000921?dgcid=coauthor

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Saturday, 27 March 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAR 27, 2021, 04:00 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	38,466		506		32,550	4,524	15,743	203	901,776

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 03-27-2021 04:27 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

38,466 Total confirmed cases

506 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 26 MAR 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 25 MAR 2021

BWgovernment COVID-19 VACCINATION ACTIVATION . COVID-19 vaccination activation occurred today(March 26) in Greater Gaborone, Selebi Phikwe, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Ngami, Serowe/Palapye and Greater Francistown.

NEWS

Covid third wave may overrun Africa’s healthcare, warns WHO. Leap of 50% in cases in three months and just 7m jabs across continent ‘infecting 11 health workers an hour’. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/mar/26/covid-third-wave-threatens-african-healthcare-who

Scandal over COVID vaccine trial at Peruvian universities prompts outrage. Researchers gave shots to politicians and family members, violating trial regulations — and damaging public trust. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00576-0

COVID research updates: Coronavirus antibodies last for months — if you have them. Nature wades through the literature on the coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

Coronavirus News Roundup, March 20–March 26. Pandemic highlights for the week . https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/coronavirus-news-roundup-march-20-march-26/

People Gave Up on Flu Pandemic Measures a Century Ago when They Tired of Them—and Paid a Price. A now familiar 21st-century scenario of circumventing public-health strictures played out as well at the beginning of the 20th century. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/people-gave-up-on-flu-pandemic-measures-a-century-ago-when-they-tired-of-them-and-paid-a-price/

COVID, Quickly, Episode 3: Vaccine Inequality–plus Your Body the Variant Fighter. https://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/covid-quickly-episode-3-vaccine-inequality-plus-your-body-the-variant-fighter/

Syringe size and supply issues continue to waste COVID-19 vaccine doses in United States. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/03/syringe-size-and-supply-issues-continue-waste-covid-19-vaccine-doses-united-states

The emerging plasticity of SARS-CoV-2. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/371/6536/1306

Defining Long COVID: going back to the start. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00105-7

Bridging the Digital Divide to Avoid Leaving the Most Vulnerable Behind. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/fullarticle/2778016

RESOURCES

Cell Press Coronavirus Resource Hub. https://www.cell.com/COVID-19?utm_medium=homepage

Virtual Symposium on Publishing in Global Control. Register for the free ‘Publishing in Global Cancer Control Pan African Virtual Symposium’, April 8th. 2:30 PM SOUTH AFRICA. Register: https://www.argo-research.org/virtual-symposium-publishing-in-global-cancer-control/

OTHER NEWS

A Randomised Clinical Trial Evaluating the Efficacy and Quality of Life of Antibiotic Only Treatment of Acute Uncomplicated Appendicitis. Results of the COMMA trial. Patients with acute, uncomplicated appendicitis treated with antibiotics only experience high recurrence rates and an inferior quality of life. Surgery should remain the mainstay of treatment for this commonly encountered acute surgical condition. https://journals.lww.com/annalsofsurgery/Abstract/9000/A_Randomised_Clinical_Trial_Evaluating_the.93727.aspx

Low-Dose Aspirin and Cancer in Older Adults. https://www.jwatch.org/na53362/2021/03/23/low-dose-aspirin-and-cancer-older-adults?ijkey=ljLI0po6H

South Africa launches TB mobile clinics amid COVID-19 disruption. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica-tuberculos/south-africa-launches-tb-mobile-clinics-amid-covid-19-disruption-idUSKBN2BI2HZ

From “period poverty” to “period parity” to meet menstrual health needs. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00070-2

Prevalence of Medical Journal Websites That Deny Access to Users Who Block Browser Cookies. Overall, 699 of 1700 journals (41.1% [95% CI, 38.8%-43.5%]) included in the study denied access to users blocking cookies, exceeding our hypothesis. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777868

Association Between Maternal Caffeine Consumption and Metabolism and Neonatal Anthropometry. A Secondary Analysis of the NICHD Fetal Growth Studies–Singletons. In this study, caffeine consumption during pregnancy, even in amounts less than the recommended 200 mg per day, was associated with smaller neonatal anthropometric measurements. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777881

Leaving no one behind in prison: improving the health of people in prison as a key contributor to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals 2030. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e004252

Evaluating Progestogens for Preventing Preterm birth International Collaborative (EPPPIC): meta-analysis of individual participant data from randomised controlled trials. Vaginal progesterone and 17-OHPC both reduced birth before 34 weeks’ gestation in high-risk singleton pregnancies. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00217-8/fulltext

FROM 26 MARCH

How Do We Decolonize Global Health in Medical Education? https://annalsofglobalhealth.org/articles/10.5334/aogh.3220/

Association of spontaneous abortion with all cause and cause specific premature mortality: prospective cohort study. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n530

Training digitally competent clinicians. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n757

Researchers slam UK cuts to global health research. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00671-1/fulltext

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0039606021000921?dgcid=coauthor

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Monday, 29 March 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAR 29, 2021, 03:41 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	38,466		506		32,550	4,524	15,743	203	901,776

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 03-29-2021 05:26 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

38,466 Total confirmed cases

506 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 28 MAR 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 29 MAR 2021

Mar 27 FIRST PURCHASED VACCINE ARRIVES IN BOTSWANA

The Vice President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane earlier today received 33 600 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine procured by the Government of Botswana through the COVAX facility, at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (SSKIA).

Speaking during the ceremony Vice President Tsogwane said Botswana is determined to save humanity by ordering more vaccines reiterating President Mokgweetsi Masisi remarks that Government was committed to fighting the scourge and willing to forgo certain development projects.

Vice President Tsogwane further said everyone including politicians will be vaccinated when their turn comes as there is a vaccination roll out plan formulated by the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

Manufactured in South Korea, today’s consignment means more arms will be vaccinated in Botswana following the vaccination exercise that was launched across the country yesterday.

The vaccines will also go through verification by Botswana Medicines Regulatory Authority (BOMRA) before roll out exercise.

NEWS

Sinopharm needs trial results to decide if COVID-19 vaccine needs booster shot: executive. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccine-sinopharm/sinopharm-needs-trial-results-to-decide-if-covid-19-vaccine-needs-booster-shot-executive-idUSKBN2BK05Q

Data and Technology Can Help Us Make Progress on COVID Inequities. The pandemic gives an opportunity to turn the tide for our nation’s most vulnerable communities. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/data-and-technology-can-help-us-make-progress-on-covid-inequities/

A rare clotting disorder may cloud the world’s hopes for AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/03/rare-clotting-disorder-may-cloud-worlds-hopes-astrazenecas-covid-19-vaccine

Environmental correlation and epidemiologic analysis of COVID-19 pandemic in ten regions in five continents. https://www.cell.com/heliyon/fulltext/S2405-8440(21)00679-4

RESOURCES

Cell Press Coronavirus Resource Hub. https://www.cell.com/COVID-19?utm_medium=homepage

Virtual Symposium on Publishing in Global Control. Register for the free ‘Publishing in Global Cancer Control Pan African Virtual Symposium’, April 8th. 2:30 PM SOUTH AFRICA. Register: https://www.argo-research.org/virtual-symposium-publishing-in-global-cancer-control/

Topic Johns Hopkins Global Surgery Symposium: Building Coalitions
Time Apr 10, 2021 03:00 PM Johannesburg TIME.
REGISTRATION: https://jhubluejays.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwvcO6sqTgqH9FeZC23HvjrfG6Py-q0vEvE

OTHER NEWS

FROM 27 MARCH

Medical School Accreditation Factors Associated With Certification by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). A 10-Year International Study. https://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/Abstract/9000/Medical_School_Accreditation_Factors_Associated.96767.aspx?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=amexpress&utm_content=newsletter

Mistaken Identity. Frequency and Effects of Gender-Based Professional Misidentification of Resident Physicians. https://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/Abstract/9000/Mistaken_Identity__Frequency_and_Effects_of.96759.aspx?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=amexpress&utm_content=newsletter

From “period poverty” to “period parity” to meet menstrual health needs. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00070-2

Leaving no one behind in prison: improving the health of people in prison as a key contributor to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals 2030. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e004252

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0039606021000921?dgcid=coauthor

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Tuesday, 30 March 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAR 30, 2021, 02:39 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	39,848	[1382]	568	[62]	36,958	2,322	16,696	238	926,189

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 03-30-2021 12:26 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

38,466 Total confirmed cases

506 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 28 MAR 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 30 MAR 2021

NEWS

SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, COVID‐19 and timing of elective surgery. https://associationofanaesthetists-publications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/anae.15464

COVID-19 and the HIV care continuum in Uganda: minimising collateral damage [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations] https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/3-28/v2?utm_medium=email&utm_source=etoc_alert_WEEKLY

Kenya’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic: a balance between minimising morbidity and adverse economic impact. https://aasopenresearch.org/browse/articles?utm_medium=email&utm_source=etoc_alert_WEEKLY

COVID-19, cults, and the anti-vax movement. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00443-8/fulltext?utm_campaign=corr21&utm_content=159992954&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&hss_channel=tw-27013292

Thanks to the pandemic, I’ve spent a year in one place with my mind in two. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/29/pandemic-year-lagos-london-zoom-hugs

Leaders of 23 countries back pandemic treaty idea for future emergencies. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-treaty/leaders-of-23-countries-back-pandemic-treaty-idea-for-future-emergencies-idUSKBN2BM009

S.African health insurer Discovery in touch with vaccine makers. South African health insurer Discovery Ltd said on Monday it was in contact with all COVID-19 vaccine producers but cannot independently source vaccines as procurement and distribution is in the hands of the government. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica-discovery/s-african-health-insurer-discovery-in-touch-with-vaccine-makers-idUSKBN2BL23Y

J&J, African Union in deal for up to 400 million COVID-19 shots. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-j-j-vaccine/jj-agrees-to-supply-african-union-with-up-to-400-million-covid-shots-idUSKBN2BL0QS

Ethiopia to get 300,000 doses of Sinopharm COVID-19 shot, health minister says. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-healthcare-coronavirus-ethiopia/ethiopia-to-get-300000-doses-of-sinopharm-covid-19-shot-health-minister-says-idUSKBN2BL1QZ

The Antiscience Movement Is Going Global and Killing Thousands. Rejection of mainstream science and medicine has become a key feature of the political right in the U.S. and increasingly around the world. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-antiscience-movement-is-escalating-going-global-and-killing-thousands/

A City in Brazil’s Amazon Rain Forest Is a Stark Warning about COVID to the Rest of the World. Manaus and cities like it will continue to generate dangerous viral variants if vaccination campaigns are not expanded to broadly reach all nations, rich or poor. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-city-in-brazils-amazon-rain-forest-is-a-stark-warning-about-covid-to-the-rest-of-the-world/

Assessment of Simulated SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Mortality Risk Associated With Radiation Therapy Among Patients in 8 Randomized Clinical Trials. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777836

Guidance for the design and reporting of studies evaluating the clinical performance of tests for present or past SARS-CoV-2 infection. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n568

WHO International Standard for anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00527-4/fulltext

Assessing government responsibility for COVID-19 deaths. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00529-8/fulltext

Gender, race, and health workers in the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00530-4/fulltext

Human rights and fair access to COVID-19 vaccines: the International AIDS Society–Lancet Commission on Health and Human Rights.

Human rights and fair access to COVID-19 vaccines: the International AIDS Society–Lancet Commission on Health and Human Rights. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00708-X/fulltext

Africa needs local solutions to face the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00719-4/fulltext

Rapid identification and tracking of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00470-0/fulltext

Guidelines should not pool evidence from uncomplicated and severe COVID-19. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00469-4/fulltext

RESOURCES

Cell Press Coronavirus Resource Hub. https://www.cell.com/COVID-19?utm_medium=homepage

OTHER NEWS

The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n71?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_term=hootsuite&utm_content=sme&utm_campaign=usage

Impact of 1.5 oC and 2 oC global warming scenarios on malaria transmission in East Africa [version 3; peer review: 2 approved]. https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/3-22/v3?utm_medium=email&utm_source=etoc_alert_WEEKLY

‘I’m empty.’ Pandemic scientists are burning out—and don’t see an end in sight. https://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2021/03/i-m-empty-pandemic-scientists-are-burning-out-and-don-t-see-end-sight

Assessment of Diagnosis and Triage in Validated Case Vignettes Among Nonphysicians Before and After Internet Search. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777835

Association of Obesity With Survival Outcomes in Patients With Cancer. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. These findings suggest that survival outcomes are poor among patients with obesity and cancer, except in lung cancer and melanoma. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777839

Association Between Socioeconomic Status and In Utero Fetal Brain Development. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777840

Global health without sexual and reproductive health and rights? Analysis of United Nations documents and country statements, 2014–2019. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e004659

The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n71

FROM 29 MARCH

What’s the link between coffee and cancer? https://www.mdlinx.com/article/what-and-8217-s-the-link-between-coffee-and-cancer/64oWxmLL03YVp6unHBn19u?show_order=1&tag=Morning&utm_campaign=malert_032821&utm_source=iPost&ipost_environment=m3usainc&utm_medium=email&iqs=9z2zamekj8g7t4g3d87nb9rmcrrvp0jkvc4ledjclo8

FROM 27 MARCH

From “period poverty” to “period parity” to meet menstrual health needs. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00070-2

Leaving no one behind in prison: improving the health of people in prison as a key contributor to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals 2030. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e004252

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0039606021000921?dgcid=coauthor

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Wednesday, 31 March 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAR 31, 2021, 03:38 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	39,848		568		36,958	2,322	16,696	238	926,189

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 03-31-2021 05:26 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

39,848 Total confirmed cases

568 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 28 MAR 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 31 MAR 2021

NEWS

T cells induced by COVID-19 infection respond to new virus variants: U.S. study. A critical component of the immune system known as T cells that respond to fight infection from the original version of the novel coronavirus appear to also protect against three of the most concerning new virus variants, according to a U.S. laboratory study released on Tuesday. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-variants/t-cells-induced-by-covid-19-infection-respond-to-new-virus-variants-u-s-study-idUSKBN2BM3BZ

South Sudan COVID-19 campaign will be hampered by logistics, U.N. says. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-southsudan-conflict-interview/south-sudan-covid-19-campaign-will-be-hampered-by-logistics-u-n-says-idUSKBN2BM0Y3

WHO mission leader says it’s ‘possible’ COVID cases circulated before December 2019. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who-tracing/who-mission-leader-says-its-possible-covid-cases-circulated-before-december-2019-idUSKBN2BM27Z

Why indoor spaces are still prime COVID hotspots. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00810-9

WHO report into COVID pandemic origins zeroes in on animal markets, not labs. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00865-8

Daily briefing: What the science says about long COVID. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00856-9

When Will Kids Get COVID Vaccines? Pharmaceutical companies are starting clinical trials in young children and adolescents but they must balance speed and safety. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/when-will-kids-get-covid-vaccines/

SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.351 and P.1 escape from neutralizing antibodies. https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(21)00367-6?utm_medium=homepage

Antibody evasion by the P.1 strain of SARS-CoV-2. https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(21)00428-1

Association of Race/Ethnicity With Likeliness of COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among Health Workers and the General Population in the San Francisco Bay Area. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2778176

What has been the effect of covid-19 on suicide rates? https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n834

Efficacy of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern 202012/01 (B.1.1.7): an exploratory analysis of a randomised controlled trial. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00628-0/fulltext

RESOURCES

Cell Press Coronavirus Resource Hub. https://www.cell.com/COVID-19?utm_medium=homepage

OTHER NEWS

Preterm Birth and the Development of Visual Attention During the First 2 Years of Life. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777889

Environmental approaches to promote healthy eating: Is ensuring affordability and availability enough? https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n549

FROM 30 MARCH

Assessment of Diagnosis and Triage in Validated Case Vignettes Among Nonphysicians Before and After Internet Search. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777835

Association Between Socioeconomic Status and In Utero Fetal Brain Development. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777840

Global health without sexual and reproductive health and rights? Analysis of United Nations documents and country statements, 2014–2019. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e004659

The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n71

UB COVID-19 Information Digest 1 April 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: APR 1, 2021, 02:26 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	39,848		568		36,958	2,322	16,696	238	926,189

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 04-01-2021 04:28 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

39,848 Total confirmed cases

568 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 31 MAR 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 1 APRIL 2021

NEWS

Scaling Up Covid-19 Vaccination in Africa — Lessons from the HIV Pandemic. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2103313?query=featured_home

Towards universal health coverage in the WHO African Region: assessing health system functionality, incorporating lessons from COVID-19. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e004618

“Vaccine Passport” Certification — Policy and Ethical Considerations. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2104289?query=featured_home

Delayed Large Local Reactions to mRNA-1273 Vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2102131?query=featured_home

U.S., 13 countries concerned WHO COVID-19 origin study was delayed, lacked access -statement. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/u-s-13-countries-concerned-who-covid-19-origin-study-was-delayed-lacked-access-statement/ar-BB1f89LQ?ocid=msedgntp

Vaccinated, yet still clinically extremely vulnerable. https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/03/30/vaccinated-yet-still-clinically-extremely-vulnerable/

Brazil detects new coronavirus variant similar to South African. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-brazil/brazil-detects-new-coronavirus-variant-similar-to-south-african-idUSKBN2BN2T7

T cells induced by COVID-19 infection respond to new virus variants -U.S. study. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-variants/t-cells-induced-by-covid-19-infection-respond-to-new-virus-variants-u-s-study-idUSKBN2BM3BZ

Analysis-In mutant variants, has the coronavirus shown its best tricks? https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-evolution-analysis/analysis-in-mutant-variants-has-the-coronavirus-shown-its-best-tricks-idUSKBN2BN0L3

Nigeria aims to get 70 million J&J COVID-19 vaccines through African Union. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-nigeria-vaccine/nigeria-aims-to-get-70-million-jj-covid-19-vaccines-through-african-union-idUSKBN2BN2OV

WHO: Risk profile for AstraZeneca COVID vaccine “weighs heavily” in favour. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who-astrazeneca/who-risk-profile-for-astrazeneca-covid-vaccine-weighs-heavily-in-favour-idUSKBN2BN1LC

It’s time to consider a patent reprieve for COVID vaccines. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00863-w

When Will Kids Get COVID Vaccines? https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/when-will-kids-get-covid-vaccines/

‘Compromise’ WHO report resolves little on pandemic’s origins, but details probe’s next steps. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/03/compromise-who-report-resolves-little-pandemic-s-origins-details-probe-s-next-steps

Simultaneous Detection and Mutation Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 and co-infections of multiple respiratory viruses by Rapid field-deployable sequencing. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00117-3

Alterations in T and B cell function persist in convalescent COVID-19 patients. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00115-X

Association Between Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Inhibitors and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With COVID-19. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777978

Risk Factors Associated With SARS-CoV-2 Infections, Hospitalization, and Mortality Among US Nursing Home Residents, https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777972

Simulation-Based Estimation of SARS-CoV-2 Infections Associated With School Closures and Community-Based Nonpharmaceutical Interventions in Ontario, Canada. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777976

Association Between Risk Factors for Complications From COVID-19, Perceived Chances of Infection and Complications, and Protective Behavior in the US. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777973

Post-covid syndrome in individuals admitted to hospital with covid-19: retrospective cohort study. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n693

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal and perinatal outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Global maternal and fetal outcomes have worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, with an increase in maternal deaths, stillbirth, ruptured ectopic pregnancies, and maternal depression. Some outcomes show considerable disparity between high-resource and low-resource settings. There is an urgent need to prioritise safe, accessible, and equitable maternity care within the strategic response to this pandemic and in future health crises. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00079-6/fulltext

Single-dose Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine followed by a 12-week booster. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00528-6/fulltext

Immune response may explain rare clots after AstraZeneca vaccine. https://outlook.office.com/mail/inbox/id/AAMkADkzN2IzNzA4LTU2ZDAtNGQ4My04YmVhLTEwZjg3ZDlmNTM2NwBGAAAAAAC8WMpHWuWOS57LQryZCLW3BwANMwsi6utOTb58IHOQliyvAAAATEIBAADyO5zJQCD4Q6tRqr2CWd5rAAFXMChFAAA%3D

RESOURCES

Cell Press Coronavirus Resource Hub. https://www.cell.com/COVID-19?utm_medium=homepage

OTHER NEWS

Emerging Infectious Diseases — Learning from the Past and Looking to the Future. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2034517?query=featured_home

Prevalence of Hypertension Among Pregnant Women When Using the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Blood Pressure Guidelines and Association With Maternal and Fetal Outcomes. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2777974

The impact of care environment on the mental health of orphaned, separated and street-connected children and adolescents in western Kenya: a prospective cohort analysis. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e003644

The role of governance in implementing sustainable global health interventions: review of health system integration for integrated community case management (iCCM) of childhood illnesses. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e003257

Guidance and conceptual tools to inform the design, selection and evaluation of research capacity strengthening interventions. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e005153

FROM 31 MARCH

Environmental approaches to promote healthy eating: Is ensuring affordability and availability enough? https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n549

UB COVID-19 Information Digest 2 April 2021—Next Update Tuesday, 6 April 2021—Happy Holidays TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: APR 2, 2021, 04:19 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	40,878	[1,030]	591	[23]	36,958	3,329	17,125	238	932,633

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 04-02-2021 05:21 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

40.878 Total confirmed cases

591 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 1 April 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 2 APRIL 2021

NEWS

Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 shot 91% effective in updated data, protective against South African variant. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-pfizer/pfizer-biontech-covid-19-shot-91-effective-in-updated-data-protective-against-south-african-variant-idUSKBN2BO55Y

India AstraZeneca shot delay could be ‘catastrophic’ for Africa: health official. India’s temporary hold on major exports of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 shot will undermine Africa’s vaccination plans, and could have a “catastrophic” impact if extended, the head of the continent’s disease control body said on Thursday. India decided to delay big exports of the shots made in its territory by the Serum Institute of India (SII) to make sure it could meet local demand, two sources told Reuters last week. . https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-africa/india-astrazeneca-shot-delay-could-be-catastrophic-for-africa-health-official-idUSKBN2BO5CA

Follow-up probe of virus origins expected – WHO’s Tedros. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who-china/follow-up-probe-of-virus-origins-expected-whos-tedros-idUSKBN2BO66D

COVAX COVID-19 vaccine facility faces shortfall in supply: WHO. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who/covax-covid-19-vaccine-facility-faces-shortfall-in-supply-who-idUSKBN2BO62P

South African health regulator approves J&J’s COVID-19 vaccine. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica-johnson-jo/south-african-health-regulator-approves-jjs-covid-19-vaccine-idUSKBN2BO5FM

Why is it so hard to investigate the rare side effects of COVID vaccines? For the vast majority of people, COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. But further research is needed to understand the causes of rare adverse events. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00880-9

After the WHO report: what’s next in the search for COVID’s origins. A World Health Organization report makes a reasonable start, scientists say, but there are many questions yet to be answered. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00877-4

Daily briefing: Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine appears highly effective in teens. Early data suggests Pfizer–BioNTech works and is safe in 12-to-15-year-olds. Plus, a long-awaited muon physics experiment and the WHO report into pandemic origins. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00890-7

If You Don’t Have COVID Vaccine Side Effects, Are You Still Protected?. Reactions reflect unique features of an individual’s immune system, not the strength of a response. “The big take-home message is that not having side effects, or [having] not as severe side effects, is no reason to worry,” says John Wherry, an immunologist at the University of Pennsylvania. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/if-you-dont-have-covid-vaccine-side-effects-are-you-still-protected/

Complete map of SARS-CoV-2 RBD mutations that escape the monoclonal antibody LY-CoV555 and its cocktail with LY-CoV016. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00071-9

SARS-CoV-2 protein subunit vaccination of mice and rhesus macaques elicits potent and durable neutralizing antibody responses. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00068-9

Rapid decline of neutralizing antibodies is associated with decay of IgM in adults recovered from mild COVID-19 disease. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00069-0

Mask Mandates, On-Premises Dining, and COVID-19. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2778233

Mortality and Readmission Rates Among Patients With COVID-19 After Discharge From Acute Care Setting With Supplemental Oxygen. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778078

Public health education post-COVID-19: a proposal for critical revisions. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e005669

Using the COVID-19 pandemic to reimagine global health teaching in high-income countries. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e005649

Intellectual property rights need to be subverted to ensure global vaccine access. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e005656

Covid-19: Ivermectin’s politicisation is a warning sign for doctors turning to orphan treatments. The drug ivermectin has divided the medical community in South Africa and elsewhere, with some arguing it can both prevent and treat covid-19. Bibi-Aisha Wadvalla explains how the case encapsulates the central argument when it comes to orphan treatments: do doctors or scientists know best? https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n747

Covid-19: EMA defends AstraZeneca vaccine as Germany and Canada halt rollouts. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n883

Covid-19: Moderna and Pfizer vaccines prevent infections as well as symptoms, CDC study finds. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n888

Covid-19 vaccine passports: access, equity, and ethics. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n861

Fresh evidence of the scale and scope of long covid. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n853

Treatment of 5 Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19 With Convalescent Plasma. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2763983?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social_jama&utm_campaign=contentmarketing&utm_term=tmmostcited&utm_content=manual_eha

RESOURCES

Cell Press Coronavirus Resource Hub. https://www.cell.com/COVID-19?utm_medium=homepage

OTHER NEWS

Academia is often a family business. That’s a barrier for increasing diversity. A new study quantifies how underrepresented people like Flake are in academia, at least in the United States, finding that tenure-track faculty come from homes wealthier than the average population and are 25 times more likely than the general population to have a parent with a Ph.D. https://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2021/04/academia-often-family-business-s-barrier-increasing-diversity

Trends in Views of Articles Published in 3 Leading Medical Journals During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Overall readership of articles between March to July 2019 and March to July 2020 increased by 557%, whereas the total number of articles published per month remained constant. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778084

Seven days in medicine: 24-30 March 2021. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n842

FROM 1 APRIL

Emerging Infectious Diseases — Learning from the Past and Looking to the Future. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2034517?query=featured_home

Guidance and conceptual tools to inform the design, selection and evaluation of research capacity strengthening interventions. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e005153

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Tuesday, 6 April 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: APR 6, 2021, 03:17 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	41,710	[832]	616	[25]	36,958	4,136	17,470	238	942,561

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 04-06-2021 04:20 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

41,710 Total confirmed cases

616 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 5 April 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 6 APRIL 2021

NEWS

Clare Wenham: Why vaccine passports are gendered. https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/04/01/clare-wenham-why-vaccine-passports-are-gendered/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_term=hootsuite&utm_content=sme&utm_campaign=usage

From Vaccine Nationalism to Vaccine Equity — Finding a Path Forward. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2103614?query=WB

COVID vaccination earlier in pregnancy leads to better antibody transfer to baby. https://www.mdlinx.com/news/covid-vaccination-earlier-in-pregnancy-leads-to-better-antibody-transfer-to-baby/5WWxx7hyHFsZbYASx6hiD6?show_order=4&utm_campaign=malert_040521&tag=Morning&ipost_environment=m3usainc&utm_source=iPost&utm_medium=email&iqs=9z2zf7cm5r5cc3dri6jp7761e5nff8g4npob7vk98j0

Massive X-ray screening identifies promising candidates for COVID drugs. https://www.mdlinx.com/news/massive-x-ray-screening-identifies-promising-candidates-for-covid-drugs/6iDDENQKYNXunSlkmXBm0Z?show_order=1&tag=Morning&utm_campaign=malert_040521&utm_source=iPost&utm_medium=email&ipost_environment=m3usainc&iqs=9z2zakp20fb39pl8c2hejc0cmqf50aft5kf7vd7rjh0

Covid: England adds Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kenya and Philippines to travel ‘red list’. Move, which takes effect on Friday 9 April, takes number of countries on red list to 39. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/02/covid-england-adds-pakistan-bangladesh-kenya-and-philippines-to-travel-red-list

New IMF reserves could fund vaccinations for low-, middle-income countries: report. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-imf-world-bank-africa/new-imf-reserves-could-fund-vaccinations-for-low-middle-income-countries-report-idUSKBN2BT04I

What’s Next in the Search for COVID’s Origins. A World Health Organization report makes a reasonable start, scientists say, but there are many questions yet to be answered. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/whats-next-in-the-search-for-covids-origins1/

Hypoxic and pharmacological activation of HIFs inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection of lung epithelial cells. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(21)00334-X

Excess Deaths From COVID-19 and Other Causes in the US, March 1, 2020, to January 2, 2021. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2778361

Learning From Excess Pandemic Deaths. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2778362

Reactogenicity Following Receipt of mRNA-Based COVID-19 Vaccines. In clinical trials of the mRNA-based 2-dose vaccines, participants reported local and systemic reactions (reactogenicity).4,5 Frequently reported reactions included injection site pain, fatigue, and headache; greater reactogenicity was reported following the second dose. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2778441

Association of Sociodemographic Factors and Blood Group Type With Risk of COVID-19 in a US Population. Given the large and prospective nature of our study and its strongly null results, we believe that important associations of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 with ABO groups are unlikely and will not be useful factors associated with disease susceptibility or severity on either an individual or population level for similar environments and ancestries. Additional studies, closely controlled for genetics, geography, and viral strain, are required before accepting blood group as a determinant of predisposition to or severity of COVID-19. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778155

Incidence of 30-Day Venous Thromboembolism in Adults Tested for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in an Integrated Health Care System in Northern California. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2778371

The COVID-GRAM Tool for Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19 in Europe. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2778370

Tocilizumab in Treatment for Patients With COVID-19. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2778369

COVID-19 vaccines in high-risk ethnic groups. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00624-3/fulltext

Science Brief: SARS-CoV-2 and Surface (Fomite) Transmission for Indoor Community Environments. Findings of these studies suggest that the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection via the fomite transmission route is low, and generally less than 1 in 10,000, which means that each contact with a contaminated surface has less than a 1 in 10,000 chance of causing an infection https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/more/science-and-research/surface-transmission.html

RESOURCES

Cell Press Coronavirus Resource Hub. https://www.cell.com/COVID-19?utm_medium=homepage

OTHER NEWS

Novel HIV vaccine approach shows promise in “landmark” first-in-human trial. The vaccine was able to target the desired immune cells and could become the first stage of a multi-step vaccine strategy to combat HIV and various other viral diseases. https://www.europeanpharmaceuticalreview.com/news/141892/novel-hiv-vaccine-approach-shows-promise-in-landmark-first-in-human-trial/

Global Surgery, Obstetric, and Anesthesia Indicator Definitions and Reporting: An Utstein Consensus Report. Justine Ina Davies * , Adrian W. Gelb , Julian Gore-Booth , Janet Martin , Jannicke Mellin-Olsen , Christina Åkerman , Emmanuel A. Ameh , Bruce M. Biccard , Geir Sverre Braut , Kathryn Chu , Miliard Derbew , Hege Langli Ersdal , Jose Miguel Guzman , Lars Hagander , Carolina Haylock-Loor , Hampus Holmer , Walter Johnson , Sabrina Juran , Nicolas J. Kassebaum , Tore Laerdal , Andrew J.M. Leather , Michael S. Lipnick , David Ljungman , Emmanuel Malabo Mwenda Makasa , John G. Meara , Mark W. Newton , Doris Østergaard , Teri Reynolds , Lauri J. Romanzi , Vatshalan Santhirapala , Mark G. Shrime , Kjetil Søreide , Margit Steinholt , Emi Suzuki , John E. Varallo , Gerard H.A. Visser , David Watters , Thomas G. WeiserPreprints 2021, 2021040061 (doi: 10.20944/preprints202104.0061.v1). https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202104.0061/v1

Systematic review on epidemiology, interventions and management of noncommunicable diseases in acute and emergency care settings in Kenya. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211419X21000173?via%3Dihub

Ventilator Weaning and Discontinuation Practices for Critically Ill Patients. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2777716?utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=content-shareicons&utm_content=article_engagement&utm_medium=social&utm_term=033121#.YGU5nwyU97w.twitter

Research colonialism still plagues Africa. Change isn’t going to come easy, says Mia Perry co-director of Sustainable Futures in Africa (SFA). A network launched in 2016 with the Global Challenges Research Fund, SFA is a UK-based network that works with hubs in Botswana, Malawi, Nigeria, Uganda and the United Kingdom to ethically re-design the research agenda. https://www.scidev.net/sub-saharan-africa/scidev-net-investigates/research-colonialism-still-plagues-africa/

We Must Enhance—but also Decolonize—America’s Global Health Diplomacy. The U.S. can rebuild its role in the global health landscape on the basis of equitable policies rather than exploitative ones. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/we-must-enhance-mdash-but-also-decolonize-mdash-americas-global-health-diplomacy/

Association of Inadvertent 9-Valent Human Papillomavirus Vaccine in Pregnancy With Spontaneous Abortion and Adverse Birth Outcomes. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778151

Experiences of a Health System’s Faculty, Staff, and Trainees’ Career Development, Work Culture, and Childcare Needs During the COVID-19 Pandemic. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778144

The uses of knowledge in global health. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e005802

Cocreated regional research agenda for evidence-informed policy and advocacy to improve adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights in sub-Saharan Africa. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e005571

Preventing teacher violence against children: the need for a research agenda. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00093-0/fulltext

Building resilience needs to be central to treating drug-resistant tuberculosis. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00056-5/fulltext

Gender norms and the wellbeing of girls and boys. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(20)30550-7/fulltext

Eliminating postnatal HIV transmission in high incidence areas: need for complementary biomedical interventions. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00570-5/fulltext

Breast cancer. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)32381-3/fulltext

FROM 2 APRIL

Seven days in medicine: 24-30 March 2021. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n842

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Wednesday, 7 April 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: APR 7, 2021, 03:17 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	41,710	[832]	616	[25]	36,958	4,136	17,470	238	942,561

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 04-07-2021 03:27 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

41,710 Total confirmed cases

616 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 6 April 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 7 APRIL 2021

As at 2 April 2021, a total of 12 945 people had been vaccinated across the country. For one to be vaccinated, they should first register through the online platforms that have been provided eg. https://dhis2sms.gov.bw/vaccine/. Those who are not able to register online can visit some designated areas that the ministry has identified.

NEWS

Vaccinating adults appears to protect children around them; bar opening event linked to 46 COVID-19 cases. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-science-idUSKBN2BS1SS

African leaders warn COVID-19 crisis harming climate adaptation push. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-africa-climate-adaptation-trfn/african-leaders-warn-covid-19-crisis-harming-climate-adaptation-push-idUSKBN2BT2SV

Tanzania’s new president to review COVID-19 stance, lifts media ban. “We cannot segregate ourselves like an island, but also we cannot blindly accept what is being brought forward to us (on COVID-19) without carrying out our own investigations and inputs,” she told officials at State House in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam. “Let us have a stance.” https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-president/tanzanias-new-president-to-review-covid-19-stance-lifts-media-ban-idUSKBN2BT12W

It’s a ‘travesty’ that some nations are unable to start COVID-19 vaccinations: WHO. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who-vaccination/its-a-travesty-that-some-nations-are-unable-to-start-covid-19-vaccinations-who-idUSKBN2BT1Y8

COVID research updates: Air traveller yields a new variant bristling with mutations. Nature wades through the literature on the coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

The world must learn from COVID before diving into a pandemic treaty. A treaty might help countries to prepare for the next pandemic — but first they must study what went wrong during this one. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00866-7

Russia’s COVID-19 defense may depend on mystery vaccine from former bioweapons lab—but does it work? https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/04/russia-s-covid-19-defense-may-depend-mystery-vaccine-former-bioweapons-lab-does-it-work

A Public Health Antibody Screening Indicates a Marked Increase of SARS-CoV-2 Exposure Rate in Children during the Second Wave. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00121-5

Susceptibility of Circulating SARS-CoV-2 Variants to Neutralization. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2103022?query=featured_home

Antibody Persistence through 6 Months after the Second Dose of mRNA-1273 Vaccine for Covid-19. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2103916?query=featured_home

In Search of the Best Way to Identify Those Who Would Benefit Most From COVID-19 Vaccination—Who Goes First? https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778187

Comparison of Estimated Effectiveness of Case-Based and Population-Based Interventions on COVID-19 Containment in Taiwan. The combination of case-based interventions with population-based interventions with wide adherence may explain the success of COVID-19 control in Taiwan. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2778395

Covid-19: All Johnson and Johnson vaccine in use is safe, says US regulator. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n897

Covid-19: Pfizer reports 100% vaccine efficacy in children aged 12 to 15. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n881

RESOURCES

Cell Press Coronavirus Resource Hub. https://www.cell.com/COVID-19?utm_medium=homepage

OTHER NEWS

Daily briefing: Google Scholar warns when your paper should be free. Hear from the co-founder of Google Scholar, consider what’s next in the search for the origin of SARS-CoV-2 and completely ignore April Fools’ Day. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00911-5

Association of Sex and Age With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury–Related Symptoms: A TRACK-TBI Study. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778183

Trends in Female Authorship in Major Journals of 3 Oncology Disciplines, 2002-2018. While female authorship in oncology research literature has increased over time, it has not kept up with the increase in female oncology faculty. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778184

Global burden of maternal bereavement: indicators of the cumulative prevalence of child loss. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004837

Endometriosis. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/endometriosis

FROM 6 APRIL

The uses of knowledge in global health. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e005802

Preventing teacher violence against children: the need for a research agenda. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00093-0/fulltext

Building resilience needs to be central to treating drug-resistant tuberculosis. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00056-5/fulltext

Gender norms and the wellbeing of girls and boys. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(20)30550-7/fulltext

Breast cancer. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)32381-3/fulltext

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Thursday, 8 April 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: APR 8, 2021, 04:50 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	41,710		616		36,958	4,136	17,470	238	942,561

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 04-08-2021 06:21 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

41,710 Total confirmed cases

616 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 7 April 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 7 APRIL 2021

As at 2 April 2021, a total of 12 945 people had been vaccinated across the country. For one to be vaccinated, they should first register through the online platforms that have been provided eg. https://dhis2sms.gov.bw/vaccine/. Those who are not able to register online can visit some designated areas that the ministry has identified.

NEWS

AZ Vax Trial Halted in Kids; Pill to Prevent COVID? It’s a Phone and a Face Mask!— A daily roundup of news on COVID-19 and the rest of medicine. https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19/91968?xid=nl_covidupdate_2021-04-07&eun=g1652901d0r&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyUpdate_040721&utm_term=NL_Gen_Int_Daily_News_Update_active

Moderna’s COVID Vax Produces Antibody Responses 6 Months Later — But neutralizing activity declined over time, and not equally among age groups. https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19vaccine/91954?xid=nl_covidupdate_2021-04-07&eun=g1652901d0r&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyUpdate_040721&utm_term=NL_Gen_Int_Daily_News_Update_active

Nigeria to limit first doses of AstraZeneca due to supply concerns. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-nigeria-vaccines/nigeria-to-limit-first-doses-of-astrazeneca-due-to-supply-concerns-idUSKBN2BU1HU

Why US coronavirus tracking can’t keep up with concerning variants. The country has an enormous virus-sequencing capacity, but funding and coordination roadblocks are holding it back. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00908-0

COVID research updates: Antibodies triggered by Moderna vaccine last for months. Nature wades through the literature on the coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

Global Vaccine Equity Is Much More Important Than ‘Vaccine Passports’. We need to suppress the level of SARS-CoV-2 in as many humans as possible as quickly as possible. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/global-vaccine-equity-is-much-more-important-than-vaccine-passports/

Training during a Pandemic. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00074-4

Audio Interview: Antibody Responses to Natural Infection and Vaccination. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2105969?query=featured_home

Escaping Catch-22 — Overcoming Covid Vaccine Hesitancy. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMms2101220?query=featured_home

Health Care Worker Strikes and the Covid Pandemic. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2103327?query=featured_home

From Vaccine Nationalism to Vaccine Equity — Finding a Path Forward. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2103614?query=featured_home

Neutralizing Response against Variants after SARS-CoV-2 Infection and One Dose of BNT162b2. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2104036?query=featured_home

Neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 Variants B.1.429 and B.1.351. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2103740?query=featured_home

Cross-Reactive Neutralizing Antibody Responses Elicited by SARS-CoV-2 501Y.V2 (B.1.351). https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2104192?query=featured_home

Antibody Responses in Seropositive Persons after a Single Dose of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2101667?query=featured_home

Preparing for the Future — Nanobodies for Covid-19? https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMcibr2101205?query=featured_home

Symptoms and Functional Impairment Assessed 8 Months After Mild COVID-19 Among Health Care Workers. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2778528

Digital Health Passes in the Age of COVID-19. Are “Vaccine Passports” Lawful and Ethical? https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2778526

Association of Human Mobility Restrictions and Race/Ethnicity–Based, Sex-Based, and Income-Based Factors With Inequities in Well-being During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778200

Covid-19: One in three has neurological or psychiatric condition diagnosed after covid infection, study finds. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n908

Covid-19: Italy makes vaccination mandatory for healthcare workers. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n905

RESOURCES

Cell Press Coronavirus Resource Hub. https://www.cell.com/COVID-19?utm_medium=homepage

OTHER NEWS

Food supplements that alter gut bacteria could ‘cure’ malnutrition. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/04/food-supplements-alter-gut-bacteria-could-cure-malnutrition

Lower or Higher Oxygenation Targets for Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032510?query=featured_home

Glycemic Index, Glycemic Load, and Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2007123?query=featured_home

Effective Use of Reporting Guidelines to Improve the Quality of Surgical Research. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2778477

STROBE Reporting Guidelines for Observational Studies. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2778474

Surgery research guidelines. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/newonline

What works in global health partnerships? Reflections on a collaboration between researchers from Vietnam and Northern Ireland. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e005535

Overriding drug and medical technology patents for pandemic recovery: a legitimate move for high-income countries, too. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e005518

Community participation in global surgery. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e005044

Healthcare leaders reject “damaging” denial that institutional racism exists. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n911

FROM 7 APRIL

Association of Sex and Age With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury–Related Symptoms: A TRACK-TBI Study. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778183

Global burden of maternal bereavement: indicators of the cumulative prevalence of child loss. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004837

Endometriosis. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/endometriosis

FROM 6 APRIL

The uses of knowledge in global health. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e005802

Preventing teacher violence against children: the need for a research agenda. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00093-0/fulltext

Building resilience needs to be central to treating drug-resistant tuberculosis. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00056-5/fulltext

Gender norms and the wellbeing of girls and boys. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(20)30550-7/fulltext

Breast cancer. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)32381-3/fulltext

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Friday, 9 April 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: APR 9, 2021, 03:36 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	41,710		616		36,958	4,136	17,470	238	942,561

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 04-09-2021 04:20 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

41,710 Total confirmed cases

616 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 7 April 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 7 APRIL 2021

As at 2 April 2021, a total of 12 945 people had been vaccinated across the country. For one to be vaccinated, they should first register through the online platforms that have been provided eg. https://dhis2sms.gov.bw/vaccine/. Those who are not able to register online can visit some designated areas that the ministry has identified.

NEWS

AstraZeneca vaccine: Blood clots are “extremely rare” and benefits outweigh risks, regulators conclude. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n931

South Africa should be using all the COVID-19 vaccines available to it – urgently. http://www.samj.org.za/index.php/samj/article/view/13238

AstraZeneca Vaccine Faces New Setbacks in U.K. and European Union. Britain said it would give alternative shots to people under 30, while the European regulator said it had found a ‘possible link’ with rare blood clots. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/07/world/europe/astrazeneca-uk-european-union.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20210408

‘Think of others’: elderly people in Zimbabwe dispel scepticism on Covid vaccine. While younger generations remain suspicious, growing numbers of senior citizens are taking up the jab. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/apr/08/think-of-others-elderly-people-in-zimbabwe-dispel-scepticism-on-covid-vaccine

AstraZeneca woes grow as Australia, Philippines, African Union curb COVID-19 shots. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-astrazeneca/astrazeneca-woes-grow-as-australia-philippines-african-union-curb-covid-19-shots-idUSKBN2BV2BA

Establishing a South African national framework for COVID-19 surgical prioritisation. http://www.samj.org.za/index.php/samj/article/view/1323

Serum Institute refunds South Africa for undelivered AstraZeneca doses. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica/serum-institute-refunds-south-africa-for-undelivered-astrazeneca-doses-idUSKBN2BV1TI

Tunisia approve Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-tunisia/tunisia-approve-johnson-johnson-covid-19-vaccine-idUSKBN2BV1NY

Mortality Among US Patients Hospitalized With SARS-CoV-2 Infection in 2020. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778237

Covid-19, open science, and the CVD-COVID-UK initiative. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n898

China’s response to COVID-19: a chance for collaboration. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00823-0/fulltext

Special Issue SAMJ– Online First: COVID-19 in South Africa. http://www.samj.org.za/index.php/samj

RESOURCES

Cell Press Coronavirus Resource Hub. https://www.cell.com/COVID-19?utm_medium=homepage

OTHER NEWS

Concrete steps to diversify the scientific workforce. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/372/6538/133

Evaluation of Pregnancy Outcomes Among Women With Decreased Fetal Movements. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778239

Unmasking power as foundational to research on sexual and reproductive health and rights. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e005482

Delivering nutrition interventions to women and children in conflict settings: a systematic review. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004897

Revisiting maternal and child undernutrition in low-income and middle-income countries: variable progress towards an unfinished agenda. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00394-9/fulltext

Ramadan and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy—a call for action. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00779-0/fulltext

Single-dose Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine followed by a 12-week booster. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00528-6/fulltext

FROM 8 APRIL

Food supplements that alter gut bacteria could ‘cure’ malnutrition. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/04/food-supplements-alter-gut-bacteria-could-cure-malnutrition

Lower or Higher Oxygenation Targets for Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032510?query=featured_home

Glycemic Index, Glycemic Load, and Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2007123?query=featured_home

Effective Use of Reporting Guidelines to Improve the Quality of Surgical Research. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2778477

STROBE Reporting Guidelines for Observational Studies. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2778474

Surgery research guidelines. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/newonline

What works in global health partnerships? Reflections on a collaboration between researchers from Vietnam and Northern Ireland. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e005535

Overriding drug and medical technology patents for pandemic recovery: a legitimate move for high-income countries, too. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e005518

Community participation in global surgery. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e005044

Healthcare leaders reject “damaging” denial that institutional racism exists. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n911

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Saturday, 10 April 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: APR 10, 2021, 03:36 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	42,674	[964]	636	[20]	38,203	3,835	17,870	238	944,985

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 04-10-2021 04:20 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

42,674 Total confirmed cases

636 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 8 April 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 10 APRIL 2021

As at 2 April 2021, a total of 12 945 people had been vaccinated across the country. For one to be vaccinated, they should first register through the online platforms that have been provided eg. https://dhis2sms.gov.bw/vaccine/. Those who are not able to register online can visit some designated areas that the ministry has identified.

NEWS

Calls to tackle vaccine hesitancy as African Union drops AstraZeneca. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-africa-coronavirus-vaccine-trfn/calls-to-tackle-vaccine-hesitancy-as-african-union-drops-astrazeneca-idUSKBN2BW2QO

Ireland adds U.S., France, Italy to tough hotel quarantine regime. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-ireland-travel/ireland-adds-u-s-france-italy-to-tough-hotel-quarantine-regime-idUSKBN2BW2S8

Unwanted vaccines needed to help poor countries catch up, international health officials say. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-astrazeneca/unwanted-vaccines-needed-to-help-poor-countries-catch-up-international-health-officials-say-idUSKBN2BW1MI

‘Vaccine grabbing’ seen fueling risk of fake COVID-19 jabs in Africa. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccine-africa/vaccine-grabbing-seen-fueling-risk-of-fake-covid-19-jabs-in-africa-idUSKBN2BW231

Russia says Sputnik shot less effective vs S.Africa variant but better than others-Ifax. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-russia-vaccine-var/russia-says-sputnik-shot-less-effective-vs-south-africa-variant-but-better-than-others-ifax-idUSKBN2BW0WY

African Union drops AstraZeneca vaccine, which COVAX will supply. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-africa/african-union-drops-astrazeneca-from-its-vaccine-plan-idUSKBN2BV19L

COVID research updates: New coronavirus variants muscle aside potent antibodies. Nature wades through the literature on the coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

Chinese COVID-19 vaccine maintains protection in variant-plagued Brazil. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/04/chinese-covid-19-vaccine-maintains-protection-variant-plagued-brazil

Latest Russian vaccine comes with a big dose of mystery. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/372/6538/116

COVID, Quickly, Episode 4: The Virtual Vaccine Line and Shots for Kids. https://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/covid-quickly-episode-4-the-virtual-vaccine-line-and-shots-for-kids/

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia after ChAdOx1 nCov-19 Vaccination. https://wordpress.com/page/maggiesmusings688820798.com/1869

Thrombosis and Thrombocytopenia after ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Vaccination. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2104882?query=featured_home

Public Perspectives on COVID-19 Vaccine Prioritization. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778340

Characteristics and Disease Severity of US Children and Adolescents Diagnosed With COVID-19. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778347

RESOURCES

Cell Press Coronavirus Resource Hub. https://www.cell.com/COVID-19?utm_medium=homepage

NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE Covid-19 Vaccine Resource Center. https://www.nejm.org/covid-vaccine

OTHER NEWS

A guide to Plan S: the open-access initiative shaking up science publishing. The push to remove journal paywalls officially started this year. Here’s how it works. But after much sparring over policy, the project formally began in 2021, with 25 funding agencies rolling out similar open-access (OA) mandates. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00883-6

Cancer Research Central. In the realm of cancer research, scientists are faced with many big questions. https://www.cell.com/cancer-research-central?utm_campaign=STMJ_1616803512_SC&utm_medium=WEB&utm_source=WEB&dgcid=STMJ_1616803512_SC?utm_campaign=STMJ_1617045223_SC&utm_medium=WEB&utm_source=WEB&dgcid=STMJ_1617045223_SC?utm_medium=homepage?utm_medium=homepage

Identification and inclusion of gender factors in retrospective cohort studies: the GOING-FWD framework. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e005413

Covid-19: a disaster five years in the making. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n657

How the JCVI sets who gets a covid-19 vaccine and when. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n820

What do we know about China’s covid-19 vaccines? https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n912

Christina Pagel: A very real danger that covid-19 will become entrenched as a disease of poverty. https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/04/09/christina-pagel-a-very-real-danger-that-covid-19-will-become-entrenched-as-a-disease-of-poverty/

SARS-CoV-2 infection rates of antibody-positive compared with antibody-negative health-care workers in England: a large, multicentre, prospective cohort study (SIREN). https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00675-9/fulltext

CDC ramps up scrutiny of rare post-vaccination ‘breakthrough infections’. These cases represent a tiny percentage of the 66 million people fully inoculated, and experts say they are neither unexpected nor occurring at an alarming rate. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/cdc-ramps-up-scrutiny-of-rare-post-vaccination-breakthrough-infections/ar-BB1fubGl?ocid=msedgntp

FROM 9 APRIL

Concrete steps to diversify the scientific workforce. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/372/6538/133

Evaluation of Pregnancy Outcomes Among Women With Decreased Fetal Movements. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778239

Unmasking power as foundational to research on sexual and reproductive health and rights. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e005482

Delivering nutrition interventions to women and children in conflict settings: a systematic review. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004897

Ramadan and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy—a call for action. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00779-0/fulltext

Single-dose Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine followed by a 12-week booster. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00528-6/fulltext

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Monday, 12 April 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: APR 12, 2021, 03:26 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	42,674		636		38,203	3,835	17,870	238	944,985

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 04-12-2021 04:20 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

42,674 Total confirmed cases

636 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 10 April 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 10 APRIL 2021

As at 2 April 2021, a total of 12 945 people had been vaccinated across the country. For one to be vaccinated, they should first register through the online platforms that have been provided eg. https://dhis2sms.gov.bw/vaccine/. Those who are not able to register online can visit some designated areas that the ministry has identified.

NEWS

UKClinical Trial Confirms SaNOtize’s Breakthrough Treatment for COVID-19. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated 79 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the majority heavily-infected with the UK variant. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210315005197/en

U.S. CDC: Vaccinated people can resume travel at ‘low risk’. https://www.mdlinx.com/news/u-s-cdc-vaccinated-people-can-resume-travel-at-low-risk/2ytEOdvjIpAuIcl6PQM2PW?show_order=1&article_type=recommended&tag=Evening&utm_campaign=4%2F10+A90+8+recommendations+Alert&utm_source=iPost&ipost_environment=m3usainc&utm_medium=email&iqs=9z2zg0669qtdk1m8uvhcu13rt83q3kvpgj3sgrheogo

Study refutes theory that blood type affects COVID risk. https://www.mdlinx.com/news/study-refutes-theory-that-blood-type-affects-covid-risk/5WyIBI0hVjVxmxO9XugHiw?show_order=2&article_type=recommended&utm_campaign=4%2F10+A90+8+recommendations+Alert&tag=Evening&utm_source=iPost&ipost_environment=m3usainc&utm_medium=email&iqs=9z2z5vrpnbsek99o2d33p9c90qbvginmnne8si88pr0

Cameroon receives 200,000 doses of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-cameroon-vaccine/cameroon-receives-200000-doses-of-sinopharm-covid-19-vaccine-idUSKBN2BY0P9

Tanzania opposition calls for new constitution, faster COVID-19 research. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tanzania-politics-opposition/tanzania-opposition-calls-for-new-constitution-faster-covid-19-research-idUSKBN2BY0O7

South African variant may evade protection from Pfizer vaccine, Israeli study says. The coronavirus variant discovered in South Africa may evade the protection provided by Pfizer/BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine to some extent, a real-world data study in Israel found, though its prevalence in the country is very low and the research has not been peer reviewed. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-israel-study/south-african-variant-may-evade-protection-from-pfizer-vaccine-israeli-study-says-idUSKBN2BX0JZ

How could a COVID vaccine cause blood clots? Scientists race to investigate. Researchers are searching for possible links between unusual clotting and the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine. Even so, the clotting disorder — described today in two reports in The New England Journal of Medicine1,2 — is so uncommon that the benefits of the vaccine still outweigh its risks, EMA executive director Emer Cooke told reporters. “These are very rare side effects,” she said. “The risk of mortality from COVID is much greater than the risk of mortality from these side effects.” https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00940-0

COVID research updates: New coronavirus variants muscle aside potent antibodies. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

SARS-CoV-2 drives JAK1/2-dependent local complement hyperactivation. https://immunology.sciencemag.org/content/6/58/eabg0833

Hard choices emerge as link between AstraZeneca vaccine and rare clotting disorder becomes clearer. As the link has become clearer, a possible mechanism driven by an errant immune reaction has come into focus. Now health officials face hard questions about who should and who shouldn’t get Vaxzevria, which some countries have already restricted to older age groups, upending vaccination schedules. Researchers stress that the troubles by no means spell Vaxzevria’s end. In the vast majority of cases, its benefits outweigh the risks, and the vaccine, cheap and easy to store, is still the best hope for vaccinating large numbers of people in low- and middle-income countries. And some scientists suggest that a simple strategy could reduce the risk while stretching supplies: Cut the vaccine dose in half. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/04/hard-choices-emerge-link-between-astrazeneca-vaccine-and-rare-clotting-disorder-becomes

Recorded but not revealed: exploring the relationship between sex and gender, country income level, and COVID-19. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00170-4/fulltext

COVID-19 pandemic and health-care disruptions: count the most vulnerable. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00098-X/fulltext

Correlates of protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00782-0/fulltext

First images of cells exposed to COVID-19 vaccine reveal native like coronavirus spikes. https://www.mdlinx.com/news/first-images-of-cells-exposed-to-covid-19-vaccine-reveal-native-like-coronavirus-spikes/3g2XEYDk5PJOIPNs6QTZ5R?show_order=3&tag=Evening&utm_campaign=ealert_041121&utm_medium=email&ipost_environment=m3usainc&utm_source=iPost&iqs=9z2z2slgcls8ve1t431lu4s92uahu4i9mv8ssl4g4ag

Interleukin-33 involved in immunity to SARS-CoV-2. https://www.mdlinx.com/news/interleukin-33-involved-in-immunity-to-sars-cov-2/78l9PplxAwYajt4dKy51G8?show_order=5&tag=Evening&utm_campaign=ealert_041121&utm_source=iPost&ipost_environment=m3usainc&utm_medium=email&iqs=9z2zp05j9q3he34hmm1ovv5elo5bsds9s4jp9jvksm8

RESOURCES

Topic Africa’s vaccine manufacturing virtual conference

Time Apr 12, 2021 01:00 PM
Apr 13, 2021 01:00 PM

Time shows in Nairobi

Registration https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_U31MVTQvQlWY51LbsEKT-w

Cell Press Coronavirus Resource Hub. https://www.cell.com/COVID-19?utm_medium=homepage

NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE Covid-19 Vaccine Resource Center. https://www.nejm.org/covid-vaccine

OTHER NEWS

Gender distribution among surgical journals’ editorial boards: maintaining momentum of equity. This cross-sectional analysis evaluated the recent state of gender distribution among the top United States surgical journals’ editorial boards. From this, it was discovered that out of the 42 journals included in our study, the mean proportions of female editorial board members, associate editors and editors in chief were all below 20%. https://www.surgjournal.com/article/S0039-6060(21)00206-3/fulltext#.YHOr5VeI-Sw.twitter

FROM 10 APRIL

Identification and inclusion of gender factors in retrospective cohort studies: the GOING-FWD framework. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e005413

Covid-19: a disaster five years in the making. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n657

How the JCVI sets who gets a covid-19 vaccine and when. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n820

What do we know about China’s covid-19 vaccines? https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n912

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Tuesday, 13 April 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: APR 13, 2021, 03:53 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	43,444	[870]	663	[27]	38,923	3,858	18,189	278	958,802

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 04-13-2021 05:20 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

43,444 Total confirmed cases

663 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 12 April 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 13 APRIL 2021

PRESS RELEASE – CURFEW HOURS REVISED

His Excellency the President Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, has directed that the curfew hours of 8pm to 4am (or 20:00hours to 04:00hrs) should be revised with immediate effect, to 10pm (or 22:00 hours) to 4am or (04:00 hours).

NEWS

After India disappointment, AU turns to Johnson & Johnson for Covid jabs https://www.africanews.com/2021/04/09/au-to-procure-vaccines-from-u-s-johnson-johnson/

South African COVID variant can ‘break through’ Pfizer vaccine: study. https://nypost.com/2021/04/10/south-african-covid-variant-can-break-through-pfizer-vaccine/

Sunlight linked with lower COVID-19 deaths, study shows. https://www.mdlinx.com/news/sunlight-linked-with-lower-covid-19-deaths-study-shows/4AzHFKK1HZYxsgV9GJsc5C?show_order=6&tag=Morning&utm_campaign=malert_041221&utm_medium=email&utm_source=iPost&ipost_environment=m3usainc&iqs=9z2z588p6e6ubbrm85fvi0j78kqk4fgkk2u1s8jgi2g

Low Efficacy of Chinese Shots Sows Concern on Global Rollout. https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/low-efficacy-of-chinese-shots-sows-concern-on-global-rollout/ar-BB1fxM9x?ocid=msedgntp

African health workers left without Covid jabs as paltry supplies dwindle. Fear of third wave and new variants as sub-Saharan vaccine distribution is dogged by supply disruption. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/13/african-health-workers-left-without-covid-jabs-as-paltry-supplies-dwindle

WTO chief seeks solutions to ‘glaring’ vaccine inequity, upbeat on IP waiver. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-trade-wto-dg/wto-chief-seeks-solutions-to-glaring-vaccine-inequity-upbeat-on-ip-waiver-idUSKBN2BZ2EA

Africa must expand vaccine production, leaders say. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-africa-vaccine/africa-must-expand-vaccine-production-leaders-say-idUSKBN2BZ1DE

Botswana probes deaths of two people who took AstraZeneca shot. Botswana is investigating the deaths of two among thousands of people who had been given doses of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine to see if there is any link, the health ministry said. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-botswana/botswana-probes-deaths-of-two-people-who-took-astrazeneca-shot-idUSKBN2BZ12E

Daily briefing: a graphical guide to vaccine benefits and risks. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00967-3

COVID research updates: Quick tests show value for stopping COVID’s spread. Nature wades through the literature on the coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

Multilevel proteomics reveals host perturbations by SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03493-4

More Women Than Men Are Getting COVID Vaccines. The reasons may include women’s roles as caregivers and their greater likelihood of seeking out preventive health care in general. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/more-women-than-men-are-getting-covid-vaccines/

Early T cell and binding antibody responses are associated with Covid-19 RNA vaccine efficacy onset. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00152-5

SARS-CoV-2–Specific Antibodies in Breast Milk After COVID-19 Vaccination of Breastfeeding Women. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2778766

Postoperative In-Hospital Morbidity and Mortality of Patients With COVID-19 Infection Compared With Patients Without COVID-19 Infection. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778455

COVID-19 Mortality and Stress to the Hospital System From High Patient Load. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2778540

Giving hope a sporting chance: COVID-19 as a beneficial epidemic? https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e005784

Inadequate reporting of COVID-19 clinical studies: a renewed rationale for the Sex and Gender Equity in Research (SAGER) guidelines. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004997

Has Europe failed to protect its people from covid-19? https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/04/09/has-europe-failed-to-protect-its-people-from-covid-19/

Covid-19: Rare immune response may cause clots after AstraZeneca vaccine, say researchers. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n954

Covid-19: Budesonide shortens recovery time in patients not admitted to hospital, study finds. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n957

Reporting of AstraZeneca studies may have caused vaccine reservations. The EMA investigation is ongoing: two members of the public are part of the panel.11 Comparing putative side effects with their natural occurrence is difficult. If risk factors were identified, they could be used as selective contraindications to this vaccine. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n937

Covid-19: The lack of vaccine trial data creates another layer of inequality. https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/04/09/covid-19-the-lack-of-vaccine-trial-data-creates-another-layer-of-inequality/

Linda Bauld: Maintaining trust in the covid-19 vaccine programme will be essential in the months ahead. https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/04/09/linda-bauld-maintaining-trust-in-the-covid-19-vaccine-programme-will-be-essential-in-the-months-ahead/

A Deferred-Vaccination Design to Assess Durability of COVID-19 Vaccine Effect After the Placebo Group Is Vaccinated. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M20-8149

Coronavirus pandemic ‘a long way from over’: WHO. World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says transmission is being driven by ‘complacency and inconsistency in public health measures’. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/12/coronavirus-pandemic-a-long-way-from-over-who

RESOURCES

Topic Africa’s vaccine manufacturing virtual conference

Time Apr 12, 2021 01:00 PM
Apr 13, 2021 01:00 PM

Time shows in Nairobi

Registration https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_U31MVTQvQlWY51LbsEKT-w

Cell Press Coronavirus Resource Hub. https://www.cell.com/COVID-19?utm_medium=homepage

NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE Covid-19 Vaccine Resource Center. https://www.nejm.org/covid-vaccine

OTHER NEWS

A highly multiplexed droplet digital PCR assay to measure the intact HIV-1 proviral reservoir. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00059-8

Evaluation of Time-Limited Trials Among Critically Ill Patients With Advanced Medical Illnesses and Reduction of Nonbeneficial ICU Treatments. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2778535

Stop ‘controlling’ for sex and gender in global health research. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e005714

Estimating private sector out-of-pocket expenditures on family planning commodities in low-and-middle-income countries. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004635

Surgical care in district hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/3/e042862.info

FROM 12 APRIL

FROM 10 APRIL

Identification and inclusion of gender factors in retrospective cohort studies: the GOING-FWD framework. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e005413

Covid-19: a disaster five years in the making. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n657

How the JCVI sets who gets a covid-19 vaccine and when. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n820

What do we know about China’s covid-19 vaccines? https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n912

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Wednesday, 14 April 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: APR 14, 2021, 03:24 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	43,444	[870]	663	[27]	38,923	3,858	18,189	278	958,802

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 04-14-2021 04:20 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

43,444 Total confirmed cases

663 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 13 April 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 13 APRIL 2021

PRESS RELEASE – CURFEW HOURS REVISED

His Excellency the President Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, has directed that the curfew hours of 8pm to 4am (or 20:00hours to 04:00hrs) should be revised with immediate effect, to 10pm (or 22:00 hours) to 4am or (04:00 hours).

NEWS

Johnson & Johnson Vaccine: US Calls for Pause After Blood Clotting Cases. As of April 12, more than 6.8 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine have been administered in the U.S. The CDC and FDA are reviewing data involving six reported U.S. cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot in individuals after receiving the J&J vaccine, the statement said. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/johnson-johnson-vaccine-us-calls-for-pause-after-blood-clotting-cases/ar-BB1fB8wg?ocid=msedgntp

The Guardian view on Africa and coronavirus: ending vaccine apartheid Editorial. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/apr/13/the-guardian-view-on-africa-and-coronavirus-ending-vaccine-apartheid

We will lose more doctors’: Sudan’s health workers plead for Covid jabs. Country has struggled to get vaccines to frontline medical staff, while Covid toll remains under-reported. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/apr/13/we-will-lose-more-doctors-sudans-health-workers-plead-for-covid-jabs

Egyptians celebrate more normal Ramadan despite COVID worries. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-religion-ramadan-egypt/egyptians-celebrate-more-normal-ramadan-despite-covid-worries-idUSKBN2C02K1

South Africa suspends J&J vaccine rollout after U.S. pause. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica/south-africa-suspends-jj-vaccine-rollout-after-u-s-pause-idUSKBN2C02HT

Concerns over rare clotting disorders halt use of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/04/concerns-over-rare-clotting-disorders-halt-use-johnson-johnson-s-covid-19-vaccine

Epidemiological and evolutionary considerations of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine dosing regimes. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2021/04/13/science.abg8663?rss=1

How scientists are teasing apart the biology of Long COVID. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/04/how-scientists-are-teasing-apart-biology-long-covid

Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Suspension—What This Means For You. An infectious disease doctor answers questions about the CDC’s and FDA’s decision to pause the vaccine’s use over a possible link with blood clots. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/johnson-johnson-vaccine-suspension-what-this-means-for-you/

Durability of immunity to SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses. https://www.cell.com/trends/microbiology/fulltext/S0966-842X(21)00092-5?utm_campaign=STMJ_1616803512_SC&utm_medium=WEB&utm_source=WEB&dgcid=STMJ_1616803512_SC?utm_campaign=STMJ_1617045223_SC&utm_medium=WEB&utm_source=WEB&dgcid=STMJ_1617045223_SC?utm_medium=homepage?utm_medium=homepage

SARS-CoV-2 colonization of maternal and fetal cells of the human placenta promotes alteration of local renin-angiotensin system. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00158-6

Mucosal Associated Invariant T (MAIT) Cell Responses Differ by Sex in COVID-19. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00157-4

Covid-19: Colleges publish guidance after patients attend emergency departments with vaccine concerns. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n960

Covid-19: EU investigates four reports of blood clots after Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n961

RESOURCES

Cell Press Coronavirus Resource Hub. https://www.cell.com/COVID-19?utm_medium=homepage

NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE Covid-19 Vaccine Resource Center. https://www.nejm.org/covid-vaccine

OTHER NEWS

Association of Prehospital Oxygen Saturation to Inspired Oxygen Ratio With 1-, 2-, and 7-Day Mortality. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778520

Neglected tropical diseases as a barometer for progress in health systems in times of COVID-19. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004709

A systematic examination of international funding flows for Ebola virus and Zika virus outbreaks 2014–2019: donors, recipients and funding purposes. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e003923

The role of Namibia Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme in strengthening the public health workforce in Namibia, 2012–2019. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e005597

Blood transcriptomic biomarkers for tuberculosis screening: time to redefine our target populations? https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00088-7/fulltext

Validation of a host blood transcriptomic biomarker for pulmonary tuberculosis in people living with HIV: a prospective diagnostic and prognostic accuracy study. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00045-0/fulltext

FROM 13 APRIL

A highly multiplexed droplet digital PCR assay to measure the intact HIV-1 proviral reservoir. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00059-8

Stop ‘controlling’ for sex and gender in global health research. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e005714

Estimating private sector out-of-pocket expenditures on family planning commodities in low-and-middle-income countries. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004635

Surgical care in district hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/3/e042862.info

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Thursday, 15 April 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: APR 15, 2021, 03464 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	43,444	[870]	663	[27]	38,923	3,858	18,189	278	958,802

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 04-15-2021 05:20 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

43,444 Total confirmed cases

663 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 13 April 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 15 APRIL 2021

NEWS

Covid-19: Moderna and Novavax vaccines to be tested in mixing vaccines trial. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n971?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_term=hootsuite&utm_content=sme&utm_campaign=usage

Covid-19: How AstraZeneca lost the vaccine PR war. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n921?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_term=hootsuite&utm_content=sme&utm_campaign=usage

Laboratory Modeling of SARS-CoV-2 Exposure Reduction Through Physically Distanced Seating in Aircraft Cabins Using Bacteriophage Aerosol — November 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7016e1.htm?s_cid=mm7016e1_w

Ex-leaders, Nobel winners urge U.S. to back COVID vaccine waiver. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-patents/ex-leaders-nobel-winners-urge-u-s-to-back-covid-vaccine-waiver-idUSKBN2C1308

South Africa says downpayments to J&J, Pfizer not refundable. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica/south-africa-says-downpayments-to-jj-pfizer-not-refundable-idUSKBN2C10VG

South African regulator says no major safety concerns from local J&J study. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica-regulator/south-african-regulator-says-no-major-safety-concerns-from-local-jj-study-idUSKBN2C1163

South Africa not considering terminating J&J contract, minister says. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica-johnson-jo/south-africa-not-considering-terminating-jj-contract-minister-says-idUSKBN2C115N

The race for antiviral drugs to beat COVID — and the next pandemic. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00958-4

Funders, now is the time to invest big in COVID drugs. Vaccine development has been a resounding success. But the medicine cabinet should have been better stocked. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00960-w

COVID research updates: COVID vaccination scheme keeps variants under control. Nature wades through the literature on the coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

Audio Interview: Vaccine Successes and Vaccine Adverse Events. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2106379?query=featured_home

BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine in a Nationwide Mass Vaccination Setting. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2101765?query=featured_home

SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Response in Persons with Past Natural Infection. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2103825?query=featured_home

Serum Neutralizing Activity Elicited by mRNA-1273 Vaccine. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2102179?query=featured_home

Neutralizing Activity of BNT162b2-Elicited Serum. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2102017?query=featured_home

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia after Ad26.COV2.S Vaccination. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2105869?query=featured_home

Pandemic Boosts an Old Idea—Bringing Acute Care to the Patient. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2778878

Experts Discuss COVID-19—Variants and Vaccine Efficacy, Immunosuppressed Patients, and More. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2778876

Examining unit costs for COVID-19 case management in Kenya. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004159

Health of women and children is central to covid-19 recovery. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n899

Thrombosis after covid-19 vaccination. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n958

Covid-19 has redefined airborne transmission. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n913

Assessing risk for healthcare workers during the pandemic: don’t forget workplace safety committees or aerosol generating procedures. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n950

RESOURCES

Cell Press Coronavirus Resource Hub. https://www.cell.com/COVID-19?utm_medium=homepage

NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE Covid-19 Vaccine Resource Center. https://www.nejm.org/covid-vaccine

OTHER NEWS

Neglected tropical diseases are the landmines of global health. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/apr/14/landmines-global-health-who-roadmap-eliminate-neglected-tropical-diseases

Botswana bans poultry imports from South Africa after avian flu outbreak. Botswana bans poultry imports from South Africa after avian flu outbreak

Scientists Should Admit They Bring Personal Values to Their Work. Value neutrality among researchers is a myth that hurts the public trust of science. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/scientists-should-admit-they-bring-personal-values-to-their-work/

A highly multiplexed droplet digital PCR assay to measure the intact HIV-1 proviral reservoir. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00059-8

Dexmedetomidine or Propofol for Sedation in Mechanically Ventilated Adults with Sepsis. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2024922?query=featured_home

No Cure without Care — Soothing Science Skepticism. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMms2101989?query=featured_home

Validation of a Clinical Decision Rule to Predict Abuse in Young Children Based on Bruising Characteristics. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778559

Addressing the Challenges Faced by Female Surgical Trainees Who Have Children During Protected Academic Periods. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2778637

The Structural and Intercultural Competence for Epidemiological Studies (SICES) guidelines: a 22-item checklist. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e005237

The implicit ideological function of the global health field and its role in maintaining relations of power. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e005620

Corrections to Lancet Glob Health 2021. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/onlinefirst

FROM 14 APRIL

Association of Prehospital Oxygen Saturation to Inspired Oxygen Ratio With 1-, 2-, and 7-Day Mortality. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778520

Neglected tropical diseases as a barometer for progress in health systems in times of COVID-19. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004709

A systematic examination of international funding flows for Ebola virus and Zika virus outbreaks 2014–2019: donors, recipients and funding purposes. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e003923

The role of Namibia Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme in strengthening the public health workforce in Namibia, 2012–2019. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e005597

Blood transcriptomic biomarkers for tuberculosis screening: time to redefine our target populations? https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00088-7/fulltext

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Friday, 16 April 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: APR 16, 2021, 04:07 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	44,075	[631]	671	[8]	38,923	3,858	18,189	281	405,969

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 04-16-2021 05:20 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

43,444 Total confirmed cases

663 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 13 April 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 16 APRIL 2021

ii. Ms Grace Muzila has been transferred to the Ministry of Health and Wellness as Permanent Secretary

NEWS

Changing Strategy, E.U. Bets Big on Pfizer to Battle Covid. After an early focus on AstraZeneca and months of turmoil, the European Union is pivoting away from the company’s vaccine. It has reached agreement for a faster rollout of the Pfizer-BioNTech shot. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/14/world/europe/EU-Pfizer-AstraZeneca-Covid.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage

Western Warnings Tarnish Vaccines the World Badly Needs. Amid a deep residue of mistrust, American and European cautions on the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines risk igniting anti-vaccine fervor in the global south. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/14/world/europe/western-vaccines-africa-hesitancy.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage

Global officials urge rich countries to donate excess COVID-19 vaccines, money to help end pandemic. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/global-officials-urge-rich-countries-donate-excess-covid-19-vaccines-money-help-2021-04-15/

Global COVID-19 vaccine supply “incredibly tight”, COVAX needs funds – Gavi. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/global-covid-19-vaccine-supply-incredibly-tight-covax-needs-funds-gavi-2021-04-15/

AstraZeneca ceo says committed to supply COVAX, calls for open borders. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/astrazeneca-ceo-says-committed-supply-covax-calls-open-borders-2021-04-15/

Africa CDC says cannot predict when second COVID-19 shots will arrive. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/africa-cdc-says-cannot-predict-when-second-covid-19-shots-will-arrive-2021-04-15/

Coronavirus variants: what viral mutants mean for the pandemic. As COVID variants cause growing concern, we look to the science and ask what you need to know. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00993-1

COVID research updates: Common asthma medicine could shave days off COVID illness.Nature wades through the literature on the coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

Vaccines that can protect against many coronaviruses could prevent another pandemic. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/04/vaccines-can-protect-against-many-coronaviruses-could-prevent-another-pandemic

Schools Can Open Safely during COVID, the Latest Evidence Shows. The risk of COVID transmission in schools is very low if precautions are taken. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/schools-can-open-safely-during-covid-the-latest-evidence-shows/

A combination of cross-neutralizing antibodies synergizes to prevent SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV pseudovirus infection. https://www.cell.com/cell-host-microbe/fulltext/S1931-3128(21)00181-5

Spike Antibody Levels of Nursing Home Residents With or Without Prior COVID-19 3 Weeks After a Single BNT162b2 Vaccine Dose. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2778926

COVID-19 response: mitigating negative impacts on other areas of health. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004110

Covid-19: Vaccine woes highlight vital role of traditional public health. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n968

Covid-19: Single dose of Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccine produces strong antibody response in over 80s. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n979

RESOURCES

Cell Press Coronavirus Resource Hub. https://www.cell.com/COVID-19?utm_medium=homepage

NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE Covid-19 Vaccine Resource Center. https://www.nejm.org/covid-vaccine

OTHER NEWS

Zoom fatigue worse for women. https://www.mdlinx.com/news/zoom-fatigue-worse-for-women/3oxsOkqfCO22YFINYij4HR?show_order=7&utm_campaign=malert_041521&tag=Morning&utm_medium=email&utm_source=iPost&ipost_environment=m3usainc&iqs=9z2zqb64b2pghb6pih8m66kk9f99i06km9b3at7vilg

Scientists sound warning note over malaria drug resistance in Africa. Rwanda study raises fears erosion of efficacy may have begun, with children at greatest risk. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/apr/15/africa-on-the-verge-of-resistance-to-key-malaria-drugs-rwanda-study-warns

Bibliometric Analysis of Neurology Articles Published in General Medicine Journals. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778567

Outcomes After Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy and Radiotherapy in Older Women With Early-Stage, Estrogen Receptor–Positive Breast Cancer. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778563

Subnational estimates of factors associated with under-five mortality in Kenya: a spatio-temporal analysis, 1993–2014. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004544

Rammya Mathew: Women in leadership—not just an unattainable ideal. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n934

5 free and legal ways to get the full text of research articles. https://www.ifis.org/en/research-skills-blog/research-article-full-text-tips?utm_campaign=Blog%20post:%20Full%20text&utm_content=161275406&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&hss_channel=tw-21105417

Opinion: Trauma health care would save lives in lower-income countries. https://www.devex.com/news/opinion-trauma-health-care-would-save-lives-in-lower-income-countries-99397

Open letter to international funders of science and development in Africa. Recently there was an announcement1 of a US$30 million grant awarded to the nonprofit health organization PATH by the US government’s President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI). Not one African institution was named in the press release. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-021-01307-8

FROM 15 APRIL

Botswana bans poultry imports from South Africa after avian flu outbreak. Botswana bans poultry imports from South Africa after avian flu outbreak

A highly multiplexed droplet digital PCR assay to measure the intact HIV-1 proviral reservoir. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00059-8

Dexmedetomidine or Propofol for Sedation in Mechanically Ventilated Adults with Sepsis. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2024922?query=featured_home

No Cure without Care — Soothing Science Skepticism. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMms2101989?query=featured_home

Validation of a Clinical Decision Rule to Predict Abuse in Young Children Based on Bruising Characteristics. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778559

Addressing the Challenges Faced by Female Surgical Trainees Who Have Children During Protected Academic Periods. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2778637

The Structural and Intercultural Competence for Epidemiological Studies (SICES) guidelines: a 22-item checklist. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e005237

The implicit ideological function of the global health field and its role in maintaining relations of power. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e005620

Corrections to Lancet Glob Health 2021. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/onlinefirst

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Saturday, 17 April 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: APR 17, 2021, 04:38 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	44,075	[631]	671	[8]	38,923	3,858	18,189	281	405,969

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 04-17-2021 05:20 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

43,444 Total confirmed cases

663 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 16 April 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 17 APRIL 2021

ii. Ms Grace Muzila has been transferred to the Ministry of Health and Wellness as Permanent Secretary

NEWS

The race to curb the spread of COVID vaccine disinformation. Researchers are applying strategies honed during the 2020 US presidential election to track anti-vax propaganda. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00997-x

Daily briefing: Video guide to the science of coronavirus variants. SARS-CoV-2 variants and the future of the pandemic, the tough problem of space junk and India’s COVID-vaccine crunch is putting global supplies at risk. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01017-8

Distinct antibody and memory B cell responses in SARS-CoV-2 naïve and recovered individuals following mRNA vaccination. https://immunology.sciencemag.org/content/6/58/eabi6950

Coronavirus News Roundup, April 10–April 16. Pandemic highlights for the week. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/coronavirus-news-roundup-april-10-april-16/

Coping Strategies of Ocean Castaways Hold Lessons for the COVID Pandemic. Shipwreck victims cast adrift for weeks or months exhibit a resilience that serves as a model to weather any extended crisis. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/coping-strategies-of-ocean-castaways-hold-lessons-for-the-covid-pandemic/

Pathologic Antibodies to Platelet Factor 4 after ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Vaccination. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2105385?query=featured_home

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia after Ad26.COV2.S Vaccination — Response from the Manufacturer. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2106075?query=featured_home

Indoor Air Changes and Potential Implications for SARS-CoV-2 Transmission. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2779062

Fitted Filtration Efficiency of Double Masking During the COVID-19 Pandemic. In contrast, wearing a procedure mask under the cloth face covering produced marked improvements in overall FFE (mean [SD] range, 66% [5%] to 81% [6%]). https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2778913

Covid-19: US reports low rate of new infections in people already vaccinated. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1000

How will covid-19 vaccine safety concerns impact vaccine confidence? https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/04/16/how-will-the-uks-decision-to-offer-an-alternative-to-the-oxford-astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine-for-under-30s-following-safety-signals-impact-vaccine-confidence/

Covid-19: Risk of cerebral blood clots from disease is 10 times that from vaccination, study finds. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1005

The ACT Accelerator: heading in the right direction? April 24, 2021, marks 1 year since the formation of the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A) partnership. Its mission is to accelerate the development, production, and equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines, which is central to ending the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the pandemic still raging, has ACT-A been successful so far? And what does the future hold? https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00835-7/fulltext

Ten scientific reasons in support of airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00869-2/fulltext

Thromboembolism and the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine: side-effect or coincidence? https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00762-5/fulltext

RESOURCES

Cell Press Coronavirus Resource Hub. https://www.cell.com/COVID-19?utm_medium=homepage

NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE Covid-19 Vaccine Resource Center. https://www.nejm.org/covid-vaccine

OTHER NEWS

The medical response to climate change. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00114-8

The effectiveness of maternity waiting homes in reducing perinatal mortality: a case–control study in Ethiopia. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004140

Effect of infusion set replacement intervals on catheter-related bloodstream infections (RSVP): a randomised, controlled, equivalence (central venous access device)–non-inferiority (peripheral arterial catheter) trial. Infusion set use can be safely extended to 7 days with resultant cost and workload reductions. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00351-2/fulltext

FROM 16 APRIL

Bibliometric Analysis of Neurology Articles Published in General Medicine Journals. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778567

Subnational estimates of factors associated with under-five mortality in Kenya: a spatio-temporal analysis, 1993–2014. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004544

Rammya Mathew: Women in leadership—not just an unattainable ideal. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n934

Opinion: Trauma health care would save lives in lower-income countries. https://www.devex.com/news/opinion-trauma-health-care-would-save-lives-in-lower-income-countries-99397

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Monday, 19 April 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: APR 19, 2021, 04:39 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	44,075		671		38,923	3,858	18,189	281	405,969

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 04-19-2021 05:20 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

43,444 Total confirmed cases

663 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 18 April 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 17 APRIL 2021

ii. Ms Grace Muzila has been transferred to the Ministry of Health and Wellness as Permanent Secretary

NEWS

Covid-19 vaccines: a game of power jabs. https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/04/16/covid-19-vaccines-a-game-of-power-jabs/

Researchers Are Hatching a Low-Cost Coronavirus Vaccine. A new formulation entering clinical trials in Brazil, Mexico, Thailand and Vietnam could change how the world fights the pandemic. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/05/health/hexapro-mclellan-vaccine.html?action=click&module=Science%20%20Technology&pgtype=Homepage

COVID vaccines and blood clots: five key questions. As safety concerns delay the use of two COVID-19 vaccines, Nature looks at the questions that scientists want answered. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00998-w

Increased Resistance of SARS-CoV-2 Variant P.1 to Antibody Neutralization. https://www.cell.com/cell-host-microbe/fulltext/S1931-3128(21)00183-9

BNT162b2 Vaccination Effectively Prevents the Rapid Rise of SARS-CoV-2 Variant B.1.1.7 in high risk populations in Israel. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00080-X

Indoor Air Changes and Potential Implications for SARS-CoV-2 Transmission. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2779062

Covid-19: Risk of cerebral blood clots from disease is 10 times that from vaccination, study finds. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1005

Kenya’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic: a balance between minimising morbidity and adverse economic impact [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 3 approved with reservations]. https://aasopenresearch.org/browse/articles?utm_medium=email&utm_source=etoc_alert_WEEKLY

Prolonged brain dysfunction in COVID-19 survivors: A pandemic in its own right? https://www.mdlinx.com/news/prolonged-brain-dysfunction-in-covid-19-survivors-a-pandemic-in-its-own-right/6sn7xh47gJIEfDEIEYeDMK?show_order=3&tag=Evening&utm_campaign=ealert_041821&utm_medium=email&utm_source=iPost&ipost_environment=m3usainc&iqs=9z2zhn6svrrctekv9c6nc3fml936ju6obqfenn8i9hg

Experimental antiviral proves effective in halting spread and damage of COVID-19. https://www.mdlinx.com/news/experimental-antiviral-proves-effective-in-halting-spread-and-damage-of-covid-19/1GjtigrgpbXVHHqP1CUQ4R?show_order=7&tag=Evening&utm_campaign=ealert_041821&ipost_environment=m3usainc&utm_medium=email&utm_source=iPost&iqs=9z2z774kd721d6cvtmsj8mkl57j0m47nin16hkuuid0

RESOURCES

Improving Pandemic Response: Global Lessons And Cultural Insights From COVID-19 https://cdn.vanderbilt.edu/vu-wp0/wp-content/uploads/sites/350/2021/03/26152300/Improving-Pandemic-Response-CCH-report.pdf

Cell Press Coronavirus Resource Hub. https://www.cell.com/COVID-19?utm_medium=homepage

NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE Covid-19 Vaccine Resource Center. https://www.nejm.org/covid-vaccine

OTHER NEWS

The medical response to climate change. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00114-8

The effectiveness of maternity waiting homes in reducing perinatal mortality: a case–control study in Ethiopia. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004140

From Twitter–Gregory Sund@sundg01. According the the WFSA workforce map, there are 6 physician anesthesiologists working in Burundi. This morning I was informed that one recently moved to Chad an another took a government position. That makes 4 … for a population of 11.5 million people.

REVISED COVID-19 and the HIV care continuum in Uganda: minimising collateral damage [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations]. https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/3-28

FROM 16 APRIL

Bibliometric Analysis of Neurology Articles Published in General Medicine Journals. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778567

Subnational estimates of factors associated with under-five mortality in Kenya: a spatio-temporal analysis, 1993–2014. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004544

Rammya Mathew: Women in leadership—not just an unattainable ideal. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n934

Opinion: Trauma health care would save lives in lower-income countries. https://www.devex.com/news/opinion-trauma-health-care-would-save-lives-in-lower-income-countries-99397

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Tuesday, 20 April 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: APR 20, 2021, 03:45 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	44,702	[627]	684	[21]	39,733	4,285	18,189	286	408,784

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 04-20-2021 05:21 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

44,702 Total confirmed cases

684 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 18 April 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 20 APRIL 2021

ii. Ms Grace Muzila has been transferred to the Ministry of Health and Wellness as Permanent Secretary

NEWS

Coronavirus variant threatens global recovery. https://www.nature.com/articles/d44148-021-00021-4

Large clinical trial to study repurposed drugs to treat COVID-19 symptoms. Using an ACTIV master protocol, the trial will focus on potential interventions for mild-to-moderate illness. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/large-clinical-trial-study-repurposed-drugs-treat-covid-19-symptoms?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

World can bring pandemic under control within months – WHO chief. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who/world-can-bring-pandemic-under-control-within-months-who-chief-idUSKBN2C6202

Congo begins COVID-19 vaccinations after delay over safety concerns. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/congo-begins-covid-19-vaccinations-after-delay-over-safety-concerns-2021-04-19/

WHO says world seeing increased COVID-19 cases across all age groups. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who/who-says-world-seeing-increased-covid-19-cases-across-all-age-groups-idUSKBN2C626F

The Race to Curb the Spread of COVID Vaccine Disinformation. Researchers are applying strategies honed during the 2020 US presidential election to track anti-vax propaganda. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-race-to-curb-the-spread-of-covid-vaccine-disinformation/

Soluble Interleukin-6 Receptor in the COVID-19 Cytokine Storm Syndrome. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00091-4

Rapid vaccination and partial lockdown minimizes 4th waves from emerging highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 variants. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00161-6

A Tale of 2 Viruses and 2 Vaccines—Perspectives From 2 Stages of Life. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2778962

COVID-19 Inequities Across Multiple Racial and Ethnic Groups: Results From an Integrated Health Care Organization. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M20-8283

Were pregnant women more affected by COVID-19 in the second wave of the pandemic? https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00716-9/fulltext

Tanzania’s position on the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00678-4/fulltext

COVID-19: time for ethical reflection? https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00795-9/fulltext

Ten scientific reasons in support of airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00869-2/fulltext

Pulmonary embolism and thrombocytopenia following ChAdOx1 vaccination. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00871-0/fulltext

Bilateral superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis, ischaemic stroke, and immune thrombocytopenia after ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00872-2/fulltext

Covid-19: Pregnant women should be offered Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, says UK advisory committee. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1013

RESOURCES

TODAY– Join the #TransformationalDialogues event discussing Barriers to Research for #LMIC #Surgery & #Anesthesia Clinicians & how to address them. Chaired by Prof. Lakhoo #DecolonizingGlobalSurgery April 20 15:00-16:30GMT in English/French/Spanish Register @ https://bit.ly/3wW3Lva

New journal—March 2021– Nature Africa is a standalone digital magazine that reports on scientific research and issues of science policy across the African continent. Stories will be relevant to researchers and a wider audience of people interested in science. https://www.nature.com/natafrica/news-and-comment

Training Workshop/Scientific Writing: A Nature Portfolio workshop for researchers in Africa. Tuesday, 18 May 2021- Virtual Event, 2:00pm – 5:00pm WAT/BST, 3:00pm – 6:00pm CAT, 4:00pm – 7:00pm EAT, 9:00am – 12:00pm EDT https://conferences.nature.com/event/63b27283-1399-42f7-bc0b-b767bb795838/summary?s=08 REGISTER Sharing and Communicating Scientific Discoveries (afroscientric.com) https://afroscientric.com/nature/

MCGill Teach Epi free teaching resources. https://www.teachepi.org/

Breast Cancer Survival in Sub-Saharan Africa NCI VIRTUAL May 4th, 2021| 9:00 a.m. ET, 3 PM CAT, Register Meeting Registration – Zoom (zoomgov.com) https://nih.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIscemvqTMoH_7fbpDfu6rM23e_1BxEolM

Virtual Global Forum on Humanitarian Health Research (GFH2R). Apply to participate in the 2021 virtual Global Forum on Humanitarian Health Research through CRDF Global
Application deadline: May 28, 2021

Cell Press Coronavirus Resource Hub. https://www.cell.com/COVID-19?utm_medium=homepage

NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE Covid-19 Vaccine Resource Center. https://www.nejm.org/covid-vaccine

OTHER NEWS

Systematic review of the entomological impact of insecticide-treated nets evaluated using. 2 experimental hut trials in Africa—preprint. https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.04.07.21254306v2.full.pdf

Fifteen journals to outsource peer-review decisions. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/04/fifteen-journals-outsource-peer-review-decisions

Reduced blood-stage malaria growth and immune correlates in humans following RH5 vaccination. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00116-1

Variables Associated With Intravenous Rehydration and Hospitalization in Children With Acute Gastroenteritis. A Secondary Analysis of 2 Randomized Clinical Trials. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778844

Adverse Events Associated With the Addition of Aspirin to Direct Oral Anticoagulant Therapy Without a Clear Indication. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2778963

Rethinking Routine Peripheral Intravenous Line Placement. A Teachable Moment. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2778961

The principles of Nurturing Care promote human capital and mitigate adversities from preconception through adolescence. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004436

FROM 19 APRIL

The medical response to climate change. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00114-8

The effectiveness of maternity waiting homes in reducing perinatal mortality: a case–control study in Ethiopia. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004140

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Wednesday, 21 April 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: APR 21, 2021, 04:01 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	44,702	[627]	684	[21]	39,733	4,285	18,189	286	408,784

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 04-21-2021 05:20 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

44,702 Total confirmed cases

684 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 20 April 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 20 APRIL 2021

ii. Ms Grace Muzila has been transferred to the Ministry of Health and Wellness as Permanent Secretary

NEWS

Transmission, infectivity, and neutralization of a spike L452R SARS-CoV-2 variant. https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(21)00505-5

Asymptomatic and symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections elicit polyfunctional antibodies. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00103-8

COVID-19: The therapeutic landscape, https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00164-1

What do we know about India’s Covaxin vaccine? https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n997

State Department to designate most countries with ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory. “Fully vaccinated travelers are less likely to get and spread covid-19,” the website says. “However, international travel poses additional risks and even fully vaccinated travelers are at increased risk for getting and possibly spreading new COVID-19 variants.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2021/04/19/state-department-do-not-travel/?utm_campaign=wp_to_your_health&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_tyh&wpmk=1&pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJjb29raWVuYW1lIjoid3BfY3J0aWQiLCJpc3MiOiJDYXJ0YSIsImNvb2tpZXZhbHVlIjoiNWNkMmVmZmY5YmJjMGYwYmY4OGIwODEwIiwidGFnIjoiNjA3ZjMyOTg5ZDJmZGExZGZiNTYxNWRiIiwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL3RyYXZlbC8yMDIxLzA0LzE5L3N0YXRlLWRlcGFydG1lbnQtZG8tbm90LXRyYXZlbC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXdwX3RvX3lvdXJfaGVhbHRoJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJndwaXNyYz1ubF90eWgmd3Btaz0xIn0.pyT2LKX6YzwGmPJeRUAWJDQCPXs5uwAxiI3GVlw1ugE

Is the South African COVID variant immune to vaccines? https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2021/4/19/is-the-south-african-covid-variant-immune-to-vaccines

RESOURCES

New journal—March 2021– Nature Africa is a standalone digital magazine that reports on scientific research and issues of science policy across the African continent. Stories will be relevant to researchers and a wider audience of people interested in science. https://www.nature.com/natafrica/news-and-comment

MCGill Teach Epi free teaching resources. https://www.teachepi.org/

OTHER NEWS

Fifteen journals to outsource peer-review decisions. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/04/fifteen-journals-outsource-peer-review-decisions

Efficacy and Safety of Weekly Paclitaxel With or Without Oral Alisertib in Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer. A Randomized Clinical Trial. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778910

Digital ≠ paperless: novel interfaces needed to address global health challenges. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e005780

Evaluating the potential economic and health impact of rotavirus vaccination in 63 middle-income countries not eligible for Gavi funding: a modelling study. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00167-4/fulltext

FROM 20 APRIL

Fifteen journals to outsource peer-review decisions. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/04/fifteen-journals-outsource-peer-review-decisions

Reduced blood-stage malaria growth and immune correlates in humans following RH5 vaccination. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00116-1

Rethinking Routine Peripheral Intravenous Line Placement. A Teachable Moment. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2778961

The principles of Nurturing Care promote human capital and mitigate adversities from preconception through adolescence. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004436

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Thursday, 22 April 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: APR 22, 2021, 03:59 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	44,702	[627]	684	[21]	39,733	4,285	18,189	286	408,784

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 04-22-2021 05:20 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

44,702 Total confirmed cases

684 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 21 April 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 22 APRIL 2021

ii. Ms Grace Muzila has been transferred to the Ministry of Health and Wellness as Permanent Secretary

NEWS

How COVID spurred Africa to plot a vaccines revolution. For decades, Africa has imported 99% of its vaccines. Now the continent’s leaders want to bring manufacturing home. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01048-1

Africa’s vaccines revolution must have research at its core. It’s an injustice that Africa has to import 99% of its vaccines. COVID has sparked a push for change — and researchers have a crucial role. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01038-3

South African researchers hope to resume J&J vaccination study next week. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/south-african-researchers-hope-resume-jj-vaccination-study-next-week-2021-04-21/

France kicks off Europe’s vaccine donations to poorer states. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccine-france/france-kicks-off-europes-vaccine-donations-to-poorer-states-idUSKBN2C824R

COVID vaccines and kids: five questions as trials begin. As the first clinical trials in young children start, here’s what scientists want to know. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01061-4

Daily briefing: Fire rips through historic South African library. Irreplaceable records lost in University of Cape Town library fire. Plus, the trials studying long COVID, and what might underlie the very rare blood clots that have been linked with two COVID-19 vaccines. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01063-2

India’s massive COVID surge puzzles scientists. The virus is spreading faster than ever before in India despite previous high infection rates in megacities, which should have conferred some protection. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01059-y

How COVID hurt the fight against other dangerous diseases. Campaigns to battle tuberculosis, measles and polio have all been set back. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01022-x

Audio Interview: Covid-19 Vaccines and Pregnancy — A Conversation with CDC Director Rochelle Walensky. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2106836?query=featured_home

Safety and Efficacy of Single-Dose Ad26.COV2.S Vaccine against Covid-19. A single dose of Ad26.COV2.S protected against symptomatic Covid-19 and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and was effective against severe–critical disease, including hospitalization and death. Safety appeared to be similar to that in other phase 3 trials of Covid-19 vaccines. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2101544?query=featured_home

Preliminary Findings of mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine Safety in Pregnant Persons. Preliminary findings did not show obvious safety signals among pregnant persons who received mRNA Covid-19 vaccines. However, more longitudinal follow-up, including follow-up of large numbers of women vaccinated earlier in pregnancy, is necessary to inform maternal, pregnancy, and infant outcomes. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2104983?query=featured_home

Vaccine Breakthrough Infections with SARS-CoV-2 Variants. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2105000?query=featured_home

Interleukin-6 Receptor Antagonists in Critically Ill Patients with Covid-19. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2100433?query=featured_home

Preparing for the Future — Nanobodies for Covid-19? https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMcibr2101205?query=featured_home

Interleukin-6 Receptor Inhibition in Covid-19 — Cooling the Inflammatory Soup. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2103108?query=featured_secondary

Navigating Attacks Against Health Care Workers in the COVID-19 Era. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2779310

Covid-19: Unusual blood clots are “very rare side effect” of Janssen vaccine, says EMA. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1046

RESOURCES

New journal—March 2021– Nature Africa is a standalone digital magazine that reports on scientific research and issues of science policy across the African continent. Stories will be relevant to researchers and a wider audience of people interested in science. https://www.nature.com/natafrica/news-and-comment

MCGill Teach Epi free teaching resources. https://www.teachepi.org/

Global Surgery – Special issue April 2021–Journal of Public Health and Emergency. https://jphe.amegroups.com/post/view/global-surgery#

OTHER NEWS

Here’s how scientists are designing vaccines that can ditch the fridge. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/04/here-s-how-scientists-are-designing-vaccines-can-ditch-fridge

Sacituzumab Govitecan in Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2028485?query=featured_home

Axillary Pathologic Complete Response After Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy by Breast Cancer Subtype in Patients With Initially Clinically Node-Positive Disease. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2778930

Opportunities and Challenges for the Next Phase of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery. A Review. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2778928

Maintaining Good Mental Health for Physicians and Staff. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2778933

Engaging globally with how to achieve healthy societies: insights from India, Latin America and East and Southern Africa. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e005257

Beyond HIV prevalence: identifying people living with HIV within underserved areas in South Africa. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004089

Disrespect and abuse as a predictor of postnatal care utilisation and maternal-newborn well-being: a mixed-methods systematic review. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004698

Characterizing the Global Need for Plastic Surgery Service. https://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/Fulltext/9900/Characterizing_the_Global_Need_for_Plastic_Surgery.100.aspx

Effects of Regular Physical Activity on the Immune System, Vaccination and Risk of Community-Acquired Infectious Disease in the General Population: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Regular, moderate to vigorous physical activity is associated with reduced risk of community-acquired infectious diseases and infectious disease mortality, enhances the first line of defence of the immune system, and increases the potency of vaccination. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40279-021-01466-1

FROM 21 APRIL

Fifteen journals to outsource peer-review decisions. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/04/fifteen-journals-outsource-peer-review-decisions

Digital ≠ paperless: novel interfaces needed to address global health challenges. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e005780

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Friday, 23 April 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: APR 23, 2021, 02:58 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	45,855	[1,153]	691	[7]	41,338	3,826	19,188	286	410,963

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 04-23-2021 04:20 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

45,885 Total confirmed cases

691 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 22 April 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 23 APRIL 2021

NEWS

African countries urged not to waste vaccines after expiry confusion. Malawi has said it plans to destroy more than 16,000 doses of AstraZeneca’s vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India because the shots were not administered before the April 13 expiry date on the packaging. But Nkengasong, the continent’s top public health official, said the Africa CDC had informed countries receiving the donations that the shots could be used until July 13, based on a further analysis conducted by the Serum Institute. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-africa/african-countries-urged-not-to-waste-vaccines-after-expiry-confusion-idUSKBN2C91BT

COVID research updates: Previous infections could shorten COVID illness. Nature wades through the literature on the coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

Three million COVID deaths is a grim milestone. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken too many lives, and has set back efforts to tackle other infectious diseases. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01037-4

Clear link emerges between COVID-19 and pregnancy complications. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/04/clear-link-emerges-between-covid-19-and-pregnancy-complications

Do preservative and stray proteins cause rare COVID-19 vaccine side effect? https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/04/do-preservative-and-stray-proteins-cause-rare-covid-19-vaccine-side-effect

METTL3 regulates viral m6A RNA modification and host cell innate immune responses during SARS-CoV-2 infection. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(21)00425-3

Asymptomatic and symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections elicit polyfunctional antibodies. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00103-8

Maternal respiratory SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy is associated with robust inflammatory response at the maternal-fetal interface. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00165-3

Remote Research and Clinical Trial Integrity During and After the Coronavirus Pandemic. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2779364

Effect of Early Treatment With Hydroxychloroquine or Lopinavir and Ritonavir on Risk of Hospitalization Among Patients With COVID-19. The TOGETHER Randomized Clinical Trial. In this trial that included 685 patients, rates of COVID-19–associated hospitalization in patients treated with hydroxychloroquine or lopinavir-ritonavir were not significantly different compared with those who received placebo. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779044

Acute Ischemic Stroke During the Convalescent Phase of Asymptomatic COVID-2019 Infection in Men. Results of this study suggest a persistent increased risk of AIS in individuals with asymptomatic COVID-19 months after serological diagnosis, warranting stroke units to be on alert and use SARS-CoV-2 serological testing. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779040

SARS-CoV-2 Transmission Risk Among National Basketball Association Players, Staff, and Vendors Exposed to Individuals With Positive Test Results After COVID-19 Recovery During the 2020 Regular and Postseason. Individuals who recovered clinically from COVID-19 but continued to test positive did not transmit SARS-CoV-2 to others, despite close proximity with susceptible individuals. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2779287

COVID-19 Lessons From the National Basketball Association Bubble—Can Persistently SARS-CoV-2–Positive Individuals Transmit Infection to Others? https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2779288

Covid-19: What do we know about airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2? https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1030

Karen Ellison: The power of civility during a pandemic. https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/04/22/karen-ellison-the-power-of-civility-during-a-pandemic/

RESOURCES

MCGill Teach Epi free teaching resources. https://www.teachepi.org/

Global Surgery – Special issue April 2021–Journal of Public Health and Emergency. https://jphe.amegroups.com/post/view/global-surgery#

OTHER NEWS

Immediate postnatal care following childbirth in Ugandan health facilities: an analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys between 2001 and 2016. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004230

Religion and the World Health Organization: an evolving relationship. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004073

Ten-year impacts of China’s rural health scheme: lessons for universal health coverage. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e003714

Migraine: epidemiology and systems of care. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)32160-7/fulltext

Study seeks to increase volume-targeted ventilation use. For more than two decades, evidence has accrued that the use of volume-targeted ventilation (VTV) results in better outcomes in neonates who require mechanical ventilation in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). https://news.vumc.org/2021/04/22/study-seeks-to-increase-volume-targeted-ventilation-use/?_ga=2.249757958.1047393199.1619021615-13166530.1578784839

FROM 22 APRIL

Here’s how scientists are designing vaccines that can ditch the fridge. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/04/here-s-how-scientists-are-designing-vaccines-can-ditch-fridge

Sacituzumab Govitecan in Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2028485?query=featured_home

Opportunities and Challenges for the Next Phase of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery. A Review. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2778928

Maintaining Good Mental Health for Physicians and Staff. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2778933

Engaging globally with how to achieve healthy societies: insights from India, Latin America and East and Southern Africa. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e005257

Beyond HIV prevalence: identifying people living with HIV within underserved areas in South Africa. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004089

Disrespect and abuse as a predictor of postnatal care utilisation and maternal-newborn well-being: a mixed-methods systematic review. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004698

Characterizing the Global Need for Plastic Surgery Service. https://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/Fulltext/9900/Characterizing_the_Global_Need_for_Plastic_Surgery.100.aspx

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Saturday, 24 April 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: APR 24, 2021, 03:40 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	45,855	[1,153]	691	[7]	41,338	3,826	19,188	286	410,963

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 04-24-2021 05:20 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

45,885 Total confirmed cases

691 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 23 April 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 23 APRIL 2021

MEDIA ADVISORY- ARRIVAL OF COVID-19 VACCINES

GABORONE 23rd April 2021: The Ministry for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration wishes to invite media representatives for coverage of the arrival of two hundred thousand (200,000) doses of Sinovac vaccines, donated by the Government of the Peoples Republic of China.

This donation precedes an additional two hundred thousand (200,000) purchased doses of Sinovac expected to arrive in the country soon.

The donated consignment will arrive at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport at 14:15pm on Sunday 25th April 2021, and will be received by the Minister for Presidential Affairs Governance and Public Administration Honourable Kabo Morwaeng, the Minister of Health and Wellness, Honourable Dr Edwin Dikoloti and some Senior Government officials.

Members of the Media who wish to cover the arrival of the consignment are kindly requested to forward their names, ID and contact numbers as well as Names of the Media Houses they represent to op-pr-office@gov.bw or ksegopolo@gov.bw by end of business today (1630hrs).

Your usual cooperation is highly appreciated.

Thank you.

[Signed]

John T. Dipowe

Acting Permanent Secretary

Government Communications

NEWS

Statelessness in the COVID-19 pandemic. Millions of people have no nationality and are being overlooked in the response to COVID-19. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00901-6/fulltext

Covid-19: Infections fell by 65% after first dose of AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccine, data show. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1068

India a ‘devastating reminder’ of damage COVID can wreak, says WHO chief. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who-tedros/india-a-devastating-reminder-of-damage-covid-can-wreak-says-who-chief-idUSKBN2CA1MB

WHO, Macron denounce vaccine inequity as COVAX scheme marks first year. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/tedros-denounces-vaccine-inequity-covax-sharing-scheme-marks-first-year-2021-04-23/

One million coronavirus sequences: popular genome site hits mega milestone. GISAID’s impressive effort to understand the spread of COVID-19 has seen scientists upload sequences from most nations on Earth. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01069-w

COVID research updates: A care-home COVID outbreak shows a vaccine’s powers. Nature wades through the literature on the coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

Blood Clots and the Johnson & Johnson Vaccine: What We Know So Far. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/blood-clots-and-the-johnson-johnson-vaccine-what-we-know-so-far/

Coronavirus News Roundup, April 17–April 23. Pandemic highlights for the week. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/coronavirus-news-roundup-april-17-april-23/

COVID, Quickly, Episode 5: Vaccine Safety in Pregnancy, Blood Clots and Long-Haul Realities. https://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/covid-quickly-episode-5-vaccine-safety-in-pregnancy-blood-clots-and-long-haul-realities/

Structural insight into SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies and modulation of syncytia. https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(21)00536-5

Simulated Identification of Silent COVID-19 Infections Among Children and Estimated Future Infection Rates With Vaccination. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779052

On the Value of COVID-19 Testing for Children Beyond the Spring of 2021. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779056

Association of Maternal Perinatal SARS-CoV-2 Infection With Neonatal Outcomes During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Massachusetts. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779051

Cardiac Corrected QT Interval Changes Among Patients Treated for COVID-19 Infection During the Early Phase of the Pandemic. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779053

COVID-19 Infection and Corrected QT Interval Prolongation—Collateral Damage From Our Newest Enemy. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779057

Interim findings from first-dose mass COVID-19 vaccination roll-out and COVID-19 hospital admissions in Scotland: a national prospective cohort study. Mass roll-out of the first doses of the BNT162b2 mRNA and ChAdOx1 vaccines was associated with substantial reductions in the risk of hospital admission due to COVID-19 in Scotland. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00677-2/fulltext

COVID-19 vaccine coverage in health-care workers in England and effectiveness of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine against infection (SIREN): a prospective, multicentre, cohort study. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00790-X/fulltext

The Swedish COVID-19 strategy revisited. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00885-0/fulltext

RESOURCES

MCGill Teach Epi free teaching resources. https://www.teachepi.org/

Global Surgery – Special issue April 2021–Journal of Public Health and Emergency. https://jphe.amegroups.com/post/view/global-surgery#

OTHER NEWS

Alzheimer’s disease. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)32205-4/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_email

The 25 countries that could beat malaria by 2025. https://www.scidev.net/global/news/the-25-countries-that-could-beat-malaria-by-2025/?utm_source=SciDev.Net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=12332985_2021-04-23%20Daily%20Email%20Digest%20-%20Template&dm_i=1SCG,7CC6X,5R8D9U,TSKME,1

Oxford Malaria vaccine proves highly effective in Burkina Faso trial. Vaccine developed by scientists at Jenner Institute, Oxford, shows up to 77% efficacy in trial over 12 months. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/23/oxford-malaria-vaccine-proves-highly-effective-in-burkina-faso-trial

Potential new malaria vaccine shows promise in Burkina Faso trial. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/potential-new-malaria-vaccine-shows-promise-burkina-faso-trial-2021-04-23/

Daily briefing: Malaria vaccine shows early signs of promise

A malaria vaccine is effective in children in a small trial. Plus, the US pledges to dramatically slash greenhouse-gas emissions, and one of the world’s longest-running experiments. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01106-8

Malaria vaccine has striking early success after decades of disappointment. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/04/malaria-vaccine-has-striking-early-success-after-decades-disappointment

Providing Data to Empower Pregnant Patients to Make Evidence-Based Choices. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779059

Comparison of Survival After Breast-Conserving Therapy vs Mastectomy Among Patients With or Without the BRCA1/2 Variant in a Large Series of Unselected Chinese Patients With Breast Cancer. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779054

Spillover or endemic? Reconsidering the origins of Ebola virus disease outbreaks by revisiting local accounts in light of new evidence from Guinea. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e005783

Factors associated with the disbursements of development assistance for health in low-income and middle-income countries, 2002–2017. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004858

‘The nurse did not even greet me’: how informed versus non-informed patients evaluate health systems responsiveness in South Africa. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004360

Faith Osier: inspirational immunologist. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00839-4/fulltext

Children in All Policies 2030: a new initiative to implement the recommendations of the WHO–UNICEF–Lancet Commission. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00718-2/fulltext

Risk factors for delirium among hospitalized patients in Zambia. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0249097

FROM 23 APRIL

Immediate postnatal care following childbirth in Ugandan health facilities: an analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys between 2001 and 2016. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004230

Religion and the World Health Organization: an evolving relationship. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004073

Ten-year impacts of China’s rural health scheme: lessons for universal health coverage. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e003714

Migraine: epidemiology and systems of care. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)32160-7/fulltext

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Monday, 26 April 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: APR 26, 2021, 03:13 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	45,855	[1,153]	691	[7]	41,338	3,826	19,188	286	410,963

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 04-26-2021 04:20 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

45,885 Total confirmed cases

691 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 25 April 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 26 APRIL 2021

MEDIA ADVISORY- ARRIVAL OF COVID-19 VACCINES

This donation precedes an additional two hundred thousand (200,000) purchased doses of Sinovac expected to arrive in the country soon.

Your usual cooperation is highly appreciated.

Thank you.

[Signed]

John T. Dipowe

Acting Permanent Secretary

Government Communications

NEWS

Federal agencies lift pause on use of Johnson & Johnson vaccine, saying benefits outweigh risks. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/federal-agencies-lift-pause-on-use-of-johnson-johnson-vaccine-saying-benefits-outweigh-risks/ar-BB1fYqXc?ocid=msedgdhp

Resurgence of SARS-CoV-2: detection by community viral surveillance. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2021/04/22/science.abf0874?rss=1

Coronavirus News Roundup, April 17–April 23. Pandemic highlights for the week. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/coronavirus-news-roundup-april-17-april-23/

Maternal respiratory SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy is associated with robust inflammatory response at the maternal-fetal interface. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00165-3

The World Needs Many More Coronavirus Vaccines. Wealthy nations have to step up. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/24/opinion/covid-vaccines-poor-countries.html?referringSource=articleShare

RESOURCES

MCGill Teach Epi free teaching resources. https://www.teachepi.org/

Global Surgery – Special issue April 2021–Journal of Public Health and Emergency. https://jphe.amegroups.com/post/view/global-surgery#

OTHER NEWS

Malaria vaccine has striking early success after decades of disappointment. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/04/malaria-vaccine-has-striking-early-success-after-decades-disappointment

Our Health System Is Failing Patients with Limited English. Better communication could help reduce inequities, but our medical infrastructure isn’t designed to take that into account. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/our-health-system-is-failing-patients-with-limited-english/

FROM 24 APRIL

Avoiding the Virtual Pitfall. Identifying and Mitigating Biases in Graduate Medical Education Videoconference Interviews. https://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/Abstract/9000/Avoiding_the_Virtual_Pitfall__Identifying_and.96873.aspx?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=amexpress&utm_content=newsletter

What Is the State of Compassion Education? A Systematic Review of Compassion Training in Health Care. https://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/Abstract/9000/What_Is_the_State_of_Compassion_Education__A.96730.aspx?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=amexpress&utm_content=newsletter

The Ability to Look: Management of Breast Disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Using Smart Ultrasound Technology. https://www.journalacs.org/article/S1072-7515(20)32536-9/fulltext

Playing hide and seek with structural racism. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n988?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_term=hootsuite&utm_content=sme&utm_campaign=usage

FROM 24 APRIL

Alzheimer’s disease. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)32205-4/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_email

Potential new malaria vaccine shows promise in Burkina Faso trial. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/potential-new-malaria-vaccine-shows-promise-burkina-faso-trial-2021-04-23/

Daily briefing: Malaria vaccine shows early signs of promise

Malaria vaccine has striking early success after decades of disappointment. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/04/malaria-vaccine-has-striking-early-success-after-decades-disappointment

Providing Data to Empower Pregnant Patients to Make Evidence-Based Choices. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779059

Spillover or endemic? Reconsidering the origins of Ebola virus disease outbreaks by revisiting local accounts in light of new evidence from Guinea. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e005783

Factors associated with the disbursements of development assistance for health in low-income and middle-income countries, 2002–2017. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004858

‘The nurse did not even greet me’: how informed versus non-informed patients evaluate health systems responsiveness in South Africa. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004360

Faith Osier: inspirational immunologist. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00839-4/fulltext

Risk factors for delirium among hospitalized patients in Zambia. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0249097

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Tuesday, 27 April 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: APR 27, 2021, 03:13 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	45,855	[1,153]	691	[7]	41,338	3,826	19,188	286	410,963

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 04-27-2021 05:20 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

45,885 Total confirmed cases

691 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 26 April 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 27 APRIL 2021

NEWS

Congo to lose 1.3 million COVID-19 shots after delayed distribution. Health authorities are reallocating around 75% of Democratic Republic of Congo’s 1.7 million AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine doses to other African countries to make sure they’re used before they expire, a UNICEF representative said on Monday. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-congo/congo-to-lose-1-3-million-covid-19-shots-after-delayed-distribution-idUSKBN2CD2RB

Egypt approves China’s Sinovac coronavirus vaccine for emergency use. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/egypt-approves-chinas-sinovac-coronavirus-vaccine-emergency-use-2021-04-26/

High-dimensional characterization of post-acute sequalae of COVID-19. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03553-9

COVID Has Created a Perfect Storm for Fringe Science. It’s always been with us, but in a time of pandemic, its practitioners have an amplified capacity to unleash serious harm. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/covid-has-created-a-perfect-storm-for-fringe-science/

Blood Clots and the Johnson & Johnson Vaccine: What We Know So Far. Infectious disease physician-scientist Wilbur Chen discusses the rare cases of blood clots linked to the immunization. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/blood-clots-and-the-johnson-johnson-vaccine-what-we-know-so-far/

Making Vaccines Is Straightforward; Getting People to Take Them Isn’t. Our instincts are unreliable about which problems are easy to solve and which are hard. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/making-vaccines-is-straightforward-getting-people-to-take-them-isnt/

Hepatitis C Virus Drugs That Inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 Papain-Like Protease Synergize with Remdesivir to Suppress Viral Replication in Cell Culture. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(21)00472-1

The SARS-CoV-2 RNA interactome. https://www.cell.com/molecular-cell/fulltext/S1097-2765(21)00327-0

The privacy challenge in the race for digital vaccination certificates. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00167-7

Genomic Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 Infection During the Initial Pandemic Wave and Association With Disease Severity. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778936

Comparison of COVID-19 Incidence Rates Before and After School Reopening in Israel. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778940

Hand Hygiene Compliance Rate During the COVID-19 Pandemic. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2779293

Prophylaxis against covid-19: living systematic review and network meta-analysis. Conclusions Hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis has trivial to no effect on hospital admission and mortality, probably increases adverse effects, and probably does not reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Because of serious risk of bias and very serious imprecision, it is highly uncertain whether ivermectin combined with iota-carrageenan and ivermectin alone reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection.. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n949

Covid-19: Wider use of FFP3 masks may needed because of airborne transmission, say scientific advisors. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1089

RESOURCES

Cancer program in Botswana: Challenges and Penn Initiatives. UTSW Global Health Grand Rounds . May 3, 2021 04:00 PM in Central Time (US and Canada) Botswana time—1100 pm Register—free– https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ISjNKAwPRBq8Ocrqc9IksQ

MCGill Teach Epi free teaching resources. https://www.teachepi.org/

Global Surgery – Special issue April 2021–Journal of Public Health and Emergency. https://jphe.amegroups.com/post/view/global-surgery#

OTHER NEWS

Disruptions to immunisation put millions of children at risk -U.N.. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/disruptions-immunisation-put-millions-children-risk-un-2021-04-26/

Malaria vaccine shows promise — now come tougher trials. Preliminary results suggest the vaccine is up to 77% effective in young children, but researchers await larger studies. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01096-7

Incorporating Adult Evidence Into Pediatric Research and Practice. Bayesian Designs to Expedite Obtaining Child-Specific Evidence. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2779422

Association of Preeclampsia With Incident Stroke in Later Life Among Women in the Framingham Heart Study. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778939

Preeclampsia and the Brain—A Long-term View. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778941

Association Between Patients’ Perceptions of the Sexual Acceptability of Contraceptive Methods and Continued Use Over Time. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2779292

Adaptive health technology assessment to facilitate priority setting in low- and middle-income countries. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004549

Examining the level and inequality in health insurance coverage in 36 sub-Saharan African countries. Only four countries had coverage levels with any type of health insurance of above 20% (Rwanda—78.7% (95% CI 77.5% to 79.9%), Ghana—58.2% (95% CI 56.2% to 60.1%), Gabon—40.8% (95% CI 38.2% to 43.5%), and Burundi 22.0% (95% CI 20.7% to 23.2%)) https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004712

Should all pregnant women be offered testing for group B streptococcus? https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n882

FROM 26 APRIL

Malaria vaccine has striking early success after decades of disappointment. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/04/malaria-vaccine-has-striking-early-success-after-decades-disappointment

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Wednesday, 28 April 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: APR 28, 2021, 04:00 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	46,600	[745]	702	[11]	44,740	1,158	19,495	294	992,876

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 04-28-2021 05:20 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

46,500 Total confirmed cases

702 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 27 April 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 28 APRIL 2021

NEWS

Global faith leaders call for drug firms to vaccinate world against Covid. Exclusive: almost 150 religious heads say ‘every person is precious’ as they demand end to vaccine nationalism. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/27/global-faith-leaders-call-for-drug-firms-to-vaccinate-world-against-covid

Botswana president in self-quarantine, to miss meeting on Mozambique attacks. Botswana’s president will miss a Southern African regional meeting he had been due to chair on Thursday to discuss recent attacks on Mozambique after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19, prompting him to self-quarantine, his office said on Tuesday. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/botswana-president-self-quarantine-miss-meeting-mozambique-attacks-2021-04-27/

COVID vaccines: time to confront anti-vax aggression. Halting the spread of the coronavirus will require a high-level counteroffensive against new destructive forces. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01084-x

COVID-19 vaccines may protect many, but not all, people with suppressed immune systems. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/04/covid-19-vaccines-may-protect-many-not-all-people-suppressed-immune-systems

Socioeconomic status determines COVID-19 incidence and related mortality in Santiago, Chile. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2021/04/26/science.abg5298?rss=1

COVID-19 ‘brain fog’ inspires search for causes and treatments. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/04/covid-19-brain-fog-inspires-search-causes-and-treatments

Systematic Functional Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Proteins Uncovers Viral Innate Immune Antagonists and Remaining Vulnerabilities. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(21)00465-4

Divergent and self-reactive immune responses in the CNS of COVID-19 patients with neurological symptoms. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00116-6

Association of Facial Paralysis With mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines. A Disproportionality Analysis Using the World Health Organization Pharmacovigilance Database. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2779389

Reimagining global health systems for the 21st century: lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004882

Covid-19: Counting the cost of denial in Tanzania. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1052

Covid-19: Countries rally to support India through “storm that has shaken the nation”. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1086

RESOURCES

Esophageal Cancer in Africa: Relevance for ASGE Members. Thursday, 29 April. 3 pm CAT. Register.

Objectives:

• Learn about the problem of squamous cell esophageal cancer in East Africa

• Get information about remote endoscopic teaching and learning

https://public.asge.org/Public/Events/Event_Display.aspx?WebsiteKey=fdb869b8-75af-46de-949c-a78efb8d5549&EventKey=WEB42921A

Cancer program in Botswana: Challenges and Penn Initiatives. UTSW Global Health Grand Rounds . May 3, 2021 04:00 PM in Central Time (US and Canada) Botswana time—1100 pm Register—free– https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ISjNKAwPRBq8Ocrqc9IksQ

Training Workshop/Scientific Writing: A Nature Portfolio workshop for researchers in Africa. Tuesday, 18 May 2021- Virtual Event, 2:00pm – 5:00pm WAT/BST, 3:00pm – 6:00pm CAT, 4:00pm – 7:00pm EAT, 9:00am – 12:00pm EDT https://conferences.nature.com/event/63b27283-1399-42f7-bc0b-b767bb795838/summary?s=08 REGISTER Sharing and Communicating Scientific Discoveries (afroscientric.com) https://afroscientric.com/nature/

MCGill Teach Epi free teaching resources. https://www.teachepi.org/

Breast Cancer Survival in Sub-Saharan Africa NCI VIRTUAL May 4th, 2021| 9:00 a.m. ET, 3 PM CAT, Register Meeting Registration – Zoom (zoomgov.com) https://nih.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIscemvqTMoH_7fbpDfu6rM23e_1BxEolM

Global Surgery – Special issue April 2021–Journal of Public Health and Emergency. https://jphe.amegroups.com/post/view/global-surgery#

PLOS Global Public Health, a new Open Access journal for diverse research addressing global public health challenges and inequities. https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/

OTHER NEWS

Three-drug combo ‘cures 90 per cent of severe TB cases’. A three-drug TB regimen trialled in South Africa ‘cuts treatment time from 20 to six months’. https://www.scidev.net/sub-saharan-africa/news/three-drug-combo-cures-90-per-cent-of-severe-tb-cases/?utm_source=SciDev.Net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=12339997_2021-04-27%20Daily%20Email%20Digest%20-%20Template&dm_i=1SCG,7CHLP,5R8D9U,TT95R,1

Nurses Are Also Scientists. The pandemic has only reinforced what nursing professionals have known all along. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/nurses-are-also-scientists/

The impact of the DREAMS partnership on HIV incidence among young women who sell sex in two Zimbabwean cities: results of a non-randomised study. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e003892

USPSTF Recommendation Statement on Hypertension Screening in Adults—Where Do We Go From Here? https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779122

Will the 2021 USPSTF Hypertension Screening Recommendation Decrease or Worsen Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Blood Pressure Control? https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779123

Association of Sex With Adolescent Soccer Concussion Incidence and Characteristics. In this cohort study of a high school injury surveillance project, the risk of documented SRC was 1.88 times higher among adolescent girls than adolescent boys. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779117

Effect of a home-based health, nutrition and responsive stimulation intervention and conditional cash transfers on child development and growth: a cluster-randomised controlled trial in Tanzania. Conclusion Integrated CHW home-visiting interventions can improve child cognitive development and may have positive effects on linear growth. Combining CHW with CCT may provide additional benefits on clinic visit attendance and selected child development outcomes. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e005086

The impact of cash transfers on mental health in children and young people in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004661

Exploring factors associated with research involvement of undergraduate students at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda. Undergraduate students at the CMHS in the UR have a large research interest, yet their involvement is currently low. Limited knowledge about research processes and shortage of mentors remains potent barriers to participation. Inviting undergraduate students to partake in ongoing projects and establishing a UR undergraduate research support center are recommended to strengthen undergraduate research experience at the UR-CMHS. https://bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12909-021-02662-3

FROM 27 APRIL

Disruptions to immunisation put millions of children at risk -U.N.. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/disruptions-immunisation-put-millions-children-risk-un-2021-04-26/

Incorporating Adult Evidence Into Pediatric Research and Practice. Bayesian Designs to Expedite Obtaining Child-Specific Evidence. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2779422

Association of Preeclampsia With Incident Stroke in Later Life Among Women in the Framingham Heart Study. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778939

Preeclampsia and the Brain—A Long-term View. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2778941

Association Between Patients’ Perceptions of the Sexual Acceptability of Contraceptive Methods and Continued Use Over Time. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2779292

Adaptive health technology assessment to facilitate priority setting in low- and middle-income countries. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004549

Should all pregnant women be offered testing for group B streptococcus? https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n882

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Thursday, 29 April 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: APR 29, 2021, 01:00 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	46,600	[745]	702	[11]	44,740	1,158	19,495	294	992,876

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 04-29-2021 05420 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

46,500 Total confirmed cases

702 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 28 April 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 28 APRIL 2021

NEWS

New Data on COVID-19 Transmission by Vaccinated Individuals. https://www.jhsph.edu/covid-19/articles/new-data-on-covid-19-transmission-by-vaccinated-individuals.html?s=04&fbclid=IwAR3ZeoqhKWViIVVEVoRcPe5jXcn93P67shhmdpyqWFbVJJ2D1yHt5LzoiLI

How much protection you get from one shot of the Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Moderna vaccines, according to the best available data. https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/how-much-protection-you-get-from-one-shot-of-the-pfizer-astrazeneca-and-moderna-vaccines-according-to-the-best-available-data/ar-BB1ewqWE?ocid=msedgntp

Vaccine side-effects and SARS-CoV-2 infection after vaccination in users of the COVID Symptom Study app in the UK: a prospective observational study. Systemic and local side-effects after BNT162b2 and ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination occur at frequencies lower than reported in phase 3 trials. Both vaccines decrease the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection after 12 days. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(21)00224-3/fulltext

Effectiveness of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Vaccines Against COVID-19 Among Hospitalized Adults Aged ≥65 Years — United States, January–March 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7018e1.htm?s_cid=mm7018e1_w

Factbox: Latest on the worldwide spread of the coronavirus. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/latest-worldwide-spread-coronavirus-2021-02-18/

Donate $7 for a COVID-19 vaccine to help end pandemic, WHO urges. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who-donation/donate-7-for-a-covid-19-vaccine-to-help-end-pandemic-who-urges-idUSKBN2CF1M0

Swipe my phone: UK to use health service app as vaccine passport. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-britain-travel/swipe-my-phone-uk-to-use-health-service-app-as-vaccine-passport-idUSKBN2CF0KU

Botswana president in self-quarantine, to miss meeting on Mozambique attacks. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/botswana-president-self-quarantine-miss-meeting-mozambique-attacks-2021-04-27/

COVID research updates: Self-taken swabs can track a pandemic’s hidden patterns. Nature wades through the literature on the coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

CDC Drops Some Outdoor Mask Advice for Vaccinated People, Based on This Science. The agency’s latest guidelines are in line with a wealth of evidence that COVID is far less likely to be transmitted outside than indoors. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/cdc-drops-some-outdoor-mask-advice-for-vaccinated-people-based-on-this-science/

Kinetics and correlates of the neutralizing antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans. https://www.cell.com/cell-host-microbe/fulltext/S1931-3128(21)00191-8

Audio Interview: Advice for Clinicians on Covid-19 Vaccines and Social Restrictions. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2107327?query=featured_home

Choices in a Crisis — Individual Preferences among SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2102146?query=featured_secondary

Assessment of Length and Readability of Informed Consent Documents for COVID-19 Vaccine Trials. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779247

Covid-19: One dose of vaccine cuts risk of passing on infection by as much as 50%, research shows. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1112

Mass screening for asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1058

Why I wear a mask indoors and out. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1055

How Pfizer Makes Its Covid-19 Vaccine. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/health/pfizer-coronavirus-vaccine.html?smid=tw-share

Information about COVID-19 Vaccines for People who Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/pregnancy.html

RESOURCES

Esophageal Cancer in Africa: Relevance for ASGE Members. Thursday, 29 April. 3 pm CAT. Register.

Objectives:

• Learn about the problem of squamous cell esophageal cancer in East Africa

• Get information about remote endoscopic teaching and learning

https://public.asge.org/Public/Events/Event_Display.aspx?WebsiteKey=fdb869b8-75af-46de-949c-a78efb8d5549&EventKey=WEB42921A

AfroSurg2 Conference Time May 4, 2021 08:30 AM May 5, 2021 08:30 AM. Time shows in Johannesburg. Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckcuqvqTMvHNPL-ilLPQsdndwS63z7aXA7

Research and publishing in global surgery. Dr. Charles Mock. RCSI Institute of Global Surgery Grand Rounds. May 5, 2021 02:00 PM in Dublin. Registration https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CtYqq4n1QTCu-uK3T3yUMQ

Training Workshop/Scientific Writing: A Nature Portfolio workshop for researchers in Africa. Tuesday, 18 May 2021- Virtual Event, 2:00pm – 5:00pm WAT/BST, 3:00pm – 6:00pm CAT, 4:00pm – 7:00pm EAT, 9:00am – 12:00pm EDT https://conferences.nature.com/event/63b27283-1399-42f7-bc0b-b767bb795838/summary?s=08 REGISTER Sharing and Communicating Scientific Discoveries (afroscientric.com) https://afroscientric.com/nature/

MCGill Teach Epi free teaching resources. https://www.teachepi.org/

Global Surgery – Special issue April 2021–Journal of Public Health and Emergency. https://jphe.amegroups.com/post/view/global-surgery#

PLOS Global Public Health, a new Open Access journal for diverse research addressing global public health challenges and inequities. https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/

OTHER NEWS

Daily briefing: How philosophy can make you a better scientist. Resources for scientists who want to think more deeply about ethics, logic and other big questions. Plus, what’s next for a promising malaria vaccine and the causes of Brazil’s devastating COVID surge. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01150-4

To remedy health disparities, more scientists must ‘get political’. The pandemic has given scientists a more prominent voice in society. They need to use it to push for better health through equality. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01100-0

Malaria Vaccine Shows Promise—Now Come Tougher Trials. Preliminary results suggest the vaccine is up to 77 percent effective in young children, but researchers await larger studies. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/malaria-vaccine-shows-promise-now-come-tougher-trials/

Tranexamic Acid for the Prevention of Blood Loss after Cesarean Delivery. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2028788?query=featured_home

Effect of a Randomized, Controlled Trial on Surgery for Cervical Cancer. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2035819?query=featured_home

Postpartum Hemorrhage. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra1513247?query=featured_home

Leveraging Open Science to Accelerate Research. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2034518?query=featured_secondary

Delayed antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infections: individual patient data meta-analysis. Conclusions Delayed antibiotic prescribing is a safe and effective strategy for most patients, including those in higher risk subgroups. Delayed prescribing was associated with similar symptom duration as no antibiotic prescribing and is unlikely to lead to poorer symptom control than immediate antibiotic prescribing. Delayed prescribing could reduce reconsultation rates and is unlikely to be associated with an increase in symptoms or illness duration, except in young children. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n808

‘Too old to test?’: A life course approach to HIV-related risk and self-testing among midlife-older adults in Malawi. https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-021-10573-7

The role of contraception in preventing HIV-positive births: global estimates and projections. Contraception use among WLHIV prevents an estimated 43,559 new infant HIV infections annually across 70 countries. Countries with the largest number of infant infections averted by contraception included South Africa (9441), Nigeria (4195), Kenya (3508), Zimbabwe (2586), and India (2145). Preventing unintended births to WLHIV could avert an additional 43,768 new infant infections per year, with the greatest potential gains to be made in South Africa (12,036), Nigeria (2770), Uganda (2552), and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2324). https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-021-10570-w

Exploring the feasibility and acceptability of integrating screening for gender-based violence into HIV counselling and testing for adolescent girls and young women in Tanzania and South Africa. https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-021-10454-z

FROM 28 APRIL

Nurses Are Also Scientists. The pandemic has only reinforced what nursing professionals have known all along. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/nurses-are-also-scientists/

The impact of the DREAMS partnership on HIV incidence among young women who sell sex in two Zimbabwean cities: results of a non-randomised study. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e003892

USPSTF Recommendation Statement on Hypertension Screening in Adults—Where Do We Go From Here? https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779122

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Friday, 30 April 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: APR 30, 2021, 04:08 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	46,934	[334]	712	[10]	44,900	1,262	19,632	298	999,041

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 04-30-2021 0520 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

46,934 Total confirmed cases

712 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 29 April 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 28 APRIL 2021

NEWS

Beyond the First Dose — Covid-19 Vaccine Follow-through and Continued Protective Measures. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2104527?query=TOC

Factbox: Latest on the worldwide spread of the coronavirus. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/latest-worldwide-spread-coronavirus-2021-02-18/

Congo starts re-deployment of expiring COVID-19 vaccines to other African countries. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/congo-starts-re-deployment-expiring-covid-19-vaccines-other-african-countries-2021-04-29/

India’s COVID-19 emergency is wake-up call to Africa -AU health chief. https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indias-covid-19-emergency-is-wake-up-call-africa-au-health-chief-2021-04-29/

‘Unprecedented achievement’: who received the first billion COVID vaccinations? It took just four months to reach this global milestone, and hitting to the two-billion mark could happen even faster, say scientists. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01136-2

Can Cuba beat COVID with its homegrown vaccines? Nature talks to vaccine designer Vicente Vérez Bencomo about the country’s efforts to produce its own coronavirus jabs — and set a record. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01126-4

Daily briefing: Inside India’s catastrophic COVID-19 outbreak. The official numbers might not reflect the true COVID death toll in India. Plus, the cellular clocks that help explain why elephants are bigger than mice, and how we might talk to animals. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01163-z

How SARS-CoV-2 first adapted in humans. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/372/6541/466

Household COVID-19 risk and in-person schooling. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2021/04/28/science.abh2939?rss=1

Flu Has Disappeared Worldwide during the COVID Pandemic. The public health measures that slow the spread of the novel coronavirus work really well on influenza. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/flu-has-disappeared-worldwide-during-the-covid-pandemic/

Religion Both Helped and Hurt during the Pandemic. It was good, on balance, for people’s mental health—but not so good for physical health. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/religion-both-helped-and-hurt-during-the-pandemic/

Association of Maternal SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Pregnancy With Neonatal Outcomes. Maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy was significantly associated with small increases in the absolute risk of respiratory disorders and some other neonatal morbidities. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2779586

Understanding Risk for Newborns Born to SARS-CoV-2–Positive Mothers. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2779587

Protecting Pregnant Women and Their Infants From COVID-19: Clues From Maternal Viral Loads, Antibody Responses, and Placentas. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2774422

Caregiver Perceptions of Children’s Psychological Well-being During the COVID-19 Pandemic. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779300

Should masks be worn outdoors? https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1036

Covid-19: How can we keep the world’s doctors safe? https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1100

Covid-19: Heavy use of oxygen brings new danger to world’s hospitals. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1117

SARS-CoV-2 elimination, not mitigation, creates best outcomes for health, the economy, and civil liberties. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00978-8/fulltext

RESOURCES

AfroSurg2 Conference Time May 4, 2021 08:30 AM May 5, 2021 08:30 AM. Time shows in Johannesburg. Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckcuqvqTMvHNPL-ilLPQsdndwS63z7aXA7

Training Workshop/Scientific Writing: A Nature Portfolio workshop for researchers in Africa. Tuesday, 18 May 2021- Virtual Event, 2:00pm – 5:00pm WAT/BST, 3:00pm – 6:00pm CAT, 4:00pm – 7:00pm EAT, 9:00am – 12:00pm EDT https://conferences.nature.com/event/63b27283-1399-42f7-bc0b-b767bb795838/summary?s=08 REGISTER Sharing and Communicating Scientific Discoveries (afroscientric.com) https://afroscientric.com/nature/

MCGill Teach Epi free teaching resources. https://www.teachepi.org/

Global Surgery – Special issue April 2021–Journal of Public Health and Emergency. https://jphe.amegroups.com/post/view/global-surgery#

PLOS Global Public Health, a new Open Access journal for diverse research addressing global public health challenges and inequities. https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/

OTHER NEWS

Good research begins long before papers get written. Publishers are redoubling their commitment to transparency and reproducibility — but they can’t bring about change alone. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01167-9

Association of 1-Year Blood Pressure Variability With Long-term Mortality Among Adults With Coronary Artery Disease. A Post Hoc Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779301

Respectful care an added extra: a grounded theory study exploring intrapartum experiences in Zambia and Tanzania. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004725

Pharmacological blood pressure lowering for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease across different levels of blood pressure: an individual participant-level data meta-analysis. In this large-scale analysis of randomised trials, a 5 mm Hg reduction of systolic blood pressure reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events by about 10%, irrespective of previous diagnoses of cardiovascular disease, and even at normal or high–normal blood pressure values. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00590-0/fulltext#%20

Miscarriage: worldwide reform of care is needed. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00954-5/fulltext

Sporadic miscarriage: evidence to provide effective care. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00683-8/fulltext

What Is the Price of Science? The peer-reviewed scientific literature is the bedrock of science. However, scientific publishing is undergoing dramatic changes, which include the expansion of open access, an increased number of for-profit publication houses, and ready availability of preprint manuscripts that have not been peer reviewed. In this opinion article, we discuss the inequities and concerns that these changes have wrought. https://mbio.asm.org/content/12/2/e00117-21

FROM 29 APRIL

Tranexamic Acid for the Prevention of Blood Loss after Cesarean Delivery. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2028788?query=featured_home

Effect of a Randomized, Controlled Trial on Surgery for Cervical Cancer. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2035819?query=featured_home

Postpartum Hemorrhage. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra1513247?query=featured_home

Leveraging Open Science to Accelerate Research. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2034518?query=featured_secondary

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Tuesday, 4 May 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAY 4, 2021, 03:39 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	47,851	[917]	724	[12]	45,645	1,482	20,012	303	1,036,708

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 05-04-2021 05:20 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

47,851 Total confirmed cases

724 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 3 MAY 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 4 MAY 2021

NEWS

Factbox: Latest on the worldwide spread of the coronavirus. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-latest-factbox/factbox-latest-on-the-worldwide-spread-of-the-coronavirus-idUSKBN2CK0WG

Tanzania, once sceptical of COVID-19, announces measures to curb new variants. Tanzania on Monday announced new anti-coronavirus measures, saying it wanted to prevent the importation of new variants, highlighting new President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s more active efforts to contain the pandemic. Among the new measures, travellers, both foreigners and Tanzanians, will be required to present negative COVID-19 tests at border points. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/tanzania-once-sceptical-covid-19-announces-measures-curb-new-variants-2021-05-03/

Indian government should heed its scientists on COVID. Researchers have spoken out against policies that have exacerbated the country’s coronavirus crisis. Policymakers must listen. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01140-6

Daily briefing: See a COVID vaccine get made step-by-step. How the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine is made, anti-twinkles hint at antimatter stars, and the deadly toll of inequality. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01179-5

COVID research updates: One vaccine dose can nearly halve transmission risk. Nature wades through the literature on the coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

What’s the future of vaccines linked to rare clotting disorders? Science breaks down the latest. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/05/what-s-future-vaccines-linked-rare-clotting-disorders-science-breaks-down-latest

Will India’s devastating COVID-19 surge provide data that clear up its death ‘paradox’? https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/04/will-india-s-devastating-covid-19-surge-provide-data-clear-its-death-paradox

Is Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine safe? Brazil’s veto of Sputnik V sparks lawsuit threat and confusion. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/04/russias-covid-19-vaccine-safe-brazils-veto-sputnik-v-sparks-lawsuit-threat-and

‘Cave Syndrome’ Keeps the Vaccinated in Social Isolation. After a year away from friends and co-workers, people sometimes struggle to resume their public routines. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/cave-syndrome-keeps-the-vaccinated-in-social-isolation/

Longitudinal proteomic analysis of plasma from patients with severe COVID-19 reveal patient survival-associated signatures, tissue-specific cell death, and cell-cell interactions. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00115-4

US Case Reports of Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis With Thrombocytopenia After Ad26.COV2.S Vaccination, March 2 to April 21, 2021. In this case series of 12 patients, all were women, younger than 60 years, and had symptom onset ranging from 6 to 15 days after vaccination requiring hospitalization. Of 11 patients with heparin-platelet factor 4 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) antibody test results, all were positive. At last follow-up, outcomes were death (n = 3), intensive care unit (ICU) care (n = 3), non-ICU hospitalization (n = 2), and discharge to home (n = 4).https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2779731

Factors Associated With Access to and Timing of Coronavirus Testing Among US Adults After Onset of Febrile Illness. Systematic underuse of coronavirus testing was observed in this cohort study through late October 2020, at the beginning of the winter COVID-19 surge, which may have contributed to preventable coronavirus transmission.https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779419

Trends in Patient Characteristics and COVID-19 In-Hospital Mortality in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779415

Covid-19: Most people admitted to hospital after vaccination were infected before immunity could develop, research shows. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1127

Why is India having a covid-19 surge? https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1124

Clinical determinants of the severity of COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0250602

In South Africa, a 2-dose Oxford/AZ vaccine did not prevent mild to moderate COVID-19 (cases mainly B.1.351 variant). https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/full/10.7326/ACPJ202105180-050

Saliva and nasopharyngeal samples have similar sensitivity for detecting SARS-CoV-2. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/full/10.7326/ACPJ202105180-055

In suspected SARS-CoV-2, rapid antigen detection tests had 67% to 73% sensitivity and 98% to 100% specificity. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/full/10.7326/ACPJ202105180-056

Moderna to supply 500 million vaccine doses to WHO’s struggling Covax initiative. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/moderna-vaccine-covax/2021/05/03/0837f4f4-ac0b-11eb-82c1-896aca955bb9_story.html?utm_campaign=wp_to_your_health&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_tyh&wpmk=1&pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJjb29raWVuYW1lIjoid3BfY3J0aWQiLCJpc3MiOiJDYXJ0YSIsImNvb2tpZXZhbHVlIjoiNWNkMmVmZmY5YmJjMGYwYmY4OGIwODEwIiwidGFnIjoiNjA5MDVhMTQ5ZDJmZGFlMzAyNDIyYzk5IiwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL3dvcmxkL21vZGVybmEtdmFjY2luZS1jb3ZheC8yMDIxLzA1LzAzLzA4MzdmNGY0LWFjMGItMTFlYi04MmMxLTg5NmFjYTk1NWJiOV9zdG9yeS5odG1sP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj13cF90b195b3VyX2hlYWx0aCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ3cGlzcmM9bmxfdHloJndwbWs9MSJ9.qk8TEjEfk7iDxTTh6fmG7Iz7tKWXGVe225oR0m7zO84

RESOURCES

AfroSurg2 Conference Time May 4, 2021 08:30 AM May 5, 2021 08:30 AM. Time shows in Johannesburg. Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckcuqvqTMvHNPL-ilLPQsdndwS63z7aXA7

Training Workshop/Scientific Writing: A Nature Portfolio workshop for researchers in Africa. Tuesday, 18 May 2021- Virtual Event, 2:00pm – 5:00pm WAT/BST, 3:00pm – 6:00pm CAT, 4:00pm – 7:00pm EAT, 9:00am – 12:00pm EDT https://conferences.nature.com/event/63b27283-1399-42f7-bc0b-b767bb795838/summary?s=08 REGISTER Sharing and Communicating Scientific Discoveries (afroscientric.com) https://afroscientric.com/nature/

MCGill Teach Epi free teaching resources. https://www.teachepi.org/

Global Surgery – Special issue April 2021–Journal of Public Health and Emergency. https://jphe.amegroups.com/post/view/global-surgery#

PLOS Global Public Health, a new Open Access journal for diverse research addressing global public health challenges and inequities. https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/

OTHER NEWS

Does medical male circumcision result in sexual risk compensation in Africa? https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00177-7/fulltext

Association between medical male circumcision and HIV risk compensation among heterosexual men: a systematic review and meta-analysis. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00102-9/fulltext

Diversity in the Surgical Profession. (4 articles) https://link.springer.com/journal/40137/topicalCollection/AC_94b4b7deb2e642201a4d09f744bbd8f8

Preoperative surgeon-performed ultrasound of massive thyroid goiter in rural Kenya. https://www.americanjournalofsurgery.com/article/S0002-9610(20)30604-8/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_email#%20

The Reign of the Ventilator: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, COVID-19, and Technological Imperatives in Intensive Care. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M21-0270

FROM 30 APRIL

Respectful care an added extra: a grounded theory study exploring intrapartum experiences in Zambia and Tanzania. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/4/e004725

Miscarriage: worldwide reform of care is needed. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00954-5/fulltext

Sporadic miscarriage: evidence to provide effective care. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00683-8/fulltext

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Wednesday, 5 May 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAY 5, 2021, 03:42 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	47,851	[917]	724	[12]	45,645	1,482	20,012	303	1,036,708

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 05-05-2021 05:20 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

47,851 Total confirmed cases

724 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 3 MAY 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 5 MAY 2021

NEWS

Explainer: COVID-19 vaccine patents dominate global trade talks. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/covid-19-vaccine-patents-dominate-global-trade-talks-2021-05-05/

U.S. trade chief Tai says recovery depends on addressing global vaccine inequity. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-vaccines/u-s-trade-chief-tai-says-recovery-depends-on-addressing-global-vaccine-inequity-idUSKBN2CL1H3

Factbox: Latest on the worldwide spread of the coronavirus. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/latest-worldwide-spread-coronavirus-2021-02-18/

Vaccine hesitancy slows Africa’s COVID-19 inoculation drive. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-africa-vaccine/vaccine-hesitancy-slows-africas-covid-19-inoculation-drive-idUSKBN2CL0OI

China’s COVID vaccines are going global — but questions remain. The WHO is reviewing two of China’s COVID-19 vaccines for use worldwide, with a decision expected soon. But published trial data remain scarce. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01146-0

How COVID curbed undergraduate research opportunities. Undergraduate students share lessons and skills they learnt from doing research during the pandemic. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01209-2

‘There are so many hurdles.’ Indian scientists plead with government to unlock COVID-19 data. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/05/there-are-so-many-hurdles-indian-scientists-plead-government-unlock-covid-19-data

COVID Has Pushed Medical Research into Remote Trials, Benefiting Patients and Scientists. Using home monitoring and other efficiencies instead of dragging people into hospitals could improve clinical trials after the pandemic. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/covid-has-pushed-medical-research-into-remote-trials-benefiting-patients-and-scientists/

High resolution profiling of pathways of escape for SARS-CoV-2 spike-binding antibodies. https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(21)00580-8

Longitudinal analysis of humoral immunity against SARS-CoV-2 Spike in convalescent individuals up to eight months post-symptom onset. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00118-X

The pitfalls of modelling the effects of COVID-19 on gender-based violence: lessons learnt and ways forward. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e005739

COVID-19 in West Africa: regional resource mobilisation and allocation in the first year of the pandemic. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e004762

“Better safe than sorry”: experiences of pregnant doctors during the covid-19 pandemic. https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/05/04/better-safe-than-sorry-experiences-of-pregnant-doctors-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/

Time for the ethical management of COVID-19 vaccines. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00180-7/fulltext

RESOURCES

AfroSurg2 Conference Time May 4, 2021 08:30 AM May 5, 2021 08:30 AM. Time shows in Johannesburg. Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckcuqvqTMvHNPL-ilLPQsdndwS63z7aXA7

Training Workshop/Scientific Writing: A Nature Portfolio workshop for researchers in Africa. Tuesday, 18 May 2021- Virtual Event, 2:00pm – 5:00pm WAT/BST, 3:00pm – 6:00pm CAT, 4:00pm – 7:00pm EAT, 9:00am – 12:00pm EDT https://conferences.nature.com/event/63b27283-1399-42f7-bc0b-b767bb795838/summary?s=08 REGISTER Sharing and Communicating Scientific Discoveries (afroscientric.com) https://afroscientric.com/nature/

OTHER NEWS

Health-Related Behaviours, HIV and Active Tuberculosis are Associated with Perioperative Adverse Events Following Emergency Laparotomy at a Tertiary Surgical Service in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00268-021-05986-9?utm_source=toc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=toc_268_45_6&utm_content=etoc_springer_20210504

Microplastics are everywhere — but are they harmful? Scientists are rushing to study the tiny plastic specks that are in marine animals — and in us. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01143-3

Effectiveness of a national mass distribution campaign of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets and indoor residual spraying on clinical malaria in Malawi, 2018–2020. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e005447

Integration of non-communicable disease and HIV/AIDS management: a review of healthcare policies and plans in East Africa. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e004669

Risk of colorectal cancer in first degree relatives of patients with colorectal polyps: nationwide case-control study in Sweden. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n877

FROM 4 MAY

Does medical male circumcision result in sexual risk compensation in Africa? https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00177-7/fulltext

Diversity in the Surgical Profession. (4 articles) https://link.springer.com/journal/40137/topicalCollection/AC_94b4b7deb2e642201a4d09f744bbd8f8

The Reign of the Ventilator: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, COVID-19, and Technological Imperatives in Intensive Care. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M21-0270

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Thursday, 6 May 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAY 6, 2021, 03:07 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	47,851	[917]	724	[12]	45,645	1,482	20,012	303	1,036,708

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 05-06-2021 04:21 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

47,851 Total confirmed cases

724 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 5 MAY 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 6 MAY 2021

NEWS

Efficacy of NVX-CoV2373 Covid-19 Vaccine against the B.1.351 Variant. The NVX-CoV2373 vaccine was efficacious in preventing Covid-19, with higher vaccine efficacy observed among HIV-negative participants. Most infections were caused by the B.1.351 variant. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2103055?query=featured_home

Put idle capacity to work now making vaccines, says WTO head. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-trade-wto/put-idle-capacity-to-work-now-making-vaccines-says-wto-head-idUSKBN2CM22D

Covid-19: Pfizer to Seek Clearance in September for Vaccinating Children as Young as 2. https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/05/04/world/covid-vaccine-coronavirus-cases

Trade barriers ‘block global COVID-19 vaccine goals’. https://www.scidev.net/global/news/trade-barriers-block-global-covid-19-vaccine-goals/?utm_source=SciDev.Net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=12357539_2021-05-05%20Daily%20Email%20Digest%20-%20Template&dm_i=1SCG,7CV4Z,5R8D9U,TUXKC,1

COVID scare at G7 meeting after Indian delegates test positive. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-g7-india-covid/covid-scare-at-g7-meeting-after-indian-delegates-test-positive-idUSKBN2CM0MD

U.N. chief pushes voluntary sharing of COVID-19 vaccine licenses. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccine-un/u-n-chief-pushes-voluntary-sharing-of-covid-19-vaccine-licenses-idUSKBN2CM1W8

Egypt to close stores, restaurants early for 2 weeks to curb COVID-19. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-egypt/egypt-to-close-stores-restaurants-early-for-2-weeks-to-curb-covid-19-idUSKBN2CM1RM

Audio Interview: India’s Covid-19 Crisis. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2107728?query=featured_home

SARS-CoV-2 Infection after Vaccination in Health Care Workers in California. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2101927?query=featured_home

Missing the Point — How Primary Care Can Overcome Covid-19 Vaccine “Hesitancy”. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2106137?query=featured_home

Flu Has Disappeared Worldwide during the COVID Pandemic. The public health measures that slow the spread of the novel coronavirus work really well on influenza. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/flu-has-disappeared-worldwide-during-the-covid-pandemic1/

How Human Challenge Trials Can Accelerate Vaccine Development. Studies in which subjects volunteer to be infected with a disease reduce the uncertainties and bottlenecks of other types of trials. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-human-challenge-trials-can-accelerate-vaccine-development/

COVID research: a year of scientific milestones. Nature waded through the literature on the coronavirus — and summarized key papers as they appeared. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

Why some researchers oppose unrestricted sharing of coronavirus data. Global South scientists say that an open-access movement led by wealthy nations deprives them of credit and undermines their efforts. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01194-6

An Inside Look at a Post–COVID-19 Clinic. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2779851

Researchers Tie Severe Immunosuppression to Chronic COVID-19 and Virus Variants. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2779850

Thromboembolism and the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1159

Arterial events, venous thromboembolism, thrombocytopenia, and bleeding after vaccination with Oxford-AstraZeneca ChAdOx1-S in Denmark and Norway: population based cohort study. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1114

Time for the ethical management of COVID-19 vaccines. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00180-7/fulltext

Impact and effectiveness of mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 infections and COVID-19 cases, hospitalisations, and deaths following a nationwide vaccination campaign in Israel: an observational study using national surveillance data. Two doses of BNT162b2 are highly effective across all age groups (≥16 years, including older adults aged ≥85 years) in preventing symptomatic and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections and COVID-19-related hospitalisations, severe disease, and death, including those caused by the B.1.1.7 SARS-CoV-2 variant. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00947-8/fulltext

RESOURCES

Training Workshop/Scientific Writing: A Nature Portfolio workshop for researchers in Africa. Tuesday, 18 May 2021- Virtual Event, 2:00pm – 5:00pm WAT/BST, 3:00pm – 6:00pm CAT, 4:00pm – 7:00pm EAT, 9:00am – 12:00pm EDT https://conferences.nature.com/event/63b27283-1399-42f7-bc0b-b767bb795838/summary?s=08 REGISTER Sharing and Communicating Scientific Discoveries (afroscientric.com) https://afroscientric.com/nature/

OTHER NEWS

Global Surgery, Obstetric, and Anesthesia Indicator Definitions and Reporting: An Utstein Consensus Report. This version is not peer-reviewed. https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202104.0061/v1

Identifying a Basket of Surgical Procedures to Standardize Global Surgical Metrics. An International Delphi Study. https://journals.lww.com/annalsofsurgery/Abstract/9000/Identifying_a_Basket_of_Surgical_Procedures_to.93954.aspx

Donanemab in Early Alzheimer’s Disease. In patients with early Alzheimer’s disease, donanemab resulted in a better composite score for cognition and for the ability to perform activities of daily living than placebo at 76 weeks, although results for secondary outcomes were mixed. Longer and larger trials are necessary to study the efficacy and safety of donanemab in Alzheimer’s disease. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2100708?query=featured_home

Four-Month Rifapentine Regimens with or without Moxifloxacin for Tuberculosis. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2033400?query=featured_home

Evaluation of Drug Trials in High-, Middle-, and Low-Income Countries and Local Commercial Availability of Newly Approved Drugs. These findings suggest that substantial gaps exist between where drugs are tested and where they become available to patients, raising concerns about the equitable distribution of research benefits. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779457

Survival After Breast Conservation vs Mastectomy Adjusted for Comorbidity and Socioeconomic Status. A Swedish National 6-Year Follow-up of 48 986 Women. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/fullarticle/2779531

Efficacy of a low-dose candidate malaria vaccine, R21 in adjuvant Matrix-M, with seasonal administration to children in Burkina Faso: a randomised controlled trial. R21/MM appears safe and very immunogenic in African children, and shows promising high-level efficacy. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00943-0/fulltext

FROM 5 MAY

Integration of non-communicable disease and HIV/AIDS management: a review of healthcare policies and plans in East Africa. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e004669

Risk of colorectal cancer in first degree relatives of patients with colorectal polyps: nationwide case-control study in Sweden. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n877

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Friday, 7 May 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAY 7, 2021, 04:09 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	48,417	[566]	734	[10]	46,226	1,482	20,245	307	1,086,267

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 05-07-2021 05:21 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

48,417 Total confirmed cases

734 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 6 MAY 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 7 MAY 2021

NEWS

Covid-19: Studies Indicate Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine Protects Against the Most Severe Outcomes of Some Virus Variants. https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/05/05/world/covid-vaccine-coronavirus-cases

Moderna Says Its Covid-19 Booster Shots Show Promise Against Variants. https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/health-news/moderna-says-its-covid-19-booster-shots-show-promise-against-variants/ar-BB1goD7W?ocid=msedgntp

EU supports COVID vaccine patent waiver talks, but critics say won’t solve scarcity. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-willing-discuss-covid-19-vaccine-patent-waiver-eus-von-der-leyen-2021-05-06/

In shock move, US backs waiving patents on COVID vaccines. The development from the Biden administration draws cheers from public-health researchers and ire from drugmakers. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01224-3

How many COVID deaths are acceptable in a post-pandemic world? Even after mass vaccinations, some hospitalizations and deaths from the coronavirus are inevitable — but opinions differ on how many is too many for a return to relative normality. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01220-7

Pfizer COVID vaccine protects against worrying coronavirus variants. Data from Qatar provide strongest evidence yet that COVID-19 vaccines can stop strains thought to pose a threat to immunization efforts. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01222-5

Further evidence supports controversial claim that SARS-CoV-2 genes can integrate with human DNA. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/05/further-evidence-offered-claim-genes-pandemic-coronavirus-can-integrate-human-dna

Association Between Vaccination With BNT162b2 and Incidence of Symptomatic and Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infections Among Health Care Workers. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2779853

Asymptomatic and Symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infections After BNT162b2 Vaccination in a Routinely Screened Workforce. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2779854

Ethical and policy considerations for COVID-19 vaccination modalities: delayed second dose, fractional dose, mixed vaccines. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e005912

Challenges in reported COVID-19 data: best practices and recommendations for future epidemics. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e005542

Covid-19: Sputnik vaccine rockets, thanks to Lancet boost. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1108

Covid-19: Two doses of Pfizer vaccine are “highly effective” against infection, hospital admission, and death, study finds. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1164

Covid-19: Vaccines will be tested against variants of concern after £29m funding boost from UK government. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1163

India’s COVID-19 emergency. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01052-7/fulltext

RESOURCES

Training Workshop/Scientific Writing: A Nature Portfolio workshop for researchers in Africa. Tuesday, 18 May 2021- Virtual Event, 2:00pm – 5:00pm WAT/BST, 3:00pm – 6:00pm CAT, 4:00pm – 7:00pm EAT, 9:00am – 12:00pm EDT https://conferences.nature.com/event/63b27283-1399-42f7-bc0b-b767bb795838/summary?s=08 REGISTER Sharing and Communicating Scientific Discoveries (afroscientric.com) https://afroscientric.com/nature/

OTHER NEWS

Health spending and vaccination coverage in low-income countries. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e004823

UK makes massive global health cuts. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01054-0/fulltext

FROM 6 MAY

Four-Month Rifapentine Regimens with or without Moxifloxacin for Tuberculosis. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2033400?query=featured_home

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Saturday, 8 May 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAY 8, 2021, 04:53 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	48,417	[566]	734	[10]	46,226	1,482	20,245	307	1,086,267

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 05-08-2021 06:21 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

48,417 Total confirmed cases

734 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 7 MAY 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 8 MAY 2021

NEWS

Picture of two pandemics: Covid cases fall in rich west as poorer nations suffer. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/08/picture-of-two-pandemics-covid-cases-fall-in-rich-west-as-poorer-nations-suffer

International COVID-19 trial to restart with focus on immune responses

World Health Organization will test whether three existing drugs can save lives of hospitalized people. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01090-z

In Shocking Move, U.S. Backs Waiving Patents on COVID Vaccines. The development from the Biden administration draws cheers from public health researchers and ire from drugmakers. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/in-shocking-move-u-s-backs-waiving-patents-on-covid-vaccines/

Coronavirus News Roundup, May 1–May 7. Pandemic highlights for the week. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/coronavirus-news-roundup-may-1-may-7/

Covid-19: Africa scrambles to increase genomic testing capacity as variants spread. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1122

COVID, Quickly, Episode 6: The Real Reason for India’s Surge and Mask Liftoff. https://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/covid-quickly-episode-6-the-real-reason-for-indias-surge-and-mask-liftoff/

Precision Medicine for COVID-19. Phenotype Anarchy or Promise Realized? https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2779924

Where are we with drug treatments for covid-19? https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1109

Covid-19 in India: Oxygen supplies run low, hospital fees run high. https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/05/07/covid-19-in-india-oxygen-supplies-run-low-hospital-fees-run-high/

Management of severe covid-19: progress and promise. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1147

Remote management of covid-19: we could do more, more widely. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1095

India’s COVID-19 emergency. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01052-7/fulltext

RESOURCES

Training Workshop/Scientific Writing: A Nature Portfolio workshop for researchers in Africa. Tuesday, 18 May 2021- Virtual Event, 2:00pm – 5:00pm WAT/BST, 3:00pm – 6:00pm CAT, 4:00pm – 7:00pm EAT, 9:00am – 12:00pm EDT https://conferences.nature.com/event/63b27283-1399-42f7-bc0b-b767bb795838/summary?s=08 REGISTER Sharing and Communicating Scientific Discoveries (afroscientric.com) https://afroscientric.com/nature/

OTHER NEWS

Decolonising global health in 2021: a roadmap to move from rhetoric to reform https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e005604 Comment: ‘Decolonising’ the decolonising rhetoric’ (from University of Botswana) https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e005604.responses

Age at Smoking Initiation and Prevalence of Cigarette Use Among Youths in Sub-Saharan Africa, 2014-2017. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779688

Identifying and responding to domestic violence and abuse in healthcare settings. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1047

Opportunities to prevent children dying from asthma are being missed, says safety watchdog. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1180

Integrity, use and care of long-lasting insecticidal nets in Kirinyaga County, Kenya. https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-021-10882-x

An Empirically Derived Definition of Metabolically Healthy Obesity Based on Risk of Cardiovascular and Total Mortality. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779685

Evaluation of BRCA1 and BRCA2 as Indicators of Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779689

FROM 7 MAY

Health spending and vaccination coverage in low-income countries. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e004823

UK makes massive global health cuts. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01054-0/fulltext

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Monday, 10 May 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAY 10, 2021, 02:55 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	48,417	[566]	734	[10]	46,226	1,482	20,245	307	1,086,267

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 05-10-2021 04:20 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

48,417 Total confirmed cases

734 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 9 MAY 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 10 MAY 2021

𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐄: 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐏𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃-𝟏𝟗 𝐕𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐋 𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐌

The Ministry of Health and Wellness informs members of the public that the COVID-19 vaccination rollout program will resume on 10 May 2021.

The vaccination roll out program will follow the sequence below:

1. Those aged 65 and above

2. Those aged 55 to 64

Health care workers will also form part of those that will be vaccinated from tomorrow.

In order to avoid congestion at health facilities, adults above the age of 65 years, are advised to register online using the link; Https://dhis2sms.gov.bw/vaccine/. They can use Orange, Mascom and Be Mobile networks to register at no cost since no data is required. All Ministry of Health and Wellness District Heath Management Teams (DHMTs) across the country, will be available for further guidance.

NEWS

Priorities for COVID-19 research response and preparedness in low-resource settings. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00980-6/fulltext

These four COVID-19 vaccines could soon join the pandemic fight. https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/these-four-covid-19-vaccines-could-soon-join-the-pandemic-fight/ar-BB1gvckM?ocid=msedgntp

SAfrica picks up first cases of coronavirus variant from India. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/safrica-picks-up-first-cases-coronavirus-variant-india-2021-05-08/

Decay of Fc-dependent antibody functions after mild to moderate COVID-19. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00129-4

Comparative immune profiling of acute respiratory distress syndrome patients with or without SARS-CoV2 infection. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00119-1

Vaccine-induced ICOS+CD38+ circulating Tfh are sensitive biosensors of age-related changes in inflammatory pathways. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00078-1

Amitava Banerjee: Covid-19 in India—lockdown and vaccination drive only way forward. https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/05/06/amitava-banerjee-covid-19-in-india-lockdown-and-vaccination-drive-only-way-forward/

RESOURCES

Training Workshop/Scientific Writing: A Nature Portfolio workshop for researchers in Africa. Tuesday, 18 May 2021- Virtual Event, 2:00pm – 5:00pm WAT/BST, 3:00pm – 6:00pm CAT, 4:00pm – 7:00pm EAT, 9:00am – 12:00pm EDT https://conferences.nature.com/event/63b27283-1399-42f7-bc0b-b767bb795838/summary?s=08 REGISTER Sharing and Communicating Scientific Discoveries (afroscientric.com) https://afroscientric.com/nature/

The InciSioN Global Surgery Symposium (IGSS) 2021 invites you to submit your abstract to share your research, discuss and gain feedback from a global audience of experts and peers in the field. Submission Deadline June 1st 2021 11:59 PM GMT https://incisionetwork.org/igss2021-abstract-submission/

OTHER NEWS

FROM 8 MAY

Age at Smoking Initiation and Prevalence of Cigarette Use Among Youths in Sub-Saharan Africa, 2014-2017. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779688

Identifying and responding to domestic violence and abuse in healthcare settings. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1047

Opportunities to prevent children dying from asthma are being missed, says safety watchdog. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1180

Integrity, use and care of long-lasting insecticidal nets in Kirinyaga County, Kenya. https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-021-10882-x

An Empirically Derived Definition of Metabolically Healthy Obesity Based on Risk of Cardiovascular and Total Mortality. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779685

Evaluation of BRCA1 and BRCA2 as Indicators of Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779689

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Tuesday, 11 May 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAY 11, 2021, 03:21 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	49,041	[624]	751	[17]	46,290	2,000	20,501	307	1,086,267

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 05-11 -2021 04:20 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

48,417 Total confirmed cases

734 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 10 MAY 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 11 MAY 2021

𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐄: 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐏𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃-𝟏𝟗 𝐕𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐋 𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐌

NEWS

Covid-19: Study claims real global deaths are twice official figures. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1188

Covid-19: How will a waiver on vaccine patents affect global supply? https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1182

Covid-19: Don’t abandon mask wearing in schools, say health experts. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1186

WHO classifies triple-mutant Covid variant from India as global health risk. https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/who-classifies-triple-mutant-covid-variant-from-india-as-global-health-risk/ar-BB1gzDqb?ocid=msedgnt

Sudanese search for oxygen cylinders as COVID third wave swells. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-sudan-oxygen/sudanese-search-for-oxygen-cylinders-as-covid-third-wave-swells-idUSKBN2CR1B6

WTO chief says hopes COVID patent issue will be settled by December. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-waiver-wto/wto-chief-says-hopes-covid-patent-issue-will-be-settled-by-december-idUSKBN2CR1UE

South Africa warns of ‘vaccine apartheid’ if rich countries hog shots. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/south-africa-warns-vaccine-apartheid-if-rich-countries-hog-shots-2021-05-10/

Egypt’s Eva Pharma to export COVID-19 drug remdesivir to India. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/egypts-eva-pharma-export-covid-19-drug-remdesivir-india-2021-05-10/

It’s Time to Reevaluate How We Talk about COVID Risk. It exists on a spectrum, and pretending activities are either deadly or risk-free helps no one. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/its-time-to-reevaluate-how-we-talk-about-covid-risk/

A bibliometric analysis of COVID-19 research in Africa. Conclusions This study highlights Africa’s COVID-19 research and the continent’s existing capacity to carry out research that addresses local problems. However, more studies focused on vaccines and therapeutics are needed to inform local development. In addition, the uneven distribution of research productivity among African countries emphasises the need for increased investment where needed.https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e005690

Covid-19: UK offers under 40s alternative to AstraZeneca vaccine to boost confidence. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1185

The global viralization of policies to contain the spreading of the COVID-19 pandemic: Analyses of school closures and first reported cases. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0248828

NIH Strategic Priorities for COVID-19 Research. https://covid19.nih.gov/nih-strategic-response-covid-19

RESOURCES

Training Workshop/Scientific Writing: A Nature Portfolio workshop for researchers in Africa. Tuesday, 18 May 2021- Virtual Event, 2:00pm – 5:00pm WAT/BST, 3:00pm – 6:00pm CAT, 4:00pm – 7:00pm EAT, 9:00am – 12:00pm EDT https://conferences.nature.com/event/63b27283-1399-42f7-bc0b-b767bb795838/summary?s=08 REGISTER Sharing and Communicating Scientific Discoveries (afroscientric.com) https://afroscientric.com/nature/

OTHER NEWS

Prevalence of High-Risk Nonvaccine Human Papillomavirus Types in Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma Among Individuals of African vs Non-African Ancestry. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779756

Targeted investment needed to end rheumatic heart disease in Africa. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00215-1/fulltext

An investment case for the prevention and management of rheumatic heart disease in the African Union 2021–30: a modelling study. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00199-6/fulltext

FROM 10 MAY

COVID-19 and the HIV care continuum in Uganda: minimising collateral damage [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations] https://aasopenresearch.org/browse/articles?utm_medium=email&utm_source=etoc_alert_WEEKLY

Use of a mutation-specific genotyping method to assess for HIV-1 drug resistance in antiretroviral-naïve HIV-1 Subtype C-infected patients in Botswana [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 1 not approved] https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/3-50

Knowledge and attitude of secondary school students in Nakaseke, Uganda towards HIV transmission and treatment [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]. https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/4-23

Description and comparison of physical activity from self-reports and accelerometry among primary school children in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: a pilot study [version 3; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations] https://aasopenresearch.org/browse/articles?utm_medium=email&utm_source=etoc_alert_WEEKLY

FROM 8 MAY

Age at Smoking Initiation and Prevalence of Cigarette Use Among Youths in Sub-Saharan Africa, 2014-2017. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779688

Identifying and responding to domestic violence and abuse in healthcare settings. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1047

Opportunities to prevent children dying from asthma are being missed, says safety watchdog. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1180

Integrity, use and care of long-lasting insecticidal nets in Kirinyaga County, Kenya. https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-021-10882-x

An Empirically Derived Definition of Metabolically Healthy Obesity Based on Risk of Cardiovascular and Total Mortality. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779685

Evaluation of BRCA1 and BRCA2 as Indicators of Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779689

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Wednesday, 12 May 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAY 12, 2021, 04:10 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	49,041	[624]	751	[17]	46,290	2,000	20,501	307	1,086,267

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 05-12 -2021 05:21 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

48,417 Total confirmed cases

734 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 11 MAY 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 12 MAY 2021

NEWS

WHO reviewing Seychelles COVID-19 data after fully vaccinated people test positive. NAIROBI (Reuters) – The World Health Organization said on Tuesday it was reviewing coronavirus data from Seychelles after the health ministry said more than a third of people who tested positive for COVID-19 in the past week had been fully vaccinated. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-seychelles/who-reviewing-seychelles-covid-19-data-after-fully-vaccinated-people-test-positive-idUSKBN2CS1PW

Factbox-Latest on the worldwide spread of the coronavirus. The European Union launched a lawsuit against AstraZeneca that could lead to financial sanctions for the company which the EU alleges has breached a supply contract for COVID-19 vaccines. The company’s lawyer said the lawsuit was not needed as there was already one under way against AstraZeneca. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-latest/factbox-latest-on-the-worldwide-spread-of-the-coronavirus-idUSKBN2CS1XP

France to allocate more than 5% of its COVID vaccines to WHO-backed COVAX programme. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/france-allocate-more-than-5-its-covid-vaccines-who-backed-covax-programme-2021-05-11/

Argentina confirms first cases of COVID-19 variants from India, South Africa. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/argentina-confirms-first-cases-covid-19-variants-india-south-africa-2021-05-10/

Coronavirus variants are spreading in India — what scientists know so far. Variants including B.1.617 have been linked to India’s surge in infections. Researchers are hurrying to determine how much of a threat they pose. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01274-7

The myriad ways sewage surveillance is helping fight COVID around the world. Wastewater tracking was used before the pandemic to monitor for polio and illicit drug use, but interest in the field and its applications has now ballooned. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01234-1

Neutralizing antibody vaccine for pandemic and pre-emergent coronaviruses. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03594-0

Daily briefing: Big COVID treatment trial reboots with three new drugs. The WHO’s Solidarity COVID drug trial will restart with a focus on immune responses. Plus, how to thrive as a pandemic PhD student and how NASA is ramping up to fight climate change. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01280-9

Mice with severe COVID symptoms could speed vaccine effort. A new rodent model of COVID-19 promises an easier and quicker way to test treatments and vaccines. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01251-0

Mapping the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein-derived peptidome presented by HLA class II on dendritic cells. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(21)00524-6

Global Incidence of Neurological Manifestations Among Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19—A Report for the GCS-NeuroCOVID Consortium and the ENERGY Consortium. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779759

The covid-19 vaccine patent waiver: a crucial step towards a “people’s vaccine”. https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/05/10/the-covid-19-vaccine-patent-waiver-a-crucial-step-towards-a-peoples-vaccine/

Use of repurposed and adjuvant drugs in hospital patients with covid-19: multinational network cohort study. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1038

Quality improvement at times of crisis. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n928

Matt Morgan: Covid helped me travel, with colleagues as guides. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1177

RESOURCES

Training Workshop/Scientific Writing: A Nature Portfolio workshop for researchers in Africa. Tuesday, 18 May 2021- Virtual Event, 2:00pm – 5:00pm WAT/BST, 3:00pm – 6:00pm CAT, 4:00pm – 7:00pm EAT, 9:00am – 12:00pm EDT https://conferences.nature.com/event/63b27283-1399-42f7-bc0b-b767bb795838/summary?s=08 REGISTER Sharing and Communicating Scientific Discoveries (afroscientric.com) https://afroscientric.com/nature/

OTHER NEWS

Open access ‘excludes’ developing world scientists. https://www.scidev.net/global/features/open-access-excludes-developing-world-scientists/?utm_source=SciDev.Net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=12371702_2021-05-11%20Daily%20Email%20Digest%20-%20Template&dm_i=1SCG,7D62E,5R8D9U,TW9U2,1

Health system influences on the implementation of tuberculosis infection prevention and control at health facilities in low-income and middle-income countries: a scoping review. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e004735

Child mortality associated with maternal HIV status: a retrospective analysis in Rwanda, 2005-2015. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e004398

Assessing trauma care systems in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review and evidence synthesis mapping the Three Delays framework to injury health system assessments. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e004324

Now and then: lessons from the rollout of ART. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00222-9/fulltext

FROM 11 MAY

Targeted investment needed to end rheumatic heart disease in Africa. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00215-1/fulltext

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Friday, 14 May 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAY 14, 2021, 03:44 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	49,041	[624]	751	[17]	46,290	2,000	20,501	307	1,086,267

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 05-14-2021 04:21 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

49,041 Total confirmed cases

751 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 13 MAY 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 14 MAY 2021

NEWS

WHO Urged to Reform After Panel Finds Failures Worsened Pandemic. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/who-urged-to-reform-after-panel-finds-failures-worsened-pandemic/ar-BB1gEtav?ocid=msedgntp

USTR Tai reiterates support for vaccine waiver in call with S. African official. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccines-tai/ustr-tai-reiterates-support-for-vaccine-waiver-in-call-with-s-african-official-idUSKBN2CU28F

Vaccine waiver talks a chance for WTO to show its relevance -U.S. trade chief Tai. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccines-wto/vaccine-waiver-talks-a-chance-for-wto-to-show-its-relevance-u-s-trade-chief-tai-idUSKBN2CU1R4

Factbox: Vaccines delivered under COVAX sharing scheme for poorer countries. The COVAX facility, backed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), aims to secure 2 billion vaccine doses for lower-income countries by the end of 2021. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccine-factbox/factbox-vaccines-delivered-under-covax-sharing-scheme-for-poorer-countries-idUSKBN2CU1CV

S.Africa’s COVID-19 death toll much higher than official tally – report. A South African report into excess deaths over the past year suggests more than 133,000 people in the country have died from COVID-19, far more than the official tally of nearly 55,000. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica-casualties/s-africas-covid-19-death-toll-much-higher-than-official-tally-report-idUSKBN2CU0XY

Vaccine waiver talks can make drug firms the heroes, U.S. trade chief says. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-trade-chief-says-wto-vaccine-talks-should-remove-obstacles-production-2021-05-12/

CDC Says Vaccinated People Do Not Need to Wear Masks in Most Settings. The agency’s latest guidelines provide an incentive for people to get vaccinated, but some may see them as premature. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/cdc-says-vaccinated-people-do-not-need-to-wear-masks-in-most-settings/

Adolescents Can Finally Get Vaccinated against COVID. Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine approval is younger teens’ shot at freedom. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/adolescents-can-finally-get-vaccinated-against-covid/

Structural basis of ribosomal frameshifting during translation of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2021/05/12/science.abf3546?rss=1

Distinct immunological signatures discriminate severe COVID-19 from non-SARS-CoV-2-driven critical pneumonia. https://www.cell.com/immunity/fulltext/S1074-7613(21)00208-9

Immunogenicity of COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines in Pregnant and Lactating Women. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2780202

Effectiveness of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines on covid-19 related symptoms, hospital admissions, and mortality in older adults in England: test negative case-control study. Vaccination with either one dose of BNT162b2 or ChAdOx1-S was associated with a significant reduction in symptomatic covid-19 in older adults, and with further protection against severe disease. Both vaccines showed similar effects. Protection was maintained for the duration of follow-up (>6 weeks). A second dose of BNT162b2 was associated with further protection against symptomatic disease. A clear effect of the vaccines against the B.1.1.7 variant was found. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1088

Vaccinating children against SARS-CoV-2. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1197

Covid-19: Global response was too slow and leadership absent, report finds. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1234

RESOURCES

Comprehensive Approach to Road Traffic Injuries: from Prevention to Trauma Care. FREE. Registration. Webinar Registration – Zoom May 14, 2021 10:00 AM in Eastern Time (US and Canada) .4 PM CAT https://harvard.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_plbV_nXnR0aBJpYsPqP_OQ

COVIDSurg eLearning platform Complete accredited modules. Free. Learn the COVIDSurg key messages. Obtain CPD/CME points. https://modules.surgery2025.com/

Training Workshop/Scientific Writing: A Nature Portfolio workshop for researchers in Africa. Tuesday, 18 May 2021- Virtual Event, 2:00pm – 5:00pm WAT/BST, 3:00pm – 6:00pm CAT, 4:00pm – 7:00pm EAT, 9:00am – 12:00pm EDT https://conferences.nature.com/event/63b27283-1399-42f7-bc0b-b767bb795838/summary?s=08 REGISTER Sharing and Communicating Scientific Discoveries (afroscientric.com) https://afroscientric.com/nature/

Webinar Registration – Paediatric E-learning Platform Launch. Kids Operating Room, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI), West Africa College of Surgeons (WACS) and College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA) are proud to launch the first pan-Africa training platform for children’s surgery. May 24, 2021 12:00 PM in London. Registration https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XXOi72XmS4K2uXNVUm49kQ

World College of Anaesthesiologists meeting will be held virtually this year, and the WFSA has opened applications for scholarships. World Congress of Anaesthesiologists meeting scholarships. When speaking to your colleagues, you could also let them know that registration for residents/trainees from low and lower middle income countries is free i.e. they do not need to apply for the scholarship but can register via the WCA website for free (https://www.wca2021.org/registration ). Applications can be made via the WFSA ‘s application portal / website (https://wfsahq.org/opportunities/fellowship-and-scholarship-applications/ ). Please spread the word to your colleagues around the world.

OTHER NEWS

Gender Differences in Physician Use of Social Media for Professional Advancement. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779868

Scoping review of research on self-managed medication abortion in low-income and middle-income countries. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e004763

The gender and geography of publishing: a review of sex/gender reporting and author representation in leading general medical and global health journals[mt1] . Global health and medical research fails to consistently apply a sex/gender lens and remains largely the preserve of authors in HIC. Collaborative partnerships and funding support are needed to promote gender-sensitive research and dismantle historical power dynamics in authorship. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e005672

Behind the scenes: Scientific networks driving the operationalization of the Social-Ecological System framework. 60% of research takes place in the Global South, but only 26% involve scientists from those countries. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969721025444

FROM 13 MAY

Decoded: What Is a Virus, Exactly? https://www.scientificamerican.com/video/decoded-what-is-a-virus-exactly/

When Racism Waits along the Academic Path. For structural engineer and entrepreneur Nehemiah Mabry, a racist remark made to him in graduate school provided all the motivation he needed to open doors into academia for others. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/when-racism-waits-along-the-academic-path/

How Each of Us Can Prepare for the Next Pandemic. Cooperative Extension programs have a long history of teaching readiness and survival skills—and with more funding, they could help us get ready for future outbreaks. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-each-of-us-can-prepare-for-the-next-pandemic/

‘Hybrid’ scientific conferences aim to offer the best of in-person and virtual meetings. https://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2021/05/hybrid-scientific-conferences-aim-offer-best-person-and-virtual-meetings

Tympanostomy Tubes or Medical Management for Recurrent Acute Otitis Media. Among children 6 to 35 months of age with recurrent acute otitis media, the rate of episodes of acute otitis media during a 2-year period was not significantly lower with tympanostomy-tube placement than with medical management. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2027278?query=featured_home

Management of the Difficult Airway. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra1916801?query=featured_home

Intrathoracic vs Cervical Anastomosis After Totally or Hybrid Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer. A Randomized Clinical Trial. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2779968

Nearly 700 anaesthetists have training interrupted after cuts. Nearly 700 anaesthetic trainees will be unable to continue their training this year despite 680 consultant anaesthetist posts having been unfilled in the UK in 2020. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1213

Screening for ovarian cancer is ruled out after trial found it did not reduce deaths. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1223

Ovarian cancer population screening and mortality after long-term follow-up in the UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS): a randomised controlled trial. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00731-5/fulltext

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Saturday, 15 May 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAY 15, 2021, 03:45 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	49,656	[615]	761	[10]	46,640	2,255	20,754	318	1,089,391

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 05-15-2021 05:20 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

49,656 Total confirmed cases

761 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 14 MAY 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 15 MAY 2021

NEWS

India’s neighbours race to sequence genomes as COVID surges. From Sri Lanka to Nepal, scientists with limited resources are working feverishly to discover which variants are driving outbreaks. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01287-2

How a worrisome coronavirus variant spread unnoticed. A new variant stealthily took hold on two continents, highlighting the need for global genomic surveillance. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01285-4

Advancing research in pregnancy during COVID-19: Missed opportunities and momentum in the US. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00168-9

Is the government “following the data” on face coverings in schools? https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/05/14/is-the-government-following-the-data-on-face-coverings-in-schools/

Convalescent plasma in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised controlled, open-label, platform . In patients hospitalised with COVID-19, high-titre convalescent plasma did not improve survival or other prespecified clinical outcomes trial. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00897-7/fulltext

RESOURCES

COVIDSurg eLearning platform Complete accredited modules. Free. Learn the COVIDSurg key messages. Obtain CPD/CME points. https://modules.surgery2025.com/

Training Workshop/Scientific Writing: A Nature Portfolio workshop for researchers in Africa. Tuesday, 18 May 2021- Virtual Event, 2:00pm – 5:00pm WAT/BST, 3:00pm – 6:00pm CAT, 4:00pm – 7:00pm EAT, 9:00am – 12:00pm EDT https://conferences.nature.com/event/63b27283-1399-42f7-bc0b-b767bb795838/summary?s=08 REGISTER Sharing and Communicating Scientific Discoveries (afroscientric.com) https://afroscientric.com/nature/

OTHER NEWS

Quality of care for tuberculosis and HIV in the private health sector: a cross-sectional, standardised patient study in South Africa. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e005250

Open-access publisher PLOS pushes to extend clout beyond biomedicine The publisher will launch five new journals, and has introduced a new business model that aims to spread the cost of publishing more fairly. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-01907-3

Breastfeeding influences the neonatal virome. The first viruses to colonize the infant gut are shown to arise from bacteria, with human-cell viruses colonizing the gut later, at around four months of age. Exclusive and partial breastfeeding were associated with fewer human viruses in the gut of infants compared with formula-feeding alone. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01112-w

Repurposing antidepressants for cancer immunotherapy. Targeting monoamine oxidase A for T cell–based cancer immunotherapy. https://immunology.sciencemag.org/content/6/59/eabh2383

An old antidepressant helps the immune system fight tumors in mice. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/05/old-antidepressant-helps-immune-system-fight-tumors-mice

From “period poverty” to “period parity” to meet menstrual health needs. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00070-2

Reconceptualizing How to Support Surrogates Making Medical Decisions for Critically Ill Patients. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2780263

Assessment of a Crowdsourcing Open Call for Approaches to University Community Engagement and Strategic Planning During COVID-19. The results of this study suggest that open calls are a promising approach to understanding university community members’ concerns and identifying stakeholder-driven, innovative solutions for safe university activity during the pandemic. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779869

Self-management of iron and folic acid supplementation during pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and postnatal periods: a systematic review. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e005531

Academic journal is criticised for publishing special issue funded by tobacco industry. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1247

FROM 14 MAY

Gender Differences in Physician Use of Social Media for Professional Advancement. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779868

Scoping review of research on self-managed medication abortion in low-income and middle-income countries. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e004763

Implementation Strategies and the Uptake of the World Health Organization Surgical Safety Checklist in Low and Middle Income Countries. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. https://journals.lww.com/annalsofsurgery/Fulltext/2021/06000/Implementation_Strategies_and_the_Uptake_of_the.31.aspx/?cid=eTOC%20Issues.2021-annalsofsurgery-00000658-202106000-00000&rid=E_0000000000804228&TargetID=&EjpToken=h82_ulqgM5l-Trw24fOc1wmuOcEiQkAOv8QXiYbWqhu0qEtLpbXrskSBn40oou2pp6RsFUbNuBuvpF8&mkt_tok=NjgxLUZIRS00MjkAAAF9C99Z78B_k4uNT1T70tgXeKdKZs-eZ03q4GN6vFmXqdv5W2J4B4o_hnNK80yfkYuc0HXRNere4V2nRNFBGepcmMNZvBTKe-2rPwotWhgbrbU3AzQWq3M

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Monday, 17 May 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAY 17, 2021, 03:09 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	49,656	[615]	761	[10]	46,640	2,255	20,754	318	1,089,391

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 05-17-2021 05:20 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

49,656 Total confirmed cases

761 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 16 MAY 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 17 MAY 2021

NEWS

Refusing the Covid Vaccine Is Legal But Could Still Cost You Your Job. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-05-03/refusing-the-vaccine-is-legal-but-could-still-cost-you-your-job?utm_medium=cpc_social&utm_source=twitter_&utm_campaign=mofu_content_0_pageengagers&utm_content=0505refusingvax&twclid=11393575253075537923

What Would It Take to Vaccinate the World Against Covid? When President Biden joined a push to set aside patents for Covid shots, he entered a roiling debate over how to ensure poor countries get enough vaccine. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/15/world/americas/covid-vaccine-patent-biden.html?action=click&module=Spotlight&pgtype=Homepage

South Africa targets 5 million elderly people in phase 2 of COVID-19 vaccine rollout. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica/south-africa-targets-5-million-elderly-people-in-phase-2-of-covid-19-vaccine-rollout-idUSKCN2CX0H5

Highly specific monoclonal antibodies and epitope identification against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein for antigen detection tests. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00154-3

Longitudinal analysis reveals that delayed bystander CD8+ T cell activation and early immune pathology distinguish severe COVID-19 from mild disease. https://www.cell.com/immunity/fulltext/S1074-7613(21)00216-8

Western Countries Prevented African Nations From Having Their Own Vaccine. Colonial-era policies and global health gatekeepers have made it nigh-on impossible for doctors and scientists on the continent to take their vaccines to clinical trials. https://www.vice.com/en/article/epnxd7/africa-covid-vaccine-blocked-by-western-countries

RESOURCES

COVIDSurg eLearning platform Complete accredited modules. Free. Learn the COVIDSurg key messages. Obtain CPD/CME points. https://modules.surgery2025.com/

Training Workshop/Scientific Writing: A Nature Portfolio workshop for researchers in Africa. Tuesday, 18 May 2021- Virtual Event, 2:00pm – 5:00pm WAT/BST, 3:00pm – 6:00pm CAT, 4:00pm – 7:00pm EAT, 9:00am – 12:00pm EDT https://conferences.nature.com/event/63b27283-1399-42f7-bc0b-b767bb795838/summary?s=08 REGISTER Sharing and Communicating Scientific Discoveries (afroscientric.com) https://afroscientric.com/nature/

Gender Equity Initiative in Global Surgery. May 2021 GEIGS General Assembly. This 2-day General Assembly (GA) will take place on Saturday, May 22nd and on Sunday, May 23rd. Registration Form. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd-6nQJnNvNtnW77dD2DmQogn7n-an2kT2jYSn8NPVMgoiLMQ/viewform For more information, visit https://gendereqglobalsurg.wixsite.com/geigs

OTHER NEWS

Use of a mutation-specific genotyping method to assess for HIV-1 drug resistance in antiretroviral-naïve HIV-1 Subtype C-infected patients in Botswana [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]. https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/3-50/v2?utm_medium=email&utm_source=etoc_alert_WEEKLY

Pragmatic Trials — Need for ADAPTABLE Design (Aspirin Dosing: A Patient-Centric Trial Assessing Benefits and Long-Term Effectiveness). https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2106430

Comparative Effectiveness of Aspirin Dosing in Cardiovascular Disease. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2102137?query=featured_home

Fortification of Breast Milk With Preterm Formula Powder vs Human Milk Fortifier in Preterm Neonates. A Randomized Noninferiority Trial. Preterm formula powder might be a better alternative for breast milk fortification in resource-constrained settings. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/2779856

Aspirin versus clopidogrel for chronic maintenance monotherapy after percutaneous coronary intervention (HOST-EXAM): an investigator-initiated, prospective, randomised, open-label, multicentre trial. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01063-1/fulltext

RACIAL DIVERSITY IN GLOBAL HEALTH. From Rhetoric to Tangible Change: Pitfalls and Opportunities. https://www.arasa.info/media/arasa/Resources/research%20reports/racial-diversity-in-global-health.pdf

Association between HIV infection and hypertension: a global systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies. http://europepmc.org/article/PMC/8117497

FROM 15 MAY

Quality of care for tuberculosis and HIV in the private health sector: a cross-sectional, standardised patient study in South Africa. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e005250

Repurposing antidepressants for cancer immunotherapy. Targeting monoamine oxidase A for T cell–based cancer immunotherapy. https://immunology.sciencemag.org/content/6/59/eabh2383

An old antidepressant helps the immune system fight tumors in mice. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/05/old-antidepressant-helps-immune-system-fight-tumors-mice

From “period poverty” to “period parity” to meet menstrual health needs. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00070-2

Reconceptualizing How to Support Surrogates Making Medical Decisions for Critically Ill Patients. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2780263

Self-management of iron and folic acid supplementation during pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and postnatal periods: a systematic review. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e005531

Academic journal is criticised for publishing special issue funded by tobacco industry. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1247

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Tuesday, 18 May 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAY 18, 2021, 03:44 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	50,800	[1144]	774	[13]	47,477	2,549	21,229	323	1,105,082

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 05-18-2021 04:20 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

50,800 Total confirmed cases

774 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 17 MAY 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 18 MAY 2021

Botswana Government@BWGovernment 𝐁𝐎𝐓𝐒𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐀 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐌𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃-𝟏𝟗 𝐁.𝟏.𝟔𝟏𝟕 𝐕𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐍 𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐀.

NEWS

Daily briefing: Delayed second Pfizer dose boosts immune response. Delaying the second dose of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine could boost antibody responses in over-80s. Plus, China’s first rover on Mars and PLOS pushes to extend clout beyond biomedicine. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01324-0

COVID vaccines can block variant hitting Asia, lab study finds. Assays using live SARS-CoV-2 offer hope that the vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna will protect against a viral strain first seen in India. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01329-9

Forget throat swabs: Dutch company claims its breathalyzer can help sniff out COVID-19. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/05/forget-throat-swabs-dutch-company-claims-its-breathalyzer-can-help-sniff-out-covid-19

Scientists tracking coronavirus variants struggle with global blind spots. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/05/scientists-tracking-coronavirus-variants-struggle-global-blind-spots

Why have so many African leaders died of COVID-19? In the 12 months between 6 February 2020 and 6 February 2021, COVID-19 claimed the lives of at least 24 national ministers and heads of state, which is well in excess of the reported in-office death rate for such politicians in recent years. Seventeen of these deaths are from the African continent (and the count kept growing after 6 February 2021), putting the COVID-19 death rate at 1.33% among national ministers and heads of states—seven times above estimates of the world’s average for a demographic profile of similar sex and age average for the same period. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e005587

Antivirals against SARS-CoV-2 by autumn? https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1215

Covid-19: Reducing background aerosols could reduce infectivity. Simple measures that could reduce indoor aerosols are shutting toilet lids for flushing, leaving the toilet window ajar (more acceptable than ventilating the whole house in cold weather), and closing the bathroom door. Putting ionisers in public spaces to reduce aerosols would be inexpensive and evidence based. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1211

RESOURCES

COVIDSurg eLearning platform Complete accredited modules. Free. Learn the COVIDSurg key messages. Obtain CPD/CME points. https://modules.surgery2025.com/

Training Workshop/Scientific Writing: A Nature Portfolio workshop for researchers in Africa. Tuesday, 18 May 2021- Virtual Event, 2:00pm – 5:00pm WAT/BST, 3:00pm – 6:00pm CAT, 4:00pm – 7:00pm EAT, 9:00am – 12:00pm EDT https://conferences.nature.com/event/63b27283-1399-42f7-bc0b-b767bb795838/summary?s=08 REGISTER Sharing and Communicating Scientific Discoveries (afroscientric.com) https://afroscientric.com/nature/

Leaving no one behind: Equitable access to surgery in rural Africa in the SDG3 erabinar. May 25, 2021 01:00 PM in Dublin. Speakers:

Tiya Kapalamula: Paediatric surgeon, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Malawi

Karima Khalid: Anaesthesiologist, Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute, Tanzania

Judith Munthali: Chief Nursing Officer, University Teaching Hospital Lusaka, Zambia

Chris Lavy: Orthopaedic Surgeon, Oxford University, member of the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery

Jakub Gajewski: Programme Director for Research, Institute of Global Surgery RCSI REGISTER. https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XYCaXQHWTQi-Ycs2RXrKAg

OTHER NEWS

Health Literacy e-collection. https://academic.oup.com/eurpub/pages/health-literacy?utm_campaign=1354053094765098377&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=paid+social&utm_content=media+post+with+link&utm_term=oxford+medicine&twclid=11394348385956777990

When Scientific Orthodoxy Resembles Religious Dogma. Those who refuse to consider an unconventional idea in science are disturbingly similar to those who refused to look through Galileo’s telescope. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/when-scientific-orthodoxy-resembles-religious-dogma/

Does Sleep Flush Wastes From the Brain? https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2780296

Variation in Prostate-Specific Antigen Testing Rates and Prostate Cancer Treatments and Outcomes in a National 20-Year Cohort. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779929

Association of Prostate-Specific Antigen Velocity With Clinical Progression Among African American and Non-Hispanic White Men Treated for Low-Risk Prostate Cancer With Active Surveillance. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779928

A priori registration of global health research—necessity or absurdity? https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e006199

Completeness and quality of low back pain prevalence data in the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e005847

Effects of a community-driven water, sanitation and hygiene intervention on water and sanitation infrastructure, access, behaviour, and governance: a cluster-randomised controlled trial in rural Democratic Republic of Congo. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e005030

FROM 17 MAY

Pragmatic Trials — Need for ADAPTABLE Design (Aspirin Dosing: A Patient-Centric Trial Assessing Benefits and Long-Term Effectiveness). https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2106430

Comparative Effectiveness of Aspirin Dosing in Cardiovascular Disease. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2102137?query=featured_home

Association between HIV infection and hypertension: a global systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies. http://europepmc.org/article/PMC/8117497

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Wednesday, 19 May 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAY 19, 2021, 03:22 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	50,800	[1144]	774	[13]	47,477	2,549	21,229	323	1,105,082

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 05-19-2021 04:20 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

50,800 Total confirmed cases

774 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 18 MAY 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 19 MAY 2021

Botswana Government@BWGovernment 𝐁𝐎𝐓𝐒𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐀 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐌𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃-𝟏𝟗 𝐁.𝟏.𝟔𝟏𝟕 𝐕𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐍 𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐀.

NEWS

The health policy response to COVID-19 in Malawi. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e006035

Covid-19 vaccines: In the rush for regulatory approval, do we need more data? https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1244

Covid-19: Most UK adults had antibodies after one dose of AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccine, data suggest. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1274

Desmond Tutu among SA elderly to get vaccine. https://www.reuters.com/video/watch/desmond-tutu-among-sa-elderly-to-get-vac-id730102740?chan=4dr5gxbi

Sudan bans travellers from India, imposes other COVID-19 restrictions. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-sudan-india/sudan-bans-travellers-from-india-imposes-other-covid-19-restrictions-idUSKCN2CZ2IE

Algeria cancels plan to reopen land borders. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/algeria-cancels-plan-reopen-land-borders-2021-05-18/

India’s halt to vaccine exports ‘very problematic’ for Africa. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-africa-vaccines/indias-halt-to-vaccine-exports-very-problematic-for-africa-idUSKCN2CZ22P

Factbox-Vaccines delivered under COVAX sharing scheme for poorer countries. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccine-factbox/factbox-vaccines-delivered-under-covax-sharing-scheme-for-poorer-countries-idUSKCN2CZ1HK

How COVID is changing the study of human behaviour. The pandemic is teaching us key lessons about crisis, communication and misinformation, and is spurring changes in the way scientists study public-health questions. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01317-z

Daily briefing: Why it took so long to grapple with airborne COVID-19. The struggle to overturn outdated guidance about airborne coronavirus, an ‘extinction event’ in our gut bacteria and a T-cell test for SARS-CoV-2. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01342-y

Universal health care must be a priority — even amid COVID. A focus on specific diseases has derailed efforts to achieve health care for all before. The world must not repeat that mistake with COVID-19. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01313-3

Why Monoclonal Antibody COVID Therapies Have Not Lived Up to Expectations.The drugs used to treat Donald Trump have not been widely administered to other patients, but they still have a role to play. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-monoclonal-antibody-covid-therapies-have-not-lived-up-to-expectations/

Human tissue preserved since World War I yields new clues about 1918 pandemic. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/05/human-tissue-preserved-world-war-i-yields-new-clues-about-1918-pandemic

Clonal analysis of immunodominance and cross-reactivity of the CD4 T cell response to SARS-CoV-2. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2021/05/17/science.abg8985?rss=1

Covid-19: What should we do about B.1.617.2? A classic case of decision making under uncertainty. https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/

Integrated multidisciplinary post-COVID-19 care in Egypt. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00206-0/fulltext

RESOURCES

COVIDSurg eLearning platform Complete accredited modules. Free. Learn the COVIDSurg key messages. Obtain CPD/CME points. https://modules.surgery2025.com/

Leaving no one behind: Equitable access to surgery in rural Africa in the SDG3 erabinar. May 25, 2021 01:00 PM in Dublin. Speakers:

Tiya Kapalamula: Paediatric surgeon, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Malawi

Karima Khalid: Anaesthesiologist, Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute, Tanzania

Judith Munthali: Chief Nursing Officer, University Teaching Hospital Lusaka, Zambia

Chris Lavy: Orthopaedic Surgeon, Oxford University, member of the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery

Jakub Gajewski: Programme Director for Research, Institute of Global Surgery RCSI REGISTER. https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XYCaXQHWTQi-Ycs2RXrKAg

OTHER NEWS

Western diet induces Paneth cell defects through microbiome alterations and farnesoid X receptor and type I interferon activation. Our findings provide a mechanistic link between poor diet and inhibition of gut innate immunity and uncover an effect of FXR activation in gut inflammation.. https://www.cell.com/cell-host-microbe/fulltext/S1931-3128(21)00180-3

Announcing the Lancet Commission on Prostate Cancer. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01020-5/fulltext

University of Cape Town’s battle to tackle a racist legacy. Six years after a statue of Cecil Rhodes was toppled, students and staff at the South African university are still working to improve equity and representation. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01321-3

Expand Nurses’ Scope of Practice, Strengthen Nursing Education to Advance Health Equity, Report Advises. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama-health-forum/fullarticle/2780312

Updated USPSTF Guidelines for Colorectal Cancer Screening. The Earlier the Better. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/fullarticle/2780038

How can we strengthen the Joint External Evaluation? https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e004545

Targeted investment needed to end rheumatic heart disease in Africa. https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/langlo/PIIS2214-109X(21)00215-1.pdf#:~:text=Targeted%20investment%20needed%20to%20end%20rheumatic%20heart%20disease,achievements%20have%20been%20a%20substantial%20increase%20in%20epidemiological

FROM 18 MAY

Health Literacy e-collection. https://academic.oup.com/eurpub/pages/health-literacy?utm_campaign=1354053094765098377&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=paid+social&utm_content=media+post+with+link&utm_term=oxford+medicine&twclid=11394348385956777990

When Scientific Orthodoxy Resembles Religious Dogma. Those who refuse to consider an unconventional idea in science are disturbingly similar to those who refused to look through Galileo’s telescope. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/when-scientific-orthodoxy-resembles-religious-dogma/

Does Sleep Flush Wastes From the Brain? https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2780296

Variation in Prostate-Specific Antigen Testing Rates and Prostate Cancer Treatments and Outcomes in a National 20-Year Cohort. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779929

Association of Prostate-Specific Antigen Velocity With Clinical Progression Among African American and Non-Hispanic White Men Treated for Low-Risk Prostate Cancer With Active Surveillance. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779928

A priori registration of global health research—necessity or absurdity? https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e006199

Completeness and quality of low back pain prevalence data in the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e005847

Effects of a community-driven water, sanitation and hygiene intervention on water and sanitation infrastructure, access, behaviour, and governance: a cluster-randomised controlled trial in rural Democratic Republic of Congo. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e005030

Find recent back issues at https://maggiesmusings688820798.com/covid-info-digest/

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Thursday, 20 May 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAY 20, 2021, 01:59 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	50,800	[1144]	774	[13]	47,477	2,549	21,226	323	1,105,082

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 05-20-2021 03:20 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

50,800 Total confirmed cases

774 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 18 MAY 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 20 MAY 2021

NEWS

African countries must muscle up their support and fill massive R&D gap. https://theconversation.com/african-countries-must-muscle-up-their-support-and-fill-massive-randd-gap-161024

Trauma trends during COVID-19 alcohol prohibition at a South African regional hospital. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dar.13310

Covid vaccines: India export delay deals blow to poorer countries. Efforts in Africa and elsewhere hit by decision not to export AstraZeneca jab until end of year. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/19/poorer-countries-face-long-delays-receiving-covid-vaccines

Tunisia lockdown ends, despite Africa’s worst Covid death rate. Pandemic fatigue and economic woes blamed for lack of action despite rapid rise in number of cases. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/may/19/tunisia-lockdown-ends-despite-africas-worst-covid-death-rate

Drones to digital: Asia, Africa find ways to plug COVID health gaps. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-covid-social-enterprises/drones-to-digital-asia-africa-find-ways-to-plug-covid-health-gaps-idUSKCN2D105N

Zimbabwe reports first cases of coronavirus variant from India. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/zimbabwe-reports-first-cases-coronavirus-variant-india-2021-05-19/

Malawi burns nearly 20,000 expired COVID-19 shots despite assurances on shelf life. Malawi on Wednesday destroyed 19,610 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines that expired 18 days after arriving, despite assurances from the African Union (AU) and World Health Organisation (WHO) that the vaccines were safe until mid-July. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-malawi/malawi-burns-nearly-20000-expired-covid-19-shots-despite-assurances-on-shelf-life-idUSKCN2D01I3

Under pressure EU presents WTO plan to boost vaccine output. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-eu-waiver/under-pressure-eu-presents-wto-plan-to-boost-vaccine-output-idUSKCN2D00OC

Mix-and-match COVID vaccines trigger potent immune response. Preliminary results from a trial of more than 600 people are the first to show the benefits of combining different vaccines. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01359-3

Coronavirus: Research, Commentary, and News. https://www.sciencemag.org/collections/coronavirus?intcmp=ghd_cov

Why is the world’s largest COVID-19 vaccine campaign faltering? https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/05/why-world-s-largest-covid-19-vaccine-campaign-faltering

SARS-CoV-2 Infection Induces Beta Cell Transdifferentiation. https://www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/fulltext/S1550-4131(21)00232-1

PF4 Immunoassays in Vaccine-Induced Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2106383?query=featured_home

Contact Tracing for Covid-19 — A Digital Inoculation against Future Pandemics. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2102256?query=featured_home

Efficacy of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Covid-19 Vaccine against the B.1.351 Variant. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2102214?query=featured_home

Interplay between Emerging SARS-CoV-2 Variants and Pandemic Control. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2103931?query=featured_secondary

Assessment of the Association of Vitamin D Level With SARS-CoV-2 Seropositivity Among Working-Age Adults. In this cohort study, SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity was not associated with low levels of vitamin D independently of other risk factors. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779952

Characteristics Associated With Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome Among Adults With SARS-CoV-2 Infection. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779957

Risk of clinical sequelae after the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection: retrospective cohort study. The results indicate the excess risk of developing new clinical sequelae after the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection, including specific types of sequelae less commonly seen in other viral illnesses. Although individuals who were older, had pre-existing conditions, and were admitted to hospital because of covid-19 were at greatest excess risk, younger adults (aged ≤50), those with no pre-existing conditions, or those not admitted to hospital for covid-19 also had an increased risk of developing new clinical sequelae. The greater risk for incident sequelae after the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection is relevant for healthcare planning. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1098

Measuring the impact of covid-19. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1239

Unpacking post-covid symptoms. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1173

Integrated multidisciplinary post-COVID-19 care in Egypt. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00206-0/fulltext

RESOURCES

Leaving no one behind: Equitable access to surgery in rural Africa in the SDG3 erabinar. May 25, 2021 01:00 PM in Dublin. Speakers:

Tiya Kapalamula: Paediatric surgeon, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Malawi

Karima Khalid: Anaesthesiologist, Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute, Tanzania

Judith Munthali: Chief Nursing Officer, University Teaching Hospital Lusaka, Zambia

Chris Lavy: Orthopaedic Surgeon, Oxford University, member of the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery

Jakub Gajewski: Programme Director for Research, Institute of Global Surgery RCSI REGISTER. https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XYCaXQHWTQi-Ycs2RXrKAg

OTHER NEWS

When it comes to uncomplicated appendicitis, it’s getting complicated. https://www.surgjournal.com/article/S0039-6060(21)00335-4/fulltext#.YKWzoI9E3SQ.twitter

Mapping micronutrients in grain and soil unearths hidden hunger in Africa. A diet containing insufficient micronutrients can harm human health. Maps that pinpoint areas of Africa associated with micronutrient-poor grains now offer a way to target interventions that tackle such deficiencies. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01268-5

Modulating HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein conformation to decrease the HIV-1 reservoir. https://www.cell.com/cell-host-microbe/fulltext/S1931-3128(21)00190-6

Final Report of a Trial of Intensive versus Standard Blood-Pressure Control. Among patients who were at increased cardiovascular risk, targeting a systolic blood pressure of less than 120 mm Hg resulted in lower rates of major adverse cardiovascular events and lower all-cause mortality than targeting a systolic blood pressure of less than 140 mm Hg, both during receipt of the randomly assigned therapy and after the trial. Rates of some adverse events were higher in the intensive-treatment group. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1901281?query=featured_home

Management of the Difficult Airway. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra1916801?query=featured_home

Colorectal Cancer Screening Starting at Age 45 Years—Ensuring Benefits Are Realized by All. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779943

HPV self-sampling for cervical cancer screening: a systematic review of values and preferences. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e003743

Safety and efficacy of rituximab in Malawi: a case for multicentre oncology clinical trials in Africa? https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00210-2/fulltext

Safety and efficacy of rituximab in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in Malawi: a prospective, single-arm, non-randomised phase 1/2 clinical trial. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00181-9/fulltext

Effects of psychosocial support interventions on survival in inpatient and outpatient healthcare settings: A meta-analysis of 106 randomized controlled trials. In this meta-analysis, OR data indicated that psychosocial behavioral support interventions promoting patient motivation/coping to engage in health behaviors improved patient survival, but interventions focusing primarily on patients’ social or emotional outcomes did not prolong life. https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1003595

FROM 19 MAY

Announcing the Lancet Commission on Prostate Cancer. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01020-5/fulltext

Expand Nurses’ Scope of Practice, Strengthen Nursing Education to Advance Health Equity, Report Advises. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama-health-forum/fullarticle/2780312

Updated USPSTF Guidelines for Colorectal Cancer Screening. The Earlier the Better. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/fullarticle/2780038

How can we strengthen the Joint External Evaluation? https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e004545

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Friday, 21 May 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAY 21, 2021, 04:02 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	51,620	[820]	784	[10]	48,449	2,549	21,568	328	1,111,863

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 05-21-2021 03:20 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

51,620 Total confirmed cases

784 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 20 MAY 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 21 MAY 2021

NEWS

Covid Live Updates: Global Vaccination Effort Faces New Challenge. News that the world’s biggest vaccine maker wouldn’t meet export goals set off a new wave of concern. And a study confirms powerful real-world protection from vaccinations in nursing homes. https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/05/20/world/covid-vaccine-coronavirus-mask

COVID fight could return ‘to square one’: experts sound vaccines alarm.India’s export ban on COVID-19 shots risks dragging the battle against the pandemic “back to square one” unless wealthy nations step in to plug a gaping hole in the COVAX global vaccine-sharing scheme, health specialists said on Thursday. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-covax/covid-fight-could-return-to-square-one-experts-sound-vaccines-alarm-idUSKCN2D11UG

G20 leaders to back COVID-19 vaccine voluntary licensing, no patent waiver. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/drugmakers-make-big-low-cost-vaccine-push-poor-nations-eu-official-2021-05-20/

COVID-19’s pharma billionaires could vaccinate the world’s poor, charities say. “These billionaires are the human face of the huge profits many pharmaceutical corporations are making from the monopoly they hold on these vaccines,” said Anna Marriott, health policy manager for Oxfam. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccine-poor/covid-19s-pharma-billionaires-could-vaccinate-the-worlds-poor-charities-say-idUSKCN2D125A

Kenya seeks alternatives to AZ COVID vaccine after delays. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-africa/kenya-seeks-alternatives-to-az-covid-vaccine-after-delays-idUSKCN2D11X7

Flashing red lights: the global implications of COVID-19 vaccination passports. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e006209

The promise and perils of Unit 731 data to advance COVID-19 research. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e004772

Covid-19: Why prioritising prevention matters in a pandemic of cures. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1275

Covid-19 vaccination hesitancy. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1138

Patient care and clinical outcomes for patients with COVID-19 infection admitted to African high-care or intensive care units (ACCCOS): a multicentre, prospective, observational cohort study. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00441-4/fulltext

Gendered effects of COVID-19 on young girls in regions of conflict. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00936-3/fulltext

RESOURCES

Leaving no one behind: Equitable access to surgery in rural Africa in the SDG3 erabinar. May 25, 2021 01:00 PM in Dublin. Speakers:

Tiya Kapalamula: Paediatric surgeon, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Malawi

Karima Khalid: Anaesthesiologist, Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute, Tanzania

Judith Munthali: Chief Nursing Officer, University Teaching Hospital Lusaka, Zambia

Chris Lavy: Orthopaedic Surgeon, Oxford University, member of the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery

Jakub Gajewski: Programme Director for Research, Institute of Global Surgery RCSI REGISTER. https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XYCaXQHWTQi-Ycs2RXrKAg

OTHER NEWS

The Global Iron-Deficiency Crisis. Some two billion people don’t get enough of this essential mineral in their diets. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-global-iron-deficiency-crisis/

Two more coronaviruses can infect people, studies suggest. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/05/two-more-coronaviruses-can-infect-people-studies-suggest

Emerging H5N8 avian influenza viruses. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/372/6544/784

Disabled in academia: to be or not to be, that is the question. https://www.cell.com/trends/neurosciences/fulltext/S0166-2236(21)00076-X?utm_campaign=STMJ_1616803512_SC&utm_medium=WEB&utm_source=WEB&dgcid=STMJ_1616803512_SC?utm_campaign=STMJ_1616803512_SC&utm_medium=WEB&utm_source=WEB&dgcid=STMJ_1616803512_SC?utm_medium=homepage

Association of Prenatal, Early Postnatal, or Current Exposure to Secondhand Smoke With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in Children. These findings support the association of SHS exposure with ADHD-related symptoms among children and highlight the importance of strengthening public health efforts to reduce SHS exposure. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780266

When technology precedes regulation: the challenges and opportunities of e-pharmacy in low-income and middle-income countries. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e005405

Associations between low HDL, sex and cardiovascular risk markers are substantially different in sub-Saharan Africa and the UK: analysis of four population studies. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e005222

A scoping review of paediatric latent tuberculosis infection care cascades: initial steps are lacking. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e004836

Streets for Life campaign calls for 30 km/h urban streets to ensure safe, healthy, green and liveable cities. https://www.who.int/news/item/17-05-2021-streets-for-life-campaign-calls-for-30-km-h-urban-streets-to-ensure-safe-healthy-green-and-liveable-cities

FROM 20 MAY

When it comes to uncomplicated appendicitis, it’s getting complicated. https://www.surgjournal.com/article/S0039-6060(21)00335-4/fulltext#.YKWzoI9E3SQ.twitter

Modulating HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein conformation to decrease the HIV-1 reservoir. https://www.cell.com/cell-host-microbe/fulltext/S1931-3128(21)00190-6

Management of the Difficult Airway. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra1916801?query=featured_home

Colorectal Cancer Screening Starting at Age 45 Years—Ensuring Benefits Are Realized by All. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779943

HPV self-sampling for cervical cancer screening: a systematic review of values and preferences. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e003743

Safety and efficacy of rituximab in Malawi: a case for multicentre oncology clinical trials in Africa? https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00210-2/fulltext

An ironic guide to colonialism in global health. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01102-8/fulltext

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Saturday, 22 May 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAY 22, 2021, 04:20 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	51,620	[820]	784	[10]	48,449	2,549	21,568	328	1,111,863

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 05-22-2021 03:20 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

51,620 Total confirmed cases

784 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 20 MAY 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 22 MAY 2021

NEWS

Excess COVID-19 mortality among critically ill patients in Africa. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00576-6/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_email

Rethinking vaccine hesitancy among minority groups. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00938-7/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_email

What next for a COVID-19 intellectual property waiver? https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01151-X/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_email

Rich countries aim to end COVID-19 vaccine inequities. Rich nation leaders and big drugmakers promised on Friday to do more to bridge the startling divide in fighting COVID-19, with an increased flow of badly-needed vaccines to poorer regions. https://www.reuters.com/video/watch/rich-countries-aim-to-end-covid-19-vacci-id730297454?chan=4dr5gxbi

India’s crisis causes a vaccine drought in Africa. https://www.reuters.com/video/watch/indias-crisis-causes-a-vaccine-drought-i-id730273019?chan=4dr5gxbi

Merkel pledges money, doses to help poorer countries vaccinate. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-summit-merkel/merkel-pledges-money-doses-to-help-poorer-countries-vaccinate-idUSKCN2D226K

Factbox-Vaccines delivered under COVAX sharing scheme for poorer countries. The COVAX facility, backed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), aims to secure 2 billion vaccine doses for lower-income countries by the end of 2021. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccine-factbox/factbox-vaccines-delivered-under-covax-sharing-scheme-for-poorer-countries-idUSKCN2D21TE

‘Anxiety and stress’ as vaccine shortfall hits Africa’s inoculation drive. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-india-africa/anxiety-and-stress-as-vaccine-shortfall-hits-africas-inoculation-drive-idUSKCN2D20NB

Scientists zero in on long-sought marker of COVID-vaccine efficacy. Data from seven vaccination trials help to identify a blood marker for protection against the disease. The findings help to explain why, despite studies showing that some variants of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus reduce the ability of neutralizing antibodies to block infection, most people who have been vaccinated, even with just one dose, don’t fare too badly if infected with those variants, says Altmann. “Even low antibody levels, lower than we thought, will probably see you through.” https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01372-6

How COVID-19 has stomped on scientists’ travel plans. It could take years to reveal the true impact of closed borders, cancelled travel plans and vaccine delays. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01389-x

‘It’s a minefield’: COVID vaccine safety poses unique communication challenge. Poll on vaccine hesitancy demonstrates the extraordinary predicament researchers face in transmitting risk information during a pandemic. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01257-8

Diverse Functional Autoantibodies in Patients with COVID-19. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03631-y

Coronavirus News Roundup, May 8–May 21. Pandemic highlights for the past two weeks. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/coronavirus-news-roundup-may-8-ndash-may21/

Should Your Child Get the COVID Vaccine?A pediatric infectious disease expert answers questions about whether the vaccine is safe, and why children need it. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/should-your-child-get-the-covid-vaccine/

Face masks effectively limit the probability of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2021/05/19/science.abg6296?rss=1

Cross-reactive coronavirus antibodies with diverse epitope specificities and Fc effector functions. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00156-7

Landscape of epitopes targeted by T cells in 852 convalescent COVID-19 patients: Meta-analysis, immunoprevalence and web platform. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00155-5

Medication Use Patterns in Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19 in California During the Pandemic. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780277

Using Health Services Research to Address the Unique Challenges of the COVID-19 Pandemic. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/fullarticle/2780433

Assessing the Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Transmission via Surgical Electrocautery Plume. In this study, SARS-CoV-2 was not detectable in aerosol cautery plume generated from electrocautery under any of the conditions studied despite the high viral titers used. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/fullarticle/2780434

Covid-19: UK cases of variant from India rise by 160% in a week. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1315

COVID-19 responsible for at least 3 million excess deaths in 2020. https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-global-health-goals

RESOURCES

Leaving no one behind: Equitable access to surgery in rural Africa in the SDG3 erabinar. May 25, 2021 01:00 PM in Dublin. Speakers:

Tiya Kapalamula: Paediatric surgeon, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Malawi

Karima Khalid: Anaesthesiologist, Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute, Tanzania

Judith Munthali: Chief Nursing Officer, University Teaching Hospital Lusaka, Zambia

Chris Lavy: Orthopaedic Surgeon, Oxford University, member of the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery

Jakub Gajewski: Programme Director for Research, Institute of Global Surgery RCSI REGISTER. https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XYCaXQHWTQi-Ycs2RXrKAg

OTHER NEWS

The Lancet women and cardiovascular disease Commission: reducing the global burden by 2030 . https://www.thelancet.com/commissions/women-cardiovascular-disease?dgcid=etoc-edschoice_email_lancetwomencvd21

Prestigious European grants might be biased, study suggests. Institutional affiliations of panellists seem to skew European Research Council decisions — especially in the life sciences. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01362-8

Daily briefing: A new coronavirus might be from dogs. Dogs might have given eight people a totally new coronavirus in 2018. Plus, the first images of Mars’s surface from the Zhurong rover and how mix-and-match COVID vaccines trigger a potent immune response. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01385-1

Frosty reception for algorithm that predicts research papers’ impact. A mathematical model designed to forecast the success of biotechnology papers has drawn criticism from researchers. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01358-4

FROM 21 MAY

Two more coronaviruses can infect people, studies suggest. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/05/two-more-coronaviruses-can-infect-people-studies-suggest

Emerging H5N8 avian influenza viruses. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/372/6544/784

When technology precedes regulation: the challenges and opportunities of e-pharmacy in low-income and middle-income countries. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e005405

A scoping review of paediatric latent tuberculosis infection care cascades: initial steps are lacking. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e004836

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Monday, 24 May 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAY 24, 2021, 04:48 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	51,620	[820]	784	[10]	48,449	2,549	21,568	328	1,111,863

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 05-24-2021 06:20 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

51,620 Total confirmed cases

784 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 23 MAY 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 24 MAY 2021

NEWS

‘Failure for humanity’: rich world aims to end vaccine inequities. https://www.reuters.com/world/g20-health-summit-looks-boost-vaccine-access-drugmakers-offer-cut-price-shots-2021-05-21/

Coronavirus News Roundup, May 8–May 21. Pandemic highlights for the past two weeks. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/coronavirus-news-roundup-may-8-ndash-may21/

Pulmonary stromal expansion and intra-alveolar coagulation are primary causes of COVID-19 death. https://www.cell.com/heliyon/fulltext/S2405-8440(21)01237-8

Preparing for the next pandemic. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1295

RESOURCES

Leaving no one behind: Equitable access to surgery in rural Africa in the SDG3 erabinar. May 25, 2021 01:00 PM in Dublin. Speakers:

Tiya Kapalamula: Paediatric surgeon, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Malawi

Karima Khalid: Anaesthesiologist, Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute, Tanzania

Judith Munthali: Chief Nursing Officer, University Teaching Hospital Lusaka, Zambia

Chris Lavy: Orthopaedic Surgeon, Oxford University, member of the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery

Jakub Gajewski: Programme Director for Research, Institute of Global Surgery RCSI REGISTER. https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XYCaXQHWTQi-Ycs2RXrKAg

OTHER NEWS

A medical department with memory: learning from adverse events so history doesn’t repeat itself. https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/05/21/a-medical-department-with-memory-learning-from-adverse-events-so-history-doesnt-repeat-itself/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_term=hootsuite&utm_content=sme&utm_campaign=usage

Mismatched ambition, execution and outcomes: implementing maternal death surveillance and response system in Mtwara region, Tanzania. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e005040

FROM 22 MAY

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Tuesday, 25 May 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAY 25, 2021, 04:48 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	52,865	[1,245]	809	[25]	49,641	2,415	22,083	338	1,130,899

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 05-25-2021 04:20 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

52,865Total confirmed cases

809 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 23 MAY 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 25 MAY 2021

NEWS

What scientists know about new, fast-spreading coronavirus variants. Key questions remain about how quickly B.1.617 variants can spread, their potential to evade immunity and how they might affect the course of the pandemic. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01390-4

I’m subject NL002-0060 and I’m dropping out of my COVID-19 vaccine trial. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/05/i-m-subject-nl002-0060-and-i-m-dropping-out-my-covid-19-vaccine-trial

Coupling of N7-methyltransferase and 3′-5′ exoribonuclease with SARS-CoV-2 polymerase reveals mechanisms for capping and proofreading. https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(21)00663-2

Public Trust and Willingness to Vaccinate Against COVID-19 in the US From October 14, 2020, to March 29, 2021. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2780519

Effectiveness of Tocilizumab in Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19. A Follow-up of the CORIMUNO-TOCI-1 Randomized Clinical Trial. This follow-up analysis suggests that tocilizumab may be considered for treating patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19–associated pneumonia and high CRP levels. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2780021

Malignancy is a risk factor for higher COVID-19 severity:A meta-analysis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34022777/

How Medical Jargon Can Make COVID Health Disparities Even Worse. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/05/24/994648555/avoid-medical-jargon-to-shrink-covid-health-disparities-say-patient-advocates?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews

RESOURCES

World Health Assembly. Watch live WHA74 sessions. The sessions can be watched live on 24 May – 1 June 2021. https://www.who.int/about/governance/world-health-assembly/seventy-fourth-world-health-assembly

Leaving no one behind: Equitable access to surgery in rural Africa in the SDG3 erabinar. May 25, 2021 01:00 PM in Dublin. Speakers:

Tiya Kapalamula: Paediatric surgeon, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Malawi

Karima Khalid: Anaesthesiologist, Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute, Tanzania

Judith Munthali: Chief Nursing Officer, University Teaching Hospital Lusaka, Zambia

Chris Lavy: Orthopaedic Surgeon, Oxford University, member of the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery

Jakub Gajewski: Programme Director for Research, Institute of Global Surgery RCSI REGISTER. https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XYCaXQHWTQi-Ycs2RXrKAg

OTHER NEWS

Restoring miR-132 expression rescues adult hippocampal neurogenesis and memory deficits in Alzheimer’s disease. https://www.cell.com/cell-stem-cell/fulltext/S1934-5909(21)00219-8

Beyond pledges: academic journals in high-income countries can do more to decolonise global health. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e006200

Economic and cost-effectiveness analysis of the Community-Level Interventions for Pre-eclampsia (CLIP) trials in India, Pakistan and Mozambique. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e004123

Dietary diversity and practice of pregnant and lactating women in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34026082/

Reproductive justice: Non-interference or non-domination? https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dewb.12317

Conscientious objection to abortion in the developing world: The correspondence argument. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dewb.12302

The effectiveness of technology-supported personalised learning in low- and middle-income countries: A meta-analysis. https://bera-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bjet.13116

FROM 24 MAY

Mismatched ambition, execution and outcomes: implementing maternal death surveillance and response system in Mtwara region, Tanzania. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e005040

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Wednesday, 26 May 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAY 26, 2021, 04:48 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	52,865	[1,245]	809	[25]	49,641	2,415	22,083	338	1,130,899

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 05-26-2021 04:20 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

52,865Total confirmed cases

809 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 25 MAY 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 26 MAY 2021

NEWS

Safety and Immunogenicity of Anti–SARS-CoV-2 Messenger RNA Vaccines in Recipients of Solid Organ Transplants. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M21-1341

Absence of Humoral Response After Two-Dose SARS-CoV-2 Messenger RNA Vaccination in Patients With Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases: A Case Series. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M21-1451

Symptoms After COVID-19 Vaccination in Patients With Persistent Symptoms After Acute Infection: A Case Series. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M21-1976

Covid-19: Rich countries are putting “relationships with big pharma” ahead of ending pandemic, says Oxfam. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1342?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_term=hootsuite&utm_content=sme&utm_campaign=usage

GI Disruption Lasts for Months in Many COVID Survivors— Persistently loose stools were most common after-effect. https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/ddw/92766?xid=nl_covidupdate_2021-05-25&eun=g1652901d0r&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyUpdate_052521&utm_term=NL_Gen_Int_Daily_News_Update_active

Oxygen shortages threaten ‘total collapse’ of dozens of health systems. Data reveals Nepal, Iran and South Africa among 19 countries most at risk of running out as surging Covid cases push supplies to limit. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/may/25/oxygen-shortages-threaten-total-collapse-of-dozens-of-health-systems

Consensus reached for year-end WHO talks on pandemic treaty – South Africa. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/consensus-reached-year-end-talks-pandemic-treaty-south-africa-2021-05-25/

EU Commission working on forced vaccine licence transfers – Italy’s Draghi. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-eu-draghi/eu-commission-working-on-forced-vaccine-licence-transfers-italys-draghi-idUSKCN2D61ZD

A patent waiver on COVID vaccines is right and fair. Wealthier countries must join the United States, Russia and China in recognizing that everyone benefits if vaccine manufacturing is distributed evenly around the world. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01242-1

Contact-tracing app curbed the spread of COVID in England and Wales. Digital contact tracing has the potential to limit the spread of COVID-19. A contact-tracing smartphone app that has been readily adopted by people in England and Wales has shown efficacy in reducing disease spread. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01354-8

How COVID Changed Science. It’s not just the speed and focus with which the community responded, but the singular willingness of scientists all over the world to share new ideas and data immediately and transparently. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-covid-changed-science/

Estimating infectiousness throughout SARS-CoV-2 infection course. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2021/05/24/science.abi5273?rss=1

Association Between Bitter Taste Receptor Phenotype and Clinical Outcomes Among Patients With COVID-19. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780134

Association of Circulating Sex Hormones With Inflammation and Disease Severity in Patients With COVID-19. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780135

Covid-19: Single vaccine dose is 33% effective against variant from India, data show. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1346

Covid-19: Who fact checks health and science on Facebook? The past decade has seen an arms race between users who peddle disinformation (intentionally designed to mislead) or unwittingly share misinformation (which users don’t realise is false) and the social media platforms that find themselves charged with policing it, whether they want to or not. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1170

Covid-19: Researchers find higher than expected reinfections with P.1 variant among the Brazilian Amazon. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1353

Covid-19: Public debate is needed to decide how UK will live with SARS-CoV-2, says ethics collaborative. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1327

Real-Time Tracking of COVID-19 Rumors Using Community-Based Methods in Côte d’Ivoire. https://www.ghspjournal.org/content/early/2021/05/17/GHSP-D-21-00031

Unpacking post-covid symptoms. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1173?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_term=hootsuite&utm_content=sme&utm_campaign=usage&__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=26571053e99332b8326cbbadcc69541a0271b097-1622003541-0-AYBT2pMFzc6Y8IlhZN3hKszzv4qPeHwLFbOk7lBc4d1i7S5LNrZp7mu8XjMYcl79-uVDVUL2Myoq8V-8gepgOi38ZWOUktf4zJ3Vsau4z50_qpNfIxenlg7vV388JZVt4xHag2ScbS7QeBpwChAnqL0WAtBnMVfW-c-runIu8sdqKXp7KapRN47DB82bAEaBBWnxpRT9OQcGYQCQcekXZRhCTXwsjnYkoEQRbGWQ-gyQJ–DsmacLrRpVQra5NulebyG2X_C7GAnALnHikmuR_3ST6_DtKBIUhSfd6f207Pzgb90j7V0S82p3UzPjp6JfnNxW-6r6YJAlTnAK7fZxS3fGJpvkIQ1SI4HQ_sCOHRs_oyploP4eD4dKs0rQuHgB5d_2iUCb_cx0ApfmmIdwdSnNznisTWTaLhwCEmcYhdYirH3Fj15Tnyxbl22DCYJl7y5lXUsPL_IxsztL9RMUzX9XT9yr7XluCEOO1lbh6_JqBucUP5DDhM2KzG1f-x0mwnz9zZYUpK0GDIGlPHlTPAdKeykODMaz_biHkAAqUo5

https://twitter.com/paimadhu/status/1397170154908311554/photo/1

RESOURCES

World Health Assembly. Watch live WHA74 sessions. The sessions can be watched live on 24 May – 1 June 2021. https://www.who.int/about/governance/world-health-assembly/seventy-fourth-world-health-assembly

OTHER NEWS

Effect of Continuous Infusion of Hypertonic Saline vs Standard Care on 6-Month Neurological Outcomes in Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury. The COBI Randomized Clinical Trial. Among patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury, treatment with continuous infusion of 20% hypertonic saline compared with standard care did not result in a significantly better neurological status at 6 months. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2780326

Considerations for Resuming Global Surgery Outreach Programs During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic. https://www.surgjournal.com/article/S0039-6060(21)00448-7/fulltext#.YK2A3QKlJE4.twitter

FROM 25 MAY

Restoring miR-132 expression rescues adult hippocampal neurogenesis and memory deficits in Alzheimer’s disease. https://www.cell.com/cell-stem-cell/fulltext/S1934-5909(21)00219-8

Beyond pledges: academic journals in high-income countries can do more to decolonise global health. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e006200

Economic and cost-effectiveness analysis of the Community-Level Interventions for Pre-eclampsia (CLIP) trials in India, Pakistan and Mozambique. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e004123

Dietary diversity and practice of pregnant and lactating women in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34026082/

Reproductive justice: Non-interference or non-domination? https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dewb.12317

Conscientious objection to abortion in the developing world: The correspondence argument. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dewb.12302

The effectiveness of technology-supported personalised learning in low- and middle-income countries: A meta-analysis. https://bera-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bjet.13116

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Thursday, 27 May 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAY 27, 2021, 03:24 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	52,865	[1,245]	809	[25]	49,641	2,415	22,083	338	1,130,899

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 05-27-2021 04:20 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

52,865 Total confirmed cases

809 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 26 MAY 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 27 MAY 2021

NEWS

COVID-19 infections are exceedingly rare after full vaccination: CDC. https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/covid-19-infections-are-exceedingly-rare-after-full-vaccination-cdc/ar-AAKnDYa?ocid=msedgdhp

‘I had to step up’: Child labour in poorest countries rose during Covid, says report. Study finds children in Ghana, Nepal and Uganda in dangerous, exploitative work, with long hours and little pay. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/may/26/i-had-to-step-up-child-labour-in-poorest-countries-rose-during-covid-says-report

Zambian president bans campaign rallies to stem COVID-19 spread. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/zambian-president-bans-campaign-rallies-stem-covid-19-spread-2021-05-26/

What the science says about lifting mask mandates. With COVID rates dropping and vaccinations on the rise, the United States and other places are removing some requirements for face coverings. Are they moving too fast? https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01394-0

The mini lungs and other organoids helping to beat COVID. Virologists have infected millions of miniature organs with SARS-CoV-2, to learn how the virus wreaks havoc and how to stop it. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01395-z

Daily briefing: Navigating the vaccine-information minefield. The extraordinary predicament researchers face in communicating vaccine risk during a pandemic. Plus, the easiest way to step away from graduate school stress and more ships fly ‘fake’ flags and trash the environment. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01424-x

Count the cost of disability caused by COVID-19. Focusing only on cases and deaths hides the pandemic’s lasting health burden on people, societies and economies. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01392-2

How Dangerous Are New, Fast-Spreading Coronavirus Variants?Key questions remain about how quickly B.1.617 variants can spread, their potential to evade immunity and how they might affect the course of the pandemic. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-dangerous-are-new-fast-spreading-coronavirus-variants/

The Vaccine Rollout Is Changing How We Think about Prescription Meds. A new survey reveals that, for the first time, many Americans see pharmaceutical companies as brand names, just like Nike or Amazon. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-vaccine-rollout-is-changing-how-we-think-about-prescription-meds/

Estimating infectiousness throughout SARS-CoV-2 infection course. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2021/05/24/science.abi5273

Biden adds voice to calls for further investigation into origins of pandemic virus. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/05/biden-adds-voice-calls-further-investigation-origins-pandemic-virus

Intrinsic Signal Amplification by Type-III CRISPR-Cas Systems Provides a Sequence-Specific SARS-CoV-2 Diagnostic. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00162-2

Audio Interview: Protecting the Immunosuppressed against Covid-19. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2108949?query=featured_home

Protecting Olympic Participants from Covid-19 — The Urgent Need for a Risk-Management Approach. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2108567?query=featured_home

Effect of 2 Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines on Symptomatic COVID-19 Infection in Adults. A Randomized Clinical Trial. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2780562

Assessment of the Frequency and Variety of Persistent Symptoms Among Patients With COVID-19. A Systematic Review. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780376

Exploring equity in health and poverty impacts of control measures for SARS-CoV-2 in six countries. We created an economic model to simulate the impact of lockdown measures in Pakistan, Georgia, Chile, UK, the Philippines and South Africa. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e005521

Covid-19: Variants are spreading in countries with low vaccination rates. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1359

David Oliver: The pandemic has delivered clinical service innovations worth keeping. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1306

RESOURCES

World Health Assembly. Watch live WHA74 sessions. The sessions can be watched live on 24 May – 1 June 2021. https://www.who.int/about/governance/world-health-assembly/seventy-fourth-world-health-assembly

OTHER NEWS

Limit on lab-grown human embryos dropped by stem-cell body. The International Society for Stem Cell Research relaxed the famous 14-day rule on culturing human embryos in its latest research guidelines. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01423-y

Immediate “Kangaroo Mother Care” and Survival of Infants with Low Birth Weight. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2026486?query=featured_home

Comparative Effectiveness of Aspirin Dosing in Cardiovascular Disease. In this pragmatic trial involving patients with established cardiovascular disease, there was substantial dose switching to 81 mg of daily aspirin and no significant differences in cardiovascular events or major bleeding between patients assigned to 81 mg and those assigned to 325 mg of aspirin daily. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2102137?query=featured_home

Hidden Biomass of Intact Malaria Parasites in the Human Spleen. In conclusion, in our small cohort study of asymptomatic persons naturally infected with P. falciparum or P. vivax, a large biomass of intact, infected red cells accumulated in the spleen. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2023884?query=featured_home

Tackling the Misconception That Cystic Fibrosis Is a “White People’s Disease”. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2780564

Reporting of Participant Race, Sex, and Socioeconomic Status in Randomized Clinical Trials in General Medical Journals, 2015 vs 2019. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780381

Multisectoral action for health in low-income and middle-income settings: how can insights from social science theories inform intragovernmental coordination efforts? https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e004064

Delivery channels and socioeconomic inequalities in coverage of reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health interventions: analysis of 36 cross-sectional surveys in low-income and middle-income countries. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00204-7/fulltext#%20

FROM 26 MAY

Considerations for Resuming Global Surgery Outreach Programs During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic. https://www.surgjournal.com/article/S0039-6060(21)00448-7/fulltext#.YK2A3QKlJE4.twitter

Priorities for COVID-19 research response and preparedness in low-resource settings. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00980-6/fulltext?utm_campaign=lancetcovid21&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Friday, 28 May 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAY 28, 2021, 02:56 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	53,771	[806]	831	[22]	49,641	2,446	22,458	347	1,143,453

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 05-28-2021 04:20 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

53,771 Total confirmed cases

831 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 27 MAY 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 28 MAY 2021

NEWS

Covid-19: Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is “likely” responsible for deaths of some elderly patients, Norwegian review finds. The review reported on 19 May and concluded that a causal link between the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and death was considered “likely” in 10 of the 100 cases, “possible” in 26 cases, and “unlikely” in 59 cases. The remaining five were deemed “unclassifiable.” https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1372?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_term=hootsuite&utm_content=sme&utm_campaign=usage

Macron says it is in Europe’s interest to provide Africa with COVID-19 vaccines. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-rwanda-france-vaccination/macron-says-it-is-in-europes-interest-to-provide-africa-with-covid-19-vaccines-idUSKCN2D82O4

Factbox: Vaccines delivered under COVAX sharing scheme for poorer countries. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccine-factbox/factbox-vaccines-delivered-under-covax-sharing-scheme-for-poorer-countries-idUSKCN2D81S6

Divisive COVID ‘lab leak’ debate prompts dire warnings from researchers. Allegations that COVID escaped from a Chinese lab make it harder for nations to collaborate on ending the pandemic — and fuel online bullying, some scientists say. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01383-3

Scientists rally around misconduct consultant facing legal threat after challenging COVID-19 drug researcher, https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/05/scientists-rally-around-misconduct-consultant-facing-legal-threat-after-challenging

Broad Auto-Reactive IgM Responses are Common in Critically Ill Patients Including Those with COVID-19. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00164-6

Leveraging latent assets to strengthen the COVID-19 response and vaccine roll-out in Africa. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e006289

Assessing vaccine introduction and uptake timelines in Gavi-supported countries: are introduction timelines accelerating across vaccine delivery platforms? https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e005032

Using immunisation caregiver journey interviews to understand and optimise vaccination uptake: lessons from Sierra Leone. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e005525

COVID-19 hospitalisation outcomes in Africa, and Canadian health equity in a pandemic PODCAST. https://www.thelancet.com/the-lancet-voice

Same-day SARS-CoV-2 antigen test screening in an indoor mass-gathering live music event: a randomised controlled trial. Our study provides preliminary evidence on the safety of indoor mass-gathering events during a COVID-19 outbreak under a comprehensive preventive intervention. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(21)00268-1/fulltext

RESOURCES

World Health Assembly. Watch live WHA74 sessions. The sessions can be watched live on 24 May – 1 June 2021. https://www.who.int/about/governance/world-health-assembly/seventy-fourth-world-health-assembly

OTHER NEWS

We Asked the Experts: Autotransfusion for the Provision of Blood in Lower-and-Middle-Income Countries. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00268-021-06089-1?utm_source=toc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=toc_268_45_7&utm_content=etoc_springer_20210527

Yoga—An Alternative Form of Therapy in Patients with Blunt Chest Trauma: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Yoga was found to be effective in improving pulmonary functions and QoL in patients with chest trauma. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00268-021-06057-9?utm_source=toc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=toc_268_45_7&utm_content=etoc_springer_20210527

Scientific image sleuth faces legal action for criticizing research papers. Researchers say the complaint filed against Elisabeth Bik could have a ‘chilling effect’ on scholarly criticism. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01430-z

Use of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures to Assess Outpatient Postpartum Recovery. A Systematic Review. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780405

Will a global preparedness treaty help or hinder pandemic preparedness? https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e006297

Chronic pain. https://www.thelancet.com/series/chronic-pain

FROM 27 MAY

Immediate “Kangaroo Mother Care” and Survival of Infants with Low Birth Weight. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2026486?query=featured_home

Tackling the Misconception That Cystic Fibrosis Is a “White People’s Disease”. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2780564

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Saturday, 29 May 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAY 29, 2021, 03:35 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	53,771	[806]	831	[22]	49,641	2,446	22,458	347	1,143,453

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 05-29-2021 04:20 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

53,771 Total confirmed cases

831 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 28 MAY 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 29 MAY 2021

NEWS

Protesters call on banks to ‘drop African debt’ in wake of Covid. World’s poorest nations saddled with ‘imprisoning’ debt, hampering responses to the pandemic, say activists protesting HSBC meeting. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/may/28/protesters-call-on-uk-banks-to-drop-african-debt-in-wake-of-covid

IFC and development groups to help fund vaccine production in Africa. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-africa/ifc-and-development-groups-to-help-fund-vaccine-production-in-africa-idUSKCN2D92EZ

Macron says France will help Africa make more COVID-19 vaccines locally. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/macron-says-france-will-help-africa-make-more-covid-19-vaccines-locally-2021-05-28/

COVID-19 kills 32 members of Congo’s parliament. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/covid-19-kills-32-members-congos-parliament-2021-05-28/

Why Deadly ‘Black Fungus’ Is Ravaging COVID Patients in India. Standard treatments such as steroids, as well as illnesses such as diabetes, make the fungal infection worse. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-deadly-black-fungus-is-ravaging-covid-patients-in-india/

Restoring Vaccine Diplomacy. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2780640

New (Ab)normal: A Tale of 2 Pandemics. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2780642

Protection Because of Prior SARS-CoV-2 Infection. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2780558

Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 Reinfection 1 Year After Primary Infection in a Population in Lombardy, Italy. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2780557

Suspend intellectual property rights for covid-19 vaccines. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1344

Corticosteroids in COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 ARDS: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The use of corticosteroids probably reduces mortality in patients with ARDS. This effect was consistent between patients with COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 ARDS, corticosteroid types, and dosage. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33876268/

RESOURCES

World Health Assembly. Watch live WHA74 sessions. The sessions can be watched live on 24 May – 1 June 2021. https://www.who.int/about/governance/world-health-assembly/seventy-fourth-world-health-assembly

OTHER NEWS

Teaching spirituality to humanitarians. Humanitarians should engage with their counterparts in LMICs on controversial topics of social justice, both in the Global North and South, even if they are not directly connected with their work. The holistic nature of public health should be emphasised so that humanitarians can integrate culture, religion, morality and spirituality through the lens of global health. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e005858

FROM 28 MAY

Use of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures to Assess Outpatient Postpartum Recovery. A Systematic Review. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780405

Will a global preparedness treaty help or hinder pandemic preparedness? https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e006297

Chronic pain. https://www.thelancet.com/series/chronic-pain

FROM 27 MAY

Immediate “Kangaroo Mother Care” and Survival of Infants with Low Birth Weight. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2026486?query=featured_home

Tackling the Misconception That Cystic Fibrosis Is a “White People’s Disease”. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2780564

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Monday, 31 May 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: MAY 31, 2021, 03:50 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	53,771	[806]	831	[22]	49,641	2,446	22,458	347	1,143,453

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 05-31-2021 05:08 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

53,771 Total confirmed cases

831 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 30 MAY 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 31 MAY 2021

NEWS

Vaccine inequality exposed by dire situation in world’s poorest nations. Analysis: the failings of the Covax programme, logistical issues and governments’ own inadequacies are making a bad situation worse. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/30/vaccine-inequality-exposed-by-dire-situation-in-worlds-poorest-nations

South Africa extends nightly curfew as COVID cases surge. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica/south-africa-extends-nightly-curfew-as-covid-cases-surge-idUSKCN2DB0F7

IFC and development groups to help fund vaccine production in Africa. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/ifc-development-groups-help-fund-vaccine-production-africa-2021-05-28/

RESOURCES

World Health Assembly. Watch live WHA74 sessions. The sessions can be watched live on 24 May – 1 June 2021. https://www.who.int/about/governance/world-health-assembly/seventy-fourth-world-health-assembly

OTHER NEWS

Inappropriate use of global health metrics for analysis of the determinants of health. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01111-9/fulltext

FROM 29 MAY

FROM 28 MAY

Use of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures to Assess Outpatient Postpartum Recovery. A Systematic Review. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780405

Will a global preparedness treaty help or hinder pandemic preparedness? https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e006297

Chronic pain. https://www.thelancet.com/series/chronic-pain

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Tuesday, 1 June 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: JUNE 1, 2021, 03:39 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	54,973	[1202]	849	[18]	51,259	2,865	22,955	355	1,143,453

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 06-01-2021 04:23 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

54,973 Total confirmed cases

849 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 31 MAY 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 1 June 2021

NEWS

Even after U.S. shift, opponents resist COVID-19 vaccine patent waiver. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/even-after-us-shift-opponents-resist-covid-19-vaccine-patent-waiver-2021-05-31/

Is it all Greek to you? Coronavirus variants get new names. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who-variants/is-it-all-greek-to-you-coronavirus-variants-get-new-names-idUSKCN2DC1OA

Low-Dose Ad26.COV2.S Protection Against SARS-CoV-2 Challenge in Rhesus Macaques. https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(21)00693-0

Ephrin-A1 and the sheddase ADAM12 are upregulated in COVID-19. https://www.cell.com/heliyon/fulltext/S2405-8440(21)01303-7

The governance of personal data for COVID-19 response: perspective from the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e006095

Neonatal mortality in Kenyan hospitals: a multisite, retrospective, cohort study. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e004475

Update Alert 9: Epidemiology of and Risk Factors for Coronavirus Infection in Health Care Workers. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/L21-0302

In COVID-19, tocilizumab reduces all-cause mortality at 28 d. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/full/10.7326/ACPJ202106150-063

In patients hospitalized with COVID-19, adding azithromycin to usual care did not reduce 28-d mortality. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/full/10.7326/ACPJ202106150-064

Rapid antigen test had up to 98% sensitivity and 100% specificity for detecting COVID-19 in persons with mild symptoms. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/ACPJ202106150-071

REVISED Kenya’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic: a balance between minimising morbidity and adverse economic impact [version 2; peer review: 2 approved, 2 approved with reservations]. https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/4-3

RESOURCES

OTHER NEWS

REVISED Use of a mutation-specific genotyping method to assess for HIV-1 drug resistance in antiretroviral-naïve HIV-1 Subtype C-infected patients in Botswana [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]. https://aasopenresearch.org/browse?utm_medium=email&utm_source=etoc_alert_WEEKLY

As the Pandemic Wanes, Sexually Transmitted Infections Are Likely to Rise. We created new vaccines; now how about creating better protection against STIs? https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/as-the-pandemic-wanes-sexually-transmitted-infections-are-likely-to-rise1/

Factors associated with research productivity in higher education institutions in Africa: a systematic review [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]. https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/4-26/v1?utm_medium=email&utm_source=etoc_alert_WEEKLY

FROM 31 MAY

Africa ‘has highest COVID-19 death rate of critically ill’. https://www.scidev.net/sub-saharan-africa/news/africa-has-highest-covid-19-death-rate-of-critically-ill/?utm_source=SciDev.Net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=12419131_2021-05-31%20Daily%20Email%20Digest%20-%20Template&dm_i=1SCG,7E6NV,5R8D9U,U0R6L,1

Inappropriate use of global health metrics for analysis of the determinants of health. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01111-9/fulltext

FROM 29 MAY

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Wednesday, 2 June 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: JUNE 2, 2021, 02:22 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	54,973	[1202]	849	[18]	51,259	2,865	22,955	355	1,143,453

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 06-02-2021 03:24 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

54,973 Total confirmed cases

849 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 1 JUNE 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 2 June 2021

PRESIDENTIAL COVID-19 TASK FORCE UPDATE

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wmZFg2yw4wi7WC7NAhEzVQIAy0ibPH5S/view?fbclid=IwAR34RXXyYNcH_rFgZF_Ewug-zevzN-ismaRio-EwkGTc7EEpT6Lqh41NH5E

NEWS

Recession and violence among COVID side effects in Africa, report finds. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/recession-violence-among-covid-side-effects-africa-report-finds-2021-06-02/

Britain seeks extra AstraZeneca shots to combat ‘beta’ COVID-19 variant. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-britain-astrazenec/britain-seeks-extra-astrazeneca-shots-to-combat-beta-covid-19-variant-idUSKCN2DD4SC

WHO asks for re-checks of research on when coronavirus first surfaced in Italy. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-italy-who/who-asks-for-re-checks-of-research-on-when-coronavirus-first-surfaced-in-italy-idUSKCN2DD3J1

Is it all Greek to you? Coronavirus variants get new names. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/is-it-all-greek-you-coronavirus-variants-get-new-names-2021-05-31/

India’s COVID crisis flags need to forecast variants. The rise of more-transmissible viral mutants demands new ways to prevent, detect, track and treat SARS-CoV-2 infections. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01427-8

Wanted: rules for pandemic data access that everyone can trust. In the wake of COVID, a pandemic treaty could be a way to agree on data access before the next emergency strikes. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01460-7

Brazilian town experiment shows mass vaccination can wipe out COVID-19. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/06/brazilian-town-experiment-shows-mass-vaccination-can-wipe-out-covid-19

Israel reports link between rare cases of heart inflammation and COVID-19 vaccination in young men. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/06/israel-reports-link-between-rare-cases-heart-inflammation-and-covid-19-vaccination

Profiling SARS-CoV-2 HLA-I peptidome reveals T cell epitopes from out-of-frame ORFs. https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(21)00701-7

Association of Simulated COVID-19 Vaccination and Nonpharmaceutical Interventions With Infections, Hospitalizations, and Mortality. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780539?widget=personalizedcontent&previousarticle=0

Covid-19: Is it safe to lift all restrictions in England from 21 June? https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1399

Covid-19 pilot events: the pursuit of outcomes. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1366

US companies can mandate vaccinations, federal agency says; Vietnam says new variant is highly contagious. Today’s COVID-19 updates. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2021/05/29/covid-news-u-s-companies-can-mandate-vaccinations-holiday-travel/5256015001/

Covid-19 highlights the world’s chronic shortage of life saving medical oxygen. https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/06/01/covid-19-highlights-the-worlds-chronic-shortage-of-life-saving-medical-oxygen/

NIH clinical trial evaluating mixed COVID-19 vaccine schedules begins https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-clinical-trial-evaluating-mixed-covid-19-vaccine-schedules-begins?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

RESOURCES

OTHER NEWS

Sexuality, Gender and Justice. This Pride Month, discover the science supporting equality and antidiscrimination. https://www.scientificamerican.com/report/sexuality-gender-and-justice/

Characterization of Clinical Symptoms by Race Among Women With Early-Stage, Hormone Receptor–Positive Breast Cancer Before Starting Chemotherapy. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780536

Neonatal mortality in Kenyan hospitals: a multisite, retrospective, cohort study. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e004475

FROM 1 JUNE

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Thursday, 3 June 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: JUNE 3, 2021, 05:24 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	54,973	[1202]	849	[18]	51,259	2,865	22,955	355	1,143,453

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 06-03-2021 03:24 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

54,973 Total confirmed cases

849 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 2 JUNE 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 3 June 2021

PRESIDENTIAL COVID-19 TASK FORCE UPDATE

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wmZFg2yw4wi7WC7NAhEzVQIAy0ibPH5S/view?fbclid=IwAR34RXXyYNcH_rFgZF_Ewug-zevzN-ismaRio-EwkGTc7EEpT6Lqh41NH5E

NEWS

Britain seeks extra AstraZeneca shots to combat Beta COVID-19 variant. https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/britain-seeks-extra-astrazeneca-shots-combat-beta-covid-19-variant-2021-06-01/

Daily briefing: Coronavirus variants given Greek names. New naming scheme aims to cut confusion and avoid geographical stigmas. Plus, space junk hits the ISS and citizen scientists study swarming cicadas. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01496-9

First exposure to the pandemic H1N1 virus induced broadly neutralizing antibodies targeting hemagglutinin head epitopes. https://stm.sciencemag.org/content/13/596/eabg4535

Audio Interview: Vaccinating Children. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2109334?query=featured_home

Thromboembolic Events in the South African Ad26.COV2.S Vaccine Study. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2107920?query=featured_home

Thrombosis and Thrombocytopenia after ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Vaccination. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2104882?query=featured_home

Changes in Patterns of Hospital Visits for Acute Myocardial Infarction or Ischemic Stroke During COVID-19 Surges. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2780794

When Vaccine Apathy, Not Hesitancy, Drives Vaccine Disinterest. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2780792

‘Good’ and ‘Bad’ deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic: insights from a rapid qualitative study. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e005509

Covid-19: PPE guidance is upgraded as evidence of airborne transmission grows. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1422

Seven days in medicine: 26 May to 2 June 2021. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1394

Low-value medical care in the pandemic—is this what the doctor ordered? https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00252-7/fulltext

Covid 19: How harm reduction advocates and the tobacco industry capitalised on the pandemic to promote nicotine. It has since been roundly disproved that smoking protects against covid-19. Among other studies, the OpenSafely dataset, based on the primary care records of 17.3 million adults in the UK, found that smoking, when adjusted for age and sex, was associated with a 14% increased chance of covid-19 related death. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1303.full

RESOURCES

OTHER NEWS

Marking the 40th Anniversary of the AIDS Epidemic — American Physicians Look Back. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2106933?query=featured_home

HIV Infection — Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMcp1915826?query=featured_home

Reporting of Sociodemographic Variables in Randomized Clinical Trials, 2014-2020. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780555

Health systems factors impacting the integration of midwifery: an evidence-informed framework on strengthening midwifery associations. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e004850

Accuracy of malaria diagnostic tests performed on non-invasively collected samples: a systematic review and meta-analysis. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e005634

Effect of dexamethasone on complications or all cause mortality after major non-cardiac surgery: multicentre, double blind, randomised controlled trial. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1162

Getting fact-checker’s methods into the curriculum: the six Cs of misinformation literacy. A new study argues for an expanded definition of media literacy. Our research looked at the teaching of media literacy themes in the curricula of public schools in seven sub-Saharan countries Côte d’Ivoire introduced a new curriculum in 2017, including “basic digital, or ICT, skills”, but no further aspects of media literacy. In Ghana, the curriculum addresses “civic education and behaviour” but not more. Kenya has its own new curriculum, including basic digital skills, which lists critical thinking and problem solving as core competencies. Nigeria’s curriculum includes ICT skills. Senegal’s has no media literacy elements of any sort. Uganda’s curriculum, introduced in 2019, features basic online search techniques and news terminology. None of these seven curricula address misinformation. In summary, the curricula used in six countries feature some limited elements of broadly defined media literacy, but no focus on misinformation. South Africa was a partial exception. The national curriculum features a wider range of media literacy themes, from mass media formats to concepts such as media freedom and bias. But it has little, except for a section on online hoaxes, specifically on misinformation. https://africacheck.org/fact-checks/blog/getting-fact-checkers-methods-curriculum-six-cs-misinformation-literacy

FROM 2 JUNE

Sexuality, Gender and Justice. This Pride Month, discover the science supporting equality and antidiscrimination. https://www.scientificamerican.com/report/sexuality-gender-and-justice/

Neonatal mortality in Kenyan hospitals: a multisite, retrospective, cohort study. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/5/e004475

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Friday, 4 June 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: JUNE 4, 2021, 03:33 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	56,217	[1244]	866	[17]	52,675	2,676	23,471	362	1,170,583

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 06-04-2021 05:23 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

56,217 Total confirmed cases

866 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 3 JUNE 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 4 June 2021

NEWS

Moderna enters supply deal with Botswana for COVID-19 vaccine. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/moderna-enters-supply-deal-with-botswana-covid-19-vaccine-2021-06-03/

‘Exponential’ rise in Covid cases in DRC capital, reports WHO. City of Kinshasa, home to 15 million people, is amid third wave of infections, authorities confirm. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/03/exponential-rise-in-covid-cases-in-drc-capital-reports-who

SUMMARY https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/jun/03/coronavirus-live-news-brazil-anger-toll-olympics-japan-us-uk?page=with:block-60b933b48f08b9889b368226#block-60b933b48f08b9889b368226

Biden outlines plan to quickly share 25 million COVID-19 vaccines with world. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-whitehouse/biden-outlines-plan-to-quickly-share-25-million-covid-19-vaccines-with-world-idUSKCN2DF1SC

France donates 184,000 AstraZeneca doses to Senegal via COVAX. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/france-donates-184000-astrazeneca-doses-senegal-via-covax-2021-06-03/

Russia, Bahrain to produce Sputnik V vaccine for MENA region. https://www.reuters.com/world/russia-bahrain-produce-sputnik-v-vaccine-mena-region-2021-06-03/

Effect of Bamlanivimab vs Placebo on Incidence of COVID-19 Among Residents and Staff of Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living Facilities. A Randomized Clinical Trial. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2780870

Bamlanivimab for Prevention of COVID-19. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2780873

Effect of Opt-In vs Opt-Out Framing on Enrollment in a COVID-19 Surveillance Testing Program. The COVID SAFE Randomized Clinical Trial. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780574

Pandemic treaty needs to start with rethinking the paradigm of global health security. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e006392

Safer primary healthcare facilities are needed to protect healthcare workers and maintain essential services: lessons learned from a multicountry COVID-19 emergency response initiative. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e005833

Covid-19: Antimicrobial use was high during first wave despite bacterial co-infections being rare, study finds. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1427

Antimicrobial resistance at the G7. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1417

Seven days in medicine: 26 May to 2 June 2021. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1394

COVID-19 reinfections in The Gambia by phylogenetically distinct SARS-CoV-2 variants—first two confirmed events in west Africa. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00213-8/fulltext

Low-value medical care in the pandemic—is this what the doctor ordered? https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00252-7/fulltext

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on paediatric patients with cancer in low-income, middle-income and high-income countries: protocol for a multicentre, international, observational cohort study. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e045679

COVID-19 prevention practices in urban setting during early introduction of the disease: results from community survey in SNNP Region, Ethiopia. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/5/e047373

Association between vitamin D supplementation or serum vitamin D level and susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 including clinical course, morbidity and mortality outcomes? A systematic review. There is no robust evidence of a negative association between vitamin D and COVID-19. No relevant randomised controlled trials were identified and there is no robust peer-reviewed published evidence of association between vitamin D levels and severity of symptoms or mortality due to COVID-19. Guideline producers should acknowledge that benefits of vitamin D supplementation in COVID-19 are as yet unproven despite increasing interest. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/5/e043737

Acuity level of care as a predictor of case fatality and prolonged hospital stay in patients with COVID-19: a hospital-based observational follow-up study from Pakistan. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/5/e045414

Could COVID-19 pandemic be stopped with joint efforts of travel restrictions and public health countermeasures? A modelling study. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/5/e046157

Implementation of different HIV self-testing models with implications for HIV testing services during the COVID-19 pandemic: study protocol for secondary data analysis of the STAR Initiative in South Africa. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/5/e048585

Estimating vaccine confidence levels among healthcare students and staff of a tertiary institution in South Africa: protocol of a cross-sectional survey. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/5/e049877

RESOURCES

OTHER NEWS

Could Statins Do More Than Lower Cholesterol in Patients With COVID-19? https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2780872

Equity and the JAMA Network. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780911

Defining global health: findings from a systematic review and thematic analysis of the literature. Extant definitions of global health can be categorised thematically to designate areas of importance for stakeholders and to organise future debates on its definition. Future contributions to this debate may consider shifting from questioning the abstract ‘what’ of global health towards more pragmatic and reflexive questions about ‘who’ defines global health and towards what ends. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e005292

Accuracy of verbal autopsy, clinical data and minimally invasive autopsy in the evaluation of malaria-specific mortality: an observational study. The high sensitivity and specificity of the MIA in identifying malaria may help to improve current estimates of malaria-specific mortality in endemic areas. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e005218

Unravelling ‘low-resource settings’: a systematic scoping review with qualitative content analysis. The emerging themes may assist with (1) the groundwork needed to unravel ‘low-resource settings’ in health-related research, (2) moving away from assumptive umbrella terms like ‘low-to-middle-income countries’ or ‘low/middle-income countries’ and (3) promoting effective knowledge transfer between settings. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e005190

40 years of HIV/AIDS: a painful anniversary. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01213-7/fulltext

Effectiveness of school-based interventions in delaying sexual debut among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/5/e044398.long

Exploring human factors in the operating room: a protocol for a scoping review of training offerings for healthcare professionals. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e044721

Peer-led HIV care and the UNAIDS 90-90-90 treatment targets in Tigrai, Ethiopia: a cluster randomised trial and economic evaluation of teach-test-link-trace model (TTLT) trial protocol. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e043943

Non-fatal injuries in rural Burkina Faso amongst older adults, disease burden and health system responsiveness: a cross-sectional household survey. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/5/e045621

Unmet need for primary healthcare and associated individual and household-level factors in Kenya: results from a national survey. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/5/e041032

Scoping review of the psychosocial aspects of infertility in developing countries: protocol. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/5/e044003

Spirituality and religion in residents and inter-relationships with clinical practice and residency training: a scoping review. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/5/e044321

Correct diagnosis of childhood pneumonia in public facilities in Tanzania: a randomised comparison of diagnostic methods. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/5/e042895

Mediation role of low birth weight on the factors associated with newborn mortality and the moderation role of institutional delivery in the association of low birth weight with newborn mortality in a resource-poor setting. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/5/e046322

Community health workers’ efforts to build health system trust in marginalised communities: a qualitative study from South Africa. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/5/e044065

Mobility study of young women who exchange sex for money or commodities using Google Maps and qualitative methods in Kampala, Uganda. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/5/e043078

Integrated community-based HIV and non-communicable disease care within microfinance groups in Kenya: study protocol for the Harambee cluster randomised trial. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/5/e042662

Maternal healthcare utilsation and complete childhood vaccination in sub-Saharan Africa: a cross-sectional study of 29 nationally representative surveys. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/5/e045992

FROM 3 JUNE

Marking the 40th Anniversary of the AIDS Epidemic — American Physicians Look Back. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2106933?query=featured_home

HIV Infection — Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMcp1915826?query=featured_home

Reporting of Sociodemographic Variables in Randomized Clinical Trials, 2014-2020. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780555

Health systems factors impacting the integration of midwifery: an evidence-informed framework on strengthening midwifery associations. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e004850

Accuracy of malaria diagnostic tests performed on non-invasively collected samples: a systematic review and meta-analysis. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e005634

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Saturday, 5 June 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: JUNE 5, 2021, 04:06 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	56,217	[1244]	866	[17]	52,675	2,676	23,471	362	1,170,583

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 06-05-2021 05:23 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

56,217 Total confirmed cases

866 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 4 JUNE 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 5 June 2021

NEWS

Neutralising antibody activity against SARS-CoV-2 VOCs B.1.617.2 and B.1.351 by BNT162b2 vaccination. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01290-3/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_email

‘Running dry’: Zimbabweans turned away for vaccinations after shortages. As staff sit idle in treatment centres, anger focuses on government failures to secure supplies as fears of a third wave increase. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/jun/04/running-dry-zimbabweans-turned-away-for-vaccinations-after-shortages

Zimbabwe says ‘don’t panic’ as some centres run out of COVID-19 vaccines. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/zimbabwe-says-dont-panic-some-centres-run-out-covid-19-vaccines-2021-06-04/

COVAX hopes to deliver delayed AstraZeneca shots to Africa in June, July. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/covax-hopes-deliver-delayed-astrazeneca-shots-africa-june-july-2021-06-04/

WHO warns of ‘failure’ unless rich countries speed up vaccine sharing. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who/who-warns-of-failure-unless-rich-countries-speed-up-vaccine-sharing-idUSKCN2DG10E

Congo faces third wave of coronavirus, says health minister. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/congo-faces-third-wave-coronavirus-says-health-minister-2021-06-03/

Antibody-laden nasal spray could provide COVID protection — and treatment. Scientists create a hybrid antibody that can sharply cut the amount of SARS-CoV-2 in the lungs of infected mice. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01481-2

Six months of COVID vaccines: what 1.7 billion doses have taught scientists. At a pivotal moment in the pandemic, Nature explores key questions about the vaccines that countries are racing to deliver while viral variants spread around the globe. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01505-x

WHO approval of Chinese CoronaVac COVID vaccine will be crucial to curbing pandemic. CoronaVac is one of two Chinese vaccines already sustaining vaccination campaigns in more than 70 nations. Both should soon be much more widely available to low-income countries. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01497-8

Coronavirus News Roundup, May 22 to June 4. Pandemic highlights for the past two weeks. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/coronavirus-news-roundup-may-22-to-june-4/

Uefa and UK discuss easing restrictions for Euro 2020; Putin blames money for EU delay of Sputnik V approval. https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/jun/04/coronavirus-live-news-japan-taiwan-vaccine-fauci-calls-wuhan-lab-records

Tanzania says embassies, international agencies can import COVID-19 vaccines. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-tanzania/tanzania-says-embassies-international-agencies-can-import-covid-19-vaccines-idUSKCN2DG28Y

COVID, Quickly, Episode 8: The Pandemic’s True Death Toll and the Big Lab-Leak Debate. https://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/covid-quickly-episode-8-the-pandemics-true-death-toll-and-the-big-lab-leak-debate/

Tragic spring surge leads India to crank up coronavirus vaccine effort. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/06/tragic-spring-surge-leads-india-crank-coronavirus-vaccine-effort

A single dose of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine BNT162b2 elicits Fc-mediated antibody effector functions and T-cell responses. https://www.cell.com/cell-host-microbe/fulltext/S1931-3128(21)00279-1

Covid-19: Freedom won’t last if UK doesn’t share excess vaccine doses, aid agencies warn. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1444

Cardiovascular-related deaths at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak: a prospective analysis based on the UK Biobank. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e046931

RESOURCES

OTHER NEWS

Some Pandemic Health Habits Deserve to Stay. We need a public health culture change informed by lessons from COVID. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/some-pandemic-health-habits-deserve-to-stay/

Evaluation of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Medications, Externalizing Symptoms, and Suicidality in Children. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780600

Evaluation of Systolic Blood Pressure, Use of Aspirin and Clopidogrel, and Stroke Recurrence in the Platelet-Oriented Inhibition in New TIA and Minor Ischemic Stroke Trial. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780598

Prospective observational cohort study on epidemiology, treatment and outcome of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in German BG hospitals. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e045771

FROM 4 JUNE

Could Statins Do More Than Lower Cholesterol in Patients With COVID-19? https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2780872

Equity and the JAMA Network. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780911

40 years of HIV/AIDS: a painful anniversary. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01213-7/fulltext

Exploring human factors in the operating room: a protocol for a scoping review of training offerings for healthcare professionals. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e044721

Unmet need for primary healthcare and associated individual and household-level factors in Kenya: results from a national survey. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/5/e041032

Scoping review of the psychosocial aspects of infertility in developing countries: protocol. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/5/e044003

Spirituality and religion in residents and inter-relationships with clinical practice and residency training: a scoping review. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/5/e044321

Correct diagnosis of childhood pneumonia in public facilities in Tanzania: a randomised comparison of diagnostic methods. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/5/e042895

Community health workers’ efforts to build health system trust in marginalised communities: a qualitative study from South Africa. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/5/e044065

Mobility study of young women who exchange sex for money or commodities using Google Maps and qualitative methods in Kampala, Uganda. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/5/e043078

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Monday, 7 June 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: JUNE 7, 2021, 02:43 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	56,217	[1244]	866	[17]	52,675	2,676	23,467	361	1,170,583

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 06-07-2021 04:23 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

56,217 Total confirmed cases

866 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 4 JUNE 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 7 June 2021

NEWS

Education for girls and vaccines can save Africa from disaster. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jun/05/education-for-girls-and-vaccines-can-save-africa-from-disaster

Uganda re-imposes lockdown to beat back COVID-19 case surge. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-uganda/uganda-re-imposes-lockdown-to-beat-back-covid-19-case-surge-idUSKCN2DI0JX

EXCLUSIVE In boost for Africa, Senegal aims to make COVID shots next year. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/exclusive-boost-africa-senegal-aims-make-covid-shots-next-year-2021-06-06/

The monoclonal antibody combination REGEN-COV protects against SARS-CoV-2 mutational escape in preclinical and human studies. https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(21)00703-0

Seroconversion rates following COVID-19 vaccination amongst patients with cancer. https://www.cell.com/cancer-cell/fulltext/S1535-6108(21)00285-3

RESOURCES

OTHER NEWS

REVISED Use of a mutation-specific genotyping method to assess for HIV-1 drug resistance in antiretroviral-naïve HIV-1 Subtype C-infected patients in Botswana [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] Dorcas Maruapula, Iain J. MacLeod, Sikhulile Moyo, Rosemary Musonda, Kaelo Seatla, Kesaobaka Molebatsi, Melvin Leteane, Max Essex, Simani Gaseitsiwe, Christopher F. Rowley. https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/3-50

Knowledge and attitude of secondary school students in Nakaseke, Uganda towards HIV transmission and treatment [version 1; peer review: 2 approved with reservations]. https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/4-23

REVISED Kenya’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic: a balance between minimising morbidity and adverse economic impact [version 2; peer review: 2 approved, 2 approved with reservations]. https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/4-3

REVISED COVID-19 and the HIV care continuum in Uganda: minimising collateral damage [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations]. https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/3-28

Political censorship in academic journals sets a dangerous new precedent. https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/06/02/political-censorship-in-academic-journals-sets-a-dangerous-new-precedent/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_term=hootsuite&utm_content=sme&utm_campaign=usage

Patient involvement in regulation: an unvalued imperative. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00977-6/fulltext

Continuous research monitoring improves the quality of research conduct and compliance among research trainees: internal evaluation of a monitoring programme [version 1; peer review: 1 approved, 3 approved with reservations] https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/3-57/v1?utm_medium=email&utm_source=etoc_alert_WEEKLY

Factors associated with research productivity in higher education institutions in Africa: a systematic review [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]. https://aasopenresearch.org/browse?utm_medium=email&utm_source=etoc_alert_WEEKLY

FROM 5 JUNE

Evaluation of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Medications, Externalizing Symptoms, and Suicidality in Children. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780600

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Tuesday, 8 June 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: JUNE 8, 2021, 02:43 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	58,095	[1878]	885	[19]	53,887	3,323	24,250	369	1,193,343

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 06-08-2021 05:22 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

58,095 Total confirmed cases

885 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 7 JUNE 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 7 June 2021

NEWS

Scientists begin to unravel the mysteries of the coronavirus and brains. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/06/07/covid-are-brains-affected/?utm_campaign=wp_post_most&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_most&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F334f348%2F60be49aa9d2fdae302736423%2F5cd2efff9bbc0f0bf88b0810%2F10%2F72%2F60be49aa9d2fdae302736423

Third wave sweeps across Africa as Covid vaccine imports dry up. WHO says continent urgently needs more jabs as eight countries report rise of 30% in cases in a week. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/07/third-wave-sweeps-across-africa-as-covid-vaccine-imports-dry-up

Factbox: Latest on the worldwide spread of the coronavirus. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/latest-worldwide-spread-coronavirus-2021-02-18/

G7 leaders urged to show solidarity on climate change and COVID-19 at summit. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climate-change-g7-finance/g7-leaders-urged-to-show-solidarity-on-climate-change-and-covid-19-at-summit-idUSKCN2DJ2DZ

From vaccines to climate, G7 hopes to show the West is not over yet. https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/vaccines-climate-g7-hopes-show-west-is-not-over-yet-2021-06-07/

WHO’s Tedros hopes African COVID vaccine sites to near production by end-2021. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who-africa/whos-tedros-hopes-african-covid-vaccine-sites-to-near-production-by-end-2021-idUSKCN2DJ1YG

How COVID changed schools outreach. Since lockdowns closed classrooms and labs, scientists have devised online activities to inspire the next generation of researchers. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01517-7

A ‘landmark’ trial to test mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 in Africa can’t get the coveted shots. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/06/landmark-trial-test-mrna-vaccines-against-covid-19-africa-can-t-get-coveted-shots

Would you have your DNA tested to predict how hard COVID-19 would strike? Should you? https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/06/would-you-have-your-dna-tested-predict-how-hard-covid-19-would-strike-should-you

COVID-19 Vaccination of Health Care Personnel as a Condition of Employment. A Logical Addition to Institutional Safety Programs. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2781011

Mandatory SARS-CoV-2 Vaccinations in K-12 Schools, Colleges/Universities, and Businesses. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2781010

Underlying Medical Conditions Associated With Severe COVID-19 Illness Among Children. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780706

Assessment of Effectiveness of 1 Dose of BNT162b2 Vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 Infection 13 to 24 Days After Immunization. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780700

Are SARS-CoV-2 Human Challenge Trials Ethical? https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2780744

Spread of Misinformation About Face Masks and COVID-19 by Automated Software on Facebook. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2780748

Mask related acne (“maskne”) and other facial dermatoses. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1304

RESOURCES

OTHER NEWS

Bridging the gap: aligning economic research with disease burden. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e005673

Optimising geographical accessibility to primary health care: a geospatial analysis of community health posts and community health workers in Niger. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e005238

FROM 7 JUNE

Patient involvement in regulation: an unvalued imperative. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00977-6/fulltext

Factors associated with research productivity in higher education institutions in Africa: a systematic review [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]. https://aasopenresearch.org/browse?utm_medium=email&utm_source=etoc_alert_WEEKLY

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Wednesday, 9 June 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: JUNE 9, 2021, 02:40 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	58,095	[1878]	885	[19]	53,887	3,323	24,250	369	1,193,343

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 06-09-2021 04:23 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

58,095 Total confirmed cases

885 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 8 JUNE 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 9 June 2021

NEWS

SARS-CoV-2 emerging variants in Africa: view from Gabon. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanmic/article/PIIS2666-5247(21)00125-7/fulltext

Inflammatory biomarkers in COVID-19-associated multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, Kawasaki disease, and macrophage activation syndrome: a cohort study. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanrhe/article/PIIS2665-9913(21)00139-9/fulltext

COVID-19: Africa is grappling with vaccination efforts. https://www.scidev.net/sub-saharan-africa/scidev-net-at-large/covid-19-africa-is-grappling-with-vaccination-efforts/?utm_source=SciDev.Net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=12439468_2021-06-08%20Weekly%20Email%20Digest%20-%20Sub-Saharan%20Africa%20Template.%20For%20Health&dm_i=1SCG,7EMCS,5R8D9U,U2PLM,1

How Close Are We To Learning COVID’s Origin Story?— Experts discuss practical implications of a natural or accidental introduction for the virus. https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/exclusives/92969?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2021-06-08&eun=g1652901d0r&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Headlines%20Top%20Cat%20HeC%20%202021-06-08&utm_term=NL_Daily_DHE_dual-gmail-definition

Factbox: Latest on the worldwide spread of the coronavirus. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/latest-worldwide-spread-coronavirus-2021-02-18/

Athletics-African championships cancelled in big blow to Olympic hopefuls- The African Athletics Championships have been cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) said in a major blow to those hoping to use the event to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-athletics-africa/athletics-african-championships-cancelled-in-big-blow-to-olympic-hopefuls-idUSKCN2DK29I

IMF approves $650 mln in aid for Senegal’s COVID-19 recovery. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/imf-approves-650-mln-aid-senegals-covid-19-recovery-2021-06-08/

China is vaccinating a staggering 20 million people a day. Scientists are impressed by China’s juggernaut of a vaccination drive, through which it is currently administering nearly 60% of all COVID-19 vaccine doses globally. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01545-3

Senolytics reduce coronavirus-related mortality in old mice. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2021/06/07/science.abe4832?rss=1

Identification of presented SARS-CoV-2 HLA class I and HLA class II peptides using HLA-peptidomics. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(21)00681-1

The secondary transmission pattern of COVID-19 based on contact tracing in Rwanda. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e004885

Covid-19: Aspirin does not improve survival for patients admitted to hospital, trial reports. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1475

Covid-19: Delta variant is now UK’s most dominant strain and spreading through schools. The delta covid-19 variant (B.1.617.2), which was first detected in India, has overtaken the alpha variant, better known as the UK or Kent variant (B.1.1.7), to make it the most dominant strain circulating in the UK, Public Health England has said.https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1445

Seroprevalence study of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in healthcare workers following the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in a tertiary-level hospital in the south of Ireland. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e051415

Epidemiology, not geopolitics, should guide COVID-19 vaccine donations. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01323-4/fulltext

Interferon-alpha position in combating with COVID-19: A systematic review. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34101851/

The Brain: an unexpeted target of COVID-19. https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/target-of-covid-19/109516/

RESOURCES

OTHER NEWS

Rise in gender-based violence amid lockdowns. https://www.scidev.net/sub-saharan-africa/features/rise-in-gender-based-violence-amid-lockdowns/?utm_source=SciDev.Net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=12439468_2021-06-08%20Weekly%20Email%20Digest%20-%20Sub-Saharan%20Africa%20Template.%20For%20Health&dm_i=1SCG,7EMCS,5R8D9U,U2PLM,1

Child health and the implementation of Community and District-management Empowerment for Scale-up (CODES) in Uganda: a randomised controlled trial. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e006084

Delirium and long term cognition in critically ill patients. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1007

Role of systems science in preventing and controlling emerging infectious diseases: protocol for a scoping review. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e046057

Burden of out-of-pocket payments among patients with cardiovascular disease in public and private hospitals in Ibadan, South West, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e044044

Arterolane–piperaquine–mefloquine versus arterolane–piperaquine and artemether–lumefantrine in the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Kenyan children: a single-centre, open-label, randomised, non-inferiority trial. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(20)30929-4/fulltext

FROM 8 JUNE

Bridging the gap: aligning economic research with disease burden. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e005673

Optimising geographical accessibility to primary health care: a geospatial analysis of community health posts and community health workers in Niger. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e005238

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Thursday, 10 June 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: JUNE 10, 2021, 03:28 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	58,095	[1878]	885	[19]	53,887	3,323	24,250	369	1,193,343

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 06-10-2021 05:23 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

58,095 Total confirmed cases

885 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 9 JUNE 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 10 June 2021

NEWS

Factbox: Latest on the worldwide spread of the coronavirus. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/latest-worldwide-spread-coronavirus-2021-02-18/

Mental health disorders among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey from three major hospitals in Kenya. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e050316

U.S. to donate 500 million Pfizer vaccine doses to the world -sources. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-donate-500-million-pfizer-vaccine-doses-world-washington-post-2021-06-09/

WTO to start vaccine supply negotiations amid clash on patents. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/wto-start-vaccine-supply-negotiations-amid-clash-patents-2021-06-09/

The COVID lab-leak hypothesis: what scientists do and don’t know. Nature examines arguments that the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 escaped from a lab in China, and the science behind them. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01529-3

How a rampant coronavirus variant blunts our immune defences. The rapid spread of the B.1.1.7 variant — also called Alpha — might be linked to its ability to dampen the body’s initial immune response. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01540-8

The four most urgent questions about long COVID. Scientists are starting to get insights into the lingering disorder that affects some people infected with SARS-CoV-2 — but many mysteries remain unsolved. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01511-z

Embrace the WHO’s new naming system for coronavirus variants. The World Health Organization’s system should have come earlier. Now, media and policymakers need to get behind it. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01508-8

Immunogenicity of Ad26.COV2.S vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 variants in humans. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03681-2

Why India’s Second COVID Surge Is So Much Worse Than the First. Large gatherings and much more lenient restrictions have allowed the virus to spread at devastating levels. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-indias-second-covid-surge-is-so-much-worse-than-the-first/

A ‘Universal’ Coronavirus Vaccine to Prevent the Next Pandemic. https://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/a-universal-coronavirus-vaccine-to-prevent-the-next-pandemic1/

Why We Don’t Know the Animal Origins of the Coronavirus. Viruses that “spill over” to people do not stick around in animals, so finding true sources takes years of careful work, an expert says. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/finding-conclusive-animal-origins-of-the-coronavirus-will-take-time/

Mixing COVID-19 vaccines appears to boost immune responses. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/06/mixing-covid-19-vaccines-appears-boost-immune-responses

Japanese scientists warn that Tokyo Olympics could help spread COVID-19. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/06/japanese-scientists-warn-tokyo-olympics-could-help-spread-covid-19

Identification of novel bat coronaviruses sheds light on the evolutionary origins of SARS-CoV-2 and related viruses. https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(21)00709-1

Young infants exhibit robust functional antibody responses and restrained IFN-γ production to SARS-CoV-2. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00170-1

Audio Interview: Treating Complications of Covid Vaccination. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2109757?query=featured_home

Adjunct Immune Globulin for Vaccine-Induced Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2107051?query=featured_home

Identifying and Tracking SARS-CoV-2 Variants — A Challenge and an Opportunity. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2103859?query=featured_home

Pathologic Antibodies to Platelet Factor 4 after ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Vaccination. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2105385?query=featured_home

Safety and Efficacy of Single-Dose Ad26.COV2.S Vaccine against Covid-19. A single dose of Ad26.COV2.S protected against symptomatic Covid-19 and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and was effective against severe–critical disease, including hospitalization and death. Safety appeared to be similar to that in other phase 3 trials of Covid-19 vaccines.https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2101544?query=featured_home

Delayed Large Local Reactions to mRNA Covid-19 Vaccines in Blacks, Indigenous Persons, and People of Color. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2108620?query=featured_home

Associations of Vaccination and of Prior Infection With Positive PCR Test Results for SARS-CoV-2 in Airline Passengers Arriving in Qatar. This highlights the need to maintain PCR testing for arriving travelers. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2781112

RESOURCES

OTHER NEWS

Efficacy of Wolbachia-Infected Mosquito Deployments for the Control of Dengue. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2030243?query=featured_home

Harnessing the peace dividends of health. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e006287

Falling aid for reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health in the lead-up to the COVID-19 pandemic. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e006089

Impact of free maternity policies in Kenya: an interrupted time-series analysis. The free maternity policies show mixed effects in increasing access to maternal health services. Emphasis on other accessibility barriers and service delivery challenges alongside user fee removal policies should be addressed to realise maximum benefits in maternal health utilisation. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e003649

Health extension workers’ perceived health system context and health post preparedness to provide services: a cross-sectional study in four Ethiopian regions. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e048517

Health effects of climate change: an overview of systematic reviews. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e046333

Early diagnosis of mortality using admission CT perfusion in severe traumatic brain injury patients (ACT-TBI): protocol for a prospective cohort study. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e047305

Polio eradication at the crossroads. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00205-9/fulltext

FROM 9 JUNE

Child health and the implementation of Community and District-management Empowerment for Scale-up (CODES) in Uganda: a randomised controlled trial. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e006084

Delirium and long term cognition in critically ill patients. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1007

Role of systems science in preventing and controlling emerging infectious diseases: protocol for a scoping review. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e046057

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Friday, 11 June 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: JUNE 11, 2021, 04:10 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	59,480	[1385]	896	[11]	55,617	2,967	24,824	374	1,203,796

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 06-11-2021 05:23 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

59,480 Total confirmed cases

896 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 10 JUNE 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 11 June 2021

NEWS

Readiness and early response to COVID-19: achievements, challenges and lessons learnt in Ethiopia. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e005581

G7 expected to donate 1 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses to poorer countries. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/g7-donate-1-billion-covid-19-vaccine-doses-poorer-countries-2021-06-10/

Factbox: What are G7 countries pledging on vaccine doses? https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/what-are-g7-countries-pledging-vaccine-doses-2021-06-10/

Biden says biggest vaccine donation ‘supercharges’ battle against coronavirus. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-g7-summit-biden-vaccine/biden-says-biggest-vaccine-donation-supercharges-battle-against-coronavirus-idUSKCN2DM0FE

Factbox: Latest on the worldwide spread of the coronavirus. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/latest-worldwide-spread-coronavirus-2021-02-18/

Macron says intellectual property rights must not hinder access to vaccines.. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/france-work-with-south-africa-over-vaccines-access-africa-2021-06-10/

Does vaccinating adults stop kids from spreading COVID too?. Mass vaccination drives in several countries are providing new data on the extent to which adult vaccination protects children — but the conclusions are mixed. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01549-z

BNT162b2-elicited neutralization of B.1.617 and other SARS-CoV-2 variants. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03693-y

The COVID Lab-Leak Hypothesis: What Scientists Do and Do Not know. An examination of the arguments that the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 escaped from a lab in China, and the science behind them. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-covid-lab-leak-hypothesis-what-scientists-do-and-do-not-know/

Bilateral Chilblain-like Lesions of the Toes Characterized by Microvascular Remodeling in Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780866

Pandemic lessons from India: inappropriate prioritisation for vaccination. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1464

Chilblains-like Nonischemic Eruption During the COVID-19 Pandemic—Distinct Features in Adolescents. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780867

Going beyond access to health information: a pandemic call to action. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e006472

Incidence of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Among US Persons Infected With SARS-CoV-2. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780861

Covid-19: AstraZeneca vaccine linked with small risk of ITP, real world data show. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1489

Seven days in medicine: 2-8 June 2021. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1455

Covid-19: Tests must be more rigorously regulated to protect public, say statisticians. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1483

Narrative complexity in the time of COVID-19. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01287-3/fulltext

COVID-19 pandemic and population-level pregnancy and neonatal outcomes: a living systematic review and meta-analysis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34096034/

RESOURCES

OTHER NEWS

Humanism Before Heroism in Medicine. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2781168

Actual and Missed Opportunities for End-of-Life Care Discussions With Oncology Patients. A Qualitative Study. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780865

Protocol for a realist synthesis of health systems responsiveness in low-income and middle-income countries. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e046992

Factors associated with the referral of children with severe illnesses at primary care level in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e047640

How well do doctors understand a scientific article in English when it is not their first language? A randomised controlled trial. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e043444

Parental education and inequalities in child mortality: a global systematic review and meta-analysis. The results showed that lower maternal and paternal education are both risk factors for child mortality, even after controlling for other markers of family socioeconomic status. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00534-1/fulltext

The Impact of Gender on Researchers’ Assessment: A Randomized Controlled Trial. CVs from men applicants received higher scores for all categories evaluated compared to CVs from women despite applicant’s career stage. CVs from men had nearly three quarters more likely to be seen as having leadership potential than equivalent CVs from women, even though the CVs were exactly the same (except for the applicant’s gender identification) https://www.jclinepi.com/article/S0895-4356(21)00178-5/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_aip_email

FROM 10 JUNE

Efficacy of Wolbachia-Infected Mosquito Deployments for the Control of Dengue. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2030243?query=featured_home

Harnessing the peace dividends of health. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e006287

Falling aid for reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health in the lead-up to the COVID-19 pandemic. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e006089

Health effects of climate change: an overview of systematic reviews. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e046333

Polio eradication at the crossroads. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00205-9/fulltext

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Saturday, 12 June 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: JUNE 12, 2021, 03:53 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	59,480	[1385]	896	[11]	55,617	2,967	24,824	374	1,203,796

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 06-12-2021 05:22 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

59,480 Total confirmed cases

896 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 11 JUNE 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 11 June 2021

NEWS

From routine data collection to policy design: sex and gender both matter in COVID-19. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01326-X/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_email

Anticoagulation in COVID-19: reaction to the ACTION trial. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01291-5/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_email

Hospitals across U.S. are requiring workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hospitals-across-u-s-requiring-workers-get-vaccinated-against-covid/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=133102622&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_IupDMC8EFHm4giSi20Ht60dC8KPq4cZpMLHlob6hqq6C3h-6E68pZ-mHAE7DRnVTqfDRm_5Xc-adIPybFiXcUoBtDmg&utm_content=133102622&utm_source=hs_email

Building a sustainable infrastructure for covid-19 vaccinations long term. https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/06/10/building-a-sustainable-infrastructure-for-covid-19-vaccinations-long-term/

Factbox: Latest on the worldwide spread of the coronavirus. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/latest-worldwide-spread-coronavirus-2021-02-18/

“We need more”: UN joins criticism of G7 vaccine pledge. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/g7-donate-1-billion-covid-19-vaccine-doses-poorer-countries-2021-06-10/

Exclusive-UK’s Raab: Some countries are using vaccines as a geopolitical tool. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-g7-summit-raab-exclusive/exclusive-uks-raab-some-countries-are-using-vaccines-as-a-geopolitical-tool-idUSKCN2DN0SQ

International Analysis of Electronic Health Records of Children and Youth Hospitalized With COVID-19 Infection in 6 Countries. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780925

Trends in Venous Thromboembolism Anticoagulation in Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780927

International Medical Graduate Physician Deaths From COVID-19 in the United States. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780929

Factors Associated With Self-reported Symptoms of Depression Among Adults With and Without a Previous COVID-19 Diagnosis. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780928

We need a global conversation on the 2020 Olympic Games. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01293-9/fulltext

Narrative complexity in the time of COVID-19. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01287-3/fulltext

Hospital-onset COVID-19 infection surveillance systems: A systematic review. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34098049/

RESOURCES

OTHER NEWS

Potentially Avertable Child Mortality Associated with Surgical Workforce Scale-up in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Global Study. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00268-021-06181-6

Structural Racism and JAMA Network Open. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2781103

Gender, Race, Ethnicity, and Sexual Orientation of Editors at Leading Medical and Scientific Journals. A Cross-sectional Survey. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2781167

Big food and the World Health Organization: a qualitative study of industry attempts to influence global-level non-communicable disease policy. We provide novel insights into how ultra-processed food industry actors shape global-level NCD policy and identify a clear need to guard against commercial interference to advance NCD policy. In their approach, the political behaviour of multinational food corporations bears similarities to that of the tobacco industry. Increased awareness of, and safeguarding against, commercial interference at the national as well as the global level have the potential to strengthen the crucial work of WHO. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e005216

Interventions to improve district-level routine health data in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e004223

Identifying data for the empirical assessment of law (IDEAL): a realist approach to research gaps on the health effects of abortion law. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e005120

National Early Warning Score for predicting intensive care unit admission among elderly patients with influenza infections in the emergency department: an effective disposition tool during the influenza season. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e044496

Experiences and perceptions of trial participants and healthcare professionals in the UK Frozen Shoulder Trial (UK FROST): a nested qualitative study. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e040829

Diet and physical activity in pregnancy to prevent gestational diabetes: a protocol for an individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis on the differential effects of interventions with economic evaluation. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e048119

FROM 11 JUNE

Humanism Before Heroism in Medicine. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2781168

Actual and Missed Opportunities for End-of-Life Care Discussions With Oncology Patients. A Qualitative Study. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780865

Protocol for a realist synthesis of health systems responsiveness in low-income and middle-income countries. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e046992

Factors associated with the referral of children with severe illnesses at primary care level in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e047640

How well do doctors understand a scientific article in English when it is not their first language? A randomised controlled trial. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e043444

FROM 10 JUNE

Efficacy of Wolbachia-Infected Mosquito Deployments for the Control of Dengue. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2030243?query=featured_home

Harnessing the peace dividends of health. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e006287

Falling aid for reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health in the lead-up to the COVID-19 pandemic. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e006089

Health effects of climate change: an overview of systematic reviews. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e046333

Polio eradication at the crossroads. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00205-9/fulltext

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Monday, 14 June 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: JUNE 14, 2021, 03:06 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	59,480	[1385]	896	[11]	55,617	2,967	24,824	374	1,203,796

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 06-14-2021 04:23 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

59,480 Total confirmed cases

896 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 13 JUNE 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 14 June 2021

NEWS

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in South Africa: . A complex social phenomenon. http://www.samj.org.za/index.php/samj/article/view/13322/9821

COVID-19 mass vaccination campaign for healthcare workers in a low-resource setting: A clinician-driven initiative. http://www.samj.org.za/index.php/samj/article/view/13299/9787

Pharmacological management of seizures in patients with COVID-19: a systematic review [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]. https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/4-29

High infectious disease burden as a basis for the observed high frequency of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections in sub-Saharan Africa [version 2; peer review: 1 approved with reservations] https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/4-2

Virtually all hospitalized Covid patients have one thing in common: They’re unvaccinated. “I haven’t had anyone that’s been fully vaccinated become critically ill,” one doctor said. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/virtually-all-hospitalized-covid-patients-have-one-thing-common-they-n1270482

Lessons learned from Ebola and Covid-19. https://www.dandc.eu/en/article/fight-against-deadly-disease-more-things-matter-only-vaccines-and-pharmaceuticals

Factbox-China, climate and vaccines – what the G7 agreed this weekend. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-g7-summit-points-factbox/factbox-china-climate-and-vaccines-what-the-g7-agreed-this-weekend-idUSKCN2DP0HZ

EU’s Michel: G7 to accelerate global COVID-19 vaccine deliveries. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-g7-summit-eu-vaccines/eus-michel-g7-to-accelerate-global-covid-19-vaccine-deliveries-idUSKCN2DP0CG

Africa Awaits Covid-19 Vaccine Donations as Cases Surge. The one billion shots the U.S. and other G-7 nations have pledged may not arrive before local supplies run out. https://www.wsj.com/articles/africa-awaits-covid-19-vaccine-donations-as-cases-surge-11623512262

RESOURCES

OTHER NEWS

Research Snapshot: Finding confirms process by which ketamine acts as an antidepressant. https://news.vanderbilt.edu/2021/06/10/research-snapshot-finding-confirms-process-by-which-ketamine-acts-as-an-antidepressant/

Challenge of diagnosing acute infections in poor resource settings in Africa [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review] https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/4-28

FROM 12 JUNE

Structural Racism and JAMA Network Open. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2781103

Interventions to improve district-level routine health data in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e004223

Identifying data for the empirical assessment of law (IDEAL): a realist approach to research gaps on the health effects of abortion law. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e005120

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Tuesday, 15 June 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: JUNE 15, 2021, 03:21 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	61,457	[1977]	926	[30]	56,798	3,733	25,643	386	1,230,113

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 06-15-2021 05:23 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

59,480 Total confirmed cases

896 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 13 JUNE 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 15 June 2021

NEWS

COVID-19 fuelling partnerships to boost health systems. https://www.scidev.net/sub-saharan-africa/opinions/covid-19-fuelling-partnerships-to-boost-health-systems/?utm_source=SciDev.Net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=12452795_2021-06-14%20Daily%20Email%20Digest%20-%20Template&dm_i=1SCG,7EWMZ,5R8D9U,U42DK,1

Novavax Offers U.S. a Fourth Strong Covid-19 Vaccine. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/novavax-offers-u-s-a-fourth-strong-covid-19-vaccine/ar-AAL1il4?ocid=msedgntp

A white-knuckle ride of open COVID drug discovery. In early 2020, a spontaneous global collaboration came together to design a new, urgent antiviral treatment. There are lessons in what happened next. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01571-1

A long-term perspective on immunity to COVID. Determining the duration of protective immunity to infection by SARS-CoV-2 is crucial for understanding and predicting the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical studies now indicate that immunity will be long-lasting. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01557-z

Naturally enhanced neutralizing breadth against SARS-CoV-2 one year after infection. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03696-9

Why Scientists Tweak Lab Viruses to Make Them More Contagious. Some “gain of function” studies explore how a dangerous pathogen might cross species barriers to start an outbreak. They are not without controversy. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-scientists-tweak-lab-viruses-to-make-them-more-contagious1/

Powerful new COVID-19 vaccine shows 90% efficacy, could boost world’s supply. The dark horse vaccine company Novavax announced strong results today from a pivotal, 30,000-person trial of its pandemic coronavirus vaccine in the United States and Mexico. The vaccine uses a protein of SARS-CoV-2, a different technology from the COVID-19 vaccines authorized so far, and delivered 90.4% overall efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19 infections, and 100% protection against moderate and severe disease. Against eight viral variants of interest and concern, its efficacy was 93.2%. And the vaccine appeared safe and well-tolerated. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/06/powerful-new-covid-19-vaccine-shows-90-efficacy-could-boost-worlds-supply

‘This gives hope’: A third COVID-19 vaccine dose can boost protection for organ transplant recipients. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/06/gives-hope-third-covid-19-vaccine-dose-can-boost-protection-organ-transplant-recipients

Serological Analysis Reveals an Imbalanced IgG Subclass Composition Associated with COVID-19 Disease Severity. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00172-5

Centring a critical medical anthropology of COVID-19 in global health discourse. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e006132

Characterising the background incidence rates of adverse events of special interest for covid-19 vaccines in eight countries: multinational network cohort study. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1435

Covid-19: G7 vaccine promises fail to meet scale of challenge, say critics. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1520

RESOURCES

OTHER NEWS

The authorship rows that sour scientific collaborations. Team science suffers when junior researchers see their career-defining contributions to a paper downplayed. Here’s how to tackle disputes. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01574-y

Blood pressure and cardiac output during caesarean delivery under spinal anaesthesia: a prospective cohort study. Maternal cardiac output at the time of caesarean delivery is comparable to levels before induction of spinal anaesthesia. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e046102

Socially optimal pandemic drug dosing. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00251-5/fulltext

FROM 14 JUNE

Challenge of diagnosing acute infections in poor resource settings in Africa [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review] https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/4-28

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Wednesday, 16 June 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: JUNE 16, 2021, 03:36 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	61,457	[1977]	926	[30]	56,798	3,733	25,643	386	1,230,113

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 06-16-2021 04: GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

61,457 Total confirmed cases

926 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 14 JUNE 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 16 June 2021

NEWS

Vaccines and oxygen run out as third wave of Covid hits Uganda. Vaccine thefts reported and hospitals unable to admit patients as cases leap 2,800% in a month, https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/jun/15/vaccines-and-oxygen-run-out-as-third-wave-of-covid-hits-uganda

COVID debt restructuring push not advanced enough, IMF chief cautions. https://www.reuters.com/business/covid-debt-restructuring-push-not-advanced-enough-imf-chief-cautions-2021-06-15/

J&J to send 2 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to S.Africa by end-June -President Ramaphosa. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/jj-send-2-million-covid-19-vaccine-doses-safrica-by-end-june-president-ramaphosa-2021-06-15/

Nigeria to reopen vaccination for first COVID-19 shots. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/nigeria-reopen-vaccination-first-covid-19-shots-2021-06-15/

Risk of hospital admission for patients with SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7: cohort analysis. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1412

Public acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines: cross-national evidence on levels and individual-level predictors using observational data. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e048172

Surgery and COVID-19: a rapid scoping review of the impact of the first wave of COVID-19 on surgical services. Reorganisation of surgical services in response to public health emergencies appears to be context dependent and has far-reaching consequences that must be better understood in order to optimise future health system responses to public health emergencies. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e043966

RESOURCES

OTHER NEWS

Identifying knowledge needed to improve surgical care in Southern Africa using a theory of change approach. Has UB authors. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e005629

Why sharing bioimaging tech is crucial to global health. https://www.scidev.net/global/opinions/why-sharing-bioimaging-tech-is-crucial-to-global-health/?utm_source=SciDev.Net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=12456558_2021-06-15%20Daily%20Email%20Digest%20-%20Template&dm_i=1SCG,7EZJI,5R8D9U,U4EQN,1

Daily briefing: How to avoid arguments over authorship. Tips for defusing authorship disputes, a Y-chromosome database is challenged over ethics and how graphs revolutionized problem-solving. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01630-7

‘We need to talk’: ways to prevent collaborations breaking down. Scientists who plan to partner on a research project should identify pressure points and consider a team charter at the outset. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01573-z

Psychiatry Needs to Get Right with God. By not making more of an effort to incorporate spirituality in treatment, we are doing a disservice to patients. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/psychiatry-needs-to-get-right-with-god/

Reduced blood-stage malaria growth and immune correlates in humans following RH5 vaccination. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00116-1

Association of a Sweetened Beverage Tax With Purchases of Beverages and High-Sugar Foods at Independent Stores in Philadelphia. These findings suggest a city-level beverage excise tax was associated with persistent declines in purchases of sweetened drinks and calories from sugar in independent stores.https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780957

Adolescents’ Experiences, Emotions, and Coping Strategies Associated With Exposure to Media-Based Vicarious Racism. The findings suggest that activism may serve as a powerful coping mechanism, potentially reducing negative emotions for adolescents exposed to media-based vicarious racism; thus, activism may have implications for improving mental health outcomes and advancing societal changes.https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780958

Academic Medicine Faculty Perceptions of Work-Life Balance Before and Since the COVID-19 Pandemic. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780956

Trends and projections of caesarean section rates: global and regional estimates. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e005671

Child outcomes after induction of labour or expectant management in women with preterm prelabour rupture of membranes between 34 and 37 weeks of gestation: study protocol of the PPROMEXIL Follow-up trial. A long-term follow-up study of the randomised controlled trials PPROMEXIL and PPROMEXIL-2. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e046046

Using Kern’s Six-Step Approach to Integrate Health Systems Science Curricula into Medical Education. https://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/Abstract/9000/Using_Kern_s_Six_Step_Approach_to_Integrate_Health.96708.aspx?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=acadmedjournal&utm_content=bb2c13e7-0ea9-4d59-8121-9d536596c914

FROM 15 JUNE

Socially optimal pandemic drug dosing. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00251-5/fulltext

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Thursday, 17 June 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: JUNE 17, 2021, 02:38 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	61,457	[1977]	926	[30]	56,798	3,733	25,643	386	1,230,113

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 06-17-2021 04:22 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

61,457 Total confirmed cases

926 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 16 JUNE 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 17 June 2021

NEWS

J&J to send 2 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to S.Africa by end-June -President Ramaphosa. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/jj-send-2-million-covid-19-vaccine-doses-safrica-by-end-june-president-ramaphosa-2021-06-15/

Fighting COVID-19 surge, South Africa increases restrictions. https://apnews.com/article/africa-south-africa-business-coronavirus-pandemic-health-c8e60649da53ae90353f7b91d56f0354

South Africa returns to tighter COVID restrictions as cases surge. Nightly curfew extended, limit on gatherings and alcohol sales as COVID-related hospital admissions also increase. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/6/16/south-africa-increases-coronavirus-restrictions-as-cases-surge

How the COVID pandemic is changing global science collaborations. The pandemic and political tensions might slow the march towards more globalized science. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01570-2

Research collaborations bring big rewards: the world needs more. A special issue on COVID-era research collaboration highlights the benefits to science and society of working across borders, cultures and disciplines. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01581-z

COVAX Effort to Vaccinate the World Is Faltering. The international collaboration does not have enough COVID vaccine doses to meet its goals, so wealthy countries must step up to fill the gap. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/covax-effort-to-vaccinate-the-world-is-faltering/

Monoclonal antibodies cut risk of dying from COVID-19—but only in some patients. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/06/monoclonal-antibodies-cut-risk-dying-covid-19-only-some-patients

Reduced neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617 by vaccine and convalescent serum. https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(21)00755-8

Audio Interview: Covid-19 in Children. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2110211?query=featured_home

Tofacitinib in Patients Hospitalized with Covid-19 Pneumonia. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2101643?query=featured_home

Preliminary Findings of mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine Safety in Pregnant Persons. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2104983?query=featured_home

Neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 Variants B.1.429 and B.1.351. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2103740?query=featured_home

Spike D614G — A Candidate Vaccine Antigen Against Covid-19. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMcibr2106054?query=featured_home

Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Health Care Workers After a Single Dose of mRNA-1273 Vaccine, This study demonstrated an association between receipt of mRNA-1273 vaccine and a reduction in SARS-CoV-2 infection in HCWs beginning 8 days after dose 1. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2781173

RESOURCES

OTHER NEWS

Different evolutionary pathways of HIV-1 between fetus and mother perinatal transmission pairs indicate unique immune selection in fetuses. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00158-0

Crowdsourcing assessment of maternal blood multi-omics for predicting gestational age and preterm birth. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00166-X

Promoting Equity for Women in Medicine — Seizing a Disruptive Opportunity. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2104228?query=featured_home

Enhancing Aging and Ending Ageism. JAMA Network Open Call for Papers. Most older adults retain the ability to work well into their 80s.7,8 While some cognitive functions decline with age, some functions, such as complex decision-making (which requires expertise and experience), do not peak until age 70 years or older https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2781176

Integrated health service delivery during COVID-19: a scoping review of published evidence from low-income and lower-middle-income countries. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e005667

‘Overnight, things changed. Suddenly, we were in it’: a qualitative study exploring how surgical teams mitigated risks of COVID-19. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e046662

Global and regional overview of the inclusion of paediatric surgery in the national health plans of 124 countries: an ecological study. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e045981

Extent of awareness and attitudes on plagiarism among post-graduate resident doctors and junior medical faculty in India: a cross-sectional, multicentric study. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e046904

Lessons in humility. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00268-0/fulltext

Does medical male circumcision result in sexual risk compensation in Africa? https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00177-7/fulltext

Targeted investment needed to end rheumatic heart disease in Africa. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00215-1/fulltext#%20

Communicable and non-communicable diseases coexisting in South Africa. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00271-0/fulltext

The secondary distribution of HIV self-testing kits. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00257-6/fulltext

Impact of PCV13 vaccination in Blantyre, Malawi. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00258-8/fulltext

Safety and efficacy of rituximab in Malawi: a case for multicentre oncology clinical trials in Africa? https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00210-2/fulltext

The words we choose matter: recognising the importance of language in decolonising global health. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00197-2/fulltext

Global health in low-income and middle-income countries: a framework for action. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00143-1/fulltext

A call for reforms in global health publications. We envisage a utopian world in which journals from LMICs will dominate the field of global health publications and authors from LMICs will not be under-represented. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00145-5/fulltext#%20

Evidence-based medicine in low-income and middle-income countries. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00144-3/fulltext

Convergence of infectious and non-communicable disease epidemics in rural South Africa: a cross-sectional, population-based multimorbidity study. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00176-5/fulltext

Partner-delivered HIV self-test kits with and without financial incentives in antenatal care and index patients with HIV in Malawi: a three-arm, cluster-randomised controlled trial. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00175-3/fulltext

Resetting the agenda for antibiotic resistance through a health systems perspective. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00163-7/fulltext

FROM 16 JUNE

Identifying knowledge needed to improve surgical care in Southern Africa using a theory of change approach. Has UB authors. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e005629

Reduced blood-stage malaria growth and immune correlates in humans following RH5 vaccination. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00116-1

Academic Medicine Faculty Perceptions of Work-Life Balance Before and Since the COVID-19 Pandemic. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780956

Trends and projections of caesarean section rates: global and regional estimates. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e005671

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Friday, 18 June 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: JUNE 18, 2021, 02:06 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	63,247	[1,790]	940	[14]	58,541	3,766	26,386	386	1,244,999

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 06-18-2021 03:22 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

63,247 Total confirmed cases

940 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 17 JUNE 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 18 June 2021

NEWS

WHO official urges faster supply of Covid vaccines to Africa as cases surge. Several countries have run out as third wave sweeps continent, where fewer than one in 100 people have had jab. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/17/who-official-urges-faster-supply-of-covid-vaccines-to-africa-as-cases-surge

COVID-19 cases surge in Africa, less than 0.8% of people fully vaccinated, say officials. COVID-19 cases rose by over 20% week-on-week in nearly two dozen African countries and progress on vaccinating Africans is proceeding slowly, with just 0.79% of people on the continent fully vaccinated, senior health officials said on Thursday. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-africa/covid-19-cases-surge-in-africa-less-than-0-8-of-people-fully-vaccinated-say-officials-idUSKCN2DT1AL

Tanzania poised to join COVAX vaccine-sharing facility – WHO. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/tanzania-submit-request-join-covax-vaccine-sharing-facility-2021-06-17/

Daily briefing: Why humans are so thirsty. Why humans need to drink more water than most mammals, why dust clouds follow the Mars helicopter and disappointing news from trials of the CureVac COVID-19 vaccine. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01657-w

Daily briefing: COVID-19 treatment helps people without defenses. Monoclonal antibodies could be the first new treatment proven to benefit at least some people with severe COVID-19: those who did not produce natural antibodies to the disease. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01643-2

From $1-Million Lotteries to Free Beer: Do COVID Vaccination Incentives Work? Doling out cash rewards and lifting mask mandates could increase vaccine uptake, some research suggests. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/from-1-million-lotteries-to-free-beer-do-covid-vaccination-incentives-work/

‘It’s a tipping point’: Flood of COVID-19 vaccine donations buoys mood at WHO. The vast majority will move through the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) Facility, a nonprofit set up by WHO that Aylward is working with. COVAX has built a war chest of $9.6 billion solely for purchasing vaccine at discount prices for poor countries. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/06/it-s-tipping-point-flood-covid-19-vaccine-donations-buoys-mood-who

Sperm Parameters Before and After COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination. In this study of sperm parameters before and after 2 doses of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, there were no significant decreases in any sperm parameter among this small cohort of healthy men. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2781360

Secondary Use of COVID-19 Symptom Incidence Among Hospital Employees as an Example of Syndromic Surveillance of Hospital Admissions Within 7 Days. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2781180

Health and Economic Outcomes Associated With COVID-19 in Women at High Risk of HIV Infection in Rural Kenya. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2781179

Establishing and operating a ‘virtual ward’ system to provide care for patients with COVID-19 at home: experience from The Gambia. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e005883

Covid-19: Vaccination to become mandatory for care home staff and could extend to NHS. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1576

Covid-19: Regeneron’s antibody combination cuts deaths in seronegative patients, trial finds. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1570

Covid-19: Failures of leadership, national and global. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1540

Covid-19: Exponential growth in infections in England is driven by young people. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1568

Arabic COVID-19 Psychological Distress Scale: development and initial validation. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e046006

A beautiful idea: how COVAX has fallen short. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01367-2/fulltext

Boeing Study Casts Doubt on Air Purifiers Used in Schools. The company found the ionization technologies like those used in schools to be ineffective at killing germs on surfaces. https://undark.org/2021/06/15/boeing-air-purifier-study-khn/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1623866006

RESOURCES

RCSI will be hosting the Times Higher Education University Impact Forum, focused on improving health and transforming lives worldwide. Come join us! IMPROVING HEALTH OUTCOMES, TRANSFORMING LIVES

7–8 JULY 2021. University and corporate tickets both include access to all sessions, as well as post-event access to all on-demand session recordings. REGISTER for free https://www.timeshighered-events.com/impact-health-forum-2021/page/1685059/register

COVIDSurg’s next free data driven webinar is coming at the end of June! Join us on the Surgery2025 platform

24.06.21 1600 BST Sign up Webinar Registration – Zoom https://medtronic.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sJWm4iOrQDKhukcQErePDw to watch live @ 1400BST

Sign up to Surgery2025 to watch asynchronously! We present the world’s first look at the COVIDSurg-Cancer final locked dataset, examining how resilient elective cancer surgery was around the world during COVID-19 lockdowns. This powerful analysis will have major policy and practice implications during future waves, other system shocks and during the recovery period. We will discuss lessons for the future and pre-pandemic recovery with an international panel. The webinar will be presented live in partnership with Medtronic – sign up now! It will be then available to watch on demand via the Surgery2025 online CME platform – simply register for an account here and you will be all set to go! This content is accredited for 1 CPD point by RCSEng.

OTHER NEWS

Comparison of 24-Month Outcomes After Treatment for Distal Radius Fracture. The WRIST Randomized Clinical Trial. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2781183

Navigating paradox in self-care. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e005994

Barriers to cervical cancer prevention in rural Cameroon: a qualitative study on healthcare providers’ perspective. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e043637

A pragmatic health centre-based evaluation comparing the effectiveness of a PCV13 schedule change from 3+0 to 2+1 in a high pneumococcal carriage and disease burden setting in Malawi: a study protocol. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e050312

Concordance between fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c in the diagnosis of diabetes in black South African adults: a cross-sectional study. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e046060

Confronting whiteness and decolonising global health institutions. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01321-0/fulltext

A call to action on UHC commitments. To end this crisis and build a healthier future, the world should act urgently in three linked areas: equitable access to COVID-19 tools, preparedness for future emergencies, and universal health coverage (UHC). https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01014-X/fulltext

FROM 17 JUNE

Crowdsourcing assessment of maternal blood multi-omics for predicting gestational age and preterm birth. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00166-X

Promoting Equity for Women in Medicine — Seizing a Disruptive Opportunity. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2104228?query=featured_home

Integrated health service delivery during COVID-19: a scoping review of published evidence from low-income and lower-middle-income countries. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e005667

‘Overnight, things changed. Suddenly, we were in it’: a qualitative study exploring how surgical teams mitigated risks of COVID-19. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e046662

Global and regional overview of the inclusion of paediatric surgery in the national health plans of 124 countries: an ecological study. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e045981

Lessons in humility. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00268-0/fulltext

Does medical male circumcision result in sexual risk compensation in Africa? https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00177-7/fulltext

Targeted investment needed to end rheumatic heart disease in Africa. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00215-1/fulltext#%20

Communicable and non-communicable diseases coexisting in South Africa. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00271-0/fulltext

The secondary distribution of HIV self-testing kits. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00257-6/fulltext

Impact of PCV13 vaccination in Blantyre, Malawi. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00258-8/fulltext

Safety and efficacy of rituximab in Malawi: a case for multicentre oncology clinical trials in Africa? https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00210-2/fulltext

The words we choose matter: recognising the importance of language in decolonising global health. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00197-2/fulltext

Global health in low-income and middle-income countries: a framework for action. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00143-1/fulltext

Evidence-based medicine in low-income and middle-income countries. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00144-3/fulltext

Resetting the agenda for antibiotic resistance through a health systems perspective. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00163-7/fulltext

FROM 16 JUNE

Identifying knowledge needed to improve surgical care in Southern Africa using a theory of change approach. Has UB authors. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e005629

Reduced blood-stage malaria growth and immune correlates in humans following RH5 vaccination. https://www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(21)00116-1

Academic Medicine Faculty Perceptions of Work-Life Balance Before and Since the COVID-19 Pandemic. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780956

Trends and projections of caesarean section rates: global and regional estimates. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e005671

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Saturday, 19 June 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: JUNE 19, 2021, 02:39 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	63,247	[1,790]	940	[14]	58,541	3,766	26,386	386	1,244,999

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 06-19-2021 04:22 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

63,247 Total confirmed cases

940 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 18 JUNE 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 19 June 2021

NEWS

Previous Covid infection may not offer long-term protection, study finds. https://www.msn.com/en-xl/news/other/previous-covid-infection-may-not-offer-long-term-protection-study-finds/ar-AAL91dT?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531

Uganda imposes new anti-coronavirus measures to stem raging pandemic. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-uganda/uganda-imposes-new-anti-coronavirus-measures-to-stem-raging-pandemic-idUSKCN2DU27A

Africa COVID trajectory is ‘very concerning’, WHO official says. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/africa-covid-trajectory-is-very-concerning-who-official-says-2021-06-18/

COVID-19 cases surge in Africa, less than 0.8% of people fully vaccinated, say officials. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/covid-19-cases-surge-africa-less-than-08-fully-vaccinated-say-officials-2021-06-17/

CureVac COVID vaccine let-down spotlights mRNA design challenges. Scientists are searching for explanations to disappointing final-stage trial results. These insights could help guide the future development of mRNA vaccines. Two vaccines made using messenger RNA (mRNA) have proved spectacularly successful at warding off COVID-19, but a third mRNA-based candidate has flopped in a final-stage trial, according to an initial report released this week. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01661-0

What went wrong with CureVac’s highly anticipated new mRNA vaccine for COVID-19? https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/06/what-went-wrong-curevac-s-highly-anticipated-new-mrna-vaccine-covid-19

In vitro and in vivo functions of SARS-CoV-2 infection-enhancing and neutralizing antibodies. https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(21)00756-X

Immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 messenger RNA Vaccines in Patients with Cancer. https://www.cell.com/cancer-cell/fulltext/S1535-6108(21)00330-5

Salivary SARS-CoV-2 load reduction with mouthwash use: a randomized pilot clinical trial. In conclusion, mouthwash with CPC+Zinc and CHX resulted in significant reductions of the SARS-CoV-2 viral load in saliva up to 60 mins after rinsing, while HP mouthwash resulted in a significant reduction up to 30 mins after rinsing. Despite this transitory effect, these results encourage further studies and suggest that these products could be considered as risk-mitigation strategies for patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. https://www.cell.com/heliyon/fulltext/S2405-8440(21)01449-3

Coronavirus News Roundup, June 5 to June 18. Pandemic highlights for the past two weeks. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/coronavirus-news-roundup-june-5-to-june-18/

COVID, Quickly, Episode 9: Delta Variant, Global Vaccine Shortfalls, Beers for Shots. https://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/covid-quickly-episode-9-delta-variant-global-vaccine-shortfalls-beers-for-shots/

‘I’m still feeling that we’re failing’: Exasperated WHO leader speaks out about vaccine inequity, https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/06/i-m-still-feeling-we-re-failing-exasperated-who-leader-speaks-out-about-vaccine

Global covid-19 vaccine rollout and safety surveillance—how to keep pace. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1416

Patient experiences and perceptions of chronic disease care during the COVID-19 pandemic in India: a qualitative study. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e048926

Development and validation of the OUTCoV score to predict the risk of hospitalisation among patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection in ambulatory settings: a prospective cohort study. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e044242

RESOURCES

7–8 JULY 2021. University and corporate tickets both include access to all sessions, as well as post-event access to all on-demand session recordings. REGISTER for free https://www.timeshighered-events.com/impact-health-forum-2021/page/1685059/register

COVIDSurg’s next free data driven webinar is coming at the end of June! Join us on the Surgery2025 platform

24.06.21 1600 BST Sign up Webinar Registration – Zoom https://medtronic.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sJWm4iOrQDKhukcQErePDw to watch live @ 1400BST. Sign up to Surgery2025 to watch asynchronously! We present the world’s first look at the COVIDSurg-Cancer final locked dataset, examining how resilient elective cancer surgery was around the world during COVID-19 lockdowns. This powerful analysis will have major policy and practice implications during future waves, other system shocks and during the recovery period. We will discuss lessons for the future and pre-pandemic recovery with an international panel. The webinar will be presented live in partnership with Medtronic – sign up now! It will be then available to watch on demand via the Surgery2025 online CME platform – simply register for an account here and you will be all set to go! This content is accredited for 1 CPD point by RCSEng.

OTHER NEWS

Humanising medical care after the pandemic. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1428

Prevalence and fluid management of dehydration in children without diarrhoea admitted to Kenyan hospitals: a multisite observational study. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e042079

Women’s empowerment and fertility decision-making in 53 low and middle resource countries: a pooled analysis of demographic and health surveys. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e045952

FROM 18 JUNE

Comparison of 24-Month Outcomes After Treatment for Distal Radius Fracture. The WRIST Randomized Clinical Trial. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2781183

Navigating paradox in self-care. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e005994

Barriers to cervical cancer prevention in rural Cameroon: a qualitative study on healthcare providers’ perspective. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e043637

Concordance between fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c in the diagnosis of diabetes in black South African adults: a cross-sectional study. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e046060

Confronting whiteness and decolonising global health institutions. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01321-0/fulltext

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Monday, 21 June 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: JUNE 21, 2021, 03:16 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	63,247	[1,790]	940	[14]	58,541	3,766	26,386	386	1,244,999

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 06-21-2021 04:22 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

63,247 Total confirmed cases

940 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 20 JUNE 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 21 June 2021

NEWS

Brain imaging before and after COVID-19 in UK Biobank. medRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.06.11.21258690; this version posted June 15, 2021. https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.06.11.21258690v1.full.pdf

‘Mistakes need to be dealt with’: anger in South Africa as third wave hits. Cyril Ramaphosa’s government has been criticised for its slow reaction and faltering vaccination programme. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/21/mistakes-need-to-be-dealt-with-anger-in-south-africa-as-third-wave-hits

Coronavirus News Roundup, June 5 to June 18. Pandemic highlights for the past two weeks. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/coronavirus-news-roundup-june-5-to-june-18/

Seven days in medicine: 9-15 June 2021. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1519

Protecting refugees during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01366-0/fulltext

RESOURCES

7–8 JULY 2021. University and corporate tickets both include access to all sessions, as well as post-event access to all on-demand session recordings. REGISTER for free https://www.timeshighered-events.com/impact-health-forum-2021/page/1685059/register

COVIDSurg’s next free data driven webinar is coming at the end of June! Join us on the Surgery2025 platform

OTHER NEWS

Science Has a Racism Problem. https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(20)30740-6

Confronting whiteness and decolonising global health institutions. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01321-0/fulltext

A call for reforms in global health publications. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00145-5/fulltext

Single motherhood, social independence and non-communicable disease (NCD) outcomes among young females (15-24 years old) in South Africa [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]. https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/4-31/v1?utm_medium=email&utm_source=etoc_alert_WEEKLY

Research priorities in maternal and neonatal health in Africa: results using the Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative method involving over 900 experts across the continent [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 approved with reservations]. Results: The top research priorities generally fell into (i) improving identification of high-risk mothers and newborns, or diagnosis of high-risk conditions in mothers and newborns to improve health outcomes; (ii) improving access to treatment through improving incentives to attract and retain skilled health workers in remote, rural areas, improving emergency transport, and assessing health systems’ readiness; and (iii) improving uptake of proven existing interventions such as Kangaroo Mother Care. https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/4-8/v1?utm_medium=email&utm_source=etoc_alert_WEEKLY

Improving the Evaluation of Faculty Development Programs. https://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/Citation/9000/Improving_the_Evaluation_of_Faculty_Development.96707.aspx?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=acadmedjournal&utm_content=aad40811-68cd-4445-9aab-3dc1fda27280

FROM 19 JUNE

Humanising medical care after the pandemic. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1428

Prevalence and fluid management of dehydration in children without diarrhoea admitted to Kenyan hospitals: a multisite observational study. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e042079

Women’s empowerment and fertility decision-making in 53 low and middle resource countries: a pooled analysis of demographic and health surveys. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e045952

FROM 18 JUNE

Comparison of 24-Month Outcomes After Treatment for Distal Radius Fracture. The WRIST Randomized Clinical Trial. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2781183

Navigating paradox in self-care. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e005994

Barriers to cervical cancer prevention in rural Cameroon: a qualitative study on healthcare providers’ perspective. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e043637

Concordance between fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c in the diagnosis of diabetes in black South African adults: a cross-sectional study. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e046060

Confronting whiteness and decolonising global health institutions. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01321-0/fulltext

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Tuesday, 22 June 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: JUNE 22, 2021, 09:07 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	65,808	[2561]	1,069	[129]	59,616	5,123	26,27,448	446	1,269,428

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 06-22-2021 04:22 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

63,247 Total confirmed cases

940 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 21 JUNE 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 22 June 2021

NEWS

Global vaccine equity demands reparative justice — not charity. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e006504

Addendum: competing interests and the origins of SARS-CoV-2. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01377-5/fulltext?utm_campaign=lancetcovid21&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social

Covid-19 Vaccine — Frequently Asked Questions. https://www.nejm.org/covid-vaccine/faq

What you need to know about the coronavirus right now. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-snapshot/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-coronavirus-right-now-idUSKCN2DY0DM

World Bank, African Union join forces to expand access to COVID-19 vaccines. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/world-bank-african-union-join-forces-expand-access-covid-19-vaccines-2021-06-22/

U.S. directs millions of COVID-19 shots to Latin America, Africa, Asia. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/white-house-lays-out-plan-share-remaining-55-mln-us-covid-19-shots-globally-2021-06-21/

WHO setting up hub to make COVID-19 vaccines in South Africa. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/who-setting-up-hub-make-covid-19-vaccines-safrica-tedros-2021-06-21/

Most poorer countries do not have enough COVAX shots to continue vaccinations: WHO. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who-covax/most-poorer-countries-do-not-have-enough-covax-shots-to-continue-vaccinations-who-idUSKCN2DX1YQ

Talks underway with investors to make COVID vaccines in Africa – Kagame. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-africa/talks-underway-with-investors-to-make-covid-vaccines-in-africa-kagame-idUSKCN2DX1XS

South Africa’s Ramaphosa accuses Big Pharma of ‘selfish, unjust’ vaccine policy. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica-vaccines/south-africas-ramaphosa-accuses-big-pharma-of-selfish-unjust-vaccine-policy-idUSKCN2DX1GH

WTO head says South Africa, Senegal, Rwanda and Nigeria considered as vaccine production hubs. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who-vaccine/wto-head-says-south-africa-senegal-rwanda-and-nigeria-considered-as-vaccine-production-hubs-idUSKCN2DX16R

Children’s Birthdays May Have Spread COVID Infections. The risk of infection increased by up to 30 percent or so among people with observances in the first 10 months of 2020. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/childrens-birthdays-may-have-spread-covid-infections/

Assessing the Association Between Social Gatherings and COVID-19 Risk Using Birthdays. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2781306

Association of Changes in Seasonal Respiratory Virus Activity and Ambulatory Antibiotic Prescriptions With the COVID-19 Pandemic. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2781312

New Coronavirus Variants Are Urgently Being Tracked around the World. Genomic sequencing efforts are limited in developing countries, but scientists are mobilizing to help. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/new-coronavirus-variants-are-urgently-being-tracked-around-the-world/

Isolation and Characterization of Cross-Neutralizing Coronavirus Antibodies from COVID-19+ Subjects. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(21)00729-4

Guidelines for Reporting Trial Protocols and Completed Trials Modified Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Other Extenuating Circumstances. The CONSERVE 2021 Statement. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/newonline

Covid-19: Cases of delta variant rise by 79%, but rate of growth slows. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1596

Persistent pulmonary disease after acute covid-19. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1565

Only seven African nations on track for COVID-19 vaccine. https://www.scidev.net/sub-saharan-africa/news/only-seven-african-nations-on-track-for-covid-19-vaccine/?utm_source=SciDev.Net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=12469405_2021-06-21%20Daily%20Email%20Digest%20-%20Template&dm_i=1SCG,7F9GD,5R8D9U,U5OJV,1

RESOURCES

7–8 JULY 2021. University and corporate tickets both include access to all sessions, as well as post-event access to all on-demand session recordings. REGISTER for free https://www.timeshighered-events.com/impact-health-forum-2021/page/1685059/register

COVIDSurg’s next free data driven webinar is coming at the end of June! Join us on the Surgery2025 platform

OTHER NEWS

Global burden of acute lower respiratory infection associated with human parainfluenza virus in children younger than 5 years for 2018: a systematic review and meta-analysis. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00218-7/fulltext

FROM 21 JUNE

Science Has a Racism Problem. https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(20)30740-6

Confronting whiteness and decolonising global health institutions. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01321-0/fulltext

A call for reforms in global health publications. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00145-5/fulltext

FROM 19 JUNE

Humanising medical care after the pandemic. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1428

Prevalence and fluid management of dehydration in children without diarrhoea admitted to Kenyan hospitals: a multisite observational study. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e042079

Women’s empowerment and fertility decision-making in 53 low and middle resource countries: a pooled analysis of demographic and health surveys. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e045952

FROM 18 JUNE

Comparison of 24-Month Outcomes After Treatment for Distal Radius Fracture. The WRIST Randomized Clinical Trial. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2781183

Navigating paradox in self-care. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e005994

Barriers to cervical cancer prevention in rural Cameroon: a qualitative study on healthcare providers’ perspective. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e043637

Concordance between fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c in the diagnosis of diabetes in black South African adults: a cross-sectional study. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e046060

Confronting whiteness and decolonising global health institutions. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01321-0/fulltext

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Wednesday, 23 June 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: JUNE 23, 2021, 02:46 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	65,808	[2561]	1,069	[129]	59,616	5,123	26,27,448	446	1,269,428

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 06-23-2021 04:21 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

65,808 Total confirmed cases

1,069 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 21 JUNE 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 23 June 2021

NEWS

Zimbabwe expects 2.5 million Chinese COVID-19 vaccines by month end. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/zimbabwe-expects-25-million-chinese-covid-19-vaccines-by-month-end-2021-06-22/

Delta coronavirus variant: scientists brace for impact. The rapid rise of the highly transmissible strain in the United Kingdom has put countries in Europe, North America and Africa on watch. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01696-3

World Bank grants for global vaccination — why so slow? International financial institutions say that vaccines are the highest-return investment on Earth — it is past time for them to pay up. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01678-5

Artificial Proteins Never Seen in the Natural World Are Becoming New COVID Vaccines and Medicines. Researchers have begun to crack the code of protein structure, allowing them to remake, well, everything. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/artificial-proteins-never-seen-in-the-natural-world-are-becoming-new-covid-vaccines-and-medicines/

CureVac COVID Vaccine Let-down Spotlights mRNA Design Challenges. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/curevac-covid-vaccine-let-down-spotlights-mrna-design-challenges/

Drug-induced phospholipidosis confounds drug repurposing for SARS-CoV-2. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2021/06/22/science.abi4708?rss=1

Structure-guided design of a perampanel-derived pharmacophore targeting the SARS-CoV-2 main protease. https://www.cell.com/structure/fulltext/S0969-2126(21)00206-9

SARS-CoV-2 Positivity and Mask Utilization Among Health Care Workers. Our study found no association in positivity rates among HCW wearing Respirator Masks vs Medical Masks when performing nonaerosolizing, routine patient care, supporting findings from a recent case-control study5 and an earlier case report6 suggesting that MM protected HCWs from acquiring COVID-19. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2781219

Interpreting a lateral flow SARS-CoV-2 antigen test. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1411

Future of covid-19 vaccine pricing: lessons from influenza. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1467

Use of connected digital products in clinical research following the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive analysis of clinical trials. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e047341

Vaccine response following anti-CD20 therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 905 patients. https://ashpublications.org/bloodadvances/article/5/12/2624/476201/Vaccine-response-following-anti-CD20-therapy-a

RESOURCES

The Portable Surgical Simulator. Build or buy. The GlobalSurgBox is a portable, adaptable, and affordable surgical trainer that can be used by trainees of all levels. https://globalsurgbox.com/ What’s Inside the GlobalSurgBox… https://globalsurgbox.com/the-global-surgbox/

7–8 JULY 2021. University and corporate tickets both include access to all sessions, as well as post-event access to all on-demand session recordings. REGISTER for free https://www.timeshighered-events.com/impact-health-forum-2021/page/1685059/register

COVIDSurg’s next free data driven webinar is coming at the end of June! Join us on the Surgery2025 platform

OTHER NEWS

Estimations of overdiagnosis in breast cancer screening vary between 0% and over 50%: why? https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e046353

Caregivers’ estimate of early childhood developmental status in rural Uganda: a cross-sectional study. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e044708

Appendicitis: Take it or leave it? Comment on: Randomized trial comparing antibiotics with appendectomy for appendicitis. https://www.surgjournal.com/article/S0039-6060(21)00501-8/fulltext#.YNKC2LgZGwU.twitter

FROM 22 JUNE

FROM 21 JUNE

Science Has a Racism Problem. https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(20)30740-6

Confronting whiteness and decolonising global health institutions. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01321-0/fulltext

A call for reforms in global health publications. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00145-5/fulltext

FROM 19 JUNE

Humanising medical care after the pandemic. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1428

Prevalence and fluid management of dehydration in children without diarrhoea admitted to Kenyan hospitals: a multisite observational study. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e042079

Women’s empowerment and fertility decision-making in 53 low and middle resource countries: a pooled analysis of demographic and health surveys. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e045952

FROM 18 JUNE

Comparison of 24-Month Outcomes After Treatment for Distal Radius Fracture. The WRIST Randomized Clinical Trial. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2781183

Navigating paradox in self-care. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e005994

Barriers to cervical cancer prevention in rural Cameroon: a qualitative study on healthcare providers’ perspective. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e043637

Concordance between fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c in the diagnosis of diabetes in black South African adults: a cross-sectional study. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e046060

Confronting whiteness and decolonising global health institutions. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01321-0/fulltext

UB COVID-19 Information Digest Thursday, 24 June 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: JUNE 24, 2021, 02:52 GMT

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	65,808	[2561]	1,069	[129]	59,616	5,123	26,27,448	446	1,269,428

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 06-24-2021 04:22 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

65,808 Total confirmed cases

1,069 Deaths

Africa CDC Dashboard 21 JUNE 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 24 June 2021

NEWS

Ivermectin for Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19 Infection. A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis, and Trial Sequential Analysis to Inform Clinical Guidelines. Moderate-certainty evidence finds that large reductions in COVID-19 deaths are possible using ivermectin. Using ivermectin early in the clinical course may reduce numbers progressing to severe disease. The apparent safety and low cost suggest that ivermectin is likely to have a significant impact on the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic globally. https://journals.lww.com/americantherapeutics/Abstract/9000/Ivermectin_for_Prevention_and_Treatment_of.98040.aspx

SARS-CoV-2 Variants and Vaccines. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMsr2105280?query=featured_home

Tunisia detects six cases of Delta COVID-19 variant. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/tunisia-detects-six-cases-delta-covid-19-variant-2021-06-23/

S.Africa’s health regulator to assess efficacy of Sinopharm vaccine. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/safricas-health-regulator-assess-efficacy-sinopharm-vaccine-2021-06-23/

Exclusive: Let down by rich and failing the poor, global vaccine scheme to be shaken up. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-covax-exclusive/exclusive-let-down-by-rich-and-failing-the-poor-global-vaccine-scheme-to-be-shaken-up-idUSKCN2DZ1NO

Tokyo 2020 bans booze to curb COVID, second Ugandan tests positive. https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/olympics-tokyo-2020-president-defends-decision-allow-spectators-amid-public-2021-06-22/

COVID vaccines and breastfeeding: what the data say. The vaccines do not pass through breastmilk, but antibodies do — providing hope that breastfed babies might have some level of protection. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01680-x

Protective efficacy of Ad26.COV2.S against SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351 in macaques. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03732-8

How to Prevent the Next Pandemic. We need to make the development and distribution of vaccines a truly global endeavor. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-to-prevent-the-next-pandemic/

Facing Cancer During COVID? Here’s What You Need to Know. The pandemic made care much more complicated for those living with cancer. A leading oncologist explains how to keep treatments on track. https://www.scientificamerican.com/custom-media/facing-cancer-during-covid-heres-what-you-need-to-know/?mvt=i&mvn=c8b55f3725af49b6ba3fbd814b45bb43&mvp=NA-SCIEAMERLIVE-11237933&mvl=ArticleLatest

Drug-induced phospholipidosis confounds drug repurposing for SARS-CoV-2. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2021/06/22/science.abi4708

Chimeric spike mRNA vaccines protect against Sarbecovirus challenge in mice. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2021/06/22/science.abi4506

Systematic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 infection of an ACE2-negative human airway cell. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(21)00762-2

Audio Interview: A New mRNA Vaccine. In this audio interview conducted on June 22, 2021, the editors discuss preliminary results from a study of CVnCoV, a new mRNA vaccine, as well as new data on Covid-19 transmission and the effectiveness of vaccination in immunosuppressed patients. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2110531?query=featured_home

Effect of Vaccination on Household Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in England. Most of the vaccinated index patients in our data set (93%) had received only the first dose of vaccine. Assessment of infection risks among household contacts according to the timing of vaccination of the index patient showed protective effects when the vaccine had been administered at least 14 days before the positive test https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2107717?query=featured_home

Three Doses of an mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine in Solid-Organ Transplant Recipients. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2108861?query=featured_home

COVID-19 in 2021:Lessons Learned and Remaining Challenges. 131st ANNUAL SHATTUCK LECTURE. https://interactives.nejm.org/iv/vrt/index.html?media_id=VFaqOp0p

The Search for a Single Vaccine Against Coronaviruses Yet to Come. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2781521

Association of Mask Mandates and COVID-19 Case Rates, Hospitalizations, and Deaths in Kansas. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2781283

Changes in Physician Work Hours and Patterns During the COVID-19 Pandemic. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2781284

Incidence of Cutaneous Reactions After Messenger RNA COVID-19 Vaccines. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/fullarticle/2781364

Interpreting a lateral flow SARS-CoV-2 antigen test. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1411

Chronic fatigue syndrome and long covid: moving beyond the controversy. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1559

Knowledge, attitudes, practices, and the effects of COVID-19 among the youth in Kenya. https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-021-11067-2

COVID-19 Science Update released: June 18, 2021 Edition 94. https://www.cdc.gov/library/covid19/06182021_covidupdate.html#anchor_NaturalHistory

Caring in wards without water. As covid-19 continues to hit Malawi, more than half its health facilities lack handwashing facilities, almost two thirds have no decent toilets, and almost a fifth do not have clean water on site. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1602?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_term=hootsuite&utm_content=sme&utm_campaign=usage

RESOURCES

The Portable Surgical Simulator. Build or buy. The GlobalSurgBox is a portable, adaptable, and affordable surgical trainer that can be used by trainees of all levels. https://globalsurgbox.com/ What’s Inside the GlobalSurgBox… https://globalsurgbox.com/the-global-surgbox/

7–8 JULY 2021. University and corporate tickets both include access to all sessions, as well as post-event access to all on-demand session recordings. REGISTER for free https://www.timeshighered-events.com/impact-health-forum-2021/page/1685059/register

COVIDSurg’s next free data driven webinar is coming at the end of June! Join us on the Surgery2025 platform

OTHER NEWS

Antibodies from malaria-exposed Malians generally interact additively or synergistically with human vaccine-induced RH5 antibodies. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00169-5

Association of Clinical Complications of Chemotherapy and Patient-Reported Outcomes After Immediate Breast Reconstruction. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2781225

Predicting Mortality Rates After Esophagectomy for Cancer. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2781229

‘I haven’t heard much about other methods’: quality of care and person-centredness in a programme to promote the postpartum intrauterine device in Tanzania. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e005775

Parents, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders’ experiences of caring for babies born too soon in a low-resource setting: a qualitative study of essential newborn care for preterm infants in Kenya. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e043802

Adapting to, integrating and self-managing HIV as a chronic illness: a scoping review protocol. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e047870

Decolonising violence against women research: a study design for co-developing violence prevention interventions with communities in low and middle income countries (LMICs). https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-021-11172-2

Integrity, use and care of long-lasting insecticidal nets in Kirinyaga County, Kenya. https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-021-10882-x

FROM 23 JUNE

Estimations of overdiagnosis in breast cancer screening vary between 0% and over 50%: why? https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e046353

Caregivers’ estimate of early childhood developmental status in rural Uganda: a cross-sectional study. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e044708

UB COVID-19 Information Digest — Tuesday, 7 September 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: SEPT 7, 2021

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	162,186	[2,869]	2309	[33]	155,403	4,474	67,366	959	1,666,403

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 09-07-2021 https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

Cases in 28 days: 31,415 Deaths in 28 days: 477 Total cases: 162,186 Total deaths: 2,309

Africa CDC Dashboard 6 SEPT 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 7 SEPT 2021

NEWS

‘No one may be compelled’: Zimbabwe unions go to court over Covid jabs. Firms accused of ‘rounding up workers like animals’ for compulsory vaccination as country acts to stop spread of virus. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/sep/07/no-one-may-be-compelled-zimbabwe-unions-go-to-court-over-covid-jabs

Nigeria’s Delta region oil hub may need new COVID lockdown, governor says. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-nigeria/nigerias-delta-region-oil-hub-may-need-new-covid-lockdown-governor-says-idUSKBN2G30NZ

G20 urges COVID help for poor states, but short on new commitments. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-g20-health/g20-urges-covid-help-for-poor-states-but-short-on-new-commitments-idUSKBN2G217W

Kids and COVID: why young immune systems are still on top. Innate immunity might be the key to why children have fared better with the virus. But the Delta variant poses fresh unknowns. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02423-8

The emergence and ongoing convergent evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 N501Y lineages. https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(21)01050-3

How are mathematical models and results from mathematical models of vaccine-preventable diseases used, or not, by global health organisations? https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/9/e006827

In suspected COVID-19, RT-PCR with nasal plus throat swabs has 97% sensitivity vs. nasopharyngeal swabs. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/full/10.7326/ACPJ202109210-107

Covid-19: “Most complex patient in the world” should have ventilation withdrawn. https://www.bmj.com/content/374/bmj.n2193

Covid-19: Infection increases the risk of kidney disease even in mild cases, finds study. https://www.bmj.com/content/374/bmj.n2189

Which strategy for using medical and community masks? A prospective analysis of their environmental impact. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/9/e049690

RESOURCES

Scientists for Open Science 2021. 13th – 17th September. Scientists for Open Science, a week-long virtual program bringing together researchers and stakeholders from around the globe to share perspectives on Open Science. We’ll explore the drivers behind Open Science, emerging trends, obstacles and experiences—all with the aim of increasing awareness and support, and developing better solutions. Register https://plos.org/register-for-open/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=internal&utm_campaign=scientistsforopenscience&utm_content=scientistsforopenscience

Announcing the inaugural Global Surgery Research Seminar, hosted by @HarvardPGSSC, SEPTEMBER 9th, 2021, 9am EST. 3 PM CAT– All are welcome!

Ulrick Sidney Kanmounye and Betty Yibrehu will discuss their work to understand perceptions of the GS field. The first session on September 9th will focus on “Perception of Global Surgery “.

Register here: https://harvard.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwrf-mgrjovE9BEoUZfDxRT1nTSN50DwMLC

Topic

PGSSC Research Seminar

Time

Sep 9, 2021 09:00 AM –US East Coast
Oct 14, 2021 09:00 AM
Nov 11, 2021 09:00 AM
Dec 9, 2021 09:00 AM
Jan 13, 2022 09:00 AM
Feb 10, 2022 09:00 AM
Mar 10, 2022 09:00 AM
Apr 14, 2022 09:00 AM
May 12, 2022 09:00 AM
Jun 9, 2022 09:00 AM
Jul 14, 2022 09:00 AM
Aug 11, 2022 09:00 AM

COSECSA – OPERATION SMILE SCHOLARSHIP

Operation Smile and the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA) are collaborating to provide a 5-year scholarship programme to 15 trainees wishing to study Plastic Surgery within the COSECSA training programme.

Objectives:

➢ To increase Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Density in Sub-Saharan Africa by:

o Supporting Plastic Surgery Training

o Providing Cleft Surgery training and education to improve access to cleft care

Application Deadline: 31st October 2021

About This Scholarship

➢ Programme starts January 2022.

➢ The five-year training covers two years of COSECSA MCS programme and three years of

COSECSA FCS Plastic Surgery programme.

➢ Applicants will also have unique opportunities to engage with Operation Smile.

➢ The applicants must pursue COSECSA FCS plastic surgery programme once they complete the MCS programme

➢ The applicant must have applied for the COSECSA MCS programme and has been accepted in a COSECSA Accredited training facility. It is the responsibility of the applicant to secure a training

post, and if required a work permit if training away from their home country.

➢ The scholarship covers all COSECSA fees including Programme Entry, Examination, Graduation fees and 4 years annual subscription fee upon completing the FCS programme. In addition, the trainee will be facilitated to attend both MCS and FCS examinations and will be provided with a monthly stipend.

➢ Application Process

➢ Applicants should include a personal statement indicating future goals, a current curriculum vitae, and a letter of support from their surgical training Program Director.

➢ Completed applications should be sent to the COSECSA Scholarship Committee at scholarships@cosecsa.org NB: The subject of the email should read “Operation Smile Scholarship 2022”

➢ The scholarship will be administered by the COSECSA Secretariat

E-mail your application to scholarships@cosecsa.org by October 31, 2021

To learn more about Operation Smile visit: www.operationsmile.org

Scholarship Reference Number: COSECSA/AO ALLIANCE/2021/1. Advancing Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery Capacity in sub-Saharan Africa. The program is open to final-year COSECSA FCS orthopaedic trainees; Non-COSECSA Orthopaedic surgeons working in a COSECSA accredited hospital who wish to advance their knowledge and Final year (Fifth year) MMed trainees intending to take the Fellowship (FCS Ortho) examination in 2022. Applicants should include a personal statement indicating expected results or outcomes, a current CV, and a letter of support from the surgical training Programme Director of the COSECSA accredited hospital in which the trainee is training. Please use COSECSA/AO ALLIANCE/2021/1 as the Scholarship Reference Number. All applications must be submitted online through the scholarship application form addressed to the COSECSA Registrar using the following Link: Scholarship Application Form https://www.cosecsa.org/scholarship-application-form/

OTHER NEWS

Patterns of sexual violence against adults and children during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya: a prospective cross-sectional study. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/9/e048636

Adolescents and age of consent to HIV testing: an updated review of national policies in sub-Saharan Africa. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/9/e049673

FROM 6 SEPTEMBER

Seasonality of adverse birth outcomes in women with and without HIV in a representative birth outcomes surveillance study in Botswana. We identified a modest association between seasonality and adverse birth outcomes in Botswana, which was greatest among women with HIV. Understanding seasonal patterns of adverse birth outcomes and the role of HIV status may allow for mitigation of their impact in the face of seasonal extremes related to climate change. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/9/e045882

Economic impact of tuberculosis mortality in 120 countries and the cost of not achieving the Sustainable Development Goals tuberculosis targets: a full-income analysis. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00299-0/fulltext

PD-1 blockade and vaccination provide therapeutic benefit against SIV by inducing broad and functional CD8+ T cells in lymphoid tissue. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciimmunol.abh3034

Association of Sleep Duration With All- and Major-Cause Mortality Among Adults in Japan, China, Singapore, and Korea. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2783717

Who dies where? Estimating the percentage of deaths that occur at home. The study demonstrates substantial diversity in the location of deaths in LMICs and fills a significant gap in knowledge about where people die, given its importance for health systems and policies. The high proportion of deaths in LMICs that occur at home reinforces the need for routine verbal autopsy to determine the causes of death. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/9/e006766

Paediatric surgical outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/9/e004406

Barriers and facilitators to health insurance enrolment among people working in the informal sector in Morogoro, Tanzania [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]. https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/4-45

Call For Emergency Action to Limit Global Temperature Increases, Restore Biodiversity, and Protect Health: Wealthy nations must do much more, much faster. https://www.annalsofafricansurgery.com/climate-change-action

Call for emergency action to limit global temperature increases, restore biodiversity, and protect health. https://www.bmj.com/content/374/bmj.n1734?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=prospecting&utm_term=climate

Global surgery, obstetric, and anaesthesia indicator definitions and reporting: An Utstein consensus report. https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1003749

Ten simple rules for Global North researchers to stop perpetuating helicopter research in the Global South. https://journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol/article?id=10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009277

How to Increase Organization and Enhance Productivity as an Academic Surgeon. https://www.aasurg.org/blog/how-to-increase-organization-and-enhance-productivity-as-an-academic-surgeon/

Priorities in haematological care in sub-Saharan Africa. Series from the Lancet journals https://www.thelancet.com/series/haematology-africa

Prelacteal feeding practice and its determinant factors among mothers having children less than 6 months of age in Bure district, Northwest Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/9/e046919

Unintended pregnancy, induced abortion and abortion care-seeking experiences among adolescents in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo: a cross-sectional study. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/9/e044682

Estimate of global human papillomavirus vaccination coverage: analysis of country-level indicators. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/9/e052016

Investigating the effect of relationship satisfaction on postpartum women’s health-related quality of life in Burkina Faso: a cross-sectional analysis. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/9/e048230

In-country data will illuminate under-5 mortality disparities. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01110-7/fulltext

UB COVID-19 Information Digest — Wednesday, 8 September 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: SEPT 8, 2021

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	162,186	[2,869]	2309	[33]	155,403	4,474	67,366	959	1,666,403

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 09-08-2021 https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

Cases in 28 days: 31,415 Deaths in 28 days: 477 Total cases: 162,186 Total deaths: 2,309

Africa CDC Dashboard 7 SEPT 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 8 SEPT 2021

𝐆𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐆𝐀𝐙𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄 𝐄𝐗𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐑𝐘

𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏

Easing of Restrictions on Movement – G.N. No. 485 of 2021. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zO7Jev73-a070Zj9Dm7Qw85YBLh2enlH/view?fbclid=IwAR1Rtc3Wf8_DGpngwlFfGlq4Ns9taNh-GB2TisbZYzjdjfb5iHI92HjeLNo

NEWS

COVID-19 disruption causing many deaths from TB, AIDS in poorest countries, fund says. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-tuberculosis/covid-19-disruption-causing-many-deaths-from-tb-aids-in-poorest-countries-fund-says-idUSKBN2G31XD

Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 Infections in Israeli Children During the Circulation of Different SARS-CoV-2 Variants. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2783851

RESOURCES

Announcing the inaugural Global Surgery Research Seminar, hosted by @HarvardPGSSC, SEPTEMBER 9th, 2021, 9am EST. 3 PM CAT– All are welcome!

Ulrick Sidney Kanmounye and Betty Yibrehu will discuss their work to understand perceptions of the GS field. The first session on September 9th will focus on “Perception of Global Surgery “.

Register here: https://harvard.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwrf-mgrjovE9BEoUZfDxRT1nTSN50DwMLC

Topic

PGSSC Research Seminar

Time

COSECSA – OPERATION SMILE SCHOLARSHIP

Objectives:

➢ To increase Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Density in Sub-Saharan Africa by:

o Supporting Plastic Surgery Training

o Providing Cleft Surgery training and education to improve access to cleft care

Application Deadline: 31st October 2021

About This Scholarship

➢ Programme starts January 2022.

➢ The five-year training covers two years of COSECSA MCS programme and three years of

COSECSA FCS Plastic Surgery programme.

➢ Applicants will also have unique opportunities to engage with Operation Smile.

➢ The applicants must pursue COSECSA FCS plastic surgery programme once they complete the MCS programme

➢ The applicant must have applied for the COSECSA MCS programme and has been accepted in a COSECSA Accredited training facility. It is the responsibility of the applicant to secure a training

post, and if required a work permit if training away from their home country.

➢ Application Process

➢ Applicants should include a personal statement indicating future goals, a current curriculum vitae, and a letter of support from their surgical training Program Director.

➢ Completed applications should be sent to the COSECSA Scholarship Committee at scholarships@cosecsa.org NB: The subject of the email should read “Operation Smile Scholarship 2022”

➢ The scholarship will be administered by the COSECSA Secretariat

E-mail your application to scholarships@cosecsa.org by October 31, 2021

To learn more about Operation Smile visit: www.operationsmile.org

OTHER NEWS

How misconduct helped psychological science to thrive. Grass-roots action against bad behaviour has spurred reform — and should keep going. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02421-w

License CRISPR patents for free to share gene editing globally. Universities hold the majority of CRISPR patents. They are in a strong position to ensure that the technology is widely shared for education and research. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02420-x

Association of Thyroid Dysfunction With Cognitive Function. An Individual Participant Data Analysis. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2783799

Pulse oximetry adoption and oxygen orders at paediatric admission over 7 years in Kenya: a multihospital retrospective cohort study. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/9/e050995

Maternal experience of intermittent kangaroo mother care for late preterm infants: a mixed-methods study in four postnatal wards in China. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/9/e050221

R.E.S.P.e.c.T and intimate partner violence: a cross-sectional study using DHS data in Kenya. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/9/e046069

Seizing the moment to rethink health systems. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00356-9/fulltext#%20

FROM 7 SEPT

Patterns of sexual violence against adults and children during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya: a prospective cross-sectional study. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/9/e048636

Adolescents and age of consent to HIV testing: an updated review of national policies in sub-Saharan Africa. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/9/e049673

FROM 6 SEPTEMBER

PD-1 blockade and vaccination provide therapeutic benefit against SIV by inducing broad and functional CD8+ T cells in lymphoid tissue. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciimmunol.abh3034

Association of Sleep Duration With All- and Major-Cause Mortality Among Adults in Japan, China, Singapore, and Korea. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2783717

Paediatric surgical outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/9/e004406

Barriers and facilitators to health insurance enrolment among people working in the informal sector in Morogoro, Tanzania [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]. https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/4-45

Global surgery, obstetric, and anaesthesia indicator definitions and reporting: An Utstein consensus report. https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1003749

Ten simple rules for Global North researchers to stop perpetuating helicopter research in the Global South. https://journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol/article?id=10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009277

How to Increase Organization and Enhance Productivity as an Academic Surgeon. https://www.aasurg.org/blog/how-to-increase-organization-and-enhance-productivity-as-an-academic-surgeon/

Priorities in haematological care in sub-Saharan Africa. Series from the Lancet journals https://www.thelancet.com/series/haematology-africa

Estimate of global human papillomavirus vaccination coverage: analysis of country-level indicators. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/9/e052016

In-country data will illuminate under-5 mortality disparities. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01110-7/fulltext

UB COVID-19 Information Digest — Thursday, 9 September 2021 TRACKING

WORLDOMETER COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

Last updated: SEPT 9, 2021

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2OhpWiFATgR5aenmpd2KHJ0EIi89WgIHqGEts5TuDlnTTGUU6Liq1kbp4#countries

Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths	Total Recovered	Active Cases	Tot Cases/ 1M pop	Deaths/ 1M pop	Total Tests
Botswana	162,186	[2,869]	2309	[33]	155,403	4,474	67,366	959	1,666,403

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 09-09-2021 https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Botswana

Cases in 28 days: 31,415 Deaths in 28 days: 477 Total cases: 162,186 Total deaths: 2,309

Africa CDC Dashboard 8 SEPT 2021 https://africacdc.org/covid-19/

Get the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from The Government of Botswana FACEBOOK & TWITTER PAGE https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/ 9 SEPT 2021

𝐆𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐆𝐀𝐙𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄 𝐄𝐗𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐑𝐘

𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏

NEWS

If you want to know about life in an unvaccinated country, look to Uganda. Africa is paying the price of western hoarding, and my country will endure Covid lockdowns until we get more doses. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/08/unvaccinated-country-uganda-africa-hoarding-covid-lockdown

South Africa puts off municipal election for 4 days after court bars long COVID delay. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-safrica-election/south-africa-puts-off-municipal-election-for-4-days-after-court-bars-long-covid-delay-idUSKBN2G5023

Face masks for COVID pass their largest test yet. A rigorous study finds that surgical masks are highly protective, but cloth masks fall short. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02457-y

Audio Interview: Protecting against Severe Disease and Transmission. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2114821?query=featured_home

Effectiveness of Covid-19 Vaccines in Ambulatory and Inpatient Care Settings. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2110362?query=featured_home

Receipt of mRNA Covid-19 Vaccines and Risk of Spontaneous Abortion. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2113891?query=featured_home

Spontaneous Abortion Following COVID-19 Vaccination During Pregnancy. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2784193

On Preliminary Findings of mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine Safety in Pregnant Persons. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2113516?query=featured_home

Effect of Vaccination on Transmission of SARS-CoV-2. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2106757?query=featured_home

Association of COVID-19 Lockdown With the Tumor Burden in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Metastatic Colorectal Cancer. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2784019

Covering Tracheostomies Reduces Viral Spread to Health Care Staff. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2783835

Most Fully Vaccinated Patients With Cancer Have SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2783834

External validation of the 4C Mortality Score for patients with COVID-19 and pre-existing cardiovascular diseases/risk factors. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/9/e052708

RESOURCES

Time

COSECSA – OPERATION SMILE SCHOLARSHIP

Objectives:

➢ To increase Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Density in Sub-Saharan Africa by:

o Supporting Plastic Surgery Training

o Providing Cleft Surgery training and education to improve access to cleft care

Application Deadline: 31st October 2021

About This Scholarship

➢ Programme starts January 2022.

➢ The five-year training covers two years of COSECSA MCS programme and three years of

COSECSA FCS Plastic Surgery programme.

➢ Applicants will also have unique opportunities to engage with Operation Smile.

➢ The applicants must pursue COSECSA FCS plastic surgery programme once they complete the MCS programme

➢ The applicant must have applied for the COSECSA MCS programme and has been accepted in a COSECSA Accredited training facility. It is the responsibility of the applicant to secure a training

post, and if required a work permit if training away from their home country.

➢ Application Process

➢ Applicants should include a personal statement indicating future goals, a current curriculum vitae, and a letter of support from their surgical training Program Director.

➢ Completed applications should be sent to the COSECSA Scholarship Committee at scholarships@cosecsa.org NB: The subject of the email should read “Operation Smile Scholarship 2022”

➢ The scholarship will be administered by the COSECSA Secretariat

E-mail your application to scholarships@cosecsa.org by October 31, 2021

To learn more about Operation Smile visit: www.operationsmile.org

OTHER NEWS

No revolution: COVID-19 boosted open access, but preprints are only a fraction of pandemic papers. Critics of scientific publishing had hoped for a bigger shake-up from the global crisis. https://www.science.org/content/article/no-revolution-covid-19-boosted-open-access-preprints-are-only-fraction-pandemic-papers

Seasonal Malaria Vaccination with or without Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2026330?query=featured_home

Heterologous ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and mRNA-1273 Vaccination. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2110716?query=featured_home

Decline in Pathogenic Antibodies over Time in VITT. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2112760?query=featured_home

Representation of Women Among Editors in Chief of Leading Medical Journals. This study found that women are underrepresented among editors in chief of leading medical journals. For the benefit of medical research, a joint effort from editorial boards, publishers, authors, and academic institutions is required to address this gender gap. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2784023

Increasing Representation of Women as Editors in Medical Journals. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2784026

Effect of High-Dose vs Standard-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation on Neurodevelopment of Healthy Term Infants. A Randomized Clinical Trial. These findings suggest that higher-than-standard doses of vitamin D are not required to optimize child neurodevelopment. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2784018

FROM 8 SEPT

Association of Thyroid Dysfunction With Cognitive Function. An Individual Participant Data Analysis. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2783799

Pulse oximetry adoption and oxygen orders at paediatric admission over 7 years in Kenya: a multihospital retrospective cohort study. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/9/e050995

Maternal experience of intermittent kangaroo mother care for late preterm infants: a mixed-methods study in four postnatal wards in China. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/9/e050221

R.E.S.P.e.c.T and intimate partner violence: a cross-sectional study using DHS data in Kenya. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/9/e046069

Seizing the moment to rethink health systems. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00356-9/fulltext#%20

Find recent back issues at https://maggiesmusings688820798.com/covid-info-digest/

And

https://maggiesmusings688820798.com/covid-info-digest-part-3/

And

https://maggiesmusings688820798.com/covid-info-digest-part-3/

And

https://maggiesmusings688820798.com/covid-info-digest-part-3/

[mt1]

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBCupdated: 27-01-2021 06:22 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

NEWS

Stop hoarding COVID-19 vaccines, South Africa’s Ramaphosa tells rich nations. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-davos-meeting-ramaphosa/stop-hoarding-covid-19-vaccines-south-africas-ramaphosa-tells-rich-nations-idUSKBN29V0TI

Gambia vows to name and shame latest COVID-19 quarantine cheats. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-gambia/gambia-vows-to-name-and-shame-latest-covid-19-quarantine-cheats-idUSKBN29V2EB

Moderna says it believes vaccine will work against new variants. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-moderna/moderna-says-it-believes-vaccine-will-work-against-new-variants-idUSKBN29U1HC

Global absence and targeting of protective immune states in severe COVID-19. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03234-7

COVID research updates: Moderna vaccine vanquishes viral variants. Nature wades through the literature on the new coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

Vaccine 2.0: Moderna and other companies plan tweaks that would protect against new coronavirus mutations. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/01/vaccine-20-moderna-and-other-companies-plan-tweaks-would-protect-against-new

Monoclonal antibodies protect against COVID-19 in a second study. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/01/monoclonal-antibodies-protect-against-covid-19-second-study

Prospective mapping of viral mutations that escape antibodies used to treat COVID-19. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2021/01/22/science.abf9302?rss=1

COVID Vaccine Rollout Pits Fairness against Speed. Emergency physician Leana Wen says we must balance prioritizing those who most “deserve” a vaccine with getting people vaccinated quickly. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/covid-vaccine-rollout-pits-fairness-against-speed/

Comprehensive analysis of T cell immunodominance and immunoprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 epitopes in COVID-19 cases. https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(21)00015-X

Data and Policy to Guide Opening Schools Safely to Limit the Spread of SARS-CoV-2 Infection. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2775875

Covid-19: Moderna plans booster doses to counter variants. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n232

Inclusion of Pregnant and Lactating Persons in COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M21-0173

Thrombosis, Bleeding, and the Observational Effect of Early Therapeutic Anticoagulation on Survival in Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M20-6739

The Dual Burden of Type 1 Diabetes and COVID-19. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M21-0367

JAMA Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/pages/coronavirus-alert?utm_campaign=COVID19&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=house&utm_content=box&utm_term=300×250

Building sustainable and consequential research capacity within a global alliance of paediatric surgical centres. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00383-021-04858-6

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBCupdated: 28-01-2021 05:22 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

NEWS

South Africa, hit hard by coronavirus second wave, expects first vaccines Feb. 1. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica/south-africa-hit-hard-by-coronavirus-second-wave-expects-first-vaccines-feb-1-idUSKBN29W2GX

How epidemiology has shaped the COVID pandemic. Nature’s third progress report, coming at the end of the pandemic’s first year, highlights key findings from epidemiology — from sounding the early alarm to following the impact of new variants. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00183-z

COVID research updates: Moderna vaccine vanquishes viral variants. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

Decrying vaccines, Tanzania leader says ‘God will protect’ from COVID-19. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-tanzania/decrying-vaccines-tanzania-leader-says-god-will-protect-from-covid-19-idUSKBN29W1Z6

Uganda conducting clinical trials of possible drug against COVID-19 infections – statement. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-uganda/uganda-conducting-clinical-trials-of-possible-drug-against-covid-19-infections-statement-idUSKBN29W21I

Covid-19 controversies: the tocilizumab chapter. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n244

Covid-19: Moderna plans booster doses to counter variants. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n232

Navigating inequities: a roadmap out of the pandemic. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/1/e004087

T cell response to SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans: A systematic review. http://europepmc.org/article/PMC/7833159

Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamics in lungs of African green monkeys. https://stm.sciencemag.org/content/13/578/eabe8146

Date And Time. Thu, Mar 4, 2021, 5:00 PM –Fri, Mar 5, 2021, 8:00 PM SAST

JAMA Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/pages/coronavirus-alert?utm_campaign=COVID19&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=house&utm_content=box&utm_term=300×250

MegaMap on Child Well-being Interventions in LMIC’s. https://www.unicef-irc.org/megamap/

Biden orders sweeping review of government science integrity policies. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/01/new-biden-scientific-integrity-policy

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBCupdated: 29-01-2021 05:22 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

NEWS

Novavax says COVID-19 vaccine 89% effective in UK trial, less in South Africa, shares jump. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccines-novavax/novavax-says-covid-19-vaccine-89-effective-in-uk-trial-less-in-south-africa-shares-jump-idUSKBN29X2W0

First known U.S. cases of potent South African COVID-19 variant found in South Carolina. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-south-carolina/first-known-u-s-cases-of-potent-south-african-covid-19-variant-found-in-south-carolina-idUSKBN29X2FK

South Africa’s mining industry prepares for $20 million COVID-19 vaccine rollout effort. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica-vaccines-i/south-africas-mining-industry-prepares-for-20-million-covid-19-vaccine-rollout-effort-idUSKBN29X2NU

Africa secures 400 million more COVID-19 vaccine doses. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-africa/africa-secures-400-million-more-covid-19-vaccine-doses-idUSKBN29X1CE

Morocco starts coronavirus vaccination campaign. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-morocco/morocco-starts-coronavirus-vaccination-campaign-idUSKBN29X2JY

International collaboration and covid-19: what are we doing and where are we going? https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n180

Covid-19 pandemic and the social determinants of health. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n129

Covid-19 vaccination for medical students: the grey area. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n261

COVID research updates: The workers who keep us fed face some of the highest COVID risk. Nature wades through the literature on the new coronavirus — and summarizes key papers as they appear. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00502-w

First evidence that COVID vaccines protect people against new variants. Novavax’s experimental shot is highly effective against the variant identified in Britain — but saw a worrying drop in efficacy against a lineage detected in South Africa. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00268-9

Novavax vaccine delivers 89% efficacy against COVID-19 in UK—but is less potent in South Africa. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/01/novavax-vaccine-delivers-89-efficacy-against-covid-19-uk-less-potent-south-africa

MTN partners with African Union on COVID-19 vaccinations in Africa. https://africacdc.org/news-item/mtn-partners-with-african-union-on-covid-19-vaccinations-in-africa/?fbclid=IwAR0geD06nI5R1XmoXR7LtqrTQoPVLgWIK-o0rjGvaUigKDWpIkNz8GSimWs

Circulating SARS-CoV-2 spike N439K variants maintain fitness while evading antibody-mediated immunity. https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(21)00080-5

Duration of Culturable SARS-CoV-2 in Hospitalized Patients with Covid-19. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2027040?query=featured_home

SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines and the Growing Threat of Viral Variants. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2776039

Respiratory and Psychophysical Sequelae Among Patients With COVID-19 Four Months After Hospital Discharge. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2775643

Date And Time. Thu, Mar 4, 2021, 5:00 PM –Fri, Mar 5, 2021, 8:00 PM SAST

JAMA Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/pages/coronavirus-alert?utm_campaign=COVID19&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=house&utm_content=box&utm_term=300×250

Development of a Model to Estimate the Association Between Delay in Cancer Treatment and Local Tumor Control and Risk of Metastases. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2775638

Risk of being scooped drives scientists to shoddy methods | Science | AAAS (sciencemag.org).https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/01/risk-being-scooped-drives-scientists-shoddy-methods

Levonorgestrel vs. Copper Intrauterine Devices for Emergency Contraception. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2022141?query=featured_home

Factors Associated With Violence Against Children in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression of Nationally Representative Data. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1524838020985532

FROM 28 JAN

Revised UNAIDS/WHO Ethical Guidance for HIV Prevention Trials. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2775959

MegaMap on Child Well-being Interventions in LMIC’s. https://www.unicef-irc.org/megamap/

Biden orders sweeping review of government science integrity policies. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/01/new-biden-scientific-integrity-policy

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBCupdated: 30-01-2021 05:22 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

RESPONSE TO FALSE AND MISLEADING INFORMATION CIRCULATING ON SOCIAL MEDIA ABOUT SIR KETUMILE MASIRE TEACHING HOSPITAL’S WORKFORCE BEING ON STRIKE, PATIENTS STATUS AND WARDS. https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/photos/a.336021353147196/3705591726190125/CAPACITY

NEWS

How do the leading COVID-19 vaccines work? Science explains. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/01/how-leading-covid-19-vaccines-work

Date And Time. Thu, Mar 4, 2021, 5:00 PM –Fri, Mar 5, 2021, 8:00 PM SAST

JAMA Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/pages/coronavirus-alert?utm_campaign=COVID19&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=house&utm_content=box&utm_term=300×250

Development of a Model to Estimate the Association Between Delay in Cancer Treatment and Local Tumor Control and Risk of Metastases. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2775638

Risk of being scooped drives scientists to shoddy methods | Science | AAAS (sciencemag.org).https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/01/risk-being-scooped-drives-scientists-shoddy-methods

Levonorgestrel vs. Copper Intrauterine Devices for Emergency Contraception. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2022141?query=featured_home

Factors Associated With Violence Against Children in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression of Nationally Representative Data. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1524838020985532

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBCupdated: 01-02-2021 05:23 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

RESPONSE TO FALSE AND MISLEADING INFORMATION CIRCULATING ON SOCIAL MEDIA ABOUT SIR KETUMILE MASIRE TEACHING HOSPITAL’S WORKFORCE BEING ON STRIKE, PATIENTS STATUS AND WARDS. https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/photos/a.336021353147196/3705591726190125/CAPACITY

NEWS

South Africa to receive extra 20 million COVID-19 vaccines, paper says. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-safrica-vaccine/south-africa-to-receive-extra-20-million-covid-19-vaccines-paper-says-idUSKBN2A0080

Date And Time. Thu, Mar 4, 2021, 5:00 PM –Fri, Mar 5, 2021, 8:00 PM SAST

BMJ GLOBAL HEALTH January 2021 – Volume 6 – 1. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/1?current-issue=y

JAMA Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/pages/coronavirus-alert?utm_campaign=COVID19&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=house&utm_content=box&utm_term=300×250

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 27-01-2021 06:22 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 28-01-2021 05:22 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 29-01-2021 05:22 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 30-01-2021 05:22 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 01-02-2021 05:23 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 02-02-2021 05:22 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 03-02-2021 05:23 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Coronavirus in Africa tracker—Johns Hopkins—used by BBC
updated: 04-02-2021 05:22 GMT https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html