The latest installment of the #PWChat series centered around what healthcare professionals and the general public alike need to know about the novel coronavirus.
Below are the highlights from the chat. You can read the full transcript here, by scrolling down to the corresponding responses.
Q1: What do we know about #coronavirus so far?#PWChat#2019nCoV pic.twitter.com/txDVgCrnfd
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) February 12, 2020
There is still a lot we are learning about the virus. Because it is so new, we don’t have a lot of information about the transmission of the virus, the spectrum of illness and progression of disease, or a full grasp on the lethality yet. #PWChat #2019nCoV
— Angela Hewlett (@hewlett_angela) February 12, 2020
Our Division Chief and Director of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology Dr. Mark Rupp could not join us this evening, but here’s a video of him addressing the media regarding what we know so far! @nebraskamed @unmc https://t.co/ecrRC2ta2X #PWChat #2019nCoV
— UNMC ID (@UNMC_ID) February 12, 2020
Most cases reported are mild (fevers, cough). Some are more severe & need hospitalization for pneumonia/respiratory failure. Can’t predict yet who’ll get severe disease, but like other resp viruses, elderly & immunocompromised may be at risk #PWChat #2019nCoV
— Angela Hewlett (@hewlett_angela) February 12, 2020
More & more data is being published, but certainly, the story will continue to evolve. Here is one article from @NEJM https://t.co/m6ngMClaM7
— Kelly Cawcutt MD MS (@KellyCawcuttMD) February 12, 2020
Q2: How is #coronavirus diagnosed and treated? What can be done now, and what treatments are evolving?#PWChat#2019nCoV pic.twitter.com/SIblyEnxW3
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) February 12, 2020
There is an RT-PCR diagnostic test available at @CDCgov that recently received Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA. Reference labs across the country should have this testing capability soon, if they do not already. https://t.co/b1wYA2qyAL #PWChat #2019nCoV pic.twitter.com/sAml5IgMk2
— UNMC ID (@UNMC_ID) February 12, 2020
A2 – testing is available via PCR through the @cdc & some local labs. Here is an article describing the types of molecular tests being used for rapid diagnosis. https://t.co/8fU2JzMXYC#PWChat #2019nCoV https://t.co/QgkxrRbu13
— Kelly Cawcutt MD MS (@KellyCawcuttMD) February 12, 2020
A2. A recent article published in JAMA by @CarlosDelRio and @PreetiNMalani has a great chart delineating steps for clinicians to evaluate patients under investigation for #2019nCoV. https://t.co/ELwkYJEXY9 #PWChat https://t.co/U6Pen9KF3H pic.twitter.com/J8V8wgBwbY
— UNMC ID (@UNMC_ID) February 12, 2020
Q3: Compared with other major outbreaks throughout history (eg, Flu in 1918, Ebola in 2014, SARS in 2003), how bad is the #coronavirus outbreak? #PWChat#2019nCoV pic.twitter.com/t7m2XOKiom
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) February 12, 2020
Q3. Too soon to tell but appears to be more transmissible than SARS or MERS but to also have lower mortality.
— Carlos del Rio (@CarlosdelRio7) February 12, 2020
Important not to use comparison to other major outbreaks as a reason to not take #2010nCoV seriously. Direct comparison difficult – evolving information, uncertainty of case fatality ratio, unavailability of proven treatments, differences in outbreak responses #PWChat
— Angela Hewlett (@hewlett_angela) February 12, 2020
Q3. I like @hewlett_angela answer. Much of how we structure pandemic risk management is around the idea of a respiratory virus. So, people are right to be mindful, concerned. Impact in low resource countries may become hard to assess, until they are in trouble. #pwchat #2019ncov
— David Brett-Major (@navighealthrisk) February 12, 2020
Q4: How can the medical and biopreparedness community respond to the #coronavirus outbreak?#PWChat#2019nCoV pic.twitter.com/5XhLTgrQW2
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) February 12, 2020
Here is a shout-out to @TheNETEC for their resources & training on preparing for emerging infectious threats, including #2019nCoV https://t.co/AqYmsYRPI2#PWChat https://t.co/gTjUMVNyPM
— Kelly Cawcutt MD MS (@KellyCawcuttMD) February 12, 2020
The @NebraskaMedicine biocontainment unit is ready to be activated for patients with #2019nCoV. We have a team of physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other healthcare professionals ready and willing to take action. #PWChat
— Angela Hewlett (@hewlett_angela) February 12, 2020
The @NebraskaMedicine biocontainment unit is ready to be activated for patients with #2019nCoV. We have a team of physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other healthcare professionals ready and willing to take action. #PWChat
— Angela Hewlett (@hewlett_angela) February 12, 2020
The @NebraskaMedicine biocontainment unit is ready to be activated for patients with #2019nCoV. We have a team of physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other healthcare professionals ready and willing to take action. #PWChat
— Angela Hewlett (@hewlett_angela) February 12, 2020
We certainly worry about burdens on the healthcare system & effects on the medical supply chain, as well as economic impact #2019nCoV #PWChat
— Angela Hewlett (@hewlett_angela) February 12, 2020
Coronaviruses circulate now in respiratory seasons. We do not yet know whether this one will become a regular pathogen in recurring seasons. Old presumptions for how quickly a zoonotic coronavirus can spread outside the hospital setting will change from this.#pwchat #2019ncov
— David Brett-Major (@navighealthrisk) February 12, 2020
I am very curious about whether 2019nCoV draws funding and attention from other risks that have higher likelihood of harm#PWChat #2019nCoV
— Matthew Loxton (@mloxton) February 12, 2020
This is definitely a concern. Funding is always shifted to the newest outbreak, not necessarily the one causing the most morbidity/mortality. There are plenty of examples of this. #pwchat #2019nC0V
— Angela Hewlett (@hewlett_angela) February 12, 2020
Always a good question, whether emergencies result in problematic or just understandable resource distraction. This is another reason to target long term investments in pathogen agnostic opportunities for risk mitigation. https://t.co/GHRcZhTr0T#pwchat #2019ncov
— David Brett-Major (@navighealthrisk) February 12, 2020
corrected link https://t.co/vBujiUxTeM #pwchat #2019ncov
— David Brett-Major (@navighealthrisk) February 12, 2020
Mandatory quarantines mean that many people cannot continue to work during quarantine period – how will they provide for their families, and after it is over, will there be any support for them to get them back on their feet? #PWChat #2019nCoV
— UNMC ID (@UNMC_ID) February 12, 2020
Mandatory quarantines mean that many people cannot continue to work during quarantine period – how will they provide for their families, and after it is over, will there be any support for them to get them back on their feet? #PWChat #2019nCoV
— UNMC ID (@UNMC_ID) February 12, 2020
A6. We hope this will show the value of getting reliable resources like @CDCgov @WHO @TheNETEC to combat misinformation. #SoMe definitely more of a role in spreading information – it’s our responsibility to make sure that it is good information! #PWChat #2019nCoV
— UNMC ID (@UNMC_ID) February 12, 2020
This 👇
Reliable resources are critical at times like this. We need to be spreading scientific based information, fighting myths & misinformation. Exactly why @UNMC_ID wanted to partner with @physicianswkly to host this #PWChat on #2019nCoV https://t.co/Y2wnBJPWvV— Kelly Cawcutt MD MS (@KellyCawcuttMD) February 12, 2020
It is too early to tell how the nCoV story will end and what the final impact will be. This does highlight the fact that emerging infectious diseases are a constant threat and can create massive disruption of health, economy, and society. #PWChat #2019nCoV
— Angela Hewlett (@hewlett_angela) February 12, 2020
Infection Prevention & Control are critical in preventing infections. I hope one legacy this leaves is the need for #handwashing, #vaccination (as applicable) & the value of #preparedness for future emerging infections. #PWChat #2019nCoV https://t.co/UglBOGAkOS
— Kelly Cawcutt MD MS (@KellyCawcuttMD) February 12, 2020
Infection Prevention & Control are critical in preventing infections. I hope one legacy this leaves is the need for #handwashing, #vaccination (as applicable) & the value of #preparedness for future emerging infections. #PWChat #2019nCoV https://t.co/UglBOGAkOS
— Kelly Cawcutt MD MS (@KellyCawcuttMD) February 12, 2020
A7. This is a great question! Here’s one…We have no evidence to suggest that your pets will can #2019nCoV to you, so keep your furry friends! #PWChat #2019nCoV pic.twitter.com/AH8kSjzhQw
— UNMC ID (@UNMC_ID) February 12, 2020
There has been concern about transmission of #2019nCoV from meat products, but so far there is no confirmed evidence that non-exotic animals or animal products imported from China pose a risk of transmission #PWChat
— Angela Hewlett (@hewlett_angela) February 12, 2020
Many answers & images below also can be found on the WHO Myth Buster link: https://t.co/ytAr9Q3AnV#PWChat #2019nCoV https://t.co/Ys6eftho47
— Kelly Cawcutt MD MS (@KellyCawcuttMD) February 12, 2020
Q8: What are some reliable resources for obtaining more information about #coronavirus?#PWChat#2019nCoV pic.twitter.com/ASk34dKvlS
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) February 12, 2020
Q8: What are some reliable resources for obtaining more information about #coronavirus?#PWChat#2019nCoV pic.twitter.com/ASk34dKvlS
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) February 12, 2020
It is definitely important to rely on vetted, expert resources, as misinformation can spread on social media very quickly. @NebraskaMed has compiled a list of FAQs created by our experts https://t.co/MAD1qShubH #PWChat #2019nCoV
— Angela Hewlett (@hewlett_angela) February 13, 2020
Johns Hopkins @JHUSystems has a live website to visualize and track reported cases daily https://t.co/SM2Pxi9vhx @WHO has a similar tracking website https://t.co/CHsIwGwmOm #PWChat #2019nCoV
— Angela Hewlett (@hewlett_angela) February 13, 2020
The Infectious Diseases Society of America @IDSAInfo has an entire webpage dedicated to reliable, vetted resources on this topic. https://t.co/INa4UdWiwm #PWChat #2019nCoV pic.twitter.com/agO9Fw9mpg
— UNMC ID (@UNMC_ID) February 13, 2020
If you have not check out the map below, it is a great resource for following the #2019nCoV cases!
New name, to stay up to speed for this virus is #COVID19 #PWChat https://t.co/yexskFXQ3u— Kelly Cawcutt MD MS (@KellyCawcuttMD) February 13, 2020
