Top Content 2020: COVID-19

Just weeks into 2020, the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) began to spread globally and has dominated the headlines, and the eyes of millions, ever since. With new research being published almost daily, the editorial staff at Patient Care Online^® wanted to look back at this unprecedented year and highlight the most viewed and clinically impactful stories on COVID-19.

Here is our list of the top COVID-19 slideshows and articles from Patient Care Online^® in 2020.

COVID-19 vs Influenza: A 7-question Quiz on Similarities and Differences

COVID-19 and influenza are both contagious respiratory diseases that share many characteristics including symptoms and modes of transmission, but there are still key differences between the two. Because of this, it is more important than ever this year for physicians to distinguish between COVID-19 and flu symptoms, testing, transmission, at-risk populations, and more. Find out the latest information in this 7-question quiz.

Influenza Coinfection with COVID-19: NIH Treatment Considerations

The National Institutes of Health in late October 2020 made updates to its COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines that provide treatment considerations for patient hospitalized with either suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 and influenza coinfection.

A COVID-19 “Misinfodemic”: 7 Questions on American Misperceptions

Researchers from Northeastern University, Harvard University, Rutgers University, and Northwestern University teamed up back in March to launch the 50-state COVID-19 project, a series of surveys to examine the US population's attitudes and behaviors regarding COVID-19. The group conducted the ninth wave of their online survey from August 7-26, 2020 among 21 196 US adults to assess the respondents' acceptance of 11 false claims that have circulated online since the pandemic started. Take the 7-question quiz to find out key results.

Dispelling New COVID-19 Myths about Masks (and Shoes)

The World Health Organization's COVID-19 Mythbusters page has been updated again and several of the newest misconceptions reflect the global shift toward less restrictive lifestyles. Surgical or cloth masks have their place in the effort to stem virus spread and you may need to help educate your primary care patients on when—and when not—to use them. This quick slideshow highlights fictions posted the the WHO page and recap several stubborn ones.

Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients Have More, More Severe Complications vs Patients with Influenza

Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 experienced many more—and more serious—complications than patients admitted with influenza. COVID-19 patients had longer inpatient stays, were more likely to be admitted to intensive care, and more likely to die. These findings come from a study from the US Veterans Health Administration published in the British Medical Journal on October 22, 2020. It is likely the first study to report comparative data for in-hospital complications between patients infected with the 2 circulating respiratory viruses.

Brief Reports on COVID-19 from 2020

Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate Achieves 94.5% Efficacy in Phase 3 Trial

Moderna announced safety and efficacy data from the phase 3 COVE trial that found mRNA-1273 94.5% effective in preventing infection with SARS-CoV-2.

FDA Grants EUA for First Non-prescription, Fully-at-home COVID-19 Test Kit

The rapid antigen test for the detection of active COVID-19 in those with and without symptoms produces results within 20 minutes and will retail for about $30.

Medical Students Augment Accurate Information During Pandemic

Students from the Medical College of Georgia, unable to care directly for COVID-19 patients, combined their individual skills to keep accurate information flowing.

Pfizer and BioNTech First in the World to Receive Emergency Authorization of COVID-19 Vaccine

The Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency in the United Kingdom became the first global agency to authorize a supply of COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use.

COVID-19 Vaccine: Pharmaceutical Executives Pledge Safety Above All

CEOs of 9 drug companies involved in COVID-19 vaccine development signed a pledge ensuring that sound science and ethics will guide the process.