[{Image src='coronavirus_small.jpg' caption='' height='150' alt='' class='image_right'}]
!!COVID-19 Bulletin\\An RSB communication on the bioscience behind the outbreak and response\\Published by the [Royal Society of Biology|https://www.ae-info.org/Edit.jsp?page=Acad_Main/News/COVID-19%20Bulletin&type=category]
__20 March 2020__
\\ \\
[{Image src='Royal_Society_of_Biology.png' caption='' height='55' alt='Royal_Society_of_Biology.png'}]
!!An excerpt from the Royal Society of Biology COVID-19 Bulletin

__Academia Europaea would like to share the COVID-19 Bulletin of the Royal Society of Biology.__
\\ \\
__RSB Chief Executive Dr Mark Downs FRSB writes:__
\\ \\
%%quote 
''Clinical practice and public health policy are essential inaddressing the current pandemic. For these approaches to be effective, they must be underpinned by detailed understanding of the origin and biology of the virus and the mechanisms by which it spreads and causes disease, in addition to immunesystem response mechanisms. The Royal Society of Biology represents the full breadth of bioscience through a diverse membership tracking across many sub-disciplines.
\\ \\
This bulletin draws together current bioscience research and knowledge to help facilitate community understanding andresponse. It provides links to published news articles, publications and webpages.
\\ \\
The material presented is not intended to be comprehensiveand is up to date as of the date of publication, giving just a glimpse of the huge efforts worldwide to understand SARS-CoV-2 and its effects. It is inevitable that some material will require specialist knowledge, but we hope it provides a useful snapshot for interested readers. Research outcomes and conclusions may evolve overtime, and readers should take action on the basis of medical advice and the latest advice from government, rather than necessarily relying solely on specific pieces of early research.''
\\ \\
/%
!!This bulletin is divided into the following sections [[excerpt]:

__Research updates__: collating relevant research news and outputs under topic headings.\\
__How else can the bioscience community help?__ Listing current calls for resource andexpertise.\\
__Positive community news:__ some examples of community impact aiding response to thepandemic.\\
__Regularly updated information sources__: providing a collection of links to useful onlineinformation hubs.\\

!!Research Updates

''SARS-CoV-2 is a virus in the zoonotic coronavirus family. This novel virus, discovered in 2019,was previously unidentified in humans and causes the disease COVID-19, which has reached pandemic proportions in the global human population.''
\\ \\
[Science Media Centre Factsheet|https://www.sciencemediacentre.org/smc-novel-coronavirus-factsheet]
\\ \\
__SARS-CoV-2 virus characteristics__
\\ \\
[The species: Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus: classifying 2019-nCoV andnaming it SARS-CoV-2|https://www.nature.com/articles/s41564-020-0695-z]
\\ \\
[The proximal origin of SARS-CoV-2|https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-020-0820-9]
\\ \\
[High Temperature and High Humidity Reduce the Transmission of COVID-19|https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3551767]
\\ \\
[New coronavirus stable for hours on surfaces|https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/new-coronavirus-stable-hours-surfaces]\\
SARS-CoV-2 stability similar to original SARS virus.
\\ \\
[Genomic epidemiology of novel coronavirus|https://nextstrain.org/ncov]\\
Scientists are crowd-sourcing genomic information on SARS-CoV-2 strains from around the worldto track the evolution and phylogenetic tree of the virus
\\ \\
[Novel coronavirus structure reveals targets for vaccines and treatments|https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/novel-coronavirus-structure-reveals-targets-vaccines-treatments]
\\ \\
[Why does the coronavirus spread so easily between people?|https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00660-x]\\
Researchers have identified microscopic features that could make the pathogen more infectiousthan the SARS virus — and serve as drug targets.
\\
[Pathogenicity and transmissibility of 2019-nCoV—A quick overview and comparison with otheremerging viruses|https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1286457920300265]
\\ \\
[(2015) A SARS-like cluster of circulating bat coronaviruses shows potential for human emergence|https://www.nature.com/articles/nm.3985]
\\ \\
__COVID-19 pathophysiology__
\\ \\
[Asymptomatic carrier state, acute respiratory disease, and pneumonia due to severe acuterespiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2): Facts and myths|https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1684118220300402]
\\ \\
[New analysis breaks down age-group risk for coronavirus - and shows millennials are notinvincible|https://www.statnews.com/2020/03/18/coronavirus-new-age-analysis-of-risk-confirms-young-adults-not-invincible/?utm_source=Nature+Briefing&utm_campaign=26ed720432-briefing-dy-20200319&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c9dfd39373-26ed720432-43301977]
\\ \\
__Epidemiology and public health response__
\\ \\
[The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak: what we know|https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1201971220301235]
\\ \\
[Impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to reduce COVID-19 mortality and healthcaredemand|https://www.imperial.ac.uk/mrc-global-infectious-disease-analysis/news--wuhan-coronavirus]
\\ \\
[Substantial undocumented infection facilitates the rapid dissemination of novel coronavirus(SARS-CoV2)|https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2020/03/13/science.abb3221.full]
\\ \\
[CoVID 19 Worldwide Growth Rates|http://nrg.cs.ucl.ac.uk/mjh/covid19]
\\ \\
[Analysis of the COVID-19 Epidemic|https://www.mobs-lab.org/2019ncov.html]\\
Spatial and temporal spread of the infection modelled by the Laboratory for the Modelling ofBiological and Socio-technical Systems under varying surveillance and containment scenarios
\\ \\
[Exclusive: Here's How Fast the Coronavirus Could Infect Over 1 Million Americans|https://time.com/5801726/coronavirus-models-forecast]
\\ \\
[No evidence of COVID-19 transmission through food, says EFSA|https://www.euractiv.com/section/coronavirus/news/no-evidence-of-covid-19-transmission-through-food-says-efsa]\\
There is currently “no evidence that food is a likely source or route of transmission” of the novelcoronavirus, COVID-19, the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) has concluded.
\\ \\
[How will country-based mitigation measures influence the course of the COVID-19 epidemic?|https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30567-5/fulltext]
\\ \\
[Mass testing, school closings, lockdowns: Countries pick tactics in 'war' against coronavirus|https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/03/mass-testing-school-closings-lockdowns-countries-pick-tactics-war-against-coronavirus?utm_campaign=news_daily_2020-03-18&et_rid=51378230&et_cid=3250511]
\\ \\
__Testing and ongoing surveillance__
\\ \\
[Development and Clinical Application of A Rapid IgM-IgG Combined Antibody Test for SARS-CoV-2 Infection Diagnosis|https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jmv.25727]

[Why the CDC botched its coronavirus testing|https://www.technologyreview.com/s/615323/why-the-cdc-botched-its-coronavirus-testing]\\
The first testing kits from the Centers for Disease Control had a simple fault, and red tapeprevented other labs from creating their own.
\\ \\
__Prophylaxis and treatment__
\\ \\
[(WHO) Clinical management of severe acute respiratory infection when novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection is suspected: interim guidance, 28 January 2020|https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/330893]
\\ \\
[ISIN Position Statement on Nutrition, Immunity and COVID-19|http://www.immunonutrition-isin.org]
\\ \\
[Experimental lung drug to be tested on UK coronavirus patients|https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/18/uk-coronavirus-patients-trial-experimental-lung-drug-synairgen-cure]\\
Biotech firm Synairgen will trial SNG001 inhaler on 100 people in race to find cure
\\ \\
[Hundreds of Scientists Scramble to Find a Coronavirus Treatment|https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/17/science/coronavirus-treatment.html]\\
In an ambitious international collaboration, researchers have "mapped" proteins in thecoronavirus and identified 50 drugs to test against it.
\\ \\
[Coronavirus vaccines: five key questions as trials begin|https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00798-8?utm_source=Nature+Briefing&utm_campaign=26ed720432-briefing-dy-20200319&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c9dfd39373-26ed720432-43301977]\\
Some experts warn that accelerated testing will involve some risky trade-offs.
\\ \\
[NIH clinical trial of investigational vaccine for COVID-19 begins|https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-clinical-trial-investigational-vaccine-covid-19-begins]
\\ \\
[Trials to begin on Covid-19 vaccine in UK next month|https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/mar/19/uk-drive-develop-coronavirus-vaccine-science]\\
Researchers hope to conduct animal tests next week and safety trials as early as next month

!!How else can the bioscience community help?

[Coronavirus: PM urges industry to help make NHS ventilators|https://www.bbc.com/news/business-51896168]
\\ \\
[BIA Webinar: What can our community do to support the global effort on COVID-19?|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDisG7qMj_k&feature=youtu.be]
\\ \\
[UCL Coronavirus Response Fund|https://aoc.ucl.ac.uk/alumni/public-gbp-single?id=6e4bf9d2-de83-45df-b6a8-d868106dd90f&erid=7c34799d-69a4-4b01-b8e8-b38e5af7743b&trid=7c34799d-69a4-4b01-b8e8-b38e5af7743b&efndnum=01952930]
\\ \\
Contact RSB to discuss bioscience community issues or actions via [policy@rsb.org.uk|mailto:policy@rsb.org.uk]

!!Positive community news

[The hunt for a coronavirus cure is showing how science can change for the better|https://theconversation.com/the-hunt-for-a-coronavirus-cure-is-showing-how-science-can-change-for-the-better-132130]
\\ \\
[Mologic awarded c.£1 million by UK government to develop rapid diagnostic test for COVID-19|https://mologic.co.uk/mologic-awarded-c-1-million-by-uk-government-to-develop-rapid-diagnostic-test-for-covid-19]
\\ \\
[ICC-WHO Joint Statement: An unprecedented private sector call to action to tackle COVID-19|https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/16-03-2020-icc-who-joint-statement-an-unprecedented-private-sector-call-to-action-to-tackle-covid-19]
\\ \\
[Elsevier gives full access to COVID-19 research and data|http://www.healtheuropa.eu/elsevier-gives-full-access-to-covid-19-research-and-data/98572]\\
Global leader in research publishing and information analytics, Elsevier, has opened access to allits COVID-19 research and data.
\\ \\
[Publishers make coronavirus (COVID-19) content freely available and reusable|https://wellcome.ac.uk/press-release/publishers-make-coronavirus-covid-19-content-freely-available-and-reusable]
\\ \\
[Podcast Extra: Coronavirus - science in the pandemic|https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00800-3?utm_source=Nature+Briefing&utm_campaign=26ed720432-briefing-dy-20200319&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c9dfd39373-26ed720432-43301977]\\
Nick Howe investigates how researchers around the world are answering the call for science.

!!Regularly updated information sources

[(NHS) Overview - Coronavirus (COVID-19)|https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19]
\\ \\
[Coronavirus (COVID-19): UK government response|https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus]
\\ \\
[WHO information page|https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1]
\\ \\
[London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine COVID-19 information page|https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/research/research-action/covid-19]
\\ \\
[(Royal Society) Sharing research data and findings relevant to the novel coronavirus (nCoV)outbreak|https://royalsocietypublishing.org/topic/special-collections/novel-coronavirus-outbreak]\\
Updated collection of research papers curated by the Royal Society
\\ \\
[The Lancet COVID-19 resource centre|https://www.thelancet.com/coronavirus]
\\ \\
[(NEJM) Coronavirus (Covid-19)|https://www.nejm.org/coronavirus]\\
A collection of articles and other resources on the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, includingclinical reports, management guidelines, and commentary.
\\ \\
[(JAMA) Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)|https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/pages/coronavirus-alert]\\
Check back here for updates on COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment
\\ \\
[IDSA COVID-19 resource centre|https://www.idsociety.org/public-health/COVID-19-Resource-Center]
\\ \\
[(Nature) Coronavirus latest: Italy death toll overtakes China's|https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00154-w?utm_source=Nature+Briefing&utm_campaign=26ed720432-briefing-dy-20200319&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c9dfd39373-26ed720432-43301977]\\
Updates on the respiratory illness that has infected tens of thousands of people and killed severalthousand.
\\ \\
[(AAAS Science Magazine) Coronavirus: Research, Commentary, and News|https://www.sciencemag.org/coronavirus-research-commentary-and-news?utm_source=newsletters&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=coronavirus468x60-24029&et_rid=51378230&et_cid=3250511]
\\ \\
[(BBC) Coronavirus: What next in the UK coronavirus fight?|https://www.bbc.com/news/explainers-51632801]
\\ \\
Download the [bulletin|RSB_COVID-19_Bulletin_20200320.pdf].
\\ \\
----
!Please note: This bulletin includes links to external articles or other resources. Views or opinions presented there are those of the original author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the Royal Society of Biology or Academia Europaea.