Public Health

Low humidity increases COVID risk; another reason to wear a mask

In a new study, researchers found an association between lower humidity and an increase in community transmission. They focused on the Greater Sydney area during...

This study shows how COVID-19 spreads in households

In a recent study at the University of Florida and elsewhere, researchers found the COVID-19 virus may spread more easily among people living together...

Drug hydroxychloroquine cannot prevent COVID-19, new evidence shows

In a new study, researchers have found new evidence that hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is not a possible defense against COVID-19. They found that HCQ is not...

Yale’s rapid COVID-19 saliva test receives FDA authorization

In a new study, a saliva-based laboratory diagnostic test developed to determine whether someone is infected with the novel coronavirus has been granted an...

Even people with mild COVID-19 can produce strong immune response

In a new study, researchers found mild cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can trigger robust memory T cell responses, even in the absence...

Two existing drugs provide new hope to fight against COVID-19

In a new study, researchers found that two existing drugs could inhibit SARS-CoV-2—the virus that causes COVID-19—from infecting human cells. Both drugs, vacuolin-1 and apilimod,...

This study shows how to reduce immune overreaction, the big cause of COVID-19 death

The No. 1 cause of death for COVID-19 patients echoes the way the 1918 influenza pandemic killed: their lungs fill with fluid and they...

Scientists invent low-cost emergency ventilator and share the design for free

The technology could save the lives of COVID-19 patients when more advanced ventilators are too expensive or not available. Researchers at the Department of Energy’s...

Some US COVID-19 decisions based on misleading statistic, expert says

Florida's COVID-19 daily percent positive rate, a key metric driving economic and public policy decisions, offers a distorted snapshot of the effect the virus...

Early face mask policies curbed COVID-19’s spread, according to an analysis of 198 countries

Why have some countries, such as Italy and the United States, faced major public health crises with COVID-19 cases and related deaths, while others...