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Last Posted: Jul-27-2021 16:56:06

Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People
CDC, July 27, 2021 Brand

Updated information for fully vaccinated people given new evidence on the Delta variant currently circulating in the United States. Added a recommendation for fully vaccinated people to wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission. Added information that fully vaccinated people might choose to wear a mask regardless of the level of transmission, particularly if they are immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe disease from COVID-19, or if they have someone in their household who is immunocompromised, at increased risk of severe disease or not fully vaccinated.

Tracking the Scientific Literature on SARS-CoV-2 Variants Using the COVID-19 Genomics and Precision Health Knowledge Base
M Feero et al, CDC blog post, July 27, 2021 Brand

From December 2020 to January 2021, the number of preprints and journal publications on variants doubled from 106 to 213). By March 2021, more than 300 new publications on variants were appearing each month. Preprints accounted for 37% of the total publications in both 2020 and 2021. Most publications on variants focused on mechanism (e.g., effects of mutations on binding to host receptors) or on potential clinical applications (e.g., diagnosis, treatment, or vaccines). Only a small fraction addressed public health topics, such as surveillance or forecasting, prevention, or health equity.

Anosmia, ageusia, and other COVID-19-like symptoms in association with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test, across six national digital surveillance platforms: an observational study
CH Sudre et al, Lancet Digital Health, July 2021

Despite differences in syndromic surveillance methods, access to and timing of SARS-CoV-2 testing, and disease prevalence, anosmia or ageusia were consistently the strongest predictors of COVID-19 infection across all platforms over time. The odds of a positive COVID-19 test was nearly 17 times higher among individuals with anosmia or ageusia than those without these symptoms. Fever and respiratory symptoms (shortness of breath and cough) also ranked highly in their association with test positivity. This large, collaborative analysis showed that anosmia–ageusia, fever, shortness of breath, and cough are suitable empirical signals of ongoing COVID-19 transmission.

Finding a Place for Candidate Gene Studies in a Genome-Wide Association Study World
DK Menon et al, JAMA Network Open, July 26, 2021

GWAS are unbiased and data-driven, can address millions of common genetic variants, and have well-accepted thresholds for multiple comparison. While GWAS is generally applied to case-control samples, it can also be applied to quantitative traits in affected individuals. Given this background, it is legitimate to ask whether candidate gene studies, which restrict their assessment to individual genes or genome regions based on an a priori biological hypothesis, still have a role in understanding disease biology and supporting better practice.

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Disclaimer: Articles listed in the Public Health Genomics and Precision Health Knowledge Base are selected by the CDC Office of Public Health Genomics to provide current awareness of the literature and news. Inclusion in the update does not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention nor does it imply endorsement of the article's methods or findings. CDC and DHHS assume no responsibility for the factual accuracy of the items presented. The selection, omission, or content of items does not imply any endorsement or other position taken by CDC or DHHS. Opinion, findings and conclusions expressed by the original authors of items included in the update, or persons quoted therein, are strictly their own and are in no way meant to represent the opinion or views of CDC or DHHS. References to publications, news sources, and non-CDC Websites are provided solely for informational purposes and do not imply endorsement by CDC or DHHS.

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