Round-up: COVID-19 February 2021 (Part Two)

Your latest round-up of the most recent news and research surrounding COVID-19 from the last fortnight.

At the time of writing, there have been:

A new study has shown that SARS-CoV-2-related coronaviruses are circulating in bats and pangolins in Southeast Asia. (Wang et al, 2021)
Using data from testing, an epidemiological model has indicated that asymptomatic cases make up at least 50% of COVID-19 infections. (Pascual et al, 2021)
New study has revealed that CRISPR-based methods can offer reliable SARS-CoV-2 testing for virus screening. (Rauch et al, 2021)
A mutation in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein – D614G – renders the virus up to eight times more infectious. (Daniloski et al, 2021)
A Nature survey has revealed that many scientists expect the virus to become endemic – but could pose less danger over time. (Phillips, 2021)
Researchers have found that treatment of SARS-CoV-2 with an oral antiviral EIDD-2801 (currently in clinical trials) can effectively treat and prevent infection. (Garcia et al, 2021)
A new study has explored the dynamic changes of the upper respiratory and gut microbiomes during COVID-19 infection. (Zhang et al, 2021)
A recent study has revealed that during the introduction of restrictions in the UK, there were substantial reductions in primary care contacts for acute physical and mental conditions. (Mansfield et al, 2021)

In a commentary article, Dennis Burton and Eric Topol call for governments to fund support for rational vaccine design based on broadly neutralising antibodies. (Burton and Topol, 2021)
Preliminary evidence has found that one dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine can provoke a strong immune response in those previously infected with the virus. (Edelstein et al, 2021)
Study predicts that the UK COVID-19 vaccination programme quickly reduces deaths but more slowly reduces ICU admissions. (Cook and Roberts, 2021)
Scientists have identified a new variant of coronavirus in the UK – B.1.525 – that contains the same genetic change (E484K) found in the Brazilian and South African variants. (BBC News, 2021)

Image credit: By starline – freepik