While the relation between obesity and COVID-19 is not fully known, there are emerging studies pointing to obesity as one of the top underlying condition for people aged 60 years old and under who are hospitalised for the coronavirus. Severe obesity reportedly increases the risk of a major COVID-19 complication known as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We asked experts to comment on obesity as a risk factor for becoming seriously ill with COVID-19.
Tag: coronavirus
[EXPERT REACTION] COVID-19 and the possible link with Kawasaki disease in children
While there are no Kawasaki cases detected among children infected by COVID-19 in the country, some children who tested positive for COVID-19 in the UK, France, Italy, Spain, and the US have reported to display overlapping symptoms of severe COVID-19, toxic shock syndrome and Kawasaki disease. We asked experts to comment about the links between COVID-19 and Kawasaki disease, a multi-system inflammatory syndrome which primarily affects children under the age of five.
[EXPERT REACTION] COVID-19 found in semen of infected men
Chinese researchers who tested the sperm of men infected with COVID-19 found that a small group of them had the new coronavirus in their semen. In a study undertaken in Shangqiu Municipal Hospital, 6 (16%) of 38 men in hospital with Covid-19, tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in semen. We asked experts to comment on this latest finding.
[MEDIA RELEASE] Guide for COVID-19 Prevention in Schools
This guide (SOP) aims to help offer ideas and initiatives that could be taken when we reopen schools. Teachers need to work very closely with parents and students; parents and children can play an important role. Students should be involved and provided a clear understanding of the situation. Younger students and those with learning disabilities may require reinforced training with a focus on visual tools. Support between schools will also be critical.
[MEDIA RELEASE] Global Solutions for Global Access for COVID–19 Diagnostics, Treatments & Vaccines — MHC & DNDi
The signatories of this Joint Statement are a group of health professional societies, non-profit organizations, advocates, policymakers and citizens. We hold the strong position that the global fight against Covid–19 will be won only if all stakeholders play their part. Therefore, we urge all global diagnostics, pharmaceutical and vaccine companies, including Gilead, to meet the following recommendations to ensure that all of humanity will have people’s vaccines, people’s medicines and people’s diagnostics.
[OPINION] Impact of COVID-19 on Children’s Health
Children form a small proportion of those who have tested positive in this COVID-19 pandemic. In Malaysia, children aged 0-12 years comprised of 317 out of 6,872 cases identified (4.6%). Although children get infected with COVID-19 and transmit the disease, the vast majority generally do very well or remain asymptomatic; severe illness and death are rare. Recently however there has been concern, as young children infected with COVID-19 have presented with a severe Kawasaki-like disease with some fatality.
[MEDIA RELEASE] Climate Change, COVID-19 and Future Pandemics
Like COVID-19, around 75% of new infectious diseases are zoonotic. Some experts believe climate change may be putting humans in closer contact with animals. While COVID-19 and climate change are real but different health emergencies, both are of environmental origin and they point to a common denominator - destructive environmental practices ultimately affect our health.
[EXPERT REACTION] COVID-19 Blood Plasma Transfusion Treatment
While scientists race to find a vaccine for the coronavirus, countries including Malaysia are resorting to convalescent blood plasma transfusion to treat patients severely ill with COVID-19. The treatment includes administering blood plasma from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 to patients critically ill with the novel respiratory illness. We asked experts to comment on the effectiveness of this method to treat newly-infected patients.
[MEDIA RELEASE] Social Media, Fake News and COVID-19
Each day, we are bombarded by misinformation on COVID-19, especially on social media. This situation makes it difficult for users to distinguish between fact and fake news. The World Health Organization (WHO) has called this an "infodemic" describing it as more dangerous than coronavirus pandemic. To address these issues, the Science Media Centre (SMC) Malaysia in collaboration with the Medical Mythbusters Malaysia hosted a webinar recently to discuss the impact of the fake news on the COVID-19 pandemic.
[OPINION] COVID-19 Governmental Response: A Comparative Reflection Of The Malaysian Performa
Various responses have been launched by different countries since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in their bid to minimize its toll within the shortest time possible. The enemy is unseen and its true nature unknown leaving governments either throwing all resources possible albeit the kitchen sink towards this affect. Conversely are those who opt for a liberal approach minimally restraining and relying upon good public literacy and trusting self-regulatory social measures.
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