Is asymptomatic transmission the major driver of the COVID-19 pandemic?

In this week’s research article, we discuss whether asymptomatic transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is the major driver of the COVID-19 pandemic. The SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread readily during close contact. The extent to which asymptomatic infection (that is, an infection without symptoms) drives transmission is important but not clear. Evidence suggests that…

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Improving hospital cleaning and disinfection

This post shares the findings of a recent study exploring improving hospital cleaning and disinfection through streamlining product and enhanced training. A team working in Lanarkshire, the third largest health board in Scotland, has recently published a study evaluating the impact of an intervention to improve hospital cleaning and disinfection through the implementation of pre-impregnated wipes combined…

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28 Australian Societies provide consensus on COVID-19 guidelines

Sourcing up-to-date reliable information on COVID-19 management and treatment can be difficult. There are so many different sources of information, from peer-reviewed journals, mainstream media, social media, peers, media statements and ‘preprints’ – or non-peer reviewed journal articles. What makes this even more complicated is the potential bias associated with some of these sources of…

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Let’s not forget MRSA and the risk from contaminated surfaces

There’s been understandably a huge amount of discussion about the possible role of contaminated surfaces in the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. But let’s not forget the important and established role that contaminated surfaces play in the transmission of other important pathogens. There’s strong evidence that MRSA transmission dynamics can include contaminated…

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New digital hand hygiene game launches

Innovative educational game, ‘Hand Wash Squad’, helps children learn the art of handwashing. Hand Wash Squad, an exciting new hand hygiene game, launches this month to help parents and teachers across the globe educate children about the importance of handwashing. The concept has been created by a team of entrepreneurs and industry experts, including skin…

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An introduction to our Marketing Director

Alex Pitt joined us in April this year. We did a quick Q&A session with our newest Leadership Team member so you can get to know a little bit more about him, why he decided to join GAMA, and what it’s been like so far! What made you want to join GAMA? GAMA is a leader…

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Environmental contamination risk from asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection

There is emerging evidence that contaminated surfaces play a role in the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. This is in line with the diverse transmission routes of other respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-1 and influenza. One of the key features of SARS-CoV-2 is the documented spread from people with asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic infection. A new study has identified…

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Modelling the spread of SARS-CoV-2 from surfaces in clinical settings using a DNA marker

The principle transmission route for the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 is through respiratory droplets. Indirect transmission of these droplets to a susceptible person through contaminated surfaces may play an important – and underplayed – role in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. A study from scientists at UCL and Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) uses a DNA marker…

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