FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) Many oncologists are being asked by patients if its safe for them to get the vaccine once it becomes available.
According to the National Cancer Institute, an estimated 1,806,590 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in the United States and 606,520 people died from the disease in the year 2020 alone. With the disease touching so many lives, it can make healthcare decisions more difficult.
Those types of questions are not unexpected, said Dr. Neil Sharma, the president of Parkviews Cancer Institute
The short answer is yes, it is safe for most cancer patients to get vaccinated.
We dont have direct studies on cancer patients, said Dr. Sharma.Therefore, the CDC is still allowing for patients who have active cancer treatment or had cancer in the past, to get vaccinated at this time.
However, there are some caveats. Dr. Sharma says CDC guidelines do allow for patients who have active cancer treatment or had cancer in the past, to get vaccinated as long as they dont have certain key contraindications.
For example, Dr. Sharma says that patients who have had a lymphoma and required a bone marrow transplant, may want to pause around getting vaccinations.
If youve had a stem cell transplant I would recommend that you talk to your bone marrow transplant experts, prior to getting the vaccination, said Dr. Sharma.
He also says anyone who has had a severe adverse reaction to some of the listed components of the vaccine in the past, would not necessarily be eligible for it.
For the most part, the potential side effects cancer patients getting vaccinated could see are the same as any other patients. The only difference, according to Dr. Sharma, would be if theyre in an immunocompromised state where their white blood cell count is significantly lower.
There are many of the patients we asked them to get a complete blood cell count and speak to their oncologist, said Dr. Sharma. After, their oncologist will often approve the vaccination unless some contraindications are seen, either on the complete blood cell count or just based upon their history with allergies.
Ultimately, Dr. Sharma says cancer patients should talk with their oncologist and primary care physician about the risks and benefits of getting vaccinated.
If they have concerns or may have a pause on getting vaccinated, its still worthwhile having the conversation, said Dr. Sharma. Its always worthwhile to consider vaccination, because the risks of coronavirus can be quite high, especially in our elderly populations who may be treated for cancer.
What GAO Found
Operation Warp Speed (OWS)a partnership between the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Defense (DOD)aimed to help accelerate the development of a COVID-19 vaccine. GAO found that OWS and vaccine companies adopted several strategies to accelerate vaccine development and mitigate risk. For example, OWS selected vaccine candidates that use different mechanisms to stimulate an immune response (i.e., platform technologies; see figure). Vaccine companies also took steps, such as starting large-scale manufacturing during clinical trials and combining clinical trial phases or running them concurrently. Clinical trials gather data on safety and efficacy, with more participants in each successive phase (e.g., phase 3 has more participants than phase 2).
Vaccine Platform Technologies Supported by Operation Warp Speed, as of January 2021
As of January 30, 2021, five of the six OWS vaccine candidates have entered phase 3 clinical trials, two of whichModerna's and Pfizer/BioNTech's vaccineshave received an emergency use authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For vaccines that received EUA, additional data on vaccine effectiveness will be generated from further follow-up of participants in clinical trials already underway before the EUA was issued.
Technology readiness. GAO's analysis of the OWS vaccine candidates' technology readiness levels (TRL)an indicator of technology maturity showed that COVID-19 vaccine development under OWS generally followed traditional practices, with some adaptations. FDA issued specific guidance that identified ways that vaccine development may be accelerated during the pandemic. Vaccine companies told GAO that the primary difference from a non-pandemic environment was the compressed timelines. To meet OWS timelines, some vaccine companies relied on data from other vaccines using the same platforms, where available, or conducted certain animal studies at the same time as clinical trials. However, as is done in a non-pandemic environment, all vaccine companies gathered initial safety and antibody response data with a small number of participants before proceeding into large-scale human studies (e.g., phase 3 clinical trials). The two EUAs issued in December 2020 were based on analyses of clinical trial participants and showed about 95 percent efficacy for each vaccine. These analyses included assessments of efficacy after individuals were given two doses of vaccine and after they were monitored for about 2 months for adverse events.
Manufacturing. As of January 2021, five of the six OWS vaccine companies had started commercial scale manufacturing. OWS officials reported that as of January 31, 2021, companies had released 63.7 million dosesabout 32 percent of the 200 million doses that, according to OWS, companies with EUAs have been contracted to provide by March 31, 2021. Vaccine companies face a number of challenges in scaling up manufacturing to produce hundreds of millions of doses under OWS's accelerated timelines. DOD and HHS are working with vaccine companies to help mitigate manufacturing challenges, including:
As of February 5, 2021, the U.S. had over 26 million cumulative reported cases of COVID-19 and about 449,020 reported deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The country also continues to experience serious economic repercussions, with the unemployment rate and number of unemployed in January 2021 at nearly twice their pre-pandemic levels in February 2020. In May 2020, OWS was launched and included a goal of producing 300 million doses of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines with initial doses available by January 2021. Although FDA has authorized two vaccines for emergency use, OWS has not yet met its production goal. Such vaccines are crucial to mitigate the public health and economic impacts of the pandemic.
GAO was asked to review OWS vaccine development efforts. This report examines: (1) the characteristics and status of the OWS vaccines, (2) how developmental processes have been adapted to meet OWS timelines, and (3) the challenges that companies have faced with scaling up manufacturing and the steps they are taking to address those challenges.
GAO administered a questionnaire based on HHS's medical countermeasures TRL criteria to the six OWS vaccine companies to evaluate the COVID-19 vaccine development processes. GAO also collected and reviewed supporting documentation on vaccine development and conducted interviews with representatives from each of the companies on vaccine development and manufacturing.
For more information, contact Karen L. Howard and Candice N. Wright at (202) 512-6888 or howardk@gao.gov or wrightc@gao.gov.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) Covenant Health is scheduling COVID-19 vaccination appointments for community members age 70 and older.
The health care provider is taking appointments by phone, online chat and an online appointment scheduler. The Covenant Health Vaccination Center is at Fort Sanders West, 220 Fort Sanders West Blvd. in Knoxville.
To schedule an appointment by phone, call the Covenant Health Call Center at 865-374-6159 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Vaccine seekers can book online appointments via the Covenant Health COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment Scheduler.
The vaccine is given in two doses, 19-23 days apart.
You will schedule your first vaccine appointment, then be prompted to schedule your second appointment after receiving your first dose, Covenant Health says on its website.
Those that provide a mobile number and/or email address when scheduling your appointment, will receive a text/email reminder to schedule the second dose. Those that dont will have to call865-374-6159after receiving your first vaccine to schedule the second dose.
At first glance, it may seem that the race to acquire COVID-19 vaccines has been won by western nations. But alongside the UK, Canada, USA and EU, another country has also secured a high number of doses relative to its population Chile.
To date Chile has ordered close to 90 million vaccine doses enough to fully vaccinate its population of 19.2 million people twice. Its set to receive vaccines from Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Sinovac and Johnson & Johnson as well as from the global vaccine-supply programme, Covax.
How has this small country managed to stand alongside the wealthiest nations in the world in securing enough vaccine doses to immunise its people? Economics has certainly been a factor, but not in the same way as for the others leading the vaccine race.
Chile is not a poor country. It has been one of Latin Americas fastest growing economies in recent decades. Its also a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a club of mostly rich countries that brings together nations with the highest levels of income and human development. Yet income inequality in Chile is higher than in any other OECD country and 65% higher than the OECD average.
Because of this, Chile has been immersed in a sociopolitical crisis since the end of 2019. Massive demonstrations and violent riots against inequality have seen the government face the most serious social unrest since the end of Pinochets dictatorship. As a consequence, president Sebastin Pieras approval rating is the lowest of any leader since the countrys return to democracy in 1990.
In June 2020, a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases prompted strong criticism of the governments ability to handle the pandemic, which only added to the presidents woes. In response, Piera seems to have understood that the only way of improving his popularity before his presidency ends later this year is by securing the highest number of vaccines possible.
This has meant going back on his previous efforts to paint the country as an example of stability and sound economic management. Instead, Piera has argued the opposite in order to get better deals with pharmaceutical companies.
Chiles status as a high-income country in the eyes of the World Bank has been a particular sticking point when negotiating orders with vaccine manufacturers, especially AstraZeneca. To avoid paying a high price, the government has had to demonstrate that due to the pandemic and the sociopolitical crisis, Chiles economic position is worse than that of the worlds most advanced economies, and so it deserves to pay less for vaccines. This recasting of Chile as a country facing economic hardship seems to have worked.
In an international order characterised by zero-sum calculations and self-interest, Piera and the Chilean government have been following the rules of the game to boost their own chances of survival.
But the Chilean government hasnt just been successful by pleading lack of funds. Its also acquired doses by building a highly diverse portfolio of vaccines, composed of different types at different stages of development, to hedge risks.
Although other governments have done this too, Chile adopted this strategy very early on. It moved quickly into negotiations with many pharmaceutical companies, including frontrunners such as AstraZeneca and Pfizer but also Johnson & Johnson, which was further behind in development. This was helped by the Chilean economys tradition of being highly open to trade: Chilean trade negotiators have strong skills, a wide range of international contacts and are used to facing uncertain environments.
Its fair to say that in its diversification strategy, Chile went far beyond most advanced economies, pinning its hopes on the CoronaVac vaccine, developed by the Chinese company Sinovac (it has ordered 60 million doses). In contrast, most European countries have chosen only western vaccines, despite the comparative advantage of Chinese companies massive manufacturing capacity and their vaccines being easy to transport.
Choosing to participate in the clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines also strengthened Chiles negotiating position. AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Sinovac and CanSino all conducted phase 3 trials in the country.
Chile has stringent regulatory protection for clinical trial participants, but this didnt dissuade developers from conducting research there. This may have been counterbalanced by the international outlook of Chilean universities, some of which had already forged close ties with these pharmaceutical companies before the pandemic.
The Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, for example, had already established links with Sinovac for developing vaccines against respiratory viruses before COVID-19 struck. So it wasnt difficult to convince the Chilean government to provide funds for hosting the CoronaVac trial in the country. In return, Sinovac promised early access to doses and a better price.
The Chilean governments ambitious goal is to vaccinate 80% of its population by June 2021. Despite having secured double the doses needed, it is now negotiating additional deals in case those contracts fail.
Rolling out the vaccine to the public is progressing quickly, having only started in early February. The Chilean health system has significant experience in mass immunisation programmes, and many vaccination centres have been set up around the country to meet this goal.
For now, the governments strategy to put Chile among the first countries to secure vaccine doses seems to have paid off. Its too early, though, to predict whether it will have a positive effect on Piera and the governments popularity.
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In recent years, Gokal split his time between two area hospitals. But when the pandemic hit in early 2020, he lived for a month in a hotel and an apartment rather than risk infecting his wife, Maria, 47, who has pulmonary sarcoidosis, a disease in her lungs that leaves her winded after even minimal activity.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. A Mid-South doctor has died of a COVID-related illness. However, he never knew he had the virus and hed been vaccinated.
Dr. J Barton Williams, called a student of medicine and science, went from doctor to patient when he fell ill weeks ago. Dr. Stephen Threlkeld helped treat him at Baptist Hospital.
Threlkeld says the disease quickly went from diagnosis to death.
It was matter of days, Threlkeld said. Just a tragedy.
Williams, an Orthopedic Surgeon for OrthoSouth, died February 8 of multisystem inflammatory syndrome or MIS, a condition usually affecting children and attacking the immune system.
The immune system attacks the body in many ways and causes multi-organ system failure, Threlkeld said. It affects the heart, the gastrointestinal tract and other places.
Threlkeld says Williams tested positive for COVID antibodies, meaning he had COVID at one time, but he never knew it. And he had gotten his second COVID vaccine just weeks before his death.
After rumors that the vaccine contributed to his death, Williamss family allowed those who treated him to do the unprecedented: speak out about his condition.
The family has been incredibly generous and courageous in allowing the details of his case to be put out there for those of us who took care of him, just to try and make sure the facts were out there true, Threlkeld said.
They want to dispel rumors this was a new variant of COVID. Threlkeld says they never found an active virus in Williams body.
It does seem to be in every case we have seen so far to be related to the virus itself, Threlked said. Its a post-viral, sometimes a few weeks later, a post-viral effect. Not during the first part of it.
We asked if the vaccine could not be a protector against this because Williams had already been predisposed to the COVID virus.
Its a very important question. All preliminary, Threlkeld said. We are working with the CDC to see how vaccines can play in all directions. We dont have any data to suggest the vaccine has any affect in either direction.
Health officials are meeting daily to study Williamss rare case. But theyre still spreading the message that everyone should be vaccinated.
The way to avoid this rare, albeit terrible, illness is to get the vaccine, Threlkeld said. The way to avoid it is to prevent the infection in the first place.
He says its something Williams would want.
He would want this out there and the facts. he would want the true facts out there and to have an effect to save other people, Threlkeld said. And you certainly hear his voice in this by saying get your vaccine.
Were told the exact cause of Williamss death has not been determined and an autopsy is pending.
DETROIT The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan has risen to 572,179 as of Thursday, including 15,052 deaths, state officials report.
Thursdays update includes 1,284 new cases and 75 additional deaths, including 55 from a Vital Records review. On Wednesday, the state reported a total of 570,895 cases and 14,977 deaths.
New COVID-19 cases have plateaued and deaths are starting to slow. Testing has been steady with more than 40,000 diagnostic tests reported per day on average, with the 7-day positive rate down below 4.0% as of Wednesday. Hospitalizations continue to decline over the last several weeks.
Michigans 7-day moving average for daily cases was 1,000 on Wednesday -- the lowest since October. The 7-day death average was 38 on Wednesday. The states fatality rate is 2.6%. The state also reports active cases, which were listed at 57,400 on Wednesday -- near the lowest its been since October.
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According to Johns Hopkins University, more than 27 million cases have been reported in the U.S., with more than 471,700 deaths reported from the virus.
Worldwide, more than 107 million people have been confirmed infected and more than 2.35 million have died. More than 60 million have recovered, according to Johns Hopkins University. The true numbers are certainly much higher, because of limited testing, different ways nations count the dead and deliberate under-reporting by some governments.
Michigan COVID-19 vaccinations: How to find appointments, info on phases
Coronavirus headlines:
VIEW: Tracking Michigan COVID-19 vaccine doses
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VIEW: Tracking coronavirus cases, outbreaks in Michigan schools
Michigan didnt receive the amount ofCOVID vaccinesexpected from the federal government, leading the state to take some of the first-dose allocation and shift it to those already scheduled for their second dose.
The decision means that some people who have a first-dose appointment set for next week may be delayed.
MDHHS with assistance from MING queried local health departments and hospitals regarding need for second dose vaccines. We are addressing any shortages in second doses in the orders we are placing for shipment next week. About 37,300 doses from the first dose allocation will need to be used to ensure complete vaccination for individuals who are due a second dose, said Lynn Sutfin with theMichigan Department of Health and Human Services.
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Meijer is launching a series of COVID-19 vaccination clinics at stores across Michigan this week, with plans to administer up to 25,000 doses in its first week.
Meijer says the vaccines will be administered to Michiganders 65 years and older who have pre-registered through the companys vaccine registration process.
During the last few weeks, Meijer says it has conducted vaccine clinics in numerous counties throughout the state, administering up to 1,200 vaccines in a single day at some stores. Since its first clinic on Jan. 15, the retailer has administered more than 20,000 doses in Michigan and more than 30,000 doses overall, primarily to seniors 65 and older.
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Health officials say a confirmed case of a highly contagious COVID-19 variant, known as B117, was reported in Kent County on Sunday, Feb. 7.
As of Feb. 5, a total of 28 known cases of the variant have been identified in Michigan over the last month, but the cases have only been reported in Washtenaw and Wayne counties.
The new case reported on the opposite side of the state Sunday appears to confirm health officials belief that more cases of the virus variant likely exist in Michigan, they just have not been identified yet.
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Read the full report here.
Health official say Michigans most important COVID-19 numbers are once again trending in the right direction.
Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the states chief medical executive, said Michigans case rate is down to 159 cases per million population. That number has been declining steadily over the past 24 days.
The Detroit, Traverse City and Upper Peninsula regions all have case rates below 150 cases per million people, according to Khaldun.
Learn more here.
Michigan youth contact sports will be allowed to resume practices and games starting on Monday (Feb. 8), with certain COVID-19 safety rules in place, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said.
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Today, MDHHS is issuing an epidemic order to allow in-person practice and competitions for sports leagues, starting on Monday, Feb. 8, Whitmer said. I know these past months have been tough on all of us, and I know theyve been really hard on student-athletes whove been missing a sense of connection and belonging, as well as many other attributes that playing sports provides.
Under the previous Michigan Department of Health and Human Services order, basketball, hockey, wrestling, competitive cheer and youth leagues were shut down at least through Feb. 21.
Read more here.
Restaurants have been the most hotly debated topic of Michigans shutdowns throughout the COVID pandemic.
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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services have twice shut down indoor dining, with the most recent ban ending Monday (Feb. 1).
Heres a look at how restaurants have been handled throughout the pandemic.
Michigan restaurants will officially be allowed to resume indoor dining Feb. 1 with a curfew and other COVID-19 safety restrictions in place.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services released its next COVID-19 order Friday. The revised restrictions go into effect Feb. 1 and last three weeks, until Feb. 21.
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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the order will allow indoor dining at restaurants, concessions at entertainment venues such as casinos, movie theaters and stadiums, personal services requiring mask removal and non-residential gatherings of up to 10 people from two households.
The pause has worked, Whitmer said. The efforts we have made together to protect our families, frontline workers and hospitals have dramatically reduced cases and we have saved lives. Now, we are confident that starting Feb. 1, restaurants can resume indoor dining with safety measures in place.
We are pleased to see the improvements in case rates, hospitalizations and percent positivity that have allowed us to reopen more activities, said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS. However, we must remain vigilant, especially since we now have a new more easily transmitted variant of this virus present in our state.
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Michigan has released a preliminary timeline to show a projection of when other phases can expect to begin receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
Michigan recently moved into the 1B phase, which includes essential workers like teachers and opens up appointments for residents over the age of 65. Some counties have started vaccinating at this level, while some are still waiting to increase vaccine supply.
The preliminary timeline is fluid. It states very clearly, Dates are estimated and expected to change based on vaccine availability. And vaccine availability is limited right now -- but it should be improving in the near future.
See the timeline here.
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Michigan is moving on to a new phase of COVID-19 vaccinations, including teachers, first responders, childcare providers and residents 65 years of age and older.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Wednesday that the new phase of vaccinations will begin Monday, Jan. 11.
We are pleased to move the state forward in the next stage of vaccinations, said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive for MDHHS. These vaccines are safe and effective, and we especially want our first responders, teachers and older adults to get vaccinated as soon as possible. The strategy we are announcing today is efficient, effective, and equitable, focusing on making vaccine available to those who have the highest level of risk, whether it is because of where they work or because of their age.
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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is strongly encouraging Michigan public schools to reopen for in-person learning by the beginning of March.
Public schools in Michigan were shut down during the fall due to a surge in COVID-19 cases. Their buildings have been closed for about two months -- since the state reported thousands of COVID-19 cases per day in November.
The value of in-person learning for our kids is immeasurable, and we must do everything we can to help them get a great education safely, Whitmer said. Over the last 10 months, medical experts and epidemiologists have closely followed the data and have learned that schools can establish a low risk of transmission by ensuring that everyone wears a mask and adopting careful infection prevention protocols.
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I strongly encourage districts to provide as much face-to-face learning as possible, and my administration will work closely with them to get it done.
Read more here.
Michigan COVID-19 daily reported cases since Jan. 15:
Jan. 15 -- 2,598 new cases
Jan. 16 -- 1,932 new cases
Jan. 17 -- 1,421 new cases
Jan. 18 -- 1,422 new cases
Jan. 19 -- 1,738 new cases
Jan. 20 -- 2,031 new cases
Jan. 21 -- 2,165 new cases
Jan. 22 -- 2,157 new cases
Jan. 23 -- 1,601 new cases
Jan. 25 -- 3,011 new cases (case count for two days)
Jan. 26 -- 1,476 new cases
Jan. 27 -- 1,681 new cases
Jan. 28 -- 1,872 new cases
Jan. 29 -- 1,774 new cases
Jan. 30 -- 1,358 new cases
Jan. 31 -- 1,033 new cases
Feb. 1 -- 1,033 new cases
Feb. 2 -- 1,203 new cases
Feb. 3 -- 1,383 new cases
Feb. 4 -- 1,358 new cases
Feb. 5 -- 1,379 new cases
Feb. 6 -- 1,018 new cases
Feb. 7 -- 884 new cases
Feb. 8 -- 885 new cases
Feb. 9 -- 563 new cases
Feb. 10 -- 915 new cases
Feb. 11 -- 1,284 new cases
Michigan COVID-19 daily reported deaths since Jan. 1:
Jan. 15 -- 29 new deaths
Jan. 16 -- 103 (90 from vital records)
Jan. 17 -- 10 new deaths
Jan. 18 -- 10 new deaths
Jan. 19 -- 41 new deaths
Jan. 20 -- 40 new deaths
Jan. 21 -- 148 new deaths (128 from vital records)
Jan. 22 -- 17 new deaths
Jan. 23 -- 221 new deaths (205 from vital records)
Jan. 25 -- 35 new deaths (count for two days)
Assuming a 50-nanometre radius (at the centre of the estimated range) of Sars-CoV-2, the volume of a single spherical virus particle works out to be 523,000 cubic nanometres.
Multiplying this very small volume by the very large number of particles we calculated earlier, and converting into meaningful units gives us a total volume of about 120 millilitres. If we wanted to put all these virus particles together in one place, then wed need to remember that spheres dont pack together perfectly.
If you think about the pyramid of oranges you might see at the grocery store, youll remember that a significant portion of the space it takes up is empty. In fact, the best you can do to minimise empty space is a configuration called "close sphere packing" in which empty space takes up about 26% of the total volume. This increases the totalgathered volumeof Sars-CoV-2 particles to about 160 millilitres easily small enough to fit inside about six shot glasses. Even taking the upper end of the diameter estimate and accounting for thesize of the spike proteinsall the Sars-CoV-2 still wouldnt fill a can of soda.
It turns out that the total volume of Sars-CoV-2 was between my wifes rough estimates of the teaspoon and the swimming pool. Its astonishing to think that all the trouble, the disruption, the hardship and the loss of life that has resulted over the last year could constitute just a few mouthfuls of what would undoubtedly be the worst beverage in history.
An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that there would be two quintillion (2x10) virus particles in the world at any one time. The figure given was a typo and it should read 200 quadrillion (2x10). This did not affect the results of the calculation and has been corrected.
* Christian Yates is a senior lecturer in mathematical biology at the University of Bath and the author of The Maths of Life and Death.
This articleis adapted from a piece thatoriginally appearedon The Conversation, and is republished under a Creative Commons licence.
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As new, more transmissible variants of the coronavirus spread, the CDC says wearing a cloth mask over a surgical mask offers increased protection against the virus. Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
As new, more transmissible variants of the coronavirus spread, the CDC says wearing a cloth mask over a surgical mask offers increased protection against the virus.
Updated at 1:30 p.m. ET
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new research on Wednesday that found wearing a cloth mask over a surgical mask offers more protection against the coronavirus, as does tying knots on the ear loops of surgical masks. Those findings prompted new guidance on how to improve mask fit at a time of concern over fast-spreading variants of the virus.
For optimal protection, the CDC says to make sure the mask fits snugly against your face and to choose a mask with at least two layers.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new research on Wednesday that found wearing a cloth mask over a medical mask is one way to reduce exposure to aerosol droplets that can transmit the coronavirus. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hide caption
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new research on Wednesday that found wearing a cloth mask over a medical mask is one way to reduce exposure to aerosol droplets that can transmit the coronavirus.
In laboratory testing, researchers simulated coughs and breathing and tested how well different masks worked to block aerosol particles comparing no mask, a cloth mask or a surgical mask. They also tested two methods to optimize the fit of cloth and medical masks: wearing a cloth mask over a surgical mask, and tying knots on the ear loops of surgical masks and then tucking in and flattening the extra material against the face.
Both methods produced substantially improved protection against transmission of and exposure to infectious aerosols.
"In the study, wearing any type of mask performed significantly better than not wearing a mask," said CDC Director Rochelle Walensky in a briefing from the White House COVID-19 Response Team on Wednesday.
"And well-fitting masks provided the greatest performance at both blocking emitted aerosols and exposure of aerosols to the receiver. In the breathing experiment, having both the source and the receiver wear masks modified to fit better reduced the receiver's exposure by more than 95%, compared to no mask at all," she said.
The CDC compared the protection offered by (from left) an unknotted medical procedure mask, a cloth mask covering medical procedure mask, and medical procedure mask that is knotted and tucked. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hide caption
Walensky said the laboratory findings underscore the importance of wearing a mask correctly and ensuring it fits snugly over your nose and mouth. The new information does not alter the CDC's guidance on who should wear a mask and when.
As of Feb. 2, masks are now required on planes, buses, trains and other public transportation traveling into, within or out of the U.S., as well as in U.S. transit hubs such as airports and stations.
The CDC's guidance on improving mask fit now recommends:
But double-masking isn't recommended for all masks. Don't combine two disposable masks, the CDC says: "Disposable masks are not designed to fit tightly and wearing more than one will not improve fit."
And don't layer another mask on top of a KN95, either. That mask should be used alone, the CDC says.
NPR's Rob Stein contributed to this report.
