A. Executive summary ● Results from two open non-randomised phase I/II studies with 76 participants assessed the safety and immunogenicity of rAd26 and rAd5 vector-based COVID-19 vaccine in Russia. Findings suggest that the heterologous rAd26 and rAd5 vector-based COVID-19 vaccine has a good safety profile and induced strong humoral and cellular immune responses in participants. Further investigation is needed for the effectiveness of this vaccine for prevention of COVID-19.● The study presents a phylogenetic analysis suggesting a likely origin for SARS-CoV-2 in Rhinolophus spp. bats. Findings suggest that host-switching occurs more frequently and across more distantly related host taxa in alpha- than beta-CoVs, and is more highly constrained by phylogenetic distance for beta-CoVs.● An open-label, randomised clinical trial in Brazil assessed whether adding azithromycin to the standard of care, which included hydroxychloroquine, would improve clinical outcomes of patients admitted to the hospital with severe COVID-19. Findings do not support the routine use of azithromycin in combination with hydroxychloroquine in patients with severe COVID-19.● A prospective meta-analysis with pooled data from seven randomized clinical trials evaluated the efficacy of corticosteroids (systemic dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, or methylprednisolone) in 1,703 critically ill COVID-19 patients across 12 countries. Findings suggest the administration of systemic corticosteroids, compared with usual care or placebo, was associated with lower 28-day all-cause mortality.● Reports of COVID-19 reinfections have been reported, two infections in each person were separate events, the Hong Kong and Nevada teams each sequenced the viral genomes from the first and second infections.
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