Evidence check
A rapid review outlining the available evidence on a discrete topic or question. Evidence includes grey and peer review literature. View all Evidence Checks by date of publication.
Archive Hospital visitor policies
Added: 31 Jan 2022
What is the evidence for hospital visitor policies during and outside of the COVID-19 pandemic?
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, hospital visitor policies were used to organise care, limit the spread of infection and reduce the use of personal protective equipment.
- Hospital visitor policies may include restricting visitors, requiring visitor registration and screening, and limiting visitor movement.
- Visitor restrictions may have a negative impact on the wellbeing of patients and family members and increase the workload of healthcare workers.
Archive Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant
Added: 10 Dec 2021
Updated: 27 Jan 2022
What is the evidence for the variant of concern Omicron (B.1.1.529) in terms of transmissibility, disease severity, COVID-19 treatments and vaccines?
- Omicron (B.1.1.529) was designated a variant of concern by the World Health Organization on 26 November 2021.
- It was first reported to WHO from South Africa on 24 November 2021.
- It has 50 mutations, including 26-32 mutations on its spike protein.
Archive Paediatrics and COVID-19 reporting rates and differences
Added: 27 Jan 2022
How are paediatric patients with COVID-19 reported, and what are the differences in rates and severity with Omicron?
- In Australia, COVID-19 statistics provided by federal, and most state governments, report on distribution of cases by age groups, with children and young people split into age groups of 0-9 and 10-19 years. Age groupings vary across countries.
- Reports about the Omicron variant point to a rise in the overall counts of new infections and hospitalisations among children, especially children under the age of five.
- Reports from the United States, South Africa, and UK indicated that children admitted to hospitals during the Omicron variant wave with COVID-19 had lower risk of severe clinical outcomes.
Archive Omicron - symptoms and hospitalised patients
Added: 21 Jan 2022
What are the symptoms associated with Omicron and what is the risk of hospitalisation for Omicron?
- There is currently no information to suggest that Omicron symptoms are different from other SARS-CoV-2 variants, with the most reported symptoms for Omicron being a runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing and a sore throat.
- Reports suggest Omicron is less severe compared to Delta with reduced rates of hospital admission, intensive care unit admission and mortality.
- Early animal and human studies suggest that Omicron replicates faster in human airways however has reduced levels of multiplication and concentration deep in the lung.
Archive Incidental COVID-19
Added: 21 Jan 2022
How are incidental COVID-19 cases being reported internationally, and what is the proportional of incidental COVID-19 cases?
- COVID-19 may be the direct cause for hospitalisation, have an indirect effect (on principal diagnosis and on delivery of care), or be incidental to the reason for hospitalisation.
- The percentage of hospitalisations classified as incidental COVID-19 varies. Internationally, it has been reported as between 12% and 63%.
- Internationally, reporting is often split by COVID-19 positive patients in hospitals or intensive care units admitted for COVID-19 and those admitted for other reasons.
Archive Sotrovimab
Added: 6 Dec 2021
Updated: 21 Jan 2022
What is the evidence for sotrovimab as a treatment for COVID-19?
- Sotrovimab (XEVUDY), is a monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19.
- Sotrovimab is provisionally approved and included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).
- Interim data from a phase 3 trial (COMET-ICE) show the risk of disease progression was reduced by 85%.
Archive Face masks in the community – evidence and international policy during the COVID-19 pandemic
Added: 29 Oct 2021
Updated: 16 Dec 2021
What is the evidence for the effectiveness of face masks in community settings for reducing influenza-like illnesses, including COVID-19?
- Most systematic reviews report benefits in terms of reduction in incidence, hospitalisation and/or mortality.
- The efficacy of protection against respiratory viral infections may vary according to the type of mask used.
- Face masks are often recommended alongside other protective measures including hand hygiene and physical distancing.
Archive Monoclonal antibodies
Added: 13 Dec 2021
What is the evidence for the use of monoclonal antibody treatments for COVID-19?
- Monoclonal antibodies that target surface viral proteins may be used for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. In Australia, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has provisionally approved certain monoclonal antibody treatments and the Australian National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce has published living guidance for use.
- A Cochrane review concluded there was insufficient evidence regarding the effectiveness of treatment with monoclonal antibodies including reduced mortality, improved symptoms, admissions to hospital, and serious or unwanted effects.
- Other systematic reviews have reported mixed evidence for reduced mortality, reduced hospitalisations or ICU admissions, progression to ventilation or severe disease, and risk of poor clinical outcomes or adverse events.
Rapid evidence checks are based on a simplified review method and may not be entirely exhaustive, but aim to provide a balanced assessment of what is already known about a specific problem or issue. This brief has not been peer-reviewed and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement, nor is it an endorsed position of NSW Health. Evidence checks are archived a year after the date of publication.