COVID-19: Second Wave or Multiple Peaks, Natural Herd Immunity or Vaccine – We Should be Prepared

Abstract

Between the 31st of December 2019 and the 30th of August 2020 (date of this article), the novel coronavirus and its corresponding infection, COVID-19, more than 25 million cases and 843,158 deaths have been registered. Countries around the world have been affected, albeit in different levels and intensities. Despite implementations of preventive public health measures, most countries are seriously preparing for one or more waves. The threat of this surge is likely to persist until herd immunity is acquired either by natural infection or through vaccination. However, given the time frame needed for herd immunity to occur and the low probability that a vaccine will be available on a global scale by the coming fall and winter seasons, contingency preparedness plans should be established and put in place for the coming days or months. These plans should help mitigate new peaks of the pandemic while relaxing the social isolation rules, patient, public health, and hospital levels. In this article, we go about recommendations that practicing physicians and public health agencies should provide to individuals, especially those at risk of infection, to take and implement pre-emptive measures in anticipation of the potential next peak of the pandemic.

Surveillance of the Second Wave of COVID-19 in Europe: Longitudinal Trend Analyses

“…Europe experienced a surge in COVID-19 transmission due to the second wave of the pandemic [ 11 , 63 - 65 ]. Because infection rates had significantly increased across Europe, many governments imposed strict lockdowns shutting down European economies again.…”

Keeping the lights on: Telehealth, testing, and 6-month outcomes for orthotopic liver transplantation during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…The ability of liver transplant centers to continue to provide care for patients with ESLD will increasingly become reliant on center flexibility, rapid testing, telehealth, and virtual platforms for the delivery of high-quality care to this high-risk population. As the expected winter surge of COVID-19 cases comes closer,( 34 ) it becomes even more necessary to share multi-disciplinary protocols and experiences between liver transplant centers to ensure optimal preparedness and the best possible outcomes for patients with End-Stage Liver Disease.…”

Response to “Moghnieh et al. COVID-19: Second Wave or Multiple Peaks, Natural Herd Immunity or Vaccine – We Should be Prepared”

“…A recent article in your journal highlighted all the potential strategies to be adopted in case of the potential next wave of the pandemic. [1] The article featured many mitigation and precautionary strategies that would possibly help to control the situation in the future, and minimise the risks faced due to certain practices during the global pandemic.…”