Infectious Diseases

Cuomo: UK Variant of COVID-19 Found in Niagara County [WKBW-TV]
1/27/21
WKBW-TV reported that the UK variant of COVID-19 has been detected in Niagara County and quoted Thomas A. Russo, MD, professor of medicine and chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases, who said that so far the data show that it doesn’t lead to more severe disease.
What Experts Know About P.1, the Coronavirus Variant Discovered in Brazil
1/27/21
Stories report on the P.1 variant of the novel coronavirus detected in Brazil and quote Thomas A. Russo, MD, professor of medicine and chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases, who said that it’s normal for viruses to develop variants. The stories also quote John A. Sellick Jr., DO, professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases, who said that mutations in the spike protein would imply it’s more infectious as it would boost its ability to bind to human cells and replicate more quickly. However, he added, there’s no scientific data yet on whether it causes more severe disease.
As Variants Spread, Countries Pursue New Round of Travel [Washington Post]
1/26/21
The Washington Post reported on the Biden administration’s new international travel bans, quoting Thomas A. Russo, MD, professor of medicine and chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases, who said: “This travel ban is helpful in that it’ll decrease the likelihood of variants entering the country, but it’s leaky,” adding that the exception for family members to enter could be trouble. “This is better than nothing, but it’s not the most rigorous policy. It’s a middle-of-the road policy.”
In the Face of New COVID-19 Strains, Quality Masks Are More Important Than Ever [Buffalo News]
1/26/21
The Buffalo News reported on concerns about the new variants and how effective masks are, quoting Thomas A. Russo, MD, professor of medicine and chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases, who said: “You never know for sure if people are wearing the mask correctly and wearing them at all times when they’re at risk. We certainly know that masks protect us, but doing competitive trials between masks, I haven’t seen that data out there.”
Erie County: If You’ve Recently Had COVID-19 Hold Off on Getting Vaccinated [WGRZ-TV]
1/26/21
A report on the Erie County recommendation in light of some vaccine shortages that individuals who have had COVID-19 in the past 90 days hold off getting vaccinated quoted Thomas A. Russo, MD, professor of medicine and chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases, who supports that advice, noting “Our present data supports that if someone has been infected with the new coronavirus that natural infection will give that individual protection for at least three months and likely up to six months.”