Now accepting Telehealth appointments. Schedule a virtual visit.

The COVID-19 pandemic through eyes of a NYC fertility center

The COVID-19 pandemic through eyes of a NYC fertility center

The COVID-19 pandemic through eyes of a NYC fertility center: A unique learning experience with often unexpected results

This preprint has not gone through Peer-Review
Initially Published on August 20, 2020

Norbert Gleicher, MD

The Center for Human Reproduction, New York, N.Y., USA; The Foundation for Reproductive Medicine, New York, N.Y., USA; Stem Cell Biology and Molecular Embryology Laboratory, The Rockefeller University, New York, N.Y., USA; and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

References

  1. Wilson N, Kvalsvig A, Elfar Barnard L, Baker MG. Case fatality risk estimates for CVID-19 calculated by using a lag time for fatality. Emerg Infect Dis 2020;26)6):1339-1441
  2. Anderson KG, Rambaut A, Ian Lipkin W, Holmes EC, Garry RF. The proximal origin of SARS-CoV-2. Nat Med 2020;26:450
  3. Matheson NJ, Lehner PJ. How does SARS-CoV-2 cause COVID-19? Science 2020;369(6503):510-511
  4. Deng X, Gu W, Federman S, du Plessis L, Pybus OG, et al. Genomic surveillance reveals multiple introductions of SARS-CoV-2 into Northern California. Science 2020;369(6503):582-587
  5. Holshue ML, DeBolt C, Lindquist S, Lofy KH, Wiesman J, Bruce H, Spitters C, Ericson K, Wikerson S, Tural A, Diaz G, Cohn A, Fox L, Patel A, Gerber SI, Kim L, Tong S, Lu X, Lindstrom S, Pallansch MA, Weldon WC, Biggs HM, Uyeki TM, Pillai SK; Washington State 2019-nCoV Case Investigation Team.., N Engl J Med 2020;382(10):929-936
  6. Goldstein J, McKinley J. Coronavius in N.Y.: Manhattan woman is first confirmed case in state. The New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/01/nyregion/new-york-coronvirus-confirmed.html; Updated March 5, 2020.
  7. Gonzalez-Reiche AS, Hernandez MM, Sullivan MJ, Ciferri B, Alshammary H, Obla A, Fabre S, Kleiner G, Polanco J, Khan Z, Alburquerque B, van de Guchte A, Dutta J, Francoeur N, Melo BS, Oussenko I, Deikus G, Soto J, Sridhar SH, Wang YC, Twyman K, Kasarskis A, Altman DR, Smith M, Sebra R, Aberg J, Krammer F, García-Sastre A, Luksza M, Patel G, Paniz-Mondolfi A, Gitman M, Sordillo EM, Simon V, van Bakel H. Introduction and early spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the New YorkCity area. Science 2020; doi: 10.1126/science.abc1917
  8. Berman R. Facing a COVID-19 resurgence and unable to act. The Atlantic, https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/06/covid-resurgence-governors/613171/, June 18, 2020
  9. Terry M. Mutated COVID-19 viral strain in U.S. and Europe 10 times more contagious than original strain. BioSpace,https://www.biospace.com/article/mutated-covid-19-viral-strain-in-us-and-europe-much-more-contagious/, June 30, 2020
  10. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/herd-immunity-and-coronavirus/art-20486808
  11. The Editorial Board. The Swedish economic model. The Wall Street Journal, August 6, 2020; file:///Users/ng/Dropbox%20(CHR)/iMac/Desktop/The%20Swedish%20Economic%20Model%20-%20WSJ.webarchive
  12. Jung F, Krieger V, Hufert FT, Küpper J-H. Herd immunity or suppression strategy to combat COVID-19. Clin Hemorrheol Microcirc 2020;doi: 10.3233/CH-209006
  13. Staff. Only 5% of Spain’s population has coronavirus antibodies, despite severe outbreak. Reuters, https://globalnews.ca/news/7144280/spain-immunity-study-coronavirus/, Updated July 6, 2020
  14. Ahlander J, Pollard N. Swedish antibody study shows long road to immunity as COVID-19 toll mounts. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-sweden-strategy/swedish-antibody-study-shows-long-road-to-immunity-as-covid-19-toll-mounts-idUSKBN22W2YC
  15. Fox J. When New York City got Covid-19. https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2020-07-23/new-york-city-s-covid-19-peak-likely-occurred-in-march-not-april
  16. Goldstein J. 68% have antibodies in this clinic. Can a neighborhood beat a next wave? The New York Times; https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/09/nyregion/nyc-coronavirus-antibodies.html; Updated July 10, 2020
  17. Gallo R. The case for a stopgap vaccine. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/25/opinion/letters/coronavirus-vaccine-gallo.html, June 25, 2020
  18. Madan M, Pahuja S, Mohan A, Pandey RM, Madan K, Hadda V, Tiwari P, Guleria R, Mittal S. TB infections and BCG vaccination: Are we protected from COVID-19? Public Health 2020;185:91-92
  19. Mateeus J, Grifoni A, Tarke A, Sidney J, Ramirez SI, et al., Selective and cross-reactive SARS-CoV-2T cell epitopes in unexposed humans. Science 2020; 10.1126/science.abd3871
  20. Grifoni A, Weiskopf D, Ramirez SI, Mateus J, Dan JM, Rydyznski Moderbacher C, Rawlins SA< Sutherland A, Premkumar L, Jadi RS, Merrama D, de Silva AM, Frazier A, Carlin AF, Greenbaum JA, Peters B, Krammer F, Smith DM, Crotty S, Sette A. Targets of T cell responses to SARS-C0V-2 coronavirus in humans with COVID-19 disease and unexposed individuals. Cell 2020;181(7):1489-1501.e15
  21. Sekine T, Perez-Potti A, Rivera-Ballestro O, Strålin K, Gorin J-B., et al. Robust T cell immunity in convalescent individuals with asymptomatic or mild COVID-19. https:/doi.org/10.1101/2020.06.29.174888
  22. Collins RD, Gaiha GD, Walker BD. CD8+ T cells in HIV control, cure and prevention. Nat Rev Immunol 2020;12:1-12
  23. Britton T, Ball F, Trapman P. A mathematical model reveals the influence of population heterogeneity on herd immunity to SARS-CoV-2. Science 2020; DOI: 10.1126/science.abc681
  24. https://www.centerforhumanreprod.com/fertility/covid-19-and-ivf-chrs-always-up-to-date-guide/
  25. https://www.asrm.org/news-and-publications/news-and-research/press-releases-and-bulletins/asrm-issues-new-guidance-on-fertility-care-during-covid-19-pandemiccalls-for-suspension-of-most-treatments/
  26. https://www.eshre.eu/Press-Room/ESHRE-News#COVID19_April2
  27. Cuomo AM, Zucker HA, Dreslin S. Health Advisory: Sexual and Reproductive Health Services During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2020/04/doh_covid19_sexualreproductivehealthadvisory_040820-technical-correction.pdf
  28. Finley A. The bearer of good Coronavirus news. Wall Street Journal., April 24, 2020. https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-bearer-of-good-coronavirus-news-11587746176
  29. Landler M, Castle S. ehind the virus report that jarred the U.S. and the U.K. to action. The New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/17/world/europe/coronavirus-imperial-college-johnson.html
  30. https://www.centerforhumanreprod.com/fertility/what-does-it-really-mean-to-follow-science/
  31. Baghramian M. Trust in experts: Why and why not? 2020; https://jerichochambers.com/trust-in-experts-why-and-why-not/
  32. The New York Times. More than 40% of U.S. Coronavirus deaths are linked to nursing homes. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/coronavirus-nursing-homes.html; Updated July 30, 2020.
  33. Finley A. The lockdown skeptic they couldn’t silence. Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-lockdown-skeptic-they-couldnt-silence-11589566245; Updated May 15, 2020.
  34. https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-lockdown-skeptic-they-couldnt-silence-11589566245
  35. https://healthpolicy.usc.edu/author/joel-w-hay-ph-d/
  36. https://priceschool.usc.edu/people/neeraj-sood/
  37. Isogna IG, Ginsburg ES. Infertility inequality, and how lack of insurance coverage compromises reproductive autonomy. AMA J Ethics 2018;20(12):E1152-1159
  38. Fauser BCJM, Boivin J, Barri PN, Tarlatzis BC, Schmidt L, Levy-Toledano R. Beliefs, attitudes and funding of assisted reproductive technology: Public perception of over 6,000 respondnets from 6 European countries. PLoS One 2019;24(14):e211150
  39. World Health Organization. Zika virus, July 20, 2018, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/zika-virus
  40. Mertz D, Geraci J, Winkup J, Gessner BD, Ortiz JR, Loeb M. Pregnancy as a risk factor for severe outcomes from influenza virus infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Vaccine 2018;35(4):521-528
  41. Galang RR, Chang K, Strid P, Snead MC, Woodwortt KR, et al. Severe Corona infections in pregnancy: A systematic review. Obstet Gynecol 2020;136(2):262-272
  42. Zhang L, Dong L, Ming L, Wei M, li J, et al. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection during late pregnancy: a report of 18 patients from Wuhan, China. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2020;20:394
  43. Ellington S, Strid P, Tong VT, Woodworth K, Galang RR, et al. Characteristics of women of reproductive age with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection by pregnancy status – United States, january22-June 7, MMMWR 69(25), June 26, 2020
  44. Khoury R, Bernstein PS, Debolt C, Stone J, Sutton DM, et al. Characteristics and outcome of 241 births to women with severe acute repiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection at five New York City medical centers. Obestet Gynecol 2020;136(2):273-282
  45. Telefus Goldfarb I, Vlapp MA, Soffer MD, Shook LL, Rushfirth K, et al. Prevalence and severity of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) illness in symptomatic pregnant and postpartum women stratified by Hispanic ethnicity. Obstet Gynecol 2020;136:300-302
  46. Bowen A. Of the COVID-19 pregnancy cases reported in Illinois, Black and Latina women make up over 70%. Chicago Tribune; https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-life-coronavirus-hispanic-black-moms-pregnant-women-covid-20200702-opoekt3avvbqvfkf3caxtvrnkm-story.html
  47. Huntley BJF, Huntley ES, Di Mascio D, Chen T, Berghella V, Chauhan sp. Rates of maternal and perinatal mortality and vertical transmission in pregnancies complicated by severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-Co-V-2) infection: A systemic review. Obstet Gynecol 2020;136(2)303-312
  48. Alzamora MC, Paredes T, Caceres D, Webb CM, Valdez LM, La Rosa M. Severe COVID-19 during pregnancy and possible vertical transmission. Am J Perinatol 2020;37(8):861-965
  49. Egloff C, Vauloup-Fellous C, Picone O, Mandelbrot L, Roques P. Evidence fand possible mechanisms of rare maternal fetal-transmission of SARS-C0V-2. J Clin Virol 2020;128:104447
  50. Bredderman W, Messer O. Modelers warn Baltimore, Boston, and Chicago could be next COVID-19 hot-spots. The Daily Beast August 12, 2020. https://www.thedailybeast.com/baltimore-boston-and-chicago-could-be-next-coronavirus-hot-spots-modelers-warn?ref=home
  51. ASRM, ESHRE and IFFS. COVID-19 and Human Reproduction Joint Statement:ASRM/ESHRE/IFFS. https://www.asrm.org/globalassets/asrm/asrm-content/news-and-publications/covid-19/asrm-eshre-iffs-joint-statement.pdf
  52. Lindberg LD, VandeVusse A, Mueller J,Kirstein M. Early impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from the 2020 Guttmacher Survey of Reproductive Health Experiences. https://www.guttmacher.org/report/early-impacts-covid-19-pandemic-findings-2020-guttmacher-survey-reproductive-health
  53. Crudele J. Declining IVF rates might signal the next recession. New York Post, Dece,ber 16, 2016; https://nypost.com/2015/12/14/can-less-baby-making-mean-bad-news-for-us-economy/
  54. Kowitt B. Fertility Inc.: inside the big business of babymaking. Forbes January 21, 2020; https://fortune.com/longform/fertility-business-femtech-investing-ivf/
  55. Bloomberg Law News. Embryo and egg freezer IntegraMed America files for liquidation. May 22, 2020; https://news.bloomberglaw.com/bankruptcy-law/embryo-and-egg-freezer-integramed-america-files-for-liquidation

Norbert Gleicher, MD

Norbert Gleicher, MD, FACOG, FACS

Norbert Gleicher, MD, leads CHR’s clinical and research efforts as Medical Director and Chief Scientist. A world-renowned specialist in reproductive endocrinology, Dr. Gleicher has published hundreds of peer-reviewed papers and lectured globally while keeping an active clinical career focused on ovarian aging, immunological issues and other difficult cases of infertility.

Follow on LinkedIn    

Watch his videos on YouTube    

 


We have helped women bring over
17,800 babies into the world.

DISCOVER YOUR TREATMENT OPTIONS

 

← Back

You Might Also Enjoy...

IVF after 40 years old

Trying To Get Pregnant After 40 Years Old

For women trying to get pregnant after 40, CHR believes in an urgent and individualized treatment approach. Time is a very important factor with DOR, and the sooner treatment can be started, the higher a woman's pregnancy chances.
Am I a Candidate for Egg Donation?

Am I a Candidate for Egg Donation?

Egg donation is a beneficial treatment that can assist women who can’t conceive with their eggs. Find out what goes into the egg donation process here.

The March/April Voice

Every issue of the VOICE slowly drifts towards more professional subjects, peaking with the literature review, which, primarily addresses physicians and scientists.
IVF in Alabama - What To Do Next?

IVF in Alabama - What To Do Next?

CHR offers the safe transfer of existing frozen embryos into our facility, ensuring continuity of care for patients affected by the suspension of IVF services in Alabama.