Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert general comments about travel restrictions and COVID-19
In case useful, here are some general comments about travel restrictions and COVID-19 following an update to the UK’s foreign … read more
expert reaction to draft guideline to tackle the health burden of smoking, as published by NICE
A comprehensive draft guideline to tackle the health burden of smoking has been has been developed by the National Institute … read more
expert reaction to study estimating when the first COVID-19 case occurred in China
A study published in PLOS Pathogens uses modelling to suggest when the first case of COVID-19 might have arisen. … read more
expert reaction to preprint looking at correlates of protection, aiming to identify levels of antibody protection required to prevent symptomatic COVID-19
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, from the Oxford Vaccine Group looks at correlates of protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection. … read more
new REACT-2 data on long COVID
The REACT team from Imperial College London are reporting a new analysis of findings on long COVID from the REACT-2 … read more
expert reaction to preprint from REACT-2 looking at persistent symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection in a random community sample of 508,707 people
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, reports on the latest data from the REACT-2 study looking at persistent symptoms … read more
expert reaction to preprint from the CONVALESCENCE study looking at risk factors for long COVID
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, reports on the latest data from the CONVALESCENCE study at risk factors for … read more
expert reaction to a preprint reporting deleted deep sequencing data of early SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Wuhan
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, looks at deleted deep sequencing data in an attempt to shed more light … read more
expert reaction to study looking at long COVID, including in those who weren’t hospitalised with the disease
A study published in Nature Medicine looks at long COVID in a group of 312 patients in Norway. Dr … read more
expert comment on the ‘Delta plus’ variant (B.1.617.2 with the addition of K417N mutation)
There have been several reports of a ‘Delta plus’ variant causing concern in India and detected in the UK. … read more
expert reaction to announcement that 60,000 fans will be able to attend the Euro semi-finals
The government has announced that more than 60,000 fans will be permitted to attend the UEFA Euro 2020 semi-finals at … read more
expert reaction to new draft data strategy, ‘Data saves lives: reshaping health and social care with data’, published by NHSX
The new draft strategy, published yesterday by NHSX, claims to set out ambitious plans to harness the potential of data … read more
expert reaction to observational study on hormonal contraception and glaucoma
An observational study published in The British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology looks at hormonal contraceptive use and risk of developing glaucoma … read more
expert reaction to PRINCIPLE trial to investigate whether ivermectin is an effective COVID-19 treatment for recovery at home and in other non-hospital settings
It has been announced that Ivermectin, a safe, broad spectrum antiparasitic drug, is to be investigated as a possible treatment … read more
expert reaction to ONS data on deaths registered weekly in England and Wales, provisional: week ending 11 June 2021
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released provisional counts of the number of deaths registered in England and Wales in the … read more
expert reaction to the latest fortnightly release on the COVID-19 Infection Survey looking at antibody and vaccination data for the UK, 22 June 2021
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released the latest report from the COVID-19 infection survey, looking at antibody and vaccination data … read more
expert reaction to report by the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee on direct-to-consumer genomic testing
The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee has published its Direct-to-consumer genomic testing report, urging government to seize opportunities … read more
expert reaction to MHRA yellow card reporting relating to periods after COVID-19 vaccines
A few journalists have asked about MHRA yellow card reports relating to periods after the COVID-19 vaccine, as reported on … read more
expert reaction to latest figures for cases of variants of concern (VOCs) and under investigation (VUIs) and technical briefings on variants of concern published by PHE
Public Health England (PHE) has released more data on the Delta variant first detected in India (B.1.617.2). Dr Julian Tang, … read more
expert reaction to latest data from the ONS infection survey
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released the latest data from their COVID-19 Infection Survey. Prof Kevin McConway, Emeritus Professor … read more