Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to modelling study looking at ‘test to release’ strategy for contacts of cases
A modelling study published in the Lancet Public Health looks the effectiveness of a ‘test to release’ strategy for contacts … read more
expert reaction to latest reported COVID-19 daily deaths on the Coronavirus dashboard
A comment from Prof Sir David Spiegelhalter on the latest reported COVID-19 daily deaths, including the 1,038 deaths recorded on … read more
expert reaction to study looking at cognitive decline in mice and a drug that reduces inflammation and boosts metabolism of macrophages
A study published in Nature looks at cognitive decline in mice when treated with a drug that reduces inflammation and … read more
expert reaction to preprint reporting that the South African SARS-CoV-2 variant 501Y.V2 escapes neutralisation by COVID-19 donor plasma
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, suggests that the South African variant of SARS-CoV-2, 501Y.V2, escapes neutralisation from antibodies … read more
expert reaction to a preprint suggesting the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine might be protective against the B.1.1.7 lineage of SARS-CoV-2 (‘the Kent variant’)
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, suggests the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine might be effective against the SARS-CoV-2 variant found in … read more
expert reaction to media reports of study results from Israel and comments made by Prof Nachman Ash, Israel’s coronavirus tsar, about the efficacy of a single dose of the Pfizer vaccine
There have been media reports of results from a serological study conducted at Israel’s Sheba Medical Centre suggesting Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine … read more
expert reaction to 1,610 newly-reported deaths within 28 days of positive COVID-19 test
The number of deaths reported today within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 test has reached 1,610. Dr Michael … read more
expert reaction to second COVID-19 report on progress from The Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response
The second report on progress from the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response has been released. Dr Gail … read more
expert reaction to latest ONS Infection Survey data on antibodies
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released data from their COVID-19 Infection Survey on antibodies for January 2021. Prof … read more
expert reaction to ONS stats on deaths registered weekly in England and Wales, provisional: week ending 8 January 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 study looking at fried food and heart disease and stroke risk
A study published in Heart looks at whether fried food intake is linked to risk of heart disease and stroke. … read more
expert reaction preprint looking at the early immune response to SARS-CoV-2 and how that may relate to severe and long-COVID
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, looks at early immune response to SARS-CoV-2 and likelihood of developing severe and … read more
expert reaction to reports that Norway are investigating several deaths in frail elderly patients after vaccination with Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine
There have been reports that Norway is investigating deaths of several frail elderly patients after receiving the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. … read more
expert reaction to the RECOVERY trial closing recruitment to convalescent plasma treatment for patients hospitalised with COVID-19
It has been announced that the convalescent plasma arm of the RECOVERY trial has been closed on advice of the … read more
expert reaction to announcement that all travel corridors with the UK will be closed from Monday
In the Downing Street Press Conference this evening Boris Johnson announced that travel corridors are to be closed from Monday. … read more
expert comment on how R and growth rates are calculated and why different models’ results may look different
A few journalists have asked about why some data sets seem to say different things when it comes to estimates … read more
expert reaction to latest R number and growth rates, published by the government
The government have released the latest estimates for the COVID-19 R value and growth rates. Comment also on other … read more
expert reaction to latest COVID-19 Nowcast and Forecast, by the MRC Biostatistics Unit at the University of Cambridge
The MRC Biostatistics Unit at the University of Cambridge have released their latest nowcast and forecast of COVID-19. Prof … read more
meet the scientists involved in the new national consortium to study effects of emerging mutations in SARS-CoV-2
Much is still unknown about how mutations in the virus affect key outcomes such as how transmissible it is, the … read more
expert reaction to a preprint from the SIREN study looking at SARS-CoV-2 infection rates in antibody positive healthcare workers
A preprint, unpublished non-peer reviewed work, from the SIREN (Sarscov2 Immunity & REinfection EvaluatioN) study compares SARS-CoV-2 infection rates in antibody … read more