Author Archives: Science Media Centre
PHE background briefing on SARS-CoV-2 variants
PHE asked us to host a background briefing with Dr Susan Hopkins, Strategic Response Director to Public Health England; Professor … read more
expert reaction to study looking at a different coronavirus detected in bats and pangolins in Southeast Asia
A study published in Nature Communications looks at evidence for SARS-CoV-2 related coronaviruses circulating in bats and pangolins in Southeast … read more
expert reaction to ONS stats on deaths registered weekly in England and Wales, provisional: week ending 29 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 preprint on neutralisation of SARS-CoV-2 viruses with variant spike proteins by convalescent sera and the Pfizer vaccine
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, looks at neutralisation of SARS-CoV-2 viruses with European, South African and United States … read more
expert reaction to study on neutralisation of mutations present in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 variants by the Pfizer vaccine
A study published in Nature Medicine looks at neutralisation of SARS-CoV-2 variants with key spike protein mutations by Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 … read more
expert reaction to dam bursting in northern India
There have been reports of a dam bursting in northern India in the state of Uttarakhand on Sunday as a … read more
top tips and a tool for interpreting mathematical models on COVID-19
The pandemic has brought mathematical models to the forefront of the media coverage and we are seeing new models looking … read more
expert reaction to news reports that the Oxford/AZ vaccine gives limited protection against mild disease caused by the South African variant of SARS-CoV-2
There have been news reports that the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine provides limited protection against mild disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 … read more
expert reaction to announcement of results of phase III of Sinovac vaccine in China
Sinovac have announced the phase III results of its COVID-19 vaccine. Dr Peter English, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control, … read more
expert reaction to paper on SARS-CoV-2 mutations arising during treatment of chronic infection
A study published in Nature looks at the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 during treatment of chronic infection. Dr Simon Clarke, … 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. Prof Kevin McConway, Emeritus … read more
expert reaction to preprint from Oxford looking at efficacy of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine against the B.1.1.7 ‘Kent’ UK variant of SARS-CoV-2
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, looks at efficacy of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine against the ‘Kent’ variant of SARS-CoV-2, … read more
Q&A with Oxford scientists on new preprint on the vaccine and the B.1.1.7 ‘Kent’ coronavirus variant strain
The University of Oxford have posted a preprint looking at preliminary findings of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine and the B.1.1.7 ‘Kent’ … 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
expert reaction to study of climate change, bats and SARS-CoV-2
A study published in Science of the Total Environment looks at the emergence of SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2, climate change and … read more
expert reaction to study looking at effects of gout drug colchicine in patients hospitalised with COVID-19
A study published in RMD Open looks at the effects of adding colchicine, a drug usually used to treat gout, … read more
expert reaction to study looking at povidone iodine mouthwash, gargle, and nasal spray and viral load in patients with non-severe COVID-19 symptoms
A study published in JAMA Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery looks at whether nasopharyngeal application of povidone iodine is … read more
expert reaction to non-peer reviewed modelling presented on a dashboard suggesting that herd immunity may be reached in the UK in July if the vaccination programme stays on track
The summary dashboard, based on modelling at University College London (UCL), suggests herd immunity may be reached in the UK … read more
expert reaction to preprint reanalysing study of real-world Pfizer vaccination outcomes after one dose from Israel
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, estimates the effectiveness of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine after one dose by reanalysing … read more
expert reaction to comments made by Nadhim Zahawi that there are 4,000 variants of SARS-CoV-2
Speaking to reporters, Health Minister Nadhim Zahawi stated that there are “about 4,000 variants around the world of Covid now.” … read more