Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to study looking at convalescent plasma antibody levels and risk of death from COVID-19
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) looks at convalescent plasma antibody levels and the risk of death … read more
expert reaction to preprint looking at intensive care occupancy and risk of death in intensive care patients with COVID-19 in the first wave
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, looks at availability of mechanical ventilators and mortality risk in intensive care patients … read more
expert reaction to latest COVID-19 cases and deaths, including the reporting today of 1,564 deaths
The governments latest stats on COVID-19 cases and deaths have been been released today. Commenting on deaths: Dr Michael … read more
expert comments about what we do and don’t know about the Brazilian variant of SARS-CoV-2
We’ve had a few questions from journalists about the Brazilian variant after it was mentioned by Boris Johnson when answering … read more
expert reaction to comments reportedly made yesterday by Dr Mike Ryan of the WHO suggesting increases in COVID-19 cases in Ireland has been mainly due to increased social mixing rather than the new variant
The World Health Organisation’s Dr Mike Ryan told reporters yesterday the increase in COVID-19 cases in Ireland was not due … read more
expert reaction to Scotland tightening COVID-19 restrictions around takeaway and click and collect services
Tightening of Scottish lockdown rules around takeaway and click and collect services have been announced, and will come into force … read more
expert reaction to reported results of the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine from a trial by the Butantan Institute in Brazil
A trial by the Butantan Institute in Brazil reported an efficacy of 50.38% for China’s COVID-19 Vaccine, Sinovac. Prof … read more
expert reaction to ONS stats on deaths registered in England and Wales, provisional: week ending 1 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 observational study on gut bacteria and body’s response to COVID-19
An observational study, published in Gut, looks at gut microbiota composition, COVID-19 severity and immune response. Prof Daniel M … read more
expert comment on SARS-CoV-2 transmission within supermarkets
A comment from Professor Ashley Woodcock on transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in supermarkets. Prof Ashley Woodcock, Professor of Respiratory Medicine … read more
expert comment about latest NHS COVID-19 vaccination stats in England
A comment from Professor Sheila Bird on the latest NHS COVID-19 vaccination statistics in England, for the week ending Sunday … read more
expert reaction to REMAP-CAP recruitment of severely ill COVID-19 patients into convalescent plasma trial being paused after initial analysis suggested it did not improve outcomes
It has been announced that the international trial of SARS-CoV-2 convalescent plasma, REMAP-CAP, has paused enrollment of critically ill COVID-19 … read more
expert comments about outdoor transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and use of face masks outdoors
Following Chris Whitty’s interview this morning on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, we’ve had a few questions from journalists about … read more
expert reaction to media reports on US vaccine roll out
There have been reports in the US that President elect Joe Biden plans to release nearly all available vaccine doses … read more
expert reaction to government announcement that asymptomatic testing is to be rolled out across country starting next week
The government have announced today that community testing offer is to be expanded across all local authorities in England to test … read more
expert reaction to Sadiq Khan declaring major incident in London
A major incident has been declared today by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. Dr Marisa Miraldo of Imperial College Business School said: … read more
expert reaction to study using genomic epidemiology to look at COVID-19 transmission chains during the first wave in the UK
A study published in Science uses genomic epidemiology to trace COVID-19 transmission chains during the first wave in the UK … 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. Dr Yuliya Kyrychko, Reader … read more
expert reaction to latest ONS Infection Survey data
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released the latest data from their COVID-19 Infection Survey. Prof Kevin McConway, Emeritus Professor … read more