Author Archives: Science Media Centre
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A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, looks at early immune response to SARS-CoV-2 and likelihood of developing severe and … read more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
results from the SIREN study
PHE’s ‘SIREN’ (SARS-CoV-2 Immunity & REinfection EvaluatioN) study has studied volunteer health workers from across the NHS in order to … 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
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