Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to report 41 from the Imperial MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, looking at key epidemiological drivers and impact of interventions in England in the first and second waves
The Imperial MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis have released their latest report (41) into the epidemiological drivers and … read more
evidence on Mass Testing
As government sends the army to organise mass testing of lorry drivers sitting at ports, controversy continues about whether these … read more
expert reaction to REMAP-CAP trial collaboration pausing enrollment of critically ill COVID-19 patients into the anticoagulants trial
It has been announced that the international trials of anticoagulants (blood thinners) have paused enrollment of critically ill COVID-19 patients, … read more
expert reaction to PHE’s technical briefing document on the novel SARS-COV-2 variant, published on Monday 21 December 2020
A technical briefing document on the SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern, VUI-202012/01, was published yesterday by Public Health England (PHE). … read more
expert reaction to tweets from Prof Jon Deeks about lateral flow test accuracy at the University of Birmingham
Professor Jon Deeks has raised concern on twitter about the sensitivity and specificity of lateral flow tests carried out at … read more
COG-UK and friends Q&A update on the new variant
COG-UK is the COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium and has some of the UK’s leading experts on virus genomics. We asked … read more
expert reaction to ONS data on deaths registered weekly in England and Wales, provisional: week ending 11 December 2020
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released provisional counts of the number of deaths registered in England and Wales in the … read more
NERVTAG Q&A on the new variant
NERVTAG published a brief summary of NERVTAG opinion yesterday following their meeting on the SARS-CoV-2 variant under investigation, VUI-202012/01: https://khub.net/documents/135939561/338928724/SARS-CoV-2+variant+under+investigation%2C+meeting+minutes.pdf/962e866b-161f-2fd5-1030-32b6ab467896?t=1608491166921 … 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
expert reaction new restrictions and the new UK SARS-CoV-2 variant
The Prime Minister and the Chief Medical Officer made a statement on Saturday about new Tier 4 restrictions, the new … read more
vaccines Q&A for journalists
We gave journalists the opportunity to ask the panellists anything they want about vaccines – from specific covid-related details to … read more
expert reaction to brief summary of NERVTAG opinion from the NERVTAG meeting on SARS-CoV-2 variant under investigation VUI-202012/01
A New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG) meeting on the SARS-CoV-2 variant under investigation, VUI-202012/01, took place … read more
expert reaction to FDA Emergency Use Authorisation for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
The FDA in the USA issued an Emergency Use Authorisation for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Dr Craig Hartford, member … read more
expert reaction to the latest ONS Infection Survey and government R value and growth rates
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released the latest data from their COVID-19 Infection Survey, and the government have released the … read more
expert reaction to COVID-19 rapid guideline: managing the long-term effects of COVID-19, developed by NICE, SIGN and RCGP
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) and Royal College of General Practitioners … read more
expert reaction to study looking at health of dads-to-be before conception and pregnancy outcomes including miscarriage and stillbirth
A study published in Human Reproduction looks at whether preconception paternal health is associated with pregnancy loss in the U.S. … read more
expert reaction to study looking at tocilizumab in patients hospitalised in the US with COVID-19 pneumonia
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) looks at tocilizumab in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 pneumonia. … read more
expert reaction to study looking at REGN-COV2, a neutralising antibody cocktail, and outpatients with COVID-19 in the US
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) looks at the neutralising antibody cocktail, REGN-COV-2, in outpatients … read more
expert comment on Test and Trace data
A comment from Professor Sheila Bird on the NHS Test and Trace statistics. Prof Sheila Bird, Formerly Programme Leader, … read more
expert reaction to announcement of changes to tiers in England which will come into force on Saturday 19 December
The latest update to England’s regional tiers has been announced today by Matt Hancock. Prof Rowland Kao, Royal (Dick) … read more