Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to news reports on Boots testing service for SARS-CoV-2
The retail chain Boots have announced the launch of an in-store COVID-19 testing service, targeted at those without symptoms. … read more
expert reaction to SAGE document looking at a segmentation strategy
SAGE have published a document which considers the scientific aspects relating to a strategy that would segment the population into … read more
expert reaction to latest government R value and growth rates
The government have released the latest estimates for the COVID-19 growth rate and R value. Prof Kevin McConway, Emeritus … read more
expert reaction to the ONS Infection Survey, UK: 23 October 2020
The Office for National Statistics, have released the latest data from their COVID-19 Infection Survey. Prof Kevin McConway, Emeritus Professor … read more
expert reaction to the ONS monthly mortality analysis, England and Wales: September 2020
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released their monthly mortality analysis for England and Wales covering September 2020. Prof Kevin … read more
expert reaction to results from an open label phase II randomised control trial for convalescent plasma to treat moderate COVID-19
A trial, published in The BMJ, looked at convalescent plasma for the treatment of moderate COVID-19. Prof Martin Landray, … read more
expert reaction latest Test and Trace Figures for England for the week 8-14 October
The government have released the latest statistics from the COVID-19 Test and Trace system. Prof Sheila Bird, Formerly Programme … read more
why is COVID so deadly?
A while ago we asked whether journalists would value a background briefing on the biology of COVID that would explore … read more
expert reaction to media reports suggesting a person in Brazil who was taking part in the Brazil arm of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine trial has died
It has been reported that a person in Brazil who was taking part in the Brazil arm of the Oxford/AstraZeneca … read more
expert reaction to 26,688 new COVID-19 cases being reported
On Tuesday 21st October the government reported 26,688 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the UK. Dr Stephen Griffin, … read more
expert reaction to preprint from King’s College London on long COVID using data from the COVID Symptom Study app
A preprint, an unpublished non peer-reviewed study posted to medRxiv, looked at long COVID using data from the King’s College … read more
expert comment about the possibility of having tens of thousands of deaths in the second wave
Journalists have asked for comment in response to comments made by Prof John Edmunds at the Science and Technology Committee and … read more
meet the scientist appointed to advise government on ethnicity and COVID and hear about the Government’s first quarterly report on COVID disparities
Dr Raghib Ali is Senior Clinical Research Associate, MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge and he, along with Professor Keith … read more
expert reaction to report looking at progress to address COVID-19 health inequalities, with a focus on ethnic minorities
A new report has looked at progress to address COVID-19 health inequalities, with a focus on ethnic minorities. This Roundup … read more
expert reaction to feature on whether COVID-19 vaccine trials will be able to tell us if they prevent hospitalisations, intensive care use or deaths
A feature, published in the BMJ, discusses whether COVID-19 vaccine trials will be able to tell us if they prevent … read more
expert reaction to latest nowcast and forecast of COVID-19 from 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 to Manchester going into Tier 3
It was announced that the Greater Manchester region is due to be put under Tier 3 COVID restrictions from Friday … read more
expert reaction to study looking at dietary flavanol intake and blood pressure
A study, published in Scientific Reports, looked at dietary flavanol intake and blood pressure. Dr Ada Garcia, Senior Lecturer … read more
expert reaction to study looking at long term noise exposure and associated cognitive decline and dementia in older adults
Research, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, looked at long term noise exposure and associated cognitive decline and dementia in older … read more
expert reaction to new risk tool developed to predict a person’s risk of being admitted to hospital and dying from Covid-19
A study, published in the BMJ, looked at a new tool developed to predict a person’s risk of being admitted … read more