Author Archives: Science Media Centre
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
expert reaction to Moderna vaccine getting UK approval
It has been announced that the UK government has accepted the recommendation from the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory … read more
expert reaction to preprint suggesting the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine might be effective against new variants
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, suggests the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine might still be effective against the new SARS-CoV-2 … read more
expert reaction to Met Office forecast of atmospheric CO2 to be 50% higher in 2021 than before the industrial revolution
A Met Office forecast predicts that in 2021, carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will reach levels 50% higher than before … read more
results from REMAP-CAP trial – updated analysis on tocilizumab and sarilumab for ICU patients with severe COVID-19
The REMAP-CAP trial (Randomised, Embedded, Multi-factorial, Adaptive Platform Trial for Community-Acquired Pneumonia), which began in March 2020, has been trialling … read more
expert reaction to preprint from the REMAP-CAP trial looking at tocilizumab and sarilumab in critically ill COVID-19 patients
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, looks at Interleukin-6 receptor agonists, tocilizumab and sarilumab, in critically ill COVID-19 patients. … read more
expert general comment on travel restrictions and COVID-19
A few journalists have asked us about this topic, so here is a general comment from Professor Mark Jit ahead … read more
expert reaction to study looking at convalescent plasma in older patients with mild COVID-19 symptoms
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) looks at convalescent plasma therapy to prevent severe COVID-19 … read more
expert reaction to Defra consultation on gene editing
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) have published a consultation today on gene editing. Comments sent out … read more
expert comments about nurseries staying open during the current lockdown
During this third national lockdown, nurseries have been allowed to remain open whilst primary and secondary schools have closed. … read more
expert reaction to EMA recommending the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for authorisation in the EU
It has been announced today that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended the COVID-19 vaccine Moderna for authorisation in … read more
expert reaction to ONS stats on deaths registered in England and Wales, provisional: week ending 25 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
expert reaction to daily reported cases topping 60,000; and to ONS Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey ad hoc release estimating around 2% of people or 1 in 50 in England had COVID-19
The number of people that have tested positive today for COVID-19 passed 60,000, and an ad hoc release from the … read more
expert reaction to government’s aim to have offered the first COVID-19 vaccine dose to everyone in the four top priority groups by mid-February
Several journalists have asked us about the government’s vaccination timeline, so here are some comments from scientists. Comments sent … read more
expert reaction to PM’s announcement of national lockdown
In his address to the nation this evening, the Prime Minister announced a national lockdown to begin from midnight tonight. … read more
expert reaction to the UK variant and whether it’s responsible for the recent rise in infections
In a statement from no. 10 it was suggested that the new UK variant led to the rapid rise in … read more
expert comment on combining different COVID-19 vaccine doses
Comments from scientists on combining different COVID-19 vaccines in a heterologous prime-boost regimen. Prof Helen Fletcher, Professor of Immunology … read more