Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to localised COVID-19 outbreaks in an abattoir in Germany and a food factory in Wales
There have been further reports in the media of COVID-19 outbreaks in food processing plants, notably an abattoir in Germany … read more
expert comments about meat processing plants and slaughterhouses and COVID-19 outbreaks
There have been questions form journalists about meat processing plants and slaughterhouses and COVID-19 outbreaks. Prof Lawrence Young, Professor … read more
expert reaction to government publishing R, growth rates and regional R
The government have published the latest estimates for the R value around the UK. Prof Keith Neal, Emeritus Professor … read more
expert reaction to ONS data on COVID19-related deaths England and Wales from 2 March 2020 to 15 May 2020, and ethnicity, religion and disability
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released data on COVID19-related deaths England and Wales considering ethnicity, religion, and disability. … read more
expert reaction to UK COVID-19 alert level moving from Level 4 to Level 3
The government has announced that the UK COVID-19 alert level is moving from Level 4 to Level 3. Prof … read more
ISARIC 4C study – ethnicity and outcomes from hospitalised COVID-19 patients
Reports of ethnic inequalities in COVID-19 outcomes are conflicting and the reasons for any differences in outcomes are unclear. This … read more
expert reaction to research letter looking at cortisol levels and mortality from COVID-19
A peer-reviewed research letter, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, has looked at levels of cortisol and associated mortality … read more
expert reaction to a Genomewide Association Study (GWAS) that reports the potential involvement of the ABO blood-group system in susceptibility to COVID-19
A study, published* in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), has looked at a potential link between the ABO blood-group … read more
expert comment on the next stage of development of the UK virus-tracing app
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) have announced* the next stage of the development of the NHS COVID-19 … read more
expert reaction to ICR study in lab tissue and in mice looking at cancer’s reliance on fat
A study, conducted in lab tissue and mice and published in Cell, has looked at cancer’s reliance on fat. … read more
expert reaction to study looking at the immune response of 37 asymptomatic people with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection
A study, published in Nature Medicine*, has looked at the immune response of 37 asymptomatic people with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. … read more
expert reaction to updated statistics from the NHS Test and Trace service in England
The Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) have published* updated statistics from the NHS Test and Trace service in … read more
expert reaction to open letter signed by 1500 paediatricians calling for the government to make reopening schools a priority
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) have published an open letter from its members, which calls for … read more
expert comments on news of a new coronavirus outbreak in Beijing
There have been reports of a new outbreak of COVID-19 cases in Beijing, and subsequent actions by the Chinese authorities … read more
expert reaction to the MHRA suspending recruitment to hydroxychloroquine trials for COVID-19
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have announced the suspension of recruitment to hydroxychloroquine trials for COVID-19. Dr … read more
expert reaction to PHE report including stakeholder insights on ethnicity and COVID-19, ‘Beyond the data: Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on BAME groups’
A report, from Public Health England (PHE), has looked at the impact of COVID-19 on BAME groups. Prof Kamlesh … read more
expert reaction to latest ONS stats on deaths in England and Wales up to week ending 5 June 2020
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released their weekly figures on the number of deaths in England Wales, including deaths … read more
expert reaction to the RECOVERY trial reporting that dexamethasone reduces death by up to one third in hospitalised COVID-19 patients with severe respiratory complications
The RECOVERY Trial, from the University of Oxford, have announced results for the drug dexamethasone, which reportedly reduces death by … read more
expert reaction to new paper looking at age and COVID-19 susceptibility and severity
A study, published in Nature Medicine, has looked at the relationship between age, COVID-19 susceptibility, and severity, in various global countries … read more
expert reaction to study modelling aerosol transport from flushing a toilet and the potential role in virus transmission
A study, published in Physics of Fluids, reports on aerosol transport from flushing a toilet and the potential role in virus … read more