Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to modelling framework study looking at effectiveness of facemasks in combination with lockdown in managing the COVID-19 pandemic
A study, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society A, looked at the effectiveness of facemasks in combination with lockdown … read more
digest of the ONS stats on COVID-19 deaths
Once again we had three experts who looked through the latest ONS stats on COVID19-related deaths published every Tuesday morning, … read more
expert reaction to ONS statistics on comparison of weekly death occurrences in England and Wales: up to week ending 29 May 2020
The Office for National Statistics (ONS)have released the latest weekly figures for deaths in England and Wales, including deaths involving COVID-19 … read more
expert reaction to preprint looking at hospital traffic and search engine data in Wuhan in Autumn 2019
A preprint, an un-published non peer-reviewed study posted on the Harvard University website, looked at hospital traffic and search engine … read more
expert reaction to comments from Dr Maria van Kerkhove at yesterday’s WHO press conference that asymptomatic transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is rare
At the World Health Organisation (WHO) press conference on Monday 8th June, Dr Maria van Kerkhove stated that asymptomatic transmission … read more
expert reaction to launch of PHE study to monitor prevalence of COVID-19 in schools
Public Health England (PHE) have a launched a study which aims to monitor the prevalence of COVID-19 in schools. … read more
expert reaction to new paper looking at clinical characteristics of 58 children in England hospitals with Kawasaki-like syndrome
A study, published in JAMA, looked at clinical characteristics of 58 children in England hospitals with Kawasaki-like syndrome. Prof Adilia … read more
expert comments about protests and COVID-19
There has been discussion in the media about the protests currently happening around the UK, and the possible implications for … read more
nowcasting and forecasting COVID-19 data
Journalists joined Prof Daniela De Angelis and Dr Paul Birrell, who lead the Medical Research Council (MRC) Biostatistics Unit’s work … read more
expert reaction to the RECOVERY trial reporting no clinical benefit from use of hydroxychloroquine in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19
The Chief Investigators of the Randomised Evaluation of COVid-19 thERapY (RECOVERY) Trial have announced that they will no longer be … read more
expert reaction to latest COVID-19 nowcast and forecast by the MRC Biostatistics Unit at the University of Cambridge and PHE
The MRC Biostatistics Unit at the University of Cambridge, working in partnership with Public Health England (PHE), have published an … read more
RECOVERY trial hydroxychloroquine update
Journalists joined Professor Peter Horby and Professor Martin Landray, Chief Investigators of the RECOVERY trial who provided results on the … read more
expert reaction to latest ONS data on coronavirus infection rates and deaths
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have published the latest update of the initial data from the COVID-19 Infection Survey. … read more
expert reaction to study looking at link between high blood pressure and risk of dying from COVID-19
Research, published in the European Heart Journal, looked at the link between high blood pressure and risk of dying from … read more
expert reaction to the retraction of a Lancet paper on hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine treatment for COVID-19 and the retraction of a NEJM paper on Cardiovascular Disease, Drug Therapy, and Mortality in Covid-19
The authors of two studies into COVID-19 treatment, published in The Lancet and New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), have … read more
expert reaction to mandatory face masks on public transport
It has been announced today that from June 15th fabric face coverings will be required on all public transport in … read more
expert reaction to latest figures on deaths in hospitals in England involving COVID-19
NHS England have published the latest figure for reported deaths in hospitals in England from COVID-19 – an additional 115 … read more
expert reaction to evaluation of post-lockdown social distancing strategies
A study, published in in Nature Human Behaviour, evaluated post-lockdown social distancing strategies. Prof Linda Bauld, Professor of Public … read more
expert reaction to RCT of hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19
A Randomised Control Trial (RCT), published in The NEJM, looked at hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for COVID-19. Prof Martin … read more
expert reaction to WHO announcement that the Executive Group of the Solidarity Trial has endorsed the continuation of all arms of the trial including hydroxychloroquine
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that the Executive Group of the Solidarity Trial has endorsed the continuation of … read more