Author Archives: Science Media Centre
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
digest of the ONS stats on COVID-19 deaths
As in previous weeks, we had three experts who looked through the ONS stats on COVID19-related deaths after they were … read more
steroids for COVID-19 – results from the RECOVERY trial
Over the last few months, a range of potential treatments have been suggested for COVID-19. The RECOVERY trial is the … read more
new study on age and COVID-19 susceptibility and severity
A new paper published this morning in Nature Medicine modelled susceptibility and disease severity of COVID-19 at different ages, including … read more
expert reaction to news that Imperial is to begin first human trials of their new COVID-19 candidate vaccine
Imperial College London have announced that they are to begin the first human trials of their new COVID-19 candidate vaccine. … read more
expert reaction to FDA revoking Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for emergency use of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine in treating COVID-19
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have withdrawn their emergency use authorisation for the drugs hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine for … read more
expert reaction to modelling preprint looking at health and economic impacts of TTI
A preprint, an unpublished non-peereviewed modelling study posted to GitHub, looked at health and economic impacts of Test Trace and … read more
expert reaction (focusing on mental health) to two reports from the Office for National Statistics: on COVID and anxiety and on COVID and the shielded
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have published two reports looking at COVD-19 and anxiety, and the impact of COVID-19 on … read more
expert reaction to unpublished preprint on antibody responses of 177 people who had been diagnosed with COVID-19
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study posted on MedRxiv, looked at the antibody responses of 177 people who had … read more
expert reaction to letter warning of new-onset diabetes in COVID-19 patients
A letter, published in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), warns of new-onset diabetes in COVID-19 patients. Dr … read more
expert reaction to study looking at a SARS-CoV-2 virus test, RT-LAMP, which reports to diagnose samples in 30-45 minutes
A study, published in PLOS ONE, looked at a SARS-CoV-2 virus test, RT-LAMP, which reports to diagnose samples in 30-45 minutes. … read more
expert reaction to ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey pilot, England, 12 June 2020
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released the latest results of their COVID-19 infection survey for England. Prof … read more
expert reaction to SAGE document about the risk of pets spreading coronavirus
The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) have released further documents and minutes, including a document on the risk of … read more