Author Archives: Science Media Centre

expert reaction to the latest COVID-19 press conference

The No 10 press conference, on Thursday 2nd April, featured Matt Hancock, Stephen Powis and John Newton. Testing for COVID-19 … read more

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expert reaction to rapid evidence review on the impact of school closures on children’s social contacts

A review, published in Eurosurveillance, reports on the impact of school closures on children’s social contacts.   Dr Angharad Rudkin, … read more

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expert reaction to journalists’ questions about ’little ships’ and testing locations for COVID-19

There have been reports in the media that many smaller private laboratories and institutions are re-purposing themselves to conduct testing … read more

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expert reaction to latest case and death figures for COVID-19 in the UK

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has released the latest case and death figures for COVID-19 in the … read more

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expert comment clarifying situation with face masks and WHO

There have been reports in the media that the World Health Organisation (WHO) are reviewing their advice on face masks … read more

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expert reaction to the postponement of the COP26 UN Climate change conference

The COP Bureau of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, with the UK and its Italian partners, have … read more

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expert comments on different types of test for COVID-19

Comments in answer to some questions from journalists about the different types of testing for COVID-19.   Dr Zania Stamataki, … read more

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expert reaction to British American Tobacco working on a COVID-19 vaccine

British American Tobacco have announced that they are working on a COVID-19 vaccine.   Prof Julian Ma, Hotung Chair of … read more

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expert reaction to paper on ‘shedding’ of SARS-CoV-2 virus in 9 patients with COVID-19

A paper, published in Nature, reports on the ‘shedding’ of SARS-CoV-2 virus in 9 patients with COVID-19.   Prof Rosalind Smyth, Director … read more

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expert reaction to latest figures on COVID-19 cases and deaths in the UK

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) have announced that there are now 29,474 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in … read more

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expert reaction to beginning of phase 3 randomised studies of remdesivir in the UK, announced by Gilead Sciences in patients with moderate or severe COVID-19

Gilead Science have announced the beginning of phase 3 randomised studies of remdesivir in the UK, in patients with moderate … read more

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expert reaction to preliminary estimates that the reproductive number in the UK during the lockdown may be below 1

A non peer reviewed report into the reproductive number of COVID-19 in the UK, has found that it may have … read more

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expert comments about reagents needed for COVID-19 swab PCR testing

There have been reports about the reagent chemicals required for COVID-19 testing.   Comments sent out on Thursday 2nd April … read more

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expert reaction to reported death of a 13-year-old boy who had tested positive for COVID-19

A 13 year old boy in London is reportedly the youngest person to have died of COVID-19 in the UK.  … read more

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expert reaction to paper looking at mobile apps for contact tracing in epidemics without quarantine

A paper, published in the journal Science, reports on mobile apps for contact tracing in epidemics without quarantine.   Prof … read more

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expert reaction to unpublished preprint on loss of smell and taste as symptoms of COVID-19

A preprint, posted on Medrxiv, reports on loss of smell and taste as symptoms of COVID-19.   Dr Jane Parker, … read more

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expert reaction to latest DH figures on COVID-19 cases and deaths in the UK

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) have released the latest figures for COVID cases, 25,150 (up by 3,009 … read more

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expert reaction to ONS stats on deaths where COVID-19 or suspected or COVID-19 was mentioned anywhere on the death certificate, including in combination with other health conditions

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is now releasing figure for the number of deaths in the UK where COVID-19 … read more

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expert reaction to questions about shortage of PPE

There have been questions from journalists about the shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).   Dr Al Edwards, School of … read more

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expert reaction to report on reported depressive and anxiety symptoms after COVID-19 lockdown measures in UK

A report, released by the University of Sheffield, has looked at reported depressive and anxiety symptoms after COVID-19 lockdown measures in … read more

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