Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert comment on the number hospital-based COVID-19 deaths on the 25th March
Prof Sheila Bird has analysed the data on the number hospital-based COVID-19 deaths on the 25th March. Prof Sheila … read more
expert reaction to use of facemasks
Comment in response to questions from journalists about the use of facemasks. Prof Ian Jones, Professor of Virology, University … read more
expert reaction to 1 million confirmed cases of COVID as reported by John Hopkins University
The Coronavirus Resource Centre, put together by John Hopkins University, shows that global COVID-19 cases now exceed 1 million. Prof Trudie Lang, … read more
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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