Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert comment on Boris Johnson being tested positive for COVID-19
The UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has announced that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is self isolating at … read more
expert reaction to unpublished preprint paper on modelling deaths from COVID-19 after implementing social distancing measures in different countries
A preprint, posted to MedRxiv, has modelled the possible deaths from COVID-19 after implementing social distancing measures in different countries. … read more
expert reaction to latest numbers of deaths from COVID-19
On Thursday 26th March, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) confirmed that 578 people have now died from … read more
expert comment on the distribution of the UK’s first COVID-19 antibody tests
Comment on how the UK’s first COVID-19 antibody tests may be distributed. Prof Sheila Bird, formerly Programme Leader, MRC … read more
expert comment on individual and population risk of COVID-19
A comment on COVID-19 and individual and population risk from Prof David Spiegelhalter, based on an interview he gave on … read more
expert reaction to paper on 33 Wuhan babies born to mothers with COVID-19
A paper, published in JAMA Pediatrics, reports on babies born to mothers with COVID-19 in Wuhan. Dr David Evans, Consultant … read more
expert reaction to some construction companies still continuing non-essential work
It is reported that some construction companies are continuing to conduct ‘non-essential’ work, despite government advice not to. Dr … read more
expert comment on reporting of death rates
There have been questions from journalists regarding the reporting of COVID-19 death rates. Prof Colin Baigent FMedSci, Director of … read more
expert reaction to death in the UK of a 47-year-old who tested positive for COVID-19, who did not have underlying health conditions
A 47 year old patient in the UK suffering from COVID-19, who had no underlying health symptoms, has died. … read more
expert reaction to modelling study looking at impact of social distancing measures on epidemic in Wuhan
A study, published in the Lancet Public Health, reports on the impact of social distancing measures on the COVID-19 epidemic … read more
expert reaction to a preprint (unpublished work) looking at meplazumab, a humanized anti-CD147 antibody, as add-on therapy in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia in China
A preprint paper, posted on MedRxiv, reports on meplazumab, a humanized anti-CD147 antibody, as and add-on therapy in patients with … read more
expert reaction to a report on the effectiveness of social distancing in China and the dropping of these measures after containment of the virus
Report 11 on COVID-19 from the MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, looks at the effectiveness of social distancing … read more
expert reaction to unpublished paper modelling what percentage of the UK population may have been exposed to COVID-19
An unpublished modelling study, from the University of Oxford, reports that up to half of the UK population may have … read more
expert comment on using food delivery services rather than supermarkets in response to COVID-19
There have been questions from journalists around using food delivery services rather than supermarkets in response to COVID-19. Prof … read more
expert reaction to CDC report on COVID-19 outbreaks on cruise ships, which includes that SARS-CoV-2 RNA was identified on surfaces in cabins up to 17 days after they were vacated
The US Centre for Disease Control (CDC) has published a report on the COVID-19 outbreaks on cruise ships, which includes … read more
expert reaction to the health secretary announcing a ‘NHS Volunteers’ scheme and a new temporary hospital as part of the COVID-19 response
In a Number 10 press conference this afternoon the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, announced a ‘NHS Volunteers’ scheme and a … read more
expert comment on the need for accurate tests to detect COVID-19 antibodies
There have been questions from journalists about the need for COVID-19 antibody tests, as well as an announcement by the … read more
expert reaction to reported second wave of infections in Hong Kong
The has reportedly been a second wave of COVID-19 infections in Hong Kong. Prof Sian Griffiths, Emeritus Professor, the … read more
expert reaction to today’s (Tues 24 March) new UK COVID-19 case numbers and mortalities
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) have released today’s new figures, there are now 8,077 confirmed cases of … read more
expert reaction to questions about COVID-19 and viral load
There have been questions from journalists about viral load ad the COVID-19 outbreak. Comments sent out on Thursday 26 … read more