Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to new advice to support mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and Public Health England (PHE) have released new advice to support mental … read more
expert reaction to latest figures on COVID-19 cases and deaths in the UK
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has announced that there are now 17,089 confirmed cases of COVID-19, up … read more
expert reaction to questions about smoking and COVID-19
There have been questions from journalists about smoking and COVID-19. Prof Ian Hall, Professor of Molecular Medicine, University of … read more
expert reaction to statements on increased testing of healthcare workers from the most recent Number 10 press conference
At the No 10 press conference on Friday March 27th, Michael Gove, Jenny Harried (Deputy CMO) and Simon Stevens (CEO … read more
expert comment on the potential for use of smart phones in the COVID-19 response
Comment on the potential for use of smart phones in the COVID-19 response. Dr Al Edwards, School of Pharmacy, … read more
expert comment on the benefits and challenges of using apps and social media to monitor COVID-19
There has been discussion in the media about the benefits and challenges benefits and challenges of using apps and social … read more
expert reaction to three papers on impact of COVID-19 infection on cardiovascular system
Three research papers, published in the journal JAMA Cardiology, report on the impact of the COVID-19 infection on the cardiovascular … 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) has released the latest figures for confirmed cases and deaths from COVID-19. … read more
expert reaction to Oxford COVID-19 vaccine programme opening to start screening healthy volunteers for clinical trial recruitment
The University of Oxford has announced that their COVID-19 vaccine programme is opening to start screening healthy volunteers for clinical … read more
expert comment on the reliability of swab testing
There have been question from journalists around the reliability of swab testing. Dr Andrew Preston, Reader in Microbial Pathogenesis … read more
expert reaction to antibodies found in babies born to COVID-19 mothers
A study, published in JAMA, reports on antibodies found in babies born to COVID-19 mothers. Professor Sarah Rowland-Jones, Florey … read more
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