Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to preprint (not a published paper) on estimates of excess mortality from COVID-19 in the UK
A preprint (not a paper) estimating the excess 1-year mortality from COVID-19 in the UK was posted on Monday 23 … read more
expert reaction to social distancing and children exercising and playing
There have been questions from journalists about how children should follow the social distancing guidelines. Prof Sian Griffiths, Emeritus … read more
expert comment on enforcing social distancing measures
There has been widespread discussion in the media on enforcing social distancing measures, similar to the restrictions enforced in other … read more
expert reaction to launch of UK whole genome sequence alliance to map spread of coronavirus
The UK Government announced funding on 23rd March 2020 for a genome sequencing consortium, called COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium, with … read more
expert reaction to guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from COVID-19
Public Health England (PHE) published guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 … read more
expert reaction to comparisons of UK and Italy death rates from COVID-19
There have been questions in the media about the differences between the death rates from COVID-19 in the UK and … read more
expert comments about current UK COVID-19 case numbers
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) have continued to release the UK case numbers of COVID-19* on a … read more
expert comments about the situation in London hospitals and the importance of the public taking advice seriously
London is being widely described as the epicentre of the UK’s COVID-19 outbreak and there have been reports in the … read more
expert reaction to MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis report 10
The Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis at Imperial College London published its 10th report on … read more
expert comment about COVID-19 and having sex while either socially distancing or self-isolating with symptoms
There have been questions in the media about whether people can have sex whilst socially distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak. … read more
expert reaction to pubs, restaurants and cafes being told to close from the evening of Friday 20th in the UK
The government has announced that a large variety of social locations, including pubs and restaurants, have been told to shut … read more
expert reaction to the publishing of the evidence and advice from SAGE on COVID-19
The government has published the evidence and advice they have been given on COVID-19 by the Scientific Advisory Group for … read more
expert reaction to funders calls for research to focus on the Covid-19 pandemic
Research funding bodies have called for research efforts to focus on the COVID-19 pandemic. Aisling Burnand MBE, Chief Executive … read more
expert comments about numbers of deaths in the UK and how these compare with other countries like Italy
There have been questions from journalists about how the death rate from COVID-19 in the UK compares to the rate … read more
expert comment about chloroquine and anti-virals, in relation to COVID-19
The drug chloroquine, and some anti-virals, have been mentioned as possible treatments for COVID-19. Prof Trudie Lang, Director of … read more
expert comments about a British COVID-19 patient taking part in a clinical trial of a drug treatment
During the No10 press conference, Boris Johnson mentioned that a British COVID-19 patient is taking part in a clinical trial … read more
expert comments about efforts to buy/develop an antibody/serological test
During their No10 press conference on Thursday afternoon, Boris Johnson, Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance described efforts to buy/develop an … read more
expert reaction to new paper looking at overall fatality risk of COVID-19 in Wuhan
A paper, published in Nature Medicine, reports on the overall fatality risk of COVID-19 in Wuhan. Prof Robin May, … read more
the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Advisor on the science informing government
Journalists came to the AMS for this briefing with the CMO and CSA on the science informing the UK government’s … read more
expert reaction to schools being asked to close from Friday afternoon
The government has announced that schools will be closing in England after Friday 20th March. Dr James Gill, Locum … read more