Author Archives: Science Media Centre
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expert reaction to unpublished preprint paper on modelling deaths from COVID-19 after implementing social distancing measures in different countries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
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