Cambridge researchers have shown how rapid genome sequencing of virus samples and enhanced testing of hospital staff can help to identify clusters of healthcare-associated COVID-19 infections.
Strategies for the safe reopening of low and middle-income countries (LMICs) from months of strict social distancing in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic must recognise that preserving people’s health is as important as reviving the economy, argue an international team of researchers.
Long hours running COVID-19 vaccine and drugs trials have left little time for Estée Török to contemplate her postponed wedding. With over 20 years' clinical research experience in infectious diseases in the UK and south-east Asia, she has a great deal to contribute to tackling the pandemic.
An intensive care specialist at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Charlotte Summers has spent the last few months dealing with the biggest challenge of her career. And after long, exhausting days, the weekly Clap for Carers caught her by surprise.
Compiled by a team of international wildlife and veterinary experts, a new study has identified seven routes by which pandemics could occur and 161 options for reducing the risk.
“Without trust, we don’t flatten the curve,” says Sharath Srinivasan, whose work in developing countries has given him an acute insight into how people’s worldviews and perspectives affect who and what they choose to trust. Through a new communications tool he’s helping to engage communities in Somalia so that COVID-19 risks are communicated effectively and rumours are quashed.
“This virus is probably going to be circulating for years - it will take a long time to sort out.” In a building that has been largely empty for the past three months, Ravi Gupta has been working non-stop alongside other virus experts. Their trial of a rapid diagnostic test using the ‘SAMBA II’ machine made headlines in April: results are returned in 90 minutes, helping healthcare workers ensure that those infected can be quickly directed to specialised wards. But there remains much work to do.
Jorge Goncalves is an expert in artificial intelligence and mathematical modelling of complex systems. With long-term collaborators based in Wuhan, China, when the COVID-19 outbreak started he seized the opportunity to help. Using data representing almost 500 patients from Wuhan, he has created a sophisticated model to accurately predict disease severity and help identify high-risk patients.
Recruitment has begun at three leading Cambridgeshire NHS Trusts for volunteers to take part in the nationwide COVID-19 vaccine trial.
The R number for COVID-19 – the number of people an infected individual passes the virus onto – has risen to above 1 in the North West of England and to 1 in the South West, according to the latest findings published by the Medical Research Council Biostatistics Unit at the University of Cambridge. When R is greater than or equal to 1, it means transmission will be sustained.
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