News round-up: COVID-19 and the University of Liverpool

Published on 3 July 2020

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the University of Liverpool and its partners have been conducting medical and social research which is shaping global understanding of the virus and how we respond to it. We have collected the highlights of this news and research from the past few months, which demonstrate the pioneering work of our University.

Emergency response

• Using whole genome sequencing, a team from the University of Liverpool are working with the COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium to analyse the genetic code of COVID-19 samples, to map how the virus spreads and behaves.
• Professor Calum Semple of the Institute of Translational Medicine, and member of the national Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) has contributed to the vital ongoing research around the virus and its impact on our society:
  • Study into black and ethnic minority deaths in the UK co-authored by Professor Semple: Coronavirus: Increased risk of infection behind higher ethnic minority deaths, Sage report suggests, Independent, 3 June 2020
  • Study of almost 17,000 COVID-19 patients around risk factors for the disease led by Professor Calum Semple: Being male or overweight can lead to more serious COVID-19 hospital admissions, Medical Xpress, 30 April 2020
• Professor Tom Solomon, Director of the UK Emerging Infections Research Unit, has featured on national television to discuss the progress of the scientific response:
  
  • The potential of the drug Remdesivir to treat Covid-19 on BBC Breakfast: Professor Tom Solomon’s YouTube channel, 27 May 2020
  • Partaking in a panel debate about coronavirus with other leading scientists: Channel 4: Can Science beat the virus?, 22 April 2020 

Medical research

• In a study based in UK hospitals, researchers at the University have led the first nationwide surveillance study of the neurological complications that may be linked to the disease, including stroke and an altered mental state such as brain inflammation, psychosis and dementia-like symptoms.
• Dr Clarissa Giebel is leading a two-part study which aims to understand the immediate and long-term effects of social service closures on the wellbeing of older people, people living with dementia, and unpaid carers.
• A collective of University researchers are conducting a three-pronged study with 300 Liverpool households which aims to: improve national understanding of the dynamics and determinants of transmission into and through households; understand the psychological and social impact of COVID-19 on household members; and better understand risk and its interplay with socio-economic environments.
• The Liverpool Health Partners Cancer Programme, led by Professor Andrew Pettitt, are researching the effects of COVID-19 on cancer patients.

Psychological and social research

• Researchers Dr Ross White and Carine van der Boor have launched a study that will explore the impact of COVID-19 on mental health and wellbeing, and the associated restrictions on people's social interactions on adults living in the UK.
• Dr Elena Musi, Dr Elinor Carmi, Professor Simeon Yates and Professor Kay O’Halloran: Being alone together: developing fake news immunity.
• Other upcoming COVID-19 research programmes in the School of Humanities and Social Science include: Dr Leona Vaughn: COVID 19 and Racialised Risk Narratives in South Africa, Ghana and Kenya; and, Dr Supriya Garikipati: Pandemic, Patriarchy and Productivity.

For more information and research stories, please visit the University news site or the COVID Hub, where you can read more about the University of Liverpool researchers behind this transformative work and their priorities. 

If you would like to support the COVID-19 Emergency Response Campaign, please click here.