COVID19 news

Omicron may be significantly better at evading vaccine-induced immunity, but less likely to cause severe disease
The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 may be significantly better than previous variants at evading vaccine-induced antibodies, according to new researchRead more

Com-COV 3 COVID-19 vaccine study calls on teenager volunteers in Cambridgeshire
12 to 16 years old to receive a second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, including Cambridgeshire.Read more

Using air filters on hospital wards remove almost all airborne Covid virus
A new study has found placing air filtration machines in COVID-19 wards at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, removed almost all traces of airborne SARS-CoV-2 virus.Read more

‘Biological fingerprint’ in blood could help identify COVID patients with no symptoms
Cambridge researchers are able to identify people who have had COVID-19 even if they displayed no symptoms. Read more

Key mutations in Alpha variant enable SARS-CoV-2 to overcome evolutionary weak points
One of the key mutations seen in the ‘Alpha variant’ of SARS-CoV-2 – the deletion of two amino acids, H69/V70 – enables the virus to overcome chinks in its armour as it evolves, Read more

Upgrading PPE for staff working on COVID-19 wards cut hospital-acquired infections dramatically
When Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge upgraded its face masks for staff working on COVID-19 wards to filtering face piece 3 (FFP3) respirators, it saw a dramatic fall – up to 100% – in Read more

Cambridge begins world-first COVID-19 vaccine booster study
Researchers in Cambridge have welcomed their first participants in a new UK study to understand the effects of a ‘booster’ dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.Read more

Differing immune responses discovered in asymptomatic cases and those with severe COVID-19
A UK-wide study part-funded by the NIHR has identified differences in people’s immune responses to COVID-19, depending on whether they have no symptoms or more serious reactions to the virus.Read more

Genomics study identifies routes of transmission of coronavirus in care homes
Genomic surveillance – using information about genetic differences between virus samples – can help identify how SARS-CoV-2 spreads in care home settings.Read more

Single dose of Pfizer BioNTech vaccine reduces asymptomatic infections and potential for SARS-CoV-2 transmission
New data suggests that a single dose of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine can reduce by 75% the number of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections.Read more

Can a tapeworm drug boost protection from Covid-19 for high-risk kidney patients?
A new trial led by Cambridge launches to see if the drug niclosamide, usually used to treat tapeworms, can prevent Covid-19 infection in vulnerable, high-risk kidney patients.Read more

Pfizer BioNTech vaccine likely to be effective against B1.1.7 strain of SARS-CoV-2
The Pfizer BioNTech vaccine BNT162b2 is likely to be effective against the B1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2, even though its efficacy is modestly affected. However, when the E484K mutation – first seen in the South African variant – is added, it substantially increases the amount of antibody required to prevent infection.Read more