How Oxford Medical Sciences is fighting Coronavirus
Researchers from across the Medical Sciences Division are working hard to combat the COVID-19 crises. With particular strengths in infectious diseases and international health, we are well placed to contribute to better understanding and effectively controlling the epidemic. We have a long history of responding to crises, in the UK and around the world and are leaders in emergency vaccine development. During the 2014 Ebola outbreak, our scientists performed the world’s first human Ebola vaccine studies, starting them before any other university or company. Our researchers, in collaboration with partners across the globe, are working to develop an effective vaccine and drugs to target this virus, and have already introduced innovative public health measures and collaborative online tools that are being used in hospitals here and abroad.
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Coronavirus-related news from across the Medical Sciences Division
Latest version of COVID-19 contact tracing app ready for testing on the Isle of Wight and Newham, London
14 August 2020
The Department of Health & Social Care announced the latest version of the contact tracing app will be tested on the Isle of Wight and with NHS volunteers from this week, and in the London Borough of Newham from next week. The app will enable you to report your symptoms and book a test directly through the app. If you test positive for COVID-19, your close proximity contacts from the last 2 weeks will be notified and advised to isolate to prevent onward spread of the virus.
Grant towards OHDSI Global Research on COVID-19 treatments
10 August 2020
An international cohort of OHDSI collaborators obtain a grant from the COVID-19 Therapeutics Accelerator to lead an effort to compare the effectiveness of treatments, including corticosteroids such as dexamethasone, under current evaluation for COVID-19 across an international observational data network.
Hydroxychloroquine is being discarded prematurely in COVID-19 prevention
10 August 2020
Hydroxychloroquine could still prevent COVID-19 and save tens of thousands of lives around the world, say leading scientific researchers. While it doesn’t work in treatment of hospitalised patients, it could still prevent infections. However, fraudulent data, unjustified extrapolation and exaggerated safety concerns together with intense politicisation and negative publicity may stop COPCOV, the only large, global clinical trial testing hydroxychloroquine in COVID-19 prevention, from ever finding out.
PRINCIPLE and ZOE partner to widen access to trial
4 August 2020
Oxford University and the COVID Symptom Study app are joining forces to widen access to the PRINCIPLE trial of potential treatments for COVID-19.
New AI test identifies COVID-19 within one hour in emergency departments
30 July 2020
Infectious disease and clinical machine learning experts at the University of Oxford have developed an Artificial Intelligence test that can rapidly screen for COVID-19 in patients arriving in emergency departments, and a preprint paper has been published on its effectiveness.
New Programme Helps Frontline Healthcare Workers at Risk from PTSD and Depression
24 July 2020
Researchers from the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford have developed a new mental health treatment programme to provide frontline healthcare workers with 1-to-1 support, including fast-track access to PTSD or depression treatment. This evidence-based programme, called SHAPE Recovery, builds on an outreach programme shown to reduce rates of PTSD and depression.
Why we can’t tell if warmer weather slows down the spread of coronavirus
23 July 2020
Many people believe that warm weather protects us from respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19. The concept of "catching a cold" in summer is counter-intuitive. Yet what does the data say about the effect of the weather on the spread of the coronavirus?
Running, cycling and singing against COVID-19
23 July 2020
People around the country are doing some incredible things to support Oxford’s time-critical coronavirus research, from running multiple marathons to embarking on epic cycle rides, and even releasing music.
New evidence against one proposed mechanism of hypoxia in COVID-19
21 July 2020
DPAG is among the departments receiving funding from the University's research respond fund to undertake COVID-19 research. As part of this effort, the Swietach lab has been studying oxygen transport in the blood of COVID-19 patients.
New treatment reduces COVID-19 patients needing intensive care
21 July 2020
The preliminary results of a clinical trial supported by NIHR Oxford BRC researchers have suggested that a new treatment for COVID-19 dramatically reduces the number of patients needing intensive care.
Find out how other parts of the University are tackling COVID-19
Researchers across the University of Oxford are at the forefront of global efforts to understand COVID-19 and protect our communities.
Support our Research
Find out how to support Oxford's coronavirus work across a number of key research areas.