In the Media
Queen’s researchers have provided commentary and analysis in hundreds of articles and broadcasts since the early stages of the pandemic. This represents a selection of that coverage.
‘I dread to think how ill I would’ve been without Covid jabs’: Londonderry woman Claire Allan
Claire’s sentiments are echoed by Dr Connor Bamford, a virologist at Queen’s University Belfast, who said even though the vaccines are “not perfect”, they are a crucial step in preventing serious illness or death.
Queen’s University Study Finds Oxygen Treatment For Covid Can Free Up ICUs
Professor Danny McAuley, chief investigator and professor and consultant in Intensive Care Medicine at the Royal Victoria Hospital and Queen’s University, said the pandemic has placed a huge strain on hospital resources. “Over the Covid pandemic, we’ve seen a large number of patients requiring high levels of oxygen and admission to ICU for invasive ventilation, causing a huge strain on staff and beds,”
Health service not equipped to treat long Covid patients, says expert
Dr Andrew Kunzmann, an epidemiologist from Queen’s University Belfast, said that long Covid seems to affect 10 to 15 per cent of people who get the virus.
‘It’s not fair we force our children to be infected’
“There’s a real risk of a blow up of Delta in September. ”The webinar also heard concerns about people not receiving their second jabs in Northern Ireland. Dr Andrew Kunzmann, an epidemiologist at Queen’s University Belfast, said he believed part of the problem was people getting infected after vaccination.
Your summer hayfever could actually be symptoms of the Delta variant, according to expert
Dr Lindsay Broadbent, a Covid-19 expert from Queen's University Belfast, told RSVP Live that she urges everyone who feels like they have these symptoms, to get tested. "It's really difficult to differentiate between the Delta variant and other illnesses that may present in a similar way, such as hayfever or general colds and flus," Dr Lindsay explained.
NI virus professor: Tiny ‘hardcore’ of anti-vaxxers causing ‘significant problems’
Dr Ultan Power of Queen’s University Belfast – who has been vocal throughout the pandemic about the risks posed by coronavirus – made the remarks as uptake of vaccines is slowing down.”
Another respiratory virus "hidden" by the Covid pandemic is spreading among children
The RSV, in particular, is affecting " a full year of newborns who did not encounter many pathogens while Covid restrictions were in place, " Grace Roberts, a virology researcher at Queen's University Belfast, noted in The Conversation
Cancer community fights back against Covid-19 related delays
“We are looking to urge the public, cancer patients, policy makers and cancer professionals to rally to ensure that Covid-19 doesn’t continue to undermine our fight against cancer. The scale of the problem is frightening,” says Mark Lawler, a Board member of the European Cancer Organisation, from Queen’s University, Belfast.
Belfast becomes UK’s most Covid-infected city
“It’s not going in the right direction,” said Dr Ultan Power, a respiratory virus specialist at Queen’s University Belfast, who predicted it would be “another week or two” before there was a “clear indication” of the same kind of turnround seen in Scotland and parts of England.
RSV: what is it, and why are child cases surging in the wake of COVID?
Grace C Roberts - Research Fellow in Virology, Queen's University Belfast … Hospitals in the UK are seeing a rise in children suffering from severe respiratory infections. This includes an unseasonal surge in an infection called the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), in children as young as two months old.
Covid vaccine myths debunked: facts speak for themselves... jabs are saving lives
Queen’s University virologist Dr Connor Bamford explained: “Ordinarily, vaccine trials are very risk averse whereas with the Covid vaccines, they were already thinking about the later phases while carrying out the earlier phases…
Coronavirus Northern Ireland: Latest breakdown shows age range of people getting Covid here
Queen’s University virologist Dr Connor Bamford, says current modelling shows that case numbers will likely increase further in coming weeks, peaking higher than we’ve seen them, before subsiding in late summer/autumn … "This wave is unlike previous epidemics in that we’re seeing the effects of the vaccination rollout in a massively reduced impact on people getting really sick and dying.
'Worrying' rise in younger people admitted to hospital with Covid as cases soar
A SPIKE in coronavirus cases has led to a "worrying" rise in younger people being admitted to hospital, a leading virologist has warned. QUB, Dr Lindsay Broadbent said however the rollout of the vaccination programme meant that "we're in a much better position" than the January peak, when more than 1,000 inpatients were treated with the virus and non-Covid services came to a "standstill".
Most primaries stopped teaching languages in lockdown
Dr Ian Collen, of Queen’s University Belfast, author of the report, said: “The most disadvantaged pupils are the most likely to have been negatively affected by the impact of Covid-19, experiencing greater disruption to their language learning and fewer international opportunities.
Child in Northern Ireland admitted into intensive care after contracting Covid-19
Queen’s University virologist Dr Connor Bamford, responding to the report, told the BBC more caution had to be taken around protecting children from Covid-19, including in school settings.
The Covid effect: clearing the cancer backlog
Mark Lawler, professor of digital health at Queen’s University Belfast and scientific lead at DATA-CAN, says the data suggests cancer services now need to be operating at 130% of pre-Covid levels.
Delta Variant and COVID-19 Vaccines: What to Know
“It seems this variant can get past our first dose of vaccine,” says Queen’s University Belfast virologist Connor Bamford, according to the BBC. “So, we need to make sure as many people as possible get their two doses and even think about decreasing the length between dose one and two because that’s going to be critical going forward.”
Delta variant: NI reduces time between Covid-19 vaccine doses
Queen's University Belfast virologist Dr Connor Bamford backed the move to decrease the time between vaccine doses, saying it was likely to decrease the spread of the variant.
Northern Ireland ‘may have to delay opening’ amid fears of a surge in cases
Dr Connor Bamford, a virologist at Queen’s University, outlined the position on Monday after scientists called for England to delay the lifting of all restrictions on June 21 — dubbed ‘Freedom Day’ — for a few weeks.
Covid in Ireland: Delay plans to open by two weeks to get young people jabbed, says expert
Andrew Kunzmann, of Queen’s University in Belfast, said that cases could “rise quite quickly” over the early summer months.
Calls for clarity as confusion grows over travel rules
There are growing calls for clarity on the matter as a virologist from Queen’s University in Belfast warned the Indian variant is likely to be the dominant strain in Northern Ireland by the summer.
COVID CHAOS Can I travel to North Tyneside, Leicester, Hounslow, Bedford, Blackburn, Bolton, Burnley
Grace Roberts, research fellow in virology, Queen's University in Belfast … Roberts writes in The Conversation: "This is because of a mutation it carries called L452R, which affects the virus’s spike protein …"This is the 'key' the coronavirus uses to unlock our cells."
Scientists reminded young people to stay safe until vaccinated
“Dr Ultan Power, professor of molecular biology at Queens University Belfast, says reducing restrictions is a huge step in the Covid-19 record, we need to remember the Key Public Health Messages.”
Covid-19: Scientists urge final push for NI reopening
Dr Andrew Kunzmann, an epidemiologist at Queen's University Belfast, told BBC News NI that the simplest of steps could make a big difference in the recovery roadmap, including continuing to meet up outdoors to socialise when possible.
We must take Indian variant seriously, NI expert warns
“Virologist Connor Bamford, of Queen’s University, Belfast, warned that the public has to take it seriously, but does not believe the Executive is moving too fast with its opening up plan.”
Coronavirus versus the Spanish flu
“As news of the global spread of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) emerged, global financial markets reacted pessimistically and behaved in ways not seen since the 2008 financial crisis … Chris Colvin a senior economics lecturers at Queen’s University Belfast”
Dr. Lavery on the Decline in Esophageal Cancer Diagnoses in Ireland During COVID-19
Anita Lavery, MD, MRCP, a medical oncology registrar at Queen’s University Belfast, discusses the decline in esophageal cancer diagnoses in Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Northern Ireland Is More Fearful Of The Corona Virus Variant From The UK Than India
A Virus Expert at Queen's University Belfast, Dr Lindsay Broadbent said that the new variant of the corona virus (Covid-19) originating from India
Sun holidays could be off the cards if the number of travel-related Covid cases continues to climb
Dr Connor Bamford, a virologist from Queen’s University Belfast, said there is “always a real risk that movement of people will spread the virus.”
Extra resources needed for ‘tens of thousands’ of long-Covid patients – CUH medic
Even if only 1% of people who contract the virus develop long Covid, it will present challenges for health services, epidemiologist Dr Andrew Kunzmann from Queen’s University in Belfast
This 'double mutant' variant is adding fuel to India's COVID-19 crisis
“That's something that occurs quite a lot in viruses,” says Grace Roberts, a virologist at Queen's University Belfast. “Surface proteins evolve more rapidly, especially with a new virus, [as] it wants to evolve to bind cells better.”
Coronavirus restrictions: It's too soon to think of having visitors over, warns scientist
Dr Connor Bamford, a virologist from Queen's University in Belfast, said it is vital that relaxations are paced properly to stop a further spike of Covid-19.
Indian Variant Emerging From Parts Of Maharashtra Becomes Focus Of Global Research
However, the fatality of the variant is still unknown. Based on the virology researcher Grace Roberts of Queen’s University, Belfast findings, this variant is around 20 percent more transmissible than the earlier form.
How worried should we be by the Indian Covid variant?
Grace C Roberts, Research Fellow in Virology, Queen's University Belfast … COVID-19 cases in India are rising sharply and a specific variant of the virus – B1617 – is becoming increasingly common there.
Dr. Lavery on Achieving Safe Care for Esophagogastric Cancer During COVID-19
Anita Lavery, MD, MRCP, a medical oncology registrar at Queen’s University Belfast, discusses achieving safe care for patients with esophagogastric cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Covid vaccine weekly: uk closes its borders to india to safeguard effects of vaccination
This variant is a double mutant, explains Grace Roberts, research fellow in virology at Queen’s University Belfast. Both of the key mutations it carries are thought to have the potential to make it less susceptible to vaccination. One of them may also make it more transmissible than early forms of the virus.
Most people have adapted well to living during pandemic according to academic
Dr Ciaran Mulholland from Queen's University found that some of us have even thrived over the past year, even through the various lockdowns and restrictions.
Covid-19 measures to be eased in North
Virologist at Queens University in Belfast, Lindsay Broadbent, believes now’s the right time to ease restrictions in the north
Covid NI: Another rise in new cases but no further deaths reported
QUB Dr Lindsay Broadbent, a vaccine trial volunteer, said: “Vaccines are an amazing invention and when I had the opportunity to participate in the COVID-19 vaccine trial I was happy to volunteer. Taking part in a trial is a small way that I can contribute to the fight against COVID-19."
Does the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine cause blood clots?
“However, it’s possible countries that have been mainly administering these mRNA vaccines, such as the US, just haven’t been looking as hard at this issue – this could change,” says Dr Connor Bamford, virologist at Queen’s University Belfast.
Hutchins Roundup: Corporate borrowing costs, COVID mortality, and more
Black individuals were the first and hardest hit by COVID-19, dying at a rate 2.2 times higher than their share of the general population by early April of 2020. This Black-white mortality gap was driven by Black women, find Graziella Bertocchi of University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and Arcangelo Dimico of Queen’s University Belfast.
You could be protected from Covid by the common cold
Matthew James, Research Assistant, Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast … The good news is that this appears to include SARS-CoV-2 – the virus responsible for COVID-19. In a new study, rhinoviruses have been shown to suppress the replication of this virus.
How To Make Solitude Work In Your Favor
Self-efficacy is the belief in your ability to achieve something, and it’s associated with better coping,” says Jenny Groarke, PhD, a psychology lecturer at Queen’s University Belfast
Coronavirus: NI scientists play 'global role' in response
“Dr David Simpson, a senior lecturer at The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine at Queen's University, said the work undertaken so far had been able to detect the Kent and South Africa variants of the virus.”
Coronavirus: NI scientists play 'global role' in response
“Danny McAuley is a professor of intensive care medicine at Queen's University Belfast and said more than 100 patients took part in the trial, which is ongoing. "Our trial is all about exploring the best treatment for patients," he said. "Whenever you come into hospital with lung failure you can get standard oxygen therapy or you can get higher flow oxygen therapy or you can get ventilation via a face mask.”
Niamh Griffin: UK's roll of vaccine dice could be a boon to Ireland
“Queens University Belfast virologist Connor Bamford had been worried about risks for partially-vaccinated people, but three months into the experiment, he too is less concerned.”
Covid: More than 700,000 vaccine first doses given in NI
“QUB Professor Ultan Power told Good Morning Ulster that at least 80% of the population of Northern Ireland should have two doses of a coronavirus vaccine before travel to Europe is allowed again.”
Banishing Covid restrictions completely may take years – it could become an annual winter virus
“Dr Ultan Power told the News Letter that not only do we face the threat of new pandemics engulfing our society in the future, but it could be years before the last vestiges of Covid restrictions are finally abandoned.”
PSNI has third highest stop and search rate in UK
“The stop and search figures come after a joint VICE World News/The Detail investigation which uncovered that people from BAME backgrounds received a disproportionate number of Covid-19 fines in Northern Ireland last year … “Stop and search is not felt generally, it is felt very specifically and unevenly by particular groups in society”, said Dr Topping Criminology QUB expert.
Backlog of a half-million endoscopies and rising during the pandemic, report finds
Co-author Professor Mark Lawler, Professor of Digital Health, Queen's University Belfast and Scientific Director DATA-CAN, the U.K.'s Health Data Research Hub for Cancer said: "These data provide yet more evidence of the disastrous impact of COVID on cancer services and ultimately cancer patients. The precipitous drop in endoscopic services nationally (to less than 10% of pre COVID levels) is extremely worrying.
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What has been the impact of Covid-19 on Northern Ireland’s economy?
26 OctoberEconomics ObservatoryDr Graham Brownlow, Queen's Management School.
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Spotlight: Cancers Missing Patients
20 OctoberBBC SpotlightAssociate Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mark Lawler and Dr Stuart McIntosh feature on BBC Spotlight episode, ‘Cancers Missing Patients’ as they investigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on cancer patients in Northern Ireland.
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HCC conference goes online to cover ‘triple challenge’ of post-pandemic world
13 Octobermeatmanagement.comChris Elliott OBE, founder of the Institute of Global Food Security at Queen’s University Belfast, will also give a presentation on the need for integrity in global food supply chains after Covid; trade expert Richard Brown of GIRA will lead a discussion on the changing international landscape for red meat; and Welsh Government minister Lesley Griffiths will present her vision of the future of Welsh food and farming.
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Can children really stop you catching a bad case of COVID-19?
08 Octoberbignewsnetwork.comAuthor: Grace C Roberts - Research Fellow in Virology, Queen's University Belfast The Conversation. Having young children in your home may lower your risk of being hospitalised with COVID-19, according to a new study of NHS workers in Scotland.
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In a world of face masks how do you communicate if you are deaf? – Bronagh Byrne talks to VIEWdigital about the challenges she now faces
02 Octoberviewdigital.orgBronagh Byrne, who is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work at Queen’s University Belfast, has been deaf since birth. She told VIEW editor Brian Pelan of the difficulties she has encountered since face masks became prevalent because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Confusion is a major symptom of Covid-19 in frail older people: Study finds one in five hospital patients over 65 had delirium as their ONLY symptom of the disease
30 SeptemberDailyMail.comDr Tom Waterfield at Queen's University Belfast told the BBC: 'We are finding that diarrhoea and vomiting is a symptom reported by some children and I think adding it to the list of known symptoms is worth considering.'
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Leading through COVID-19: four lessons from war
30 SeptemberCharteredAccountants.ieDr Joanne Murphy QUB distils four common themes from the battlefield to help you lead and manage through the COVID-19 crisis and into an uncertain future.
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Religion, Spirituality and the Search for Meaning during the Covid-19 Pandemic
27 Septembersluggerotoole.comGladys Ganiel is a Reader in Sociology at Queen’s University Belfast. According to many accounts, there has been a modest resurgence of religious practice in Ireland and the UK during the covid-19 pandemic.
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How did it pass on to humans? How do you know if you're protected? Seven experts on the burning questions left in the wake of a million coronavirus deaths
27 SeptemberSomersetlive.co.ukOn January 13, we published “Mystery China pneumonia outbreak likely caused by new human coronavirus” by Connor Bamford, a virologist at Queen’s University Belfast. Since then, we have published more than 3,500 articles on the now not-so-novel coronavirus, officially named Sars-CoV-2.
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Swann warns of new controls as coronavirus cases hit record level in Northern Ireland
26 SeptemberBelfastTelegraph.co.ukDr Connor Bamford, a virologist at Queen's University, said the delay could hinder the Executive's aim to reduce the number of Covid-19 cases. "Without a doubt that delaying the decision to introduce a curfew on bars and restaurants will likely lead to an unnecessary increase in coronavirus cases," he said.
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Schools need to stay open because the 'economic and social consequences' of shutting them again are too high as experts warn young people have paid the 'highest price' for the pandemic
22 SeptemberDailyMail.comProfessor Nichola Rooney, a professor in consultant clinical psychology at Queen's University Belfast, said: 'If we think about what's important to adolescents and young people it is peer interaction and that's really important for their mental health.
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Measures designed to prevent new lockdown, says Foster
22 SeptemberRTE.ieDr David Courtney QUB said that the decision by the Northern Ireland Executive to further restrict movement is the right call and should go further, to restrict business activity. Dr Courtney said the jump in cases is linked to the opening up of schools and universities and the greater restrictions should "help to keep a handle on it".
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Virologist warns house parties are perfect place to spread virus amongst university students
18 SeptemberBelfastTelegraph.comDr Connor Bamford voiced concerns over young people socialising without adhering to the guidelines, such as wearing face masks and keeping socially distant.
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Covid-19: How Northern Ireland has fared better than the Republic of Ireland
16 Septemberirishtimes.comDr Chris Colvin is Senior Lecturer in Economics at Queen’s University Belfast. In Ireland, the Covid-19 statistics have been used to highlight contrasting performances of the island’s two jurisdictions.
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Population Density Does Not Doom Cities to Pandemic Dangers
16 Septemberscientificamerican.com“Since the early days of the pandemic, there have been a number of articles speculating whether COVID-19 will spell the end of cities, [and] some articles suggested that COVID-19 was spurring an exodus from cities to suburbs as a way to escape the ... virus,” says Deepti Adlakha, an environmental health researcher at Queen’s University Belfast.
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Charting a course for healthcare, society and the economy
10 SeptemberThe Irish TimesProf Mark Lawler from Queen’s University Belfast who has done invaluable research on the impact of Covid-19 on cancer care in hospitals throughout the UK. “This is very important as late diagnosis of cancer leads to a higher severity of illness requiring more aggressive treatment with significant numbers of excess deaths. This is a stark fallout from the pandemic.”
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Covid-19: How Northern Ireland has fared better than the Republic of Ireland
16 SeptemberIrish TimesChris Colvin and Eoin McLaughlin examine how reporting Covid-19 deaths per population fails to take age and sex into account.
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Coronavirus: NI ministers discuss call to tighten Covid rules
10 SeptemberDundee MessengerDr Ultan Power, a professor of molecular virology at Queen’s University, said it was inevitable that an increase in social interaction as lockdown eased would lead to an increased spread of Covid-19, but added that now was “the time to act” to curtail infection.
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Charting a course for healthcare, society and the economy
10 SeptemberIrish TimesWe will also hear from Prof Mark Lawler from Queen’s University Belfast who has done invaluable research on the impact of Covid-19 on cancer care in hospitals throughout the UK.
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Rate of Northern Ireland's coronavirus cases over twice as high as England's
06 SeptemberBelfast TelegraphQueen's University virologist Dr Connor Bamford has urged caution against complacency. "We're still not halfway through this pandemic and winter is coming."
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Vomiting and diarrhoea could be coronavirus symptoms in kids new study shows
04 SeptemberBoston Standard“In our group, diarrhoea and vomiting were more predictive than, say, cough or even changes in smell and taste,” Dr Tom Waterfield QUB, the first author of the research, told The Guardian.
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Five ways to understand viruses
02 SeptemberAnalytical ScienceDr Grace Roberts - Viruses are often termed “the invisible enemy”. They aren’t visible with the naked eye, or even by using a standard optical microscope. So how do we know they exist or what they look like?
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New Study Shows the Added Risks Vaping Adds to COVID-19 - With Some Anomalies
31 AugustNationalinterestDeirdre Gilpin, Lecturer, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast: Why might vaping increase your risk of getting COVID-19? Here are some possibilities.
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Care homes in England had greatest increase in excess deaths at height of the COVID-19 pandemic
31 AugustMedicalxpressThe findings form part of a larger study offering crucial insights into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the UK's care sector. Professor Bell said: "Given the variation in testing and death registration practices across the UK, it will never be possible to unequivocally assign care home deaths during the pandemic to COVID-19 or other causes.
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Five techniques we're using to uncover the secrets of viruses
27 AugustBig News NetworkAuthor: Grace C Roberts: There are biochemical methods, such as the ones used to confirm COVID-19 infection, that look for evidence of genetic material from a virus.
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Lockdown may have lasting effects on friendships
26 AugustBBCDr Jenny Groarke from Queen's University, Belfast, has been studying loneliness during the pandemic."People are using digital modes of communication to meet their social needs, but they're less satisfied with the quality of this form relative to face-to-face contact."
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Understanding the Psychology of Relationships During the Pandemic
26 AugustSciemceTimes.comDr. Jenny Groarke from Queen's University shared that the 'lower satisfaction with the quality of digital social contact, we found, was associated with higher loneliness.' Several studies have revealed that depression and anxiety cases have increased and gotten worse during the pandemic.
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Boris Johnson warned by MPs to address cancer crisis or 30k may die in next decade
22 AugustExpressMark Lawler, a cancer specialist at Queen’s University Belfast, has said the UK must exceed pre-pandemic operating levels to address the problem.
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Global business travel will not be killed off by coronavirus – new research
21 AugustMauritius TimesGlobal business travel has largely ground to a halt during the pandemic. Experts have been raising the alarm that this is the death of business travel as we know it, arguing that it will be a long time before the virus is really gone and that business people have become used to meetings on the likes of Zoom and MS Teams.
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Rising R number casts cloud over Northern Ireland’s Covid success
16 AugustYahooDr Anne Campbell, a senior lecturer in social work at Queen’s University Belfast. “They see through rhetoric while conversely believing in facts and logic. That is why I feel people here listened to the chief medical officer and the other scientists right from the start of lockdown and obeyed the rules.”
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"It's going to be a while," before Covid-19 vaccine release, warns scientist
16 AugustLBCDr Lindsay Broadbent from Queen's University Belfast Centre for Infection and Immunity warned Andrew Castle that "what we have to remember is that this vaccine is not going to come tomorrow, it's not going to be next week or next month.
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Lyric Theatre Helps to Rewrite the Narrative on Digital Theatre Experience
13 AugustLove BelfastProfessor Pedro Rebelo from the Sonic Arts Research Centre at Queen’s University Belfast, the project called ‘Rewriting the Narrative’ will explore the use of Virtual Reality (VR) to enhance the audience experiences in context of social distancing restrictions due to Covid-19.
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Millions of School Children Are Vaping—and It Could Be Putting Them at Risk of COVID-19
11 AugustNewsweekDr. Deirdre Gilpin of the School of Pharmacy at Queen's University Belfast said: "There is increasing evidence that vaping and smoking damage the cells in the lung, albeit possibly by different mechanisms, including those that help protect against viral infection, and that may account for the increased COVID-19 risk observed in this study."
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Coronavirus: Cancer research could face delays, experts warn
4 AugustBBCDr Philip Dunne is part of the bowel cancer research group at the Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research at Queen's University Belfast (QUB). He said Covid-19 has shown just how reliant cancer research is on charity funding
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Coronavirus: 'Major crisis' facing arts industry post-lockdown
31 JulyBBCThe challenge facing Northern Ireland's arts industry after lockdown has been described as "a major crisis" by a Queen's University academic. Dr Ali Fitzgibbon, of the School of Arts, English and Languages, has said the sector requires "substantial interventions" in order to survive.
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How can we improve food system resilience for good?
31 JulyEITFOODCOVID-19 has also encouraged some small-scale resilience innovations … Professor Chris Elliott OBE from Queen's University Belfast and Founder of the Institute for Global Food Security, warns of “famines of biblical proportions”
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Data shows lockdown deprivation causes domino distress on NI's children
31 JulySyncniOne in five people within Northern Ireland meet the criteria for Covid-19 related PTSD due to the current pandemic, according to a study by the Stress, Trauma and Research Conditions lab at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) … Professor Cherie Armour who led the research said that “this is understandable since Northern Ireland has previously reported a 25% higher prevalence of mental ill health compared to England and our results have shown those with pre-existing mental health conditions are most at risk.”
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Industry responds to part one of the National Food Strategy
29 JulyNew FoodChris Elliott, Professor of food safety at Queen’s University Belfast “Part one of the National Food Strategy has concentrated on a number of crucial elements of what has gone wrong with the UK food system and paints a very bleak but highly accurate picture of the damage this has done to our society, economy and health service. The report does not provide the comprehensive details of what is needed to produce a food system that is fit for purpose but rather concentrates on the impacts of the COVID pandemic and our exit from the EU and what needs to be addressed urgently. I believe Henry Dimbleby has adopted the right strategy in terms of his report and the key issues he has identified should be front and central in the thinking of our Government.”
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Urgent GP referrals for suspected cancer dropped by 71% during lockdown, says study
29 JulyDowntownProfessor Mark Lawler from Queens University, who co-authored the research, said: “It is critically important that we get our ‘red flag’ referrals and cancer diagnostic services back to normal as quickly as possible, otherwise we will fall further behind in our fight against cancer.”
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Why urban density is good for health — even during a pandemic
27 JulyMetroDeepti Adlakha, lecturer (assistant professor) in environmental planning, Queen’s University Belfast … The spread of Covid-19 in some of the world’s most populous cities has raised concerns about density, the number of people inhabiting a given urbanised area.
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Queen's team work on link between bacterial co-infections and Covid-19
26 JulyBelfast LiveProfessor Stuart Elborn, Pro-Vice Chancellor for the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences at Queen’s, said: “I’m delighted Queen’s has been awarded this grant from UK Research and Innovation to research the impact of bacterial co-infections in Covid-19.
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Coleraine has highest number of Covid-19-related deaths in County Derry
22 JulyDerry NowDr John Moriarty, from Queen’s University’s Centre for Evidence and Social Innovation, said ‘underlying health conditions’ may be a factor in higher death rates for deprived areas.
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The race for a Covid-19 vaccine
15 JulyNew StatesmanAs the pandemic accelerates, the world waits for the discovery of a vaccine. But there is no guarantee one will be discovered – or that it will be distributed fairly.
Ultan Power, Professor of Molecular Virology at Queen’s University Belfast said: "As you expand to deliver a vaccine to billions of people, even a small frequency of adverse effects will have a significant impact. A vaccine is meant to be given to healthy people and you don’t want it causing more harm than good.”
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Coronavirus could lead to 35,000 extra cancer deaths - double previous estimates
6 JulyTelegraphBritain’s Covid crisis could lead to an extra 35,000 cancer deaths a year, research shows … Professor Mark Lawler, Professor of Digital Health at Queen's University Belfast
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Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Digital Health, Professor Mark Lawler, will feature in BBC Panorama episode, ‘Britain’s Cancer Crisis’, airing on 6 July 2020
6 JulyBBC PanoramaCoronavirus has killed thousands, but now there are fears that the pandemic has caused a crisis in cancer care that could mean many thousands more will die. Panorama, working with the podcast You, Me and the Big C, explores how the focus on COVID-19 has impacted cancer treatment.
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Immunity fears inject caution into corona vaccine hopes
1 JulyPoliticoScientists are optimistic they'll find a coronavirus vaccine. The bad news? They might need to vaccinate the entire globe every year. “I don’t think it’s all doom and gloom," however, “there's still a lot to be learned about the duration of immunity” — Ultan Power, a virology professor at Queen’s University in Belfast
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Coronavirus: Covid-19 samples tested in Belfast laboratory
30 JuneBBCDr Lindsay Broadbent, a research fellow in virology, told BBC News NI that depending on its concentration, the vial's contents could infect hundreds or thousands of people. "The virus was contained in a vial which was placed within a container which itself was in another container and that was surrounded by absorption paper and then surrounded by dry ice to keep it frozen and all of that would have been in a very large polystyrene box.
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Study on Covid-19 antibodies in children
24 JuneBizcommunityThe study is led by Dr Tom Waterfield, researcher from the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine at Queen’s University Belfast, in partnership with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust Northern Ireland and Public Health England.
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Researchers developing risk prediction model for smarter COVID-19 shielding advice
23 JuneMedical PressThis team is led by the University of Oxford and includes researchers from the universities of Liverpool, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Swansea, Leicester, Nottingham with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Queen's University Belfast.
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How your phone may test you for coronavirus in the future
23 JuneIndependentTrack and trace apps are just the beginning of how personal devices could potentially detect a whole myriad of ailments. Chris Elliott, Goncalo Rosas da Silva and Joost Laurus Dinant Nelis investigate.
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QUB academic concern after virologists reportedly asked not to engage with the media during Covid-19 pandemic
19 JuneBelfast LiveDr Connor Bamford of Queen's University Belfast who specialises in immunity to lung viruses and bacteria, has questioned why virologists, as is being alleged, should be asked not to engage with the media during the Covid-19 pandemic in a DoH letter from CMO Michael McBride to the university
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Bacteria in hospitals, a greater threat to severe patients with COVID-19 than the virus itself. What happens in the body when the two infections combine
19 JuneLiber TateaProfessor José Bengoechea and Dr. Connor Bamford, both microbiologists at the Queens Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine in Belfast, recently published a new study claiming that patients with COVID-19 face enormous risks of developing severe bacterial infections.
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Coronavirus Threat posed to care homes by pandemic highlighted in 2016 exercise: QUB professor
12 MayBelfast TelegraphDave Archard, Emeritus Professor, academic has criticised the Government for failing to heed warnings about the danger a pandemic posed to care homes.
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Why avoiding a second coronavirus peak in the UK will be a bit of an experiment
11 Mayi NewsDr Connor Bamford opinion piece: It is without a doubt that lockdown has to be lifted, but we must learn from our initial mistakes.
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Coronavirus live Coronavirus updates: Executive hoping to publish recovery plan for Northern Ireland on Tuesday
11 MayBelfast TelegraphAs the death toll in Northern Ireland climbed to 435 on Sunday, Dr Connor Bamford, a research fellow at Queen's University, said we risk another large and deadly second peak without "lockdown-like" conditions. He was speaking after First Minister Arlene Foster said she will be following Boris Johnson's lockdown exit plan, but that any changes to restrictions in Northern Ireland will be "nuanced".
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Belfast's dividing walls united by virus tributes
08 MayYahoo SingaporeWith more than 400 COVID-19 deaths in Northern Ireland, communities have been brought together against a common enemy. "We already are having these ritualistic moments when we're coming out and we're clapping in support of NHS (National Health Service) workers," Queen's University Belfast anthropology lecturer Dominic Bryan told AFP. "But that of course has also very quickly appeared on murals right across Northern Ireland."
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Belfast's dividing walls united by virus tributes
08 MayFrance 24With more than 400 COVID-19 deaths in Northern Ireland, communities have been brought together against a common enemy. "We already are having these ritualistic moments when we're coming out and we're clapping in support of NHS (National Health Service) workers," Queen's University Belfast anthropology lecturer Dominic Bryan told AFP. "But that of course has also very quickly appeared on murals right across Northern Ireland."
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Queen´s University Belfast given funding to develop rapid test for Covid-19
05 MayDaily MailQueen’s University Belfast has received funding to develop a rapid diagnostic test for Covid-19. The trial, led by Professor Cliff Taggart, is aimed at finding a highly accurate test which can show results within an hour, eliminating the need to send tests to a laboratory.
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Queen´s University Belfast given funding to develop rapid test for Covid-19
04 MayThis is MoneyQueen’s University Belfast has received funding to develop a rapid diagnostic test for Covid-19. The trial, led by Professor Cliff Taggart, is aimed at finding a highly accurate test which can show results within an hour, eliminating the need to send tests to a laboratory.
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Weekly testing of healthcare staff is key, says virologist
03 MayIrish Mail on SundayThe State’s focus now needs to be on testing and retesting healthcare staff once a week to keep vulnerable people safe as lockdown is lifted, according to virologist at Queen’s University Belfast, Dr Ultan Power.
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BBC Radio Ulster, Good Morning Ulster, 01/05/2020
01 MayBBC Radio UlsterThe UK Statistics Authority has reprimanded NI's Department of Health over its reporting of the Covid-19 figures. Connor Bamford, virologist at Queen's University Belfast, comments.
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‘Social distancing is going to be with us for quite some time to come’
01 MayDerry JournalVirologist Connor Bamford talks to Joanne Savage about the dangers of easing lockdown measures.
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Home cooking means healthier eating
01 MayThe Zimbabwe MailDanielle McCarthy, Senior Lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences, discusses how COVID-19 is changing how we eat.
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Coronavirus latest in NI
01 MayBBC NIQueen's University, along with five others, are urging the public to get involved with a new new study which will help identify who is most at risk of contracting COVID-19 and why some people become more ill than others with the disease.
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How drugs and vaccines are being designed to fight Covid-19
30 AprilRTEProfesor Ultan Power is part of team at Queen's University comparing and assessing available drugs, to see if certain combinations could work. "If we can identify a drug, that doesn't interfere with the other adaptive immune response" he says, "our hope is that we will not impact on the development of good protective immunity, but we will have a very significant impact on the inflammatory response."
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NI virologist warns COVID-19 is ‘airborne’ and social distancing is going to be with us for quite some time to come’
30 AprilNewsletterA virologist from Queen’s University Belfast has revealed that while Covid-19 is a new development we have in fact known about so-called coronaviruses for a very long-time.
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Coronavirus crisis could lead to 18,000 more cancer deaths, experts warn
29 AprilThe GuardianAnalysis models impact over next year of delays in getting cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Professor Mark Lawler, of Queen’s University Belfast and Data-Can’s scientific lead, said: “The results are concerning. We believe countries need to rapidly understand how the emergency is affecting cancer outcomes, otherwise we risk adding cancer and other underlying health conditions to the escalating death toll of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
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Kids in disadvantaged areas 'should be first back in class'
28 AprilIrish NewsProfessor Tony Gallagher from Queen's University Belfast said the closure of schools had revealed "the stark reality of the digital divide and the huge inequalities of circumstance among children and families".
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18,000 more people could die of cancer because of coronavirus
29 AprilMetroAlmost 18,000 more people could die from cancer over the next year in England because of the impact of Covid-19, a new study has suggested.
Professor Mark Lawler, from Queen's University Belfast and scientific lead at DATA-CAN, said: ‘We believe countries need to rapidly understand how the emergency is affecting cancer outcomes, otherwise we risk adding cancer and other underlying health conditions to the escalating death toll of the Covid-19 pandemic.’
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Almost 18,000 more people could die of cancer due to coronavirus, study shows
29 AprilThe IndependentResearch has shown that amid the crisis, one in 10 people would not contact their GP even if they discovered a lump or a new mole that remained for a week.
Professor Mark Lawler, scientific lead at DATA-CAN, emphasised the potential for the situation to escalate without educating the public about the consequences the crisis could have on those affected by cancer.
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Queen’s Honorary Graduate executive produces ‘One World: Together At Home’ global concert
29 AprilQueen's University Belfast NewsIrish-American entrepreneur, businessman and philanthropist, Declan Kelly - Chairman and CEO of global consulting company, Teneo Holdings – was an executive producer of the recent ‘One World: Together at Home’ virtual concert.
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COVID-19 crisis could trigger cancer epidemic, claims new study
23 AprilInternational Business TimesScientists warn that the pandemic may have impacted treatment of cancer patients, a dangerous disease.
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Should doctors prioritise treatment based on patients' age?
23 AprilDaily ExpressDave Archard, Emeritus Professor at Queen's University in Belfast, stated three reasons why age should not be used to decide who should and should not receive potentially life-saving treatment.
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If coronavirus lockdown lasts for six months, 50,000 cancer patients will die, says top doc
23 AprilThe SunQueen's University's Professor Mark Lawler said there is a risk of a future cancer epidemic. "We are already seeing the indirect effects of the Covid-19 crisis on cancer care," he said.
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Favouring young over old in Covid-19 treatment justifiable, says ethicist
22 AprilThe GuardianDave Archard, Emeritus Professor at Queen’s University, Belfast, said an overburdened service is no excuse for discrimination that would result in a “cull” of older people.
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Younger coronavirus patients shouldn't be given priority treatment
22 AprilDaily MailDave Archard, Emeritus Professor at Queen’s University, Belfast, said an overburdened service is no excuse for discrimination that would result in a “cull” of older people.
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Coronavirus: Thousands of cancers going undiagnosed, warns charity
21 AprilThe TimesNew study warns of the possibility of a "cancer epidemic" in Eroper once the pandemic has passed.
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Academic warns about risk of `cancer epidemic´ following Covid-19 impact
21 AprilDaily MailThere is a risk of a cancer epidemic following the response to Covid-19, an academic has warned.
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Coronavirus crisis 'could trigger a cancer epidemic', expert warns expert
21 AprilThe MirrorQueen's University's Professor Mark Lawler has warned there is a risk of a future cancer epidemic following the worldwide coronavirus outbreak.
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Researchers seek to find alternatives to ventilators
17 ApriliNewsThe joint trial, run by the University of Warwick and Queen's University Belfast and involving up to 4,000 UK patients, will seek to find alternatives to ventilators.
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QUB trials care for critically ill
16 AprilBelfast TelegraphQueen's University experts attempt to find alternative to coronavirus ventilators. The trial will assess whether treating critically-ill Covid-19 patients earlier with non-invasive ventilation could cut the need to use invasive mechanical ventilators later on.
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Coronavirus: Hundreds of nursing students join Covid-19 fight in Northern Ireland
9 AprilBelfast TelegraphMore than 600 final-year nursing and midwifery students from Queen's University Belfast, Ulster University and the Open University have joined the fight against Covid-19 by joining the health and social care workforce early.
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Trial in Britain for cell therapy treatment of Covid-19
8 AprilIrish NewsResearchers at Queen's University Belfast are leading a UK-wide clinical trial, offering an innovative cell therapy treatment for Covid-19 patients with acute respiratory failure.
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Is it safe to handle packaging?
7 AprilBBC NewsQueen's University virologist Dr Conor Bamford is asked on The Nolan Show about the risk of contracting the virus from packages delivered to your door. He says "there is a theoretical hazard, you could theoretically get infected from it" as lab studies have shown that the virus can remain on surfaces such as cardboard for up to a day.
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Queen’s University leading cell therapy clinical trial to help improve outcomes in COVID-19 patients.
7 AprilBBC NewsResearchers at Queen’s University Belfast are leading a UK-wide clinical trial, offering an innovative cell therapy treatment for COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory failure.
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From dying alone to no goodbye: Death and grief during COVID-19 pandemic
04 AprilChina Global Television NetworkArticle featuring Professor Heather Conway, School of Law, talking about if the pandemic is changing the way we deal with death and the dead.
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Why do healthy people succumb?
2 AprilFrance 24Dr Connor Bamford interviewed on France 24 with regards to why people people succumb to coronavirus.
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Coronavirus Northern Ireland: Queen's Aerospace teams making NHS face shields
2 AprilBelfast LiveArticle about PPE being made by the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering for frontline workers.
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Malaria drug chloroquine helps coronavirus patients recover quicker, finds small study in China
1 AprilDaily Mail OnlineMentions the coronavirus research project taking place at Queen's University.
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COVID-19: students are ready to support the nursing workforce – with your help
1 AprilNursing StandardHear from Eden Baker, a final-year nursing student at Queen's, who is preparing to move to the front line of the COVID-19 crisis.
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Coronavirus: how UK universities are helping the nation
31 MarchUniversity BusinessArticle about how universities across the UK are helping in the fight against the pandemic.
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Coronavirus is changing funerals and how we deal with the dead
30 MarchThe Conversation UKProfessor Heather Conway, School of Law, discusses how funerals are changing and how we deal with the dead in relation to COVID-19
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Additional Crematoria for Northern Ireland: ‘Not If but When’?
27 MarchQueen's Policy Engagement BlogProfessor Heather Conway, School of Law, on the potential need for another crematorium in Northern Ireland due to the coronavirus.
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Hard Choices at the Frontline - Nuffield Council on Bioethics
27 MarchNuffield Council on BioethicsBlog by Professor Emeritus David Archard, from the School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics and Chair of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, on rationing of care for COVID-19
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QUB producing face masks to donate to NHS
27 MarchSync NIAcademic researchers at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) are designing protective shield masks using a 3D printer and donating them to the NHS in the fight against the coronavirus.
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British coronavirus patients CAN get promising blood therapy approved in the US because it was given the green light two weeks ago
27 MarchDaily Mail OnlineMentions coronavirus treatments which are being tested at Queen's University Belfast.
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Coronavirus: More of your questions answered by experts
26 MarchIrish TimesQ&A featuring Professor Ultan Power talking about what to use to sterilise household surfaces adequately to kill harmful microbes including coronavirus.
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Cancer patients reveal worries about future treatment as NHS focuses on Covid-19
26 MarchChannel 4Interview with Professor Emeritus David Archard on how hard decisions are made in relation treatment for cancer patients and COVID-19.
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This is what an emergency looks like - Lessons from the pandemic for addressing our planetary emergency
26 March Imagine Belfast Festival 2020Professor John Barry, School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics. "Which is more important? Wealth or health? This is one of the lessons from the coronavirus, what happens to states and citizens when we are forced to choose health, specifically public health, as the over-riding social imperative?"
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A guide to safe outdoor activities during the coronavirus pandemic
25 MarchPopular Science OnlineIf you’ve satisfied all the above precautions and are ready to go, “wash your hands before you go out,” says Grace Roberts, a virologist at Queen’s University Belfast. “You don’t know if you’re infected.” Also, bring everything you need—water, snacks, etc.—so that you can minimize having to stop at any stores. Don’t use public restrooms or other shared facilities. Roberts says that when she’s running, she reserves her left hand for hitting the crosswalk button or any other surfaces, while her right hand is used for adjusting her glasses, or handling water and snacks.
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Coronavirus and obesity: industry urged to act post-crisis
24 MarchFood NavigatorProfessor Chris Elliott talks about the link to our diet and death. Refers to the link between obesity and COVID-19
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COVID-19: Ireland 'ahead of the curve' but delays in testing a concern
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Projects to develop COVID-19 vaccines receive UK government funding
24 MarchNews-Medical.net Australia
NHS patients who are being treated for COVID-10 have signed up to take part in the trials spearheaded by leading institutions in the country, including the University of Edinburgh, Oxford University, Queens University Belfast, the University of Liverpool, and the Imperial College London. -
Coronavirus: why young and old must pull together to survive this
19 March The Conversation UKDr Gemma Carney, School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work, examines how solidarity between generations is important to survive the outbreak of COVID-19.
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Coronavirus: Protect yourself inside and outside the home
17 MarchIrish TimesProfessor Ultan Power offers advice on how to prevent the spread of infection including the importance of maintaining good hygiene at home.
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Academics make incendiary claim Brexit could delay coronavirus vaccine’s UK arrival
15 March NYTimes Post OnlineDr Mark Flear, School of Law, looks at how Brexit could result in a delay to a coronavirus vaccine in the UK.
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Brexit threatens UK’s ability to respond to a future pandemic
14 March The Guardian/The ObserverDr Mark Flear, School of Law, on how COVID-19 should remind us of just why international cooperation is so important in reducing the threat of infectious disease.
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Coronavirus and Spanish flu: economic lessons to learn from the last truly global pandemic
11 March The Conversation UKDr Chris Colvin, Queen's Management School, on the economic lessons we can learn from the last global pandemic, the Spanish Flu.
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Coronavirus: Can you catch COVID-19 twice? | Euronews answers
6 MarchEuronewsResearch fellow, Dr Connor Bamford, responds to a question regarding whether it is likely that you will catch the coronavirus twice. He stated that is it is "unlikely" the woman in question was re-infected but underlined there was still a lot to learn.
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Can wearing gloves – like the Queen – help protect you against the coronavirus?
4 MarchThe GuardianLindsay Broadbent suggests that wearing gloves do not offer the protection required to stop infection and advises it is safer to wash hand more regularly
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Loss of control over threats like coronavirus a consequence of Brexit
4 March Irish NewsDr Mark Flear, School of Law, on how UK’s fixation on ‘taking back control’ is more likely to lead to a loss of control over future cross-border public health threats on this island, the UK, and across the European continent as a whole.
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Coronavirus shows future access post-Brexit to the EU’s health security system remains vital
4 March The TelegraphDr Mark Flear, School of Law, on how COVID-19 reveals one of the key flaws in the UK government’s stance on its future relationship with the EU.
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Coronavirus, Brexit, and threats to health security
4 March The UK in a Changing EuropeDr Mark Flear, School of Law, looks at COVID-19, and how Brexit threatens to undermine future health security.
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Brexit could delay UK access to a coronavirus vaccine
3 March PoliticoDr Mark Flear, School of Law, considers the impact that Brexit may have on the UK accessing a coronavirus vaccine.
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Special coronavirus pods set up at Northern Ireland hospitals to fight disease
1 MarchSunday LifeQueen’s University Belfast virologist explains how the virus may be transmitted and that for every one person infected, they may infect on average two others.
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Coronavirus might be here to stay – and face masks won't necessarily stop the spread
24 FebruaryThe IndependentDr Connor Bamford writes an article detailing general information on the coronavirus and measures that individuals can take to help minimise the spread.
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Coronavirus and Northern Ireland: The facts about 'Public Enemy Number One'
12 FebruaryBelfast TelegraphResearch fellow, Dr Connor Bamford, writes an opinion article with background information on the coronavirus and measures that individuals can take to help to reduce spreading infection.
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Can wearing masks stop the spread of viruses?
23 JanuaryBBC NewsDr Connor Bamford suggests that implementing simple hygiene measures is vastly more effective than wearing a mask to prevent the spread. “Covering your mouth while sneezing, washing your hands, and not putting your hands to your mouth before washing them, could help limit the risk of catching any respiratory virus," he said.
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China virus outbreak: how coronaviruses spread, and what scientists can do to stop them
22 JanuaryI paperDr Connor Bamford provides background information on the coronavirus, including how it emerged, how it is spreading and whether mutations will make it more deadly.