Scientists at UCL will play a key role in helping understand the effects of emerging mutations in SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, as part of a new national research project. The 'G2P-UK' National Virology Consortium'*, launched with £2.5m funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), brings together leading virologists from 10 research institutions.

Researchers have developed a DNA test to quickly identify secondary infections in COVID-19 patients, who have double the risk of developing pneumonia while on ventilation than non-COVID-19 patients.

Patients admitted to very full hospitals have an increased chance of dying which is equivalent to being up to 11 years older, according to a new study co-led by UCL researchers. The study, published as a pre-print* on MedRxiv , analysed data from 4032 patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to Intensive Care Units (ICU) with presumed or confirmed Covid-19 in the first lockdown.

The University of Glasgow is joining a new national research project to study the effects of emerging mutations in SARS-CoV-2, which will be launched with £2.5 million of funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

A quarter of people in the UK reported drinking more than usual during the first lockdown, particularly those who were younger, female and suffering from anxiety, finds a study by UCL researchers. The study, published today in Drug and Alcohol Dependence, surveyed over 30,000 adults about their drinking behaviour during the earliest stage of lockdown between 21 March and 4 April 2020 and found that a third (34.3%) weren't drinking.

A new study led by the University of Oxford on over 90,000 participants shows that there is no upper threshold to the benefits of exercise in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease - 'every move counts towards better cardiovascular health.'