By Charlotte Webster-
Covid scientists are seeking volunteers across the UK for blood tests to be used as part of research into understanding the causes of serious illnesses triggered by the coronavirus.
Researchers are calling for people who have tested positive for covid-19 to take part in a scientific study that hopes to unravel one of the most crucial questions posed by the virus.
Genomics England is running the study, which aims to discover why some people suffer serious symptoms of the coronavirus, while others only experience light symptoms or even none at all.
Preliminary results of the GenOMICC study are expected to help identify possible new treatments, but, to keep making progress, scientists say they urgently need to recruit 2,500 more people from all backgrounds.
However, for the study to continue to make progress, the scientists urgently need to recruit 2,500 more people from all backgrounds. Along with seeking the help of members of Asian and Black communities, they’re also keen for more men to volunteer.
The scheme which has already started in Scotland, is to begin in may parts of London, including Croydon, Barking, and extend as far as Wales.
The researchers say they are particularly seeking volunteers from Asian and black communities as well as more men.
NHS England associate chief clinical information officer Dr Harpreet Sood said: “This study has one key objective – to help us understand why covid has impacted different groups in different ways.
As from tomorrow, Saturday, the project will open centres in five London boroughs, including Croydon, where volunteers who experienced mild or no covid symptoms will provide blood samples.
“The unique GenOMICC covid-19 study analyses the genes of people who have had the virus to discover why some experienced no symptoms while others became extremely ill,” a spokesperson for the group told The Eye Of Media.Com.
“The study is already contributing to the fight again covid, with preliminary results helping identify possible new treatments. However, for the study to continue to make progress, the scientists urgently need to recruit 2,500 more people from all backgrounds.”
With mounting evidence that serious coronavirus cases disproportionately impact people from black and Asian backgrounds, the researchers hope people from those communities in particular will volunteer.
“The past year has been exceptionally difficult for everyone – here in London more than 700,000 people caught covid-19 and, tragically, 19,000 lost their lives,” said Dr Sundar Raj Ashok, of Croydon University Hospital.
“The remarkable diligence of the community and healthcare workers prevented even more tragedy – but it’s research that holds the key to long-term solutions.
“Over the past year, more than a hundred of my patients in Croydon University Hospital’s intensive care took part in this research, knowing it may help save lives and improve recovery. Now the wider public can join too and help beat the virus.”
Genetic
The study analyses the genes of people who have had the virus to find out why some became extremely ill while others were hardly affected.
The study has one key objective – to help us understand why COVID-19 has impacted different groups in different ways,” said Dr Matt Morgan, Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine at the University Hospital of Wales and Specialty Lead for Critical Care at Health and Care Research Wales.
“Across the UK, a disproportionate number of people who ended up in hospital have been male as well as people with Asian and Black heritage – that’s why we need people from these groups in particular to join the study as soon as possible.”
“If you are eligible, please register and join the project. You’ll be making a direct contribution to helping improve our knowledge of the virus and discovering new ways of beating it.”