COVID RESPONSE STUDY (COVRES) [COVID-19]
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Covid Response Study (COVRES): A Northern Ireland population study of SARS-CoV-2 prevalence, predisposing factors and pathology \n
IRAS ID
283596
Contact name
David Gibson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Ulster University
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has caused greater than 4 million worldwide infections up to 11th May 2020. In Northern Ireland (NI) as of 11th May 2020, 32,634 people have been tested by PCR assay for presence of the virus and 4,119 positive cases have been identified and 435 deaths. However, as the UK testing strategy remains concentrated on hospitalised cases and healthcare workers and their families, community spread of the infection and possible deaths remains unknown. Additionally, NI positive cases by age group 2.3% in 0-19; 22.8% in 20-49; 19.7% in 60-79 and 25.6% in the over 80 age group (data from http://nicovidtracker.org/ 11/05/20) and gender (60% Female, 40.0% male) indicate that predisposing factors may be at play in determining risk of infection. While more females test positive, males are twice as likely to die from SARS-CoV-2 compared to females. Additionally, several studies suggest that variable immune and inflammatory responses during infection may play a role in likelihood of developing pneumonia and subsequent recovery. The overall purpose of the COVRES study is to provide preliminary evidence of prevalence and factors influencing severity of the infection in the NI population. There is therefore an urgent need to more clearly understand: (a) the prevalence of the infection in the wider community in Northern Ireland (b) genetic and comorbidity factors predisposing individuals to more severe infection and higher risk of death (c) immune and inflammatory response during active infection and recovery.\n
REC name
Wales REC 6
REC reference
20/WA/0179
Date of REC Opinion
14 Jul 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion