UCL Press Release
Spread of COVID-19 mapped in hospitals to ‘break the chain’ of transmission
The trial will evaluate the effectiveness of rapid sequencing and analysis of SARS-CoV-2 genomes in reducing hospital outbreaks
A first-of-its kind clinical trial, led by scientists at UCL, will evaluate the use of ‘real time’ viral genomic data to reduce the spread of COVID-19 within hospitals. The study’s findings could help the NHS reduce further transmission of the virus by determining if an individual caught the virus from someone else within the same hospital.
The trial, led by Professor Judith Breuer, Director of UCL/UCLH/GOSH Biomedical Research Centres funded Pathogen Genomics Unit (PGU/UCLG), together with the UCL Comprehensive Clinical Trials Unit (CCTU), forms part of the Government’s £20 million COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium (COG-UK) – which has established a network of rapid genome sequencing centres across the UK – allowing scientists to map the virus’ spread across the country.