UW researchers respond to novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

COVID-19 experts for reporters

Below are the most recent stories of UW experts commenting on the novel coronavirus epidemic

In addition to UW researchers from a variety of disciplines offering their expertise to journalists covering the novel coronavirus, UW Medicine researchers are leading the way in the detection and prevention of COVID-19 and other coronaviruses. In fact, our researchers have sequenced COVID-19’s genome, identified the architecture and mechanisms of COVID-19, created a new laboratory test to expedite diagnostics and are crowd-sourcing a cure, among other efforts.

This page is updated every week day. For more information on the coronavirus, visit uw.edu/coronavirus. 

Some of the stories below may require a third-party subscription. 

• Is Washington state in another COVID surge? | KUOW2 days ago
  It seems that almost everyone knows someone who has COVID in Western Washington these days, or has heard of someone who has had it recently. But in this post-pandemic emergency era, how do we know if we're in a surge? Pavitra Roychoudhury, research assistant professor of laboratory medicine and pathology in the UW School of Medicine, and Dr. Helen Chu, professor of allergy and infectious disease in the UW School of Medicine, are quoted.
• As COVID-19 cases rise, do we mask again? | Northwest Asian Weekly2 days ago
  While we are seeing a similar pattern as in past years—COVID-19 cases are increasing as the fall sets in—the extent of the carnage is still much less than in previous years. Dr. Crystal Wong, clinical associate professor of family medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
• COVID cases are rising in Seattle again | Seattle Met1 week ago
  After a blessedly low number of King County Covid-19 cases in the earlier half of this year, we’ve been trending back upwards over the last several months. With a potential surge in the making, is it time to rethink, well, everything? Dr. John Lynch, associate professor of medicine and of allergy and infectious diseases in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
• COVID still rearing its head as Snohomish County leaders urge people to get new booster | KIRO 72 weeks ago
  The Snohomish County Health Department is asking residents to stay vigilant while the department monitors a rise in local COVID cases. Dr. Helen Chu, professor of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
• CDC recommends updated COVID vaccines for ages 6 months and up | CNBC2 weeks ago
  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday recommended that all Americans ages 6 months and older receive updated COVID shots from Pfizer and Moderna, clearing the way for Americans to start receiving the shots within days. Dr. Beth Bell, clinical professor of global health at the UW, is quoted.
• CDC recommends new COVID booster shots for anyone 6 months and older | The Washington Post2 weeks ago
  Virtually all Americans should get an updated coronavirus shot, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended Tuesday, with the vaccines expected to become available within 48 hours — as the respiratory illness season looms. Dr. Beth Bell, clinical professor of global health at the UW, is quoted.
• How to check if expired tests still work as cases rise | CNBC3 weeks ago
  Americans are digging out their unused at-home COVID-19 tests as the U.S. sees a new surge in cases. Some expired COVID-19 tests are still safe to use, if the Food and Drug Administration says the test has an extended expiration date. Otherwise, using expired tests without extensions could be unreliable. Pavitra Roychoudhury, acting instructor of laboratory medicine and pathology in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
• When to wear masks as cases rise, new variants emerge in US | CNBC3 weeks ago
  An uptick in COVID cases and hospitalizations in the U.S., and the emergence of new variants of the virus, are prompting questions about whether Americans should start masking up again. Pavitra Roychoudhury, acting instructor of laboratory medicine and pathology in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
• It seems like everyone has COVID-19 — here’s why this wave is probably worse than official data suggests | CNN4 weeks ago
  COVID-19 certainly didn’t take a vacation this summer. Virus levels in the U.S. have been on the rise for weeks, but it’s hard to know exactly how widely it’s spreading. Ali Mokdad, professor of health metrics sciences at the UW Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, is quoted.
• Should you celebrate summer's end with a COVID booster or wait until fall? | KUOW1 month ago
  According to the CDC, COVID cases are on the rise in several regions throughout the U.S. — including the Pacific Northwest. This may be bringing up some questions for you, like, what’s this new variant we’ve been hearing about? Or, what should I be doing about getting a booster? Dr. Seth Cohen, clinical assistant professor of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.

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