Timely research from Newcastle Hospitals and University has shown that the rate of infection among NHS staff treating patients is no higher than for those in non-clinical roles.

These findings, published today as a piece of correspondence in The Lancet, may offer some reassurance to NHS staff on the frontline.

The work has been carried out by researchers and medics at the Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Newcastle University - the key findings are:

  1. Delivering staff testing during the pandemic is feasible.
  2. The rates of positive tests in patient-facing staff were no higher than in those staff in clerical or administrative roles who have no patient contact.

  3. The data provides a unique insight into the COVID-19 epidemic in England. The growth in cases clearly “flattened” after the introduction of social distancing measures.

Read more at Newcastle University

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