COVID-19 research information for patients and the public

COVID-19 (sometimes called novel coronavirus) is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It's caused by a virus called coronavirus. The UKRI website explains the science behind COVID-19. Corona Virus Disease 2019 is the name that scientists have given the disease.

In the section below you can find out more about the role of research in COVID-19. So far, over 30,000 participants are taking part in a range of NIHR supported COVID-19 research studies across the UK.

To keep updated with the latest information, the UK Government has launched a GOV.UK Coronavirus Information service on WhatsApp. To use the free GOV.UK Coronavirus Information Service on WhatsApp, simply add 07860 064422 in your phone contacts and then message the word ‘hi’ in a WhatsApp message to get started.

• New cross-government research response to tackle COVID-19 in low- and middle-income countries

• UK recruits first patient into Novartis global COVID-19 study

• UK's Chief Medical Officers urge recruitment of more COVID-19 patients for vital scientific research

• Plasma transfusions to be tested in NIHR COVID-19 trial

• New research to assess extent of coronavirus infection in children and teenagers

• More news 

For the latest news on the NIHRs response to the challenge of COVID-19, visit the NIHR COVID-19 webpage.