Coronavirus research and expertise

Marginal and informal housing a COVID health risk
Research finds the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed a rise in underlying housing vulnerabilities such as overcrowding and a link between falling demand for Airbnb style short-term rental accommodation and an increase in long-term private rental housing availability.

COVID-19: the genetic quest to understand the virus
Professor Edward Holmes is at the forefront of understanding SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans. 

University and Health Infrastructure unveil emergency ventilator
Sydney academics create low-cost ventilator that can be rapidly manufactured in NSW.

Australians want to work from home more post-COVID
75% of workers think employers will support future work from home plans.

$4m digital health platform to provide real-time data, COVID focus
National platform will help patients during pandemic and beyond.

Antibody study confirms low levels of infection during first wave
Study confirms less than one percent of Sydneysiders had been infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus after the first epidemic wave.

How doctors can have more confidence in a COVID-19 diagnosis
Researchers suggest using the methods of clinical epidemiology to help minimise uncertainty in a COVID-19 diagnosis and help public health decisions during the pandemic.

Impact of COVID-19 widens gender equity gap
Gains made by women in STEM can’t be lost during COVID-19, experts say.

Lack of face-to-face contact could harm young professionals' careers
Less face-to-face interactions at work, due to COVID-19, could harm the long-term career prospects of young professionals, according to a new global survey that included University of Sydney graduates

Researchers test vaccine
Sydney researchers test tuberculosis vaccine combination for COVID-19. Pre-clinical results are promising.

National suicide prevention strategies
Study reveals the urgent mental health strategies required in the face of COVID-19.

The impact of COVID-19 on the mental wealth of Australia
Head of systems modelling at the Brain and Mind Centre, A/Prof Jo-An Atkinson, told the National Press Club luncheon that prompt action could cushion future impacts of the coronavirus on mental health and the economy.

COVID-19 disrupting clinical trials, changing ‘essential’ cancer treatments
Pandemic has fundamentally altered oncology in Australia and the US.

Gambling frequency reduced during first wave of COVID-19
A survey into the impact of the coronavirus in Australia found a majority reduced their gambling during the first shutdown but about one in 10 increased how often they gambled.

Low humidity increases COVID risk; another reason to wear a mask
Professor Michael Ward says we could face increased risks of coronavirus community transmission when humidity is low or when the air is drier.

Why are young men more likely to believe COVID-19 myths than other groups?
We need to involve young people in the design of COVID-19 messages to get the delivery right, if we are to convince them to socialise less and follow prevention advice, writes University of Sydney researches.

Impact of obesity on COVID-19 symptoms
University of Sydney academics respond on the UK government's Better Health campaign to address obesity and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed his own "wake up call" when told his weight may have impacted the severity of his COVID-19 symptoms.

More people travelling for social reasons since restrictions
A rising number of Australians are travelling for social and recreational reasons since the initial coronavirus travel restrictions, according to initial findings of a survey by the University of Sydney's Institute of Transport & Logistics Studies.

Lottery for ventilators
Dr Diego Silva argues for scarce health resources to be allocated via a lottery system, he sees it as the only fair way to provide healthcare during times of acute shortages.

Genetic 'fingerprints' of first COVID-19 cases help manage pandemic
A new study published in Nature Medicine reveals how genomic sequencing and mathematical modelling gave important insights into the ‘parentage’ of cases and likely spread of the disease in New South Wales.

Safeguarding mental health
New research has identified ways to safeguard mental health while working from home.

Did COVID-19 models in the UK and US get it wrong?
COVID-19 models got it wrong in that they failed to forecast with any degree of accuracy daily death counts even when the forecast was for one day in advance, says Professor Sally Cripps.

Measles origin finding could inform COVID-19 research
New research shows that measles likely emerged in humans about 6000 BCE. Professor Simon Ho on what we can learn from about the emergence of other zoonotic diseases from this research.

Winter time could be COVID-19 time
Study shows we could be facing increased risks in winter months when humidity is low.

Pharmacological benchmarks crucial for COVID treatments
An international group of pharmacologists, led by Sydney, is urging researchers to adopt drug development advice to ensure the result is safe for clinical use.

Suicide prevention in COVID-recovery
Modelling shows benefits of acting urgently to flatten the mental health 'curve'.

Ethics framework to help guide clinical decision making
Experts help guide thinking about processes for crucial decision-making in anticipation of mounting pressure on healthcare systems due to the coronavirus.

Social media vital for pregnant women during pandemic
Antenatal care information accessed through official social media accounts can help support the mental wellbeing of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic and country lockdowns.

Blood test could help identify most at-risk patients
Researchers are developing a biomarker blood test which aims to provide vital information to help doctors triage COVID-19 patients.

First study on health conditions one month into lockdown
A preliminary study provides some of the earliest pieces of evidence that the COVID-19 outbreak affected people mentally as well as physically.

Time is now to prepare for the next coronavirus outbreak
Professor Edward Holmes - who helped map the COVID-19 virus genome - issues a call to action to limit the impact of this coronavirus and prepare for any future outbreaks.

Majority of Australians concerned about public transport
Preliminary findings on the impact of COVID-19 on Australians' travel activities suggest over 80 percent of respondents are concerned about hygiene on public transport.

COVID-19 and hate crime in Australia
Experts call for greater vigilance in countering racism and other forms of bigotry that is erupting amidst the current COVID-19 pandemic.

How behavioural economics insights can aid compliance
To avoid a second wave of the coronavirus, Australians must continue to comply with 'stay at home' and other health-related orders. 

Experts examine the COVID-19 tracing app
Academics from the disciplines of cybersecurity, media, law and health comment on COVIDSafe, the COVID-19 contact tracing app released by the federal government.

COVID-19 research funding boosts Sydney-led projects
Researchers lead several projects recently announced by the Australian Government as part of its national coordinated COVID-19 research response.

Text service to support at-risk respiratory patients
While many hospital services are on pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sydney University researchers have established a free text service to help people with existing chronic respiratory diseases.

Statement from Prof Edward Holmes 
Unfounded speculation on the origins of COVID-19 has prompted the following statement from Professor Holmes, who was involved in mapping the genome of the virus.

US COVID-19 deaths "poorly predicted" by IHME model
An international group of data scientists found that over 70 percent of US states had death rates that were inconsistent with IHME predictions.

COVID-19 pandemic set to peak in several days in Australia
Research showed that 8,000 - 10,000 Australians are expected to fall ill with the virus over the course of the pandemic.

Greater social distancing could curb COVID-19 in 13 weeks
A data study revealed that social distancing must be adopted by at least 80 percent of the Australian population to reduce the spread of COVID-19. 

Suspending housing evictions will defend against COVID-19
Researchers believe the COVID-19 pandemic is a double crisis affecting public health and the economy with both aspects playing out in our housing system. 

Coronavirus research funding announced
Several projects to tackle the novel coronavirus have been announced by the University of Sydney-led NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Emerging Infectious Diseases. 

Global perspectives policy podcast
Economics academics discuss how the coronavirus crisis will affect the global economy. 

Website helps older people stay active at home
Leading physiotherapists concerned 'stay at home' restrictions could exacerbate falls and poor physical function in older people have developed a new website to support older Australians to stay active - safely - at home.

Resources for parents working at home with kids 
Tips that will keep your kids engaged and learning while they are at home during the Coronavirus outbreak.

How to make sure your dog doesn't get cabin fever
As coronavirus forces us to isolate, some pundits are suggesting now is the ideal time to bring a dog into your life. But our experts say you need to think first before taking on a puppy.

Citizen Science: work on coronavirus research from your home
If you are at home keeping safe for the long haul, why not jump into a range of projects that help scientists with their research?

How COVID-19 is changing the way we care for our teeth
To minimise the spread of COVID-19 many procedures have been postponed. However, essential dental treatments are still available. Here, our experts outline what dental care you can access.

How to survive the pandemic with your kids at home
Professor Mark Dadds, director of the Sydney Child Behaviour Research Clinic, has some tips for staying sane and getting along during the extended lock down.

How to stay fit and active at home during self-isolation
It's easy to get some exercise in your daily routine if you are working from home or are in self-isolation, writes Professor Emmanuel Stamatakis and Associate Professor Kate Edwards.

The dos and don't of self-isolation
People should avoid contact with any person in their household who has tested positive for COVID-19 or is awaiting test results, writes Associate Professor Adam Kamradt-Scott. 

3 things to ask yourself before you decide to see someone
Advice around social distancing can be confusing, but asking yourself these important questions can help you make a decision, writes Professor Julie Leask. 

How to access the medicines you and your family need
Pharmacies provide essential services and will remain open but some people will still have problems accessing medicines. Here's what you can do, writes Associate Professor Nial Wheate and Dr Andrew Bartlett. 

COVID-19 risk on public transport
Australia can learn from how other countries are reducing the spread of the virus on public transport, writes Dr Yale Zhuxiao Wong. 

Dr Karl answers your questions
Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, from the Faculty of Science, answers your questions about COVID-19.