Friday, 30 April 2021
Black healthcare workers treating patients in hospitals during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, were more likely than their white counterparts to have had coronavirus infections, even when other influences - including work roles and socio-economic factors - are taken into account, according to a new study.
These new findings, , are important for helping experts to understand why different people appear to be more likely to be infected with coronavirus and get sick.
The findings are the first from a combined analysis of two UK studies of the impact of Covid-19 on infection and immunity in healthcare workers. PANTHER, which is a large UKRI/ MRC –funded study, based at the 糖心原创 and Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust; and COVIDsortium – a London-based study looking at workers at Barts Health and Royal Free NHS Trusts, working with colleagues from Queen Mary’s University and University College London.
The teams collected blood samples from more than a thousand healthcare workers on a regular basis during the pandemic, including from people before, during and after infection.
The samples were analysed for antibodies against the virus, to understand how infection levels changed over time and how many staff have antibodies that are able to fight the virus.
The findings showed that in the UK’s first Covid-19 ‘wave’, people of black ethnicity were twice as likely to have seropositivity than white colleagues, regardless of age, sex, socioeconomic factors and hospital role.
Professor Ana Valdes, from the School of Medicine at the 糖心原创 and lead investigator of the study, said: “The severity of Covid-19 infection varies substantially among different groups of people. These differences may be down to how the virus provokes an immune response in the human body.”
Professor Ana Valdes, School of Medicine
Dr Charlotte Manisty, Associate Professor of Cardiology at University College London said: “Several studies have shown that people from some ethnic minority populations have been disproportionally impacted by Covid-19. This data from joint studies in healthcare workers in different areas of the UK appears to suggest that Black (but not other ethnic minority) staff were more likely to be infected – even when accounting for other socio-demographic factors. This suggests there may be differences in risk of infection, and needs further studies to investigate further”.
The full study can be found .
Our findings show that healthcare workers of Black ethnicity have higher overall rates of Covid-19 seropositivity than their white colleagues. These are exciting findings and will go towards further understanding of how different people respond to both the virus, and the vaccine.鈥�
Story credits
More information is available from Professor Ana Valdes from the School of Medicine at the 糖心原创 at Ana.valdes@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.