Leicester to host 'pop up' blood donation centre to help Covid Study
Researchers are seeking help from the city's Asian community
A study into the role that genetics play in the severity of Covid cases needs the help of the people of Leicester.
Next Thursday (April 29th) a "pop up" blood donation centre will open in the city with scientists especially seeking people from the Asian community who are older, Asian, and had Covid but did not need hospital treatment.
The study's volunteers can also choose to have a nurse visit their home to take the blood donation.
Eligible participants from the city and surrounding areas will be able to donate a blood sample at a temporary, COVID-secure centre in the Eastgate Therapies Centre (Eastgate House, 19–23 Humberstone Road, LE5 3GJ).
The unique GenOMICC COVID-19 Study analyses the genes of people who have had the virus to discover why some experienced no symptoms while others became extremely ill. The study is already contributing to the fight again COVID, with preliminary results helping identify possible new treatments.
We’re issuing an urgent appeal for more volunteers from all walks of life – and in particular for people from the region’s Asian community – to come forward and register as soon as possible,” explains Dr Kenneth Baillie, the study’s Chief Investigator.
“We need to find people who tested positive for COVID but experienced either mild or no symptoms and didn’t require hospital treatment. For comparison purposes, it’s important that these volunteers are similar in age, gender and ethnicity of those people who were severely affected and hospitalised.
“The quicker this research can be completed, the faster we can solve the COVID puzzle and protect vulnerable people,” said Professor Sir Mark Caulfied, Chief Scientist at Genomics England. “Genetic research into COVID-19 is now playing an increasingly important role in our fight against the virus, enabling us to identify new forms of the virus and develop treatments.
“The findings from the GenOMICC COVID-19 Study will improve the treatment, care and outcome for those most at risk, as well as helping to prioritise future vaccinations and lower the number of deaths.”