Staff at the Royal Bolton Hospital are conducting research with patients who have tested positive for Covid-19 to help fight the coronavirus.
Researchers at the hospital are conduction trials to better understand the virus, who is at risk and why people are getting so seriously ill.
So far, there are two studies running at the hospital.
The first study collects data from patients who tested positive for the virus. Researchers will find out information about travel, who they may have picked up the virus from, age, background and other details to help get a better understanding of the virus and those who are most at risk.
This trial is being rolled out nationally by Public Health England.
The second trial being run at the Royal Bolton Hospital was looking into influenza, but has now been extended to research the coronavirus. The trial is being organised by the University of Edinburgh.
DNA samples from patients with the virus are being taken - the patients involved are those who have been admitted to critical care units but have no previous medical history that might have put them at an increased risk.
This will help doctors understand why these kinds of patients have been so ill.
The hospital is also looking to start a recovery trial, overseen by the National Institute of Health Research.
This will test the effectiveness of treatments which might improve recovery from Covid-19.
The research is being done under strict infection controls.
Research Nurse Scott Latham, who is co-ordinating the research for Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This research is really important in understanding and tackling the virus. We’re proud that here in Bolton we’re doing our bit to help.”
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