COVID-19 antibody research study looking for colleagues to take part

June 8, 2021

A new research study – COPE-WM The contribution of occupational exposures to risk of COVID-19 and approaches to control among healthcare workers – is underway at the Trust, supported by our R&D team. Principal Investigator, Dr Masood Aga and Lead Nurse, Irene Echaveznaguicnic are keen to invite colleagues to find out how to participate by clicking this link: www.birmingham.ac.uk/COPE-study. Recruitment is underway and will end on 31 July.

Participation will involve colleagues being given a home antibody test kit to test for previous COVID-19 infection, and the results will help to find out how best to maximise safety for all staff. There is even an opportunity to win an iPad or £200 prize draw. To take part you will need to complete a questionnaire at the start of the study (online or on paper) and a follow up questionnaire after 4 months. You will also have to do a finger-prick dried blood spot test which will be used to check for COVID-19 antibodies. The test will be mailed to your house.

To be eligible to take part you need to have had a test (PCR or lateral flow) for COVID-19 or relevant symptoms in March/April last year when testing was not available. The research aims to find out why workers in healthcare settings are at higher risk of catching COVID-19 and how best to maximise safety for all staff. To take part: https://is.gd/copewmret  Or contact the COPE-WM team by emailing cope-wm@contacts.bham.ac.uk or calling 0121 414 3151.