LibGuides: COVID-19 resources: Testing, treatment and rehabilitation

Testing for COVID-19

Updates on testing techniques used to identify COVID-19 infection or antibodies

Antibody tests for identification of current and past infection with SARS‐CoV‐2
Cochrane Review on the diagnostic accuracy of antibody tests to determine if a person has, or has previously had SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.

Treatments for COVID-19

This section will provide updates on research and discoveries relating to the treatment of COVID-19.

Antibiotics for the treatment of COVID‐19
Cochrane Review assessing the efficacy and safety of antibiotics compared to each other, no treatment, standard of care alone, placebo, or any other active intervention with proven efficacy for treatment of COVID‐19
Colchicine for the treatment of COVID‐19
A Cochrane Review assessing the effectiveness and safety of Colchicine as a treatment option for COVID‐19 in comparison to an active comparator, placebo, or standard care alone in any setting
COVID-19 rapid evidence summary: Sarilumab for COVID-19
Preliminary evidence from the REMAP‑CAP study has suggested that sarilumab is beneficial in adults with severe COVID‑19 who are critically ill and receiving respiratory or cardiovascular organ support in an intensive care setting.
COVID-19 rapid evidence summary: Tocilizumab for COVID-19
NICE evidence summary for use of tocilizumab in treatment of adult patients with severe COVID-19
COVID-19 rapid guideline: vitamin D
This NICE guideline covers vitamin D use in the context of COVID‑19. It is for adults, young people and children in hospitals and community settings. Vitamin D is important for bone and muscle health. It may also have a role in the body's immune response to respiratory viruses.
Interleukin‐6 blocking agents for treating COVID‐19: a living systematic review
Cochrane review on the use of Interleukin 6 (IL‐6) blocking agents (tocilizumab and sarilumab) to treat severe COVID‐19
Prophylactic anticoagulants for people hospitalised with COVID‐19
Cochrane review exploring whether blood thinners prevent people who are hospitalised with COVID‐19 from developing blood clots.
Remdesivir for the treatment of COVID‐19
Cochrane review on the efficacy of remdesivir (an antiviral medicine) as a treatment for COVID-19.
Ronapreve for prevention and treatment of COVID-19
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has given approval for the first monoclonal antibody treatment (Ronapreve) for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 in the UK.
SARS‐CoV‐2‐neutralising monoclonal antibodies for treatment of COVID‐19
A Cochrane Review assessing the effectiveness and safety of SARS‐CoV‐2‐neutralising mAbs for treating patients with COVID‐19, compared to an active comparator, placebo, or no intervention.
Systemic corticosteroids for the treatment of COVID‐19
Cochrane review assessing whether systemic corticosteroids are effective and safe in the treatment of people with COVID‐19.
Treatment with corticosteroids for people with severe or critical COVID-19
Guidance on use of dexamethasone and hydrocortisone in patients with severe COVID-19. Included in NICE Guideline 159: COVID-19 rapid guideline: critical care in adults
Vitamin D supplementation for the treatment of COVID‐19: a living systematic review
Living systematic Cochrane reivew on the effectiveness of vitamin-D supplementation for the treatment of COVID-19

Vaccination

This section will provide updates on ongoing vaccination trials, approvals, and related publications.

COVID-19 vaccine tracker
This tracker was developed by the Vaccine Centre at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine to follow candidates as they progress through the development pipeline.
JCVI statement on use of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and rare clotting
The JCVI advise that for adults aged under 30, without underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease, an alternative vaccine should be offered.
MHRA advice on Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine and rare clotting
The benefits of vaccination continue to outweigh any risks but the MHRA advises careful consideration be given to people who are at higher risk of specific types of blood clots because of their medical condition.
MHRA summary of COVID-19 vaccine side-effect reporting
This report summarises information received via the Yellow Card scheme and will be published regularly to include other safety investigations carried out by the MHRA under the COVID-19 Vaccine Surveillance Strategy.
Moderna COVID-19 vaccine approved by MHRA in 12-17 year olds
An extension to the current UK approval of the Spikevax vaccine (formerly COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna) that allows its use in 12- to 17-year-olds has today been authorised by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine - MHRA patient information
Information for UK recipients on Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
Pfizer/BioNTech Vaccine - Specialist Pharmacy Service - summary of guidance
This page summarises and signposts to publicly available information that we’re aware of from professional and government bodies relating to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
Regulatory approval of Spikevax (formerly COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna)
Information for healthcare professionals and the public about the Spikevax vaccine (formerly COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna), approved by the MHRA on 8 January 2021.
University of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine - Lancet publication
Pooled analysis of Phase 3 trials of University of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 across two different dose regimens, resulting in an overall vaccine efficacy at least 14 days after the second dose of 70.4%.

Recovery and rehabilitation after COVID-19

Resources and research on recovery and rehabilitation following COVID-19 will be added as they become available.

Resources for healthcare professionals

Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation - Post-COVID Hub
We have created this hub to help share the latest evidence and guidance for the care and rehabilitation of people with breathing difficulties after having COVID. This has been possible by working alongside leading respiratory experts and professional bodies, including the British Thoracic Society and the Primary Care Respiratory Society,
British Geriatrics Society - COVID-19: Rehabilitation of older people
This page brings together resources and information relating to the rehabilitation of older people as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, either following recovery from the virus or as a consequence of an exacerbation of other health issues due to isolation or reduced access to health services.
British Society of Rehabilitation Medicine - Covid-19 and Rehabilitation Medicine
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy - Rehabilitation of adults who are hospitalised due to Covid-19: physiotherapy service delivery
These peer-reviewed standards from the CSP are aimed at the physiotherapy workforce and service leads. This particular set of standards covers rehabilitation in hospital critical and acute care settings through to step-down rehabilitation facilities and/or ongoing rehabilitation in the community.
COVID-19 rapid guideline: managing the long-term effects of COVID-19
This NICE guideline covers identifying, assessing and managing the long-term effects of COVID-19, often described as ‘long COVID’. It makes recommendations about care in all healthcare settings for adults, children and young people who have new or ongoing symptoms 4 weeks or more after the start of acute COVID-19. It also includes advice on organising services for long COVID.
Living with Covid19
First NIHR dynamic review of the evidence around Long Covid.
Living with Covid19 – Second review
Second NIHR dynamic review of the evidence around Long Covid.
Royal College of Occupational Therapists - Rehabilitation
Resources on rehabilitation from the RCOT. Includes links to further external sources.

Resources and information for patients and members of the public

Your COVID Recovery
Your COVID Recovery, from the NHS and related professional bodies, helps you to understand what has happened and what you might expect as part of your recovery.