Faculty of Science professor leads international research collaboration to fight COVID-19 in Africa

Media Release from November 30, 2020 York University partnering with organizations in Africa to use local data, AI and modelling expertise to manage pandemic Researchers from York University are joining with organizations across Africa to predict the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and provide modelling that will help national policymakers from across Africa manage the […]

York scientists contribute to global fight against COVID-19 with new projects, publications

Researchers in the Faculty of Science at York University have been helping shed new light on the COVID-19 pandemic by applying for research grants and publishing new studies that will help inform public health policy makers in Canada and abroad.

Putting COVID-19 diagnostic tests to the “test” – how do they hold up?

As SARS-CoV-2 has the potential to mutate, it is important to check the efficacy of current diagnostic tests, say York University researchers, who found seven out of 27 methods had potential sequence mismatch issues that may lead to underperforming or false-negative COVID-19 test results.

Study finds testing rate and contact tracing key to successful re-opening of Ontario

Enhanced testing and contact tracing for the coronavirus in Ontario could allow physical distancing measures to be relaxed, while keeping the reproduction ratio under one and preventing a second wave of infections.

Scientists receive funding for new COVID-19 research projects

Professor Jennifer Chen (Chemistry) and Professor Vivian Saridakis (Biology) in the Faculty of Science were among 10 researchers who received new funding from York University to pursue research projects dedicated to Canada’s fight against COVID-19.

Faculty of Science produces hand sanitizer for York University campuses

Following a formulation recommended by the World Health Organization and reagents already in stock in the Science Stores, Director of Safety and Business Operations Brad Sheeller, HazMat Technician Zhibin Wu and Storekeeper Sherryl Deane have generated almost 400 litres of sanitizer.

Faculty of Science’s new fund supports students taking summer courses remotely

The Faculty of Science has launched a newly created $50,000 fund to help its students succeed in remotely delivered summer 2020 courses. Dubbed the York Science Summer Student Success Fund, or S4F, the initiative will provide up to 1,000 students with a $50 discount when purchasing required or recommended textbooks for their summer term courses.

Faculty of Science donates medical and lab supplies for national COVID-19 response

Researchers and staff at the Faculty of Science have come together to respond to the Government of Canada’s call for supplies to help Canada combat COVID-19. In March and April, Hon. Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry requested postsecondary institutions to identify stocks of personal protective equipment and the chemical guanidine thiocyanate that could be made available […]

Comprehensive review shows fever, cough most common symptoms of COVID-19

A comprehensive review of studies on COVID-19, including clinical, epidemiological, laboratory and chest imaging data, shows that the most common symptom was fever (82%), followed by a cough (61%), then muscle aches and/or fatigue (36%), says York University Postdoctoral Fellow Nicola Bragazzi, a co-author on the paper.

Canadian cases of COVID-19 could climb to 15k by end of March, say York researchers

York University researchers project that Canada will have 15,000 cases of COVID-19 by March 31 unless there are further public health interventions. A rapid increase in public health interventions implemented now could reduce that number to 4,000, according to the research.