COVID-19

Prior to COVID-19, one of the most common viral infections in the UK was influenza, where many scientists, including Dr Ho, focused their research.

At the start of the pandemic, Dr Ho rapidly transferred her skills and knowledge of flu to lead COVID-19 studies in Malawi and the UK. She identified widespread community transmission in healthcare workers and community members in Malawi during the first wave, resulting in a change in Malawi’s national testing policy.

In addition, as a co-investigator and patient recruitment lead for one of the largest studies of hospitalised COVID-19 patients worldwide, Dr Ho generated an easy-to-use score that can accurately predict the risk of death in hospitalised COVID-19 patients, helping doctors make crucial clinical decisions. This tool has been incorporated into national policy and has been shown to accurately predict COVID-19 deaths in seven other countries.

On being awarded the prize, Dr Ho said: “I feel extremely honoured to be awarded the Emerging Leaders Prize. I will use the funding to generate new knowledge about COVID-19 in African settings, including understanding if prior exposure to other viruses changes the way the immune system responds to COVID-19.

“Understanding what factors determine the disease spectrum of COVID-19 in Africa is crucial to the fundamental understanding of the virus, and will also guide public health measures, optimise vaccination strategies, and inform the management of the next coronavirus pandemic.”