5 years since COVID-19: the University of Liverpool reflects

On Sunday 9 March the country is invited to come together to remember loved ones and reflect on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the University of Liverpool, staff who worked on the ground to mobilise the University’s expertise in infectious diseases and public health research reflect on that time.

Dr Shona Moore

Dr Shona Moore was a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology when the pandemic first started to emerge. In her role at that time, Shona worked in the University’s labs throughout the pandemic, processing thousands of laboratory samples in the fight against COVID.

In 2022 colleagues nominated Shona for her energy, dedication and passion for research at the University of Liverpool staff awards.

She says: “A lasting memory was how rapidly the situation changed. From collecting the first samples from the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, to processing tens of thousands of samples from across the country, the job became very big very quickly. And while the country entered lockdown, we had to recruit volunteers from across the University to work at scale in the lab.

“What really sticks with me though is the team spirit and sense of camaraderie that we had in the lab. It was inspirational to see the amount of people who were happy to pause their PhDs, and research projects to get stuck in so we could characterise the disease and contribute to the national effort to combat it.

“It’s hard to believe that was 5 years ago now and I’m proud I was able to play a role in controlling the disease.”

Professor Iain Buchan

Professor Iain Buchan, worked with civic leaders, researchers, and the NHS to deliver a ground-breaking, mass testing pilot in Liverpool, and led its evaluation. Research led by Professor Buchan also resulted in the safe, early reopening of big cultural events like music festivals.

Professor Buchan, W.H. Duncan Chair in Public Health Systems, and Associate Pro Vice Chancellor for Innovation at the University of Liverpool said: “The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on all of us but hit the most disadvantaged hardest.

“In Liverpool in October 2020, we faced the dual threat of hospitals not having enough capacity to care for people and of lockdowns causing loss of income for families in a city where nearly a third of children are born into poverty. So, we piloted the world’s first voluntary mass testing scheme, aiming to save lives and livelihoods.

“I was deeply moved by the sight of people queuing to get tested and welcoming the help of the British Army so warmly. At 11AM on 11 November 2020 the Last Post played at the main testing centre – everyone stood still with the dignity and pride that typified Liverpool grit and reflected the extraordinary fact of quarter of a city coming forward to support the mass testing pilot.

“The result was a decrease in COVID-19 cases by around a fifth and reduction in hospitalisation of severe cases by around a quarter. We also piloted daily testing as an alternative to staying off work in quarantine and it saved thousands of emergency worker days when they were needed most.

“Later, in Spring 2021, when young people were last to be vaccinated, and had not been able to get together at concerts and other big events for over a year, Liverpool’s people again came forward to pilot the reopening of events with safety measures including testing. The result was no major COVID-19 outbreak and a boost to social wellbeing.

“The work led to national policies like Community Testing and was used around the world. But the most moving part for me is what our residents said most often, ‘this gives us hope’.”

Professor Tom Solomon CBE

In autumn 2021, following Liverpool’s response to the pandemic, the city was made HQ to the world's first institution dedicated to the end-to-end study of pandemics.

The Pandemic Institute is a landmark academic-health service-civic partnership with global reach. The world leading facility is dedicated to helping prevent, prepare, and respond more effectively to emerging infections and pandemic threats.

Since opening, the Institute has advanced research to predict and prepare for the next pandemic. It’s built resilience in society to respond and recover from COVID-19 and future health crises and worked to prevent disease outbreaks and epidemics from developing into pandemics.

Professor Tom Solomon, Director of The Pandemic Institute and Chair of Neurology at the University of Liverpool, said: “As each year passes since the height of the pandemic it can feel as if Covid is more and more of a distant memory. But our work at The Pandemic Institute ensures we continue to develop new diagnostic tests, treatments and vaccines, for emerging infection threats, and strengthening the research infrastructure.

“On this day of reflection, I will be thinking about my patients, friends and colleagues who did not make it through the pandemic, including Professor Donal O’Donoghue. He was Registrar at the Royal College of Physicians, where I am currently Academic Vice President, and he helped lead a lot of the college response, as well as looking after patients.”

For more information about the COVID-19 Day of Reflection 2025 visit gov.uk/day-of-reflection