O'Brien Institute COVID-19 pandemic response
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), according to the World Health Organization, is an infectious disease caused by a new coronavirus strain named SARS-CoV-2, for which there is currently no treatment or vaccination.
The COVID-19 outbreak was classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), on March 11 2020.
Common symptoms of COVID-19, according to the WHO, include fever, tiredness, dry cough, while other symptoms may include: shortness of breath, aches and pains, sore throat, and very few people will report diarrhoea, nausea or a runny nose.
The best ways to prevent infection or the spread of COVID-19 are spelled out here by the WHO.
Trusted sources of COVID-19 information include:
Alberta Health Services
Alberta vaccine rollout
Canada public health agency
World Health Organization
COVID-19 research projects
Find out about the latest COVID-19 research projects being done by Institute members.
Featured COVID-19 research projects
Anatomy, Determinants, Impacts of Meat Processing Plants' COVID-19 Outbreaks
Researchers investigate how the outbreak spread, why it spread, what was the response.
National survey highlights broad impact of pandemic on overall health and well-being
Majority of Canadians take COVID-19 seriously, follow guidelines.
Connecting remote communities with COVID-19 test kits using drones
Researchers investigate drone delivery of medical supplies to remote communities during pandemic.
Virtual COVID-19 events, meetings and webinars
Hopes and Challenges for the Coronavirus Vaccine
This Anatomy of a Pandemic digital forum brings together a panel of experts from across the continent to discuss the hopes, the nature and significant challenges associated with the distribution, application and acceptance of the new vaccines.
Virtual Reverse Trade Show: Rapid Solutions for COVID-19 in Continuing Care
COVID-19 has hit continuing care facilities hard. A (virtual) Reverse Trade Show on July 7 identified rapid technical solutions to help prepare continuing care for the next wave and future outbreaks.
Watch the Anatomy of a Pandemic series
A COVID-19 digital forum series presented by the O'Brien Institute for Public Health.
COVID-19 data sources
Global data
Canadian data
Canada statistics and interactive tools
Alberta statistics and interactive tools
Provincial, national and global statistics by O'Brien Institute members at the Centre for Health Informatics (CHI)
Latest COVID-19 research news
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has claimed thousands of lives in every continent but Antarctica, stalled the world’s economy and created a global sense of fear, more than a dozen O’Brien Institute researchers are mobilizing their scientific expertise, teams and efforts, and have joined international efforts to tackle this unprecedented global emergency. They’re refocusing their work to conduct critical research that will inform further interventions, better equip society for the social challenges compounding the effects of this pandemic, and helping to better understand the nature and extent of this disease.
Funding and research resources
*IMPORTANT: Given the rapidly approaching deadlines ALL interested UCalgary applicants are asked to contact Clint Westgard. The Grant Development Office will work with applicants to ensure they complete all necessary tasks and meet both the CIHR deadlines and internal deadlines.
Canadian Institutes of Health Research Operating Grant : Emerging COVID-19 Research Gaps and Priorities Funding Opportunity
LOI deadline: April 15
Application deadline: March 15
More info
Global Research Collaboration for Infectious Disease Preparedness Funding opportunities
More info
Elrha Research to Support COVID-19 Response in Humanitarian Settings (Urgent Funding Call)
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Mercatus Center Emergent Ventures Fund (COVID-19 Fast Track)
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O’Brien Institute catalyst funding
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Alberta COVID-19 Rapid Response Program
More info
COVID-19 Challenges Procurement Program: NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program and Innovative Solutions Canada
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CanCOVID, a transdisciplinary network of researchers, is seeking five Theme Leaders
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The World Health Organization (WHO) proposal for a Global Allocation Framework for COVID-19 products: Global solidarity requires addressing the structural drivers of inequities
Read the response to Invitation for Feedback here.
Call for papers related to the COVID-19 pandemic
The Canadian Journal of Public Health (CJPH) is currently soliciting original articles, reviews and correspondence related to the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
More info
iCare Study (survey 2)
Take the International assessment of COVID-19 related attitudes, concerns, responses and impacts in relation to public health policies survey here.
Health Quality Council of Alberta (HQCA) COVID-19 Experiences and Impact Survey
Take the survey here.
Government of Canada invests $27M in coronavirus research
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Government of Canada funds 49 additional COVID-19 research project details
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Canadian 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Rapid Research Funding Opportunity Results
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Other funding updates from CIHR here, summary FAQ sheet derived from discussions at a recent CIHR University Delegates meeting here.
NSERC has announced that all active Discovery Grants can elect to receive a one-year extension with funds at their current funding level.
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COVID-19 Research Collaboration: Resources for UCalgary researchers and research staff to connect
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Fostering a Community of Practice of Public Health researchers during the COVID-10 pandemic (networking sessions)
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COVID-19 Response: Guidance for UCalgary Researchers
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Centre for Health Informatics (CHI): Advancing Health Informatics Research and Training for Precision Health
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Updates of CIHR programs, including information on decisions regarding the cancellation of the Spring 2020 Project Grant competition and other announcements
More info
Read the FAQ sheet that was derived from discussions at a recent CIHR University Delegates meeting here.
CanCOVID: An expert community of Canadian COVID-19 researchers, clinical collaborators, and healthcare stakeholders from across the country
More info
University of Calgary COVID-19 slack workspace for researchers here, sign-up first here
Featuring an O'Brien Institute slack channel: #oiph_public_health_research
The Health and Behavioural Impacts of COVID-19 on Youth: Results from the Canadian Perspectives Survey Series 1 - View the Stats Can survey results here.
Attitudes, current behaviours and barriers to public health measures that reduce COVID-19 transmission: A qualitative study to inform public health messaging here.