ROYAL Bolton Hospital is helping in the fight against coronavirus.

Vital research is being carried by the hospital's medical teams as part of studies into Covid-19.

Researchers at the forefront of understanding the Covid-19, and ultimately tackle it, are working with staff from pathology, pharmacy and critical care on two trials ­— and the hospital is in the process of implementing a third.

Research Nurse Scott Latham, who is co-ordinating the research for Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said that appropriate consents were always sought and the research is being undertaken under strict infection controls.

He said: “This research is really important in understanding and tackling the virus. We’re proud that here in Bolton we’re doing our bit to help.”

In one study, being rolled out nationally by Public Health England, data is being collected about patients who are positive for Covid-19.

Information about travel, who they may have picked up the virus from, age, background and other details to help better understanding of the virus and those at most risk.

A second trial, on behalf of the University of Edinburgh, which had been looking at influenza is being extended to include coronavirus.

This involves taking DNA samples from patients with the virus who have been admitted to critical care but have no previous medical history that might have put them at increased risk.

This is aimed at understanding why such patients have been so seriously ill.

The Royal Bolton Hospital is now looking to implement the Recovery Trial, being overseen by the National Institute of Health Research.

This is looking at the effectiveness of a number of treatments, already used in other conditions, and are intended to improve recovery from Covid-19.