ROYAL Bolton Hospital has launched a third trial in the race to find a treatment for coronavirus,.

The hospital, which is already involved in two vital lifesaving research trials, announced this week it had recruited its first patient to start a coronavirus recovery trial.

The study will examine different treatments for those who are in hospital with a confirmed diagnosis of covid-19.

A spokesman for the hospital said: "First patient recruited to the recovery trial!

"The study aims to evaluate different treatments that may be beneficial for adults hospitalised with confirmed covid-19.

"Proud of our research, consultant & pharmacy staff for all their hard work in getting the trial up and running."

The recovery trial is being overseen by the National Institute of Health Research and is looking at the efficacy of a number of treatments, already used in other conditions, and are intended to improve recovery from Covid-19.

It is one of a number of research trials taking place at the Royal Bolton Hospital in the fight against covid-19 with staff from pathology, pharmacy and critical care working on the studies.

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 will 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.

Research Nurse Scott Latham, who is co-ordinating the research for Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, explained 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.W"