An infectious diseases consultant who rapidly set up a unique Covid testing lab in the very early days of the pandemic has been recognised in the New Year Honours list 2021.
Dr Michael Weekes, infectious disease expert at Addenbrooke’s hospital and the University of Cambridge, has been awarded a British Empire Medal for his services to for services to the NHS during Covid-19.
Cambridge University Hospital CEO Roland Sinker said:
This is a most well-deserved award. Mike and his team worked tirelessly in the early days of the pandemic to set up Covid testing for CUH staff, so that we could protect our patients and their families, as well as our own staff. “We are very grateful to Mike and his collaborators, as well as the many others who have turned their skills and expertise towards fighting the virus. Beating Covid is a team effort, and we are so pleased to have Mike in our team.
Dr Weekes said: "I’m deeply honoured to have had the chance to be part of the team that set up COVID testing for CUH. I’d particularly like to acknowledge the contribution of Steve Baker, Rob Howes and Giles Wright who played vital roles in testing and organisation. I hope that vaccination will soon mean that hospitals become even safer places to work and be cared for."
Read more about Mike’s work setting up Covid testing facilities here (opens in a new tab).