Author Topic: Covid 19  (Read 68781 times)

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Offline SteveH

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Re: Covid 19
« Reply #465 on: October 31, 2021, 02:06:51 pm »
Experts have found a use for an existing treatment, Fluvoxamine  an antidepressant that reduces hospitalisations and deaths, ideal for use in poorer countries, and a 10 day course costs $10 and reduces the chances of intensive care treatment and death by up to 32%.

The Lancet Global Health
Effect of early treatment with fluvoxamine on risk of emergency care and hospitalisation among patients with COVID-19: the TOGETHER randomised, platform clinical trial

Interpretation
Treatment with fluvoxamine (100 mg twice daily for 10 days) among high-risk outpatients with early diagnosed COVID-19 reduced the need for hospitalisation defined as retention in a COVID-19 emergency setting or transfer to a tertiary hospital.

cont https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00448-4/fulltext

I liked this comment from YTube
"There were studies and clinical observations about this some months ago. Go figure a cleaver MD noticed that an entire ward of Psyc patients didn't contract covid but the Dr's and nurses did. They figured out the common denominator was the meds they were on. Antidepressants."

Offline SteveH

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Re: Covid 19
« Reply #466 on: November 01, 2021, 10:34:57 am »
Two BBC articles.........

Covid: Why are UK cases so high?
Health leaders have called for Covid restrictions to be re-introduced ahead of winter, as cases rise.

Thanks to the vaccine, getting infected is now much less likely to land you in hospital. But soaring cases - which are outstripping some European nations - are still proving a cause for concern.

The more virus there is about, the more chances there are for it to break through the defences of vaccines, reach vulnerable people and put pressure on health services.

cont  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-58954793


Should the government do more to protect the NHS?
Doctors and health service leaders are warning the NHS is on the edge of a crisis, staff are burnt-out and Covid cases are rising sharply - but, in England, the government says there is no reason to change tack.

So far, ministers have refused to budge from their Plan A to deal with Covid this winter - which is to offer booster jabs and get more young people, including 12-15 year olds, vaccinated.

But there is growing pressure to move to its stricter Plan B - which would put England on a similar path to Scotland and Wales, where face coverings are still compulsory on public transport and in shops. People could also be advised to work from home and Covid passports introduced for entry to large events.

These are seen by some as relatively small changes to most people's lives and a very long way from the strict restrictions of earlier in the pandemic. And for some on the frontline, taking those actions now could make a huge difference in the long run.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-58981586


Offline SteveH

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Re: Covid 19
« Reply #467 on: November 05, 2021, 03:08:59 pm »
Covid: WHO warns Europe once again at epicentre of pandemic
Europe is once again "at the epicentre" of the Covid pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned, as cases soar across the continent.

At a press conference WHO Europe head Hans Kluge said the continent could see half a million more deaths by February.
He blamed insufficient vaccine take-up for the rise.

"We must change our tactics, from reacting to surges of Covid-19 to preventing them from happening in the first place," he said.

The rate of vaccination has slowed across the continent in recent months. While some 80% of people in Spain are double jabbed, in Germany it is as low as 66% - and far lower in some Eastern European countries. Only 32% of Russians were fully vaccinated by October 2021.

Mr Kluge also blamed a relaxation of public health measures for rising infections in the WHO's European region, which covers 53 countries including parts of Central Asia. So far the WHO has recorded 1.4 million deaths across the region.

The WHO's technical lead on Covid-19, Maria Van Kerkhove, said over the past four weeks cases across Europe had soared over 55%, despite an "ample supply of vaccines and tools", and colleague Dr Mike Ryan said Europe's experience was a "warning shot for the world".

It came as Germany recorded more than 37,000 daily Covid cases on Friday, a record high for the second day running. The incidence rate per 100,000 people is now higher than it was in April, at 169,9, but well below the level in the UK.    &shake&

cont  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-59160525


A member of the group of scientists advising the government on coronavirus has stepped down from the role.
Sir Jeremy Farrar has been part of the independent Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) since the start of the pandemic.

He said he had left at the end of October so he could focus on his work as director of medical charity the Wellcome Trust.
But in a statement, he warned the crisis was "a long way from over".

Sir Jeremy also said Sage scientists had often had to work "under huge pressure" to provide "vital evidence, and independent, expert, transparent advice".

cont  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59143366

Offline SteveH

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Re: Covid 19
« Reply #468 on: November 07, 2021, 10:32:52 am »
Three BBC covid reports, all raising concerns for this coming winter, and the problems it will bring...........

Will complacency damage Covid booster rollout?
Booster vaccines are seen as the single most important way to control Covid as we head into the winter months. Critics though say the rollout of third jabs has been too slow, and a faster response could have saved hundreds of vulnerable lives already.

With life slowly returning to normal in the UK, and most restrictions lifted, here are some statistics that might seem surprising.

Over the last month, 4,409 people over 50 were admitted to English hospitals after testing positive for Covid - despite having two doses of a vaccine. And 2,148 men and women in that age group lost their lives.

The best way to protect the elderly and vulnerable this winter is, say government scientists, a booster programme. The third vaccine dose will eventually be offered to 30 million people over 50, medical staff, and younger adults with some health conditions.
cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-59122646


Covid: Get booster jabs so we can enjoy Christmas
So far almost 10 million people in the UK have had a top-up jab, which Mr Javid said was a "phenomenal achievement".

But about 30% of over-80s and 40% of over-50s are yet to do so, according to government figures.
cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59191506


Covid: Hard months to come in pandemic for UK, says Van-Tam

Prof Jonathan Van-Tam told the BBC it was a concern that Covid levels were "running this hot, this early in the autumn season".
He said too many people believed the pandemic was now over.

Christmas and the winter months are "potentially going to be problematic", Prof Van-Tam warned.

The UK recorded 33,865 Covid cases on Tuesday and 293 deaths within 28 days of a positive test.

In a question and answer session with BBC Breakfast and BBC Radio 5 Live, Prof Van-Tam said that while cases appeared to have stabilised, they were very high, and above most of Europe.

He also said deaths were rising and there were signs infections were starting to "penetrate" older age groups.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59147248

Offline SteveH

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Re: Covid 19
« Reply #469 on: November 23, 2021, 11:00:11 am »
Covid: Can UK avoid a Europe-style return to lockdown?
Covid infection rates have started rising sharply in parts of Western Europe, prompting the introduction of fresh restrictions and lockdowns.

It has triggered fears the UK could follow suit. But there are plenty of reasons to believe Britain will escape the worst of what is being seen on the continent. In fact, the UK may well be in the strongest position of all to weather Covid this winter.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-59378849


Germany hit by full force of Covid
Germany is in the grip of a "dramatic" fourth Covid wave, Chancellor Angela Merkel has said on the eve of a crisis meeting with regional leaders.

Daily infections hit a new German record of 52,826 on Wednesday as European governments responded to a surge on much of the continent.

Belgium announced a series of measures in an attempt to avoid a lockdown.

"All the alarm signals are red," said Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, as he told people to limit personal contact.

"Europe's map is quickly going red, and we are the same."

Children in Belgium will have to wear masks from the age of 10, rather than the current age of 12. Working from home will become compulsory from Saturday for four days a week. Passes known as Covid Safe Tickets will be required in theatres, cinemas and museums.

cont  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-59320515

Offline SteveH

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Re: Covid 19
« Reply #470 on: November 24, 2021, 02:52:24 pm »
A further 700,000 people could die of Covid by March in Europe and parts of Asia, the World Health Organization has warned.

The death toll already exceeds 1.5 million in the 53 countries of what the WHO terms as its Europe region.

The WHO warned of "high or extreme stress" in intensive care units in 49 of the nations by March 2022.

Europe is facing a surge in cases, prompting Austria to return to lockdown and others to consider fresh measures.

A number of countries - including France, Germany and Greece - could also soon make booster jabs a requirement for their citizens to be considered fully vaccinated.

cont  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-59397182

Offline SteveH

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Re: Covid 19
« Reply #471 on: November 26, 2021, 10:06:38 am »
Covid: New heavily mutated variant B.1.1.529 in South Africa raises concern

We're back in familiar territory - growing concern about a new variant of coronavirus.

The latest is the most heavily mutated version discovered so far - and it has such a long list of mutations that it was described by one scientist as "horrific", while another told me it was the worst variant they'd seen.

It is early days and the confirmed cases are still mostly concentrated in one province in South Africa, but there are hints it may have spread further.

Immediately there are questions around how quickly the new variant spreads, its ability to bypass some of the protection given by vaccines and what should be done about it.

There is a lot of speculation, but there are very few clear answers.

So, what do we know?
The variant is called B.1.1.529 and is likely to be given a Greek code-name (like the Alpha and Delta variants) by the World Health Organization on Friday.

It is also incredibly heavily mutated. Prof Tulio de Oliveira, the director of the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation in South Africa, said there was an "unusual constellation of mutations" and that it was "very different" to other variants that have circulated.

"This variant did surprise us, it has a big jump on evolution [and] many more mutations that we expected," he said.

In a media briefing Prof de Oliveira said there were 50 mutations overall and more than 30 on the spike protein, which is the target of most vaccines and the key the virus uses to unlock the doorway into our body's cells.

The concern is this virus is now radically different to the original that emerged in Wuhan, China. That means vaccines, which were designed using the original strain, may not be as effective.

cont  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-59418127

Offline SteveH

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Re: Covid 19
« Reply #472 on: November 28, 2021, 10:22:19 am »
Update on above ..

Some comments from the video below..............
The UK is going to ban flights from South Africa, next week, however until this happens, approx. 700 passengers per day are arriving, without the need to test or quarantine, those experts, in the know suspect this new virus is extremely transmittable, and they require time to investigate, and are suggesting to halt all travel, that is apart from the World Health Organisation, you remember them, the same ones who said not to halt travel from China.

"If this was a terrorist threat, we would be raising the threat level from amber to red"

Dr J Campbell's You tube video "The O variant" with information on the new threat .......................

cont https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxlYyZ08cEg
 

Offline SteveH

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Re: Covid 19
« Reply #473 on: November 28, 2021, 02:46:56 pm »
Bearing in mind the above............Two flights from South Africa, which landed in Amsterdam, were held on the tarmac until the passengers were tested, they found 61 cases of Covid, of which 13 were the Omicron variant.

Offline SteveH

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Re: Covid 19
« Reply #474 on: November 29, 2021, 01:19:23 pm »
It is only a matter of time before the Covid Omicron variant is seen in Wales, the chief medical officer has said.
Dr Frank Atherton confirmed there were no cases in Wales, but said it was a case of when, not if, the variant would be identified.

His remarks came as First Minister Mark Drakeford said everyone arriving in the UK should isolate for eight days.
The Welsh government is expected to discuss whether more strict measures are necessary over the next few days.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-59454824


A further 700,000 people could die of Covid by March in Europe and parts of Asia, the World Health Organization has warned.
The death toll already exceeds 1.5 million in the 53 countries of what the WHO terms as its Europe region.
The WHO warned of "high or extreme stress" in intensive care units in 49 of the nations by March 2022.

comment ...........
"All of us have the opportunity and responsibility to help avert unnecessary tragedy and loss of life, and limit further disruption to society and businesses over this winter season,"


cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-59397182

Offline SteveH

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Re: Covid 19
« Reply #475 on: November 30, 2021, 09:51:26 am »
What tests are used to detect Omicron?
Swabs from PCR tests, which are sent to a lab for analysis, detect whether people are infected with coronavirus or not.

Depending on which lab the swabs are sent to, some can also help identify particular variants, such as Delta or Omicron.

Between a third and a half of UK labs - but not all - have the required technology to do this.

PCR tests are the ones you can order from the government website if you have symptoms, or order from a private company if you need one for travel purposes. There are many different makes.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-59460252

Offline Ian

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Re: Covid 19
« Reply #476 on: November 30, 2021, 08:03:38 pm »
From New Scientist just now:

"To get an idea of how good omicron is at evading existing immunity, researchers will need to test how well antibodies taken from people who have been vaccinated or previously infected work against omicron in the lab. These neutralisation tests can be done in a matter of days, but they require live samples of omicron, which are hard to come by for now.

At best, however, neutralisation tests will only give us an idea of how much more likely people are to get symptomatic infections. What we really want to know is if omicron is more transmissible and more likely to cause severe disease.

“Current information is insufficient to determine if this variant is going to spread significantly causing hospitalisations and to what extent it may evade the immunity received with vaccines,” says a spokesperson for the European Medicines Agency. “EMA considers it therefore premature at the moment to foresee the need for an adapted vaccine.”
Nothing is so firmly believed as that which we least know.  ― Michel de Montaigne

Si hoc legere scis, nimis eruditionis habes.

Offline SteveH

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Re: Covid 19
« Reply #477 on: December 03, 2021, 09:54:04 am »
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines being used in the UK as boosters give the best overall boost response, according to a UK trial of seven different jabs.

The trial is the first study of how well Covid booster jabs work and justifies the UK's early decision to use these two vaccines for boosters.

All the vaccines tested raised immunity against Covid to some degree.

Researchers said there were promising signs the boosters would still protect against illness and death from Omicron.

To make vaccine supplies go further, even a half dose of Pfizer could be used to boost populations, they added.

The trial results are thought to have prompted the UK to order an extra 114 million doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to be rolled out over the next two years.

Boosters can cut the risk of infection by more than 93%. All adults aged over 18 in the UK are being offered a booster jab - usually either Pfizer or Moderna - while scientists find out more about the Omicron variant.

cont  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-59489988

Offline SteveH

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Re: Covid 19
« Reply #478 on: December 05, 2021, 01:44:57 pm »
Dr John Campbell discusses the latest report from The South African Medical Research Council, he says "Latest SA data, looking good"

Very interesting and although it is still early, the report is on a more positive note than previous news from SA.

Dr Campbell's Video......... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Paq17X6ucQ

or if you prefer reading the report ...........  https://www.samrc.ac.za/news/tshwane-district-omicron-variant-patient-profile-early-features

Section of the report.......

A snapshot of 42 patients in the ward on 2 December 2021 reveals that 29 (70%) are not oxygen dependent. These patients are saturating well on room air and do not present with any respiratory symptoms. These are the patients that we would call ‘incidental COVID admissions’, having had another medical or surgical reason for admission. Thirteen (13) patients are dependent on supplemental oxygen of which nine (21%) have a diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia based on a combination of symptoms, clinical signs, CXR and inflammatory markers. All are being prescribed steroids as the mainstay of therapy. The remaining 4 patients are on oxygen for other medical reasons (2 previously on home oxygen, 1 in heart failure and 1 with a confirmed diagnosis of Pneumocystis Pneumonia).
This is a picture that has not been seen in previous waves. In the beginning of all three previous waves and throughout the course of these waves, there has always only been a sprinkling of patients on room air in the COVID ward and these patients have usually been in the recovery phase waiting for the resolution of a co-morbidity prior to discharge. The COVID ward was recognizable by the majority of patients being on some form of oxygen supplementation with the incessant sound of high flow nasal oxygen machines, or beeping ventilator alarms.

There are only 4 patients in high care and one in the ICU. The numbers of patients in high care on double oxygen, High Flow Nasal Oxygen or non-invasive ventilation (NIV) were noticeably higher in previous waves. This is anecdotal but confirmed by numerous clinicians who have previously worked in the COVID wards in the hospital complex.

Of 38 adults in the COVID wards on 2 December 2021, 6 were vaccinated, 24 were unvaccinated and 8 had unknown vaccination status. Of 9 patients with COVID pneumonia 8 are unvaccinated, 1 is a child. Only a single patient on oxygen was fully vaccinated but the reason for the oxygen was Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Offline SteveH

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Re: Covid 19
« Reply #479 on: December 06, 2021, 12:18:53 pm »
Wales could see "hundreds if not thousands more" cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant over Christmas and new year, the health minister has said.

Eluned Morgan said it couldn't happen at a "worse time" for the NHS after Wales' first case was found on Friday.

Meanwhile, a decision to extend Covid passes to pubs and restaurants could made later this week.

The Welsh government is expanding its vaccination programme.

It has previously said that there was no substantial evidence the variant, which has been linked to overseas travel, would lead to a more severe illness.

"Undoubtedly, we're going to see, I would think, hundreds if not thousands more [Omicron cases] in the next few weeks so we've got to brace ourselves and it's been really good to have the time to prepare for that,"

She said the focus was on "really boosting our vaccination programme, and making sure that we can try and offer now that booster programme to far more people in order to give them the best possible chance to get through the Omicron virus if they contract it".

cont  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-59534056