General Covid 19 news

[SteveH]

AUGUST 20, 2021
Expert reaction to MHRA approval of Ronapreve as the first monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19 approved for use in the UK
It has been announced today that the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has given approval for the first monoclonal antibody treatment for the prevention and treatment of acute COVID-19 in the UK.

“This is very good news – this is the second ‘antiviral’ therapeutic to be licensed for COVID in the UK (the first was remdesivir) and the product has been shown to both reduce the need for hospitalisation and death when started early (within 3 days of a positive PCR test) among subjects infected with SARS CoV2 and to prevent illness in close contacts of infected individuals. Although not included in the data submitted to support this approval, the antibody has also been used in the RECOVERY trial, where it reduced length of hospitalisation and reduced mortality in seronegative patients with COVID admitted to hospital.

“Ronapreve is a combination of two antibodies which together prevent the virus from attaching to human cells and causing infection, and also prevent further spread of infection in the body once a person has been infected.

“Studies have taught us that when used as a treatment, and provided that it is given as quickly as possible after first symptoms of illness, the treatment can reduce the length of illness and, more importantly, prevent hospitalisation and death from COVID in infected people. This is particularly important for people at higher risk of severe disease and dying from COVID, whether or not they have been vaccinated prior to becoming ill. The prevention trials showed that giving this antibody to close contacts of individuals sick with COVID can prevent illness and reduce hospitalisation and deaths among close contacts, as well as to prevent illness among individuals that are at high risk when given regularly as ‘passive’ prevention over the duration of an outbreak. The antibody treatment will also reduce the viral load produced by people with infection which might reduce the risk of transmission of infection.

cont  https://www.sciencemediacentre.org/expert-reaction-to-mhra-approval-of-ronapreve-as-the-first-monoclonal-antibody-treatment-for-covid-19-approved-for-use-in-the-uk/

[SteveH]

Just a reminder....

Mark Drakeford has refused to rule out re-introducing coronavirus restrictions in Wales, as UK cases continue to rise.

The First Minister is monitoring the situation as deaths from the virus now average 100 a day across the UK, with hospitalisations increasing and cases up 13% on the previous seven days.

According to the latest data from Public Health Wales (PHW), there were another 1,393 cases in the 24 hours leading up to Tuesday, August 24, which now brings the total in Wales to 266,149, reports Wales Online.

A total of 571 deaths registered in England and Wales in the week ending August 13 mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate, according to the Office for National Statistics - up 8% on the previous week. It is the highest total since March.

Mr Drakeford's comments echo those made at a press conference today (Tuesday) by Scotland's First Minister.

Nicola Sturgeon said the country was facing the sharpest rises the country had experienced at "any point during the pandemic", and she said if the surge continued some restrictions may need to be re-introduced.

cont   https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/mark-drakeford-refuses-rule-out-21389278

[SteveH]

COVID-19 outbreak on three medical wards in Gwynedd as BCUHB issue statement

THERE has been a COVID-19 outbreak on two medical wards at Ysbyty Gwynedd and a ward at Ysbyty Eryri in Caernarfon.

Gill Harris, executive director of nursing and midwifery at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: “We are currently managing a

“As of this morning, we are caring for 34 patients with COVID-19 infection across both sites, of which we currently have 14 patients which are confirmed hospital acquired infection.

“A programme of staff and patient testing is underway and our priority is to bring this outbreak to a close as soon as possible.

“All patients who have tested positive are being appropriately isolated and the wards affected are currently closed to admissions and visitors.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19543332.covid-19-outbreak-three-medical-wards-gwynedd-bcuhb-issue-statement/

[SteveH]

EFFORTS are being ramped up to encourage pregnant women to have the Covid-19 vaccine.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) say the Covid-19 does not "pass virus across the placenta to the baby".

The health board posted on Facebook: "It helps to develop antibodies to the virus so you are less likely to become unwell if you get Covid.

"As antibodies pass through the placenta it is likely that your baby will have greater protection against the virus when they are born.

"More and more pregnant women are being admitted to hospital with severe Covid-19 symptoms.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19547578.more-more-pregnant-women-admitted-hospital-covid/

[SteveH]

The World Health Organization has added another version of coronavirus to its list of “variants of interest” amid concerns that it may partially evade the immunity people have developed from past infection or vaccination.

The Mu variant, also known as B.1.621, was added to the WHO’s watchlist on 30 August after it was detected in 39 countries and found to possess a cluster of mutations that may make it less susceptible to the immune protection many have acquired.

According to the WHO’s weekly bulletin on the pandemic, the Mu variant “has a constellation of mutations that indicate potential properties of immune escape”. Preliminary data suggests it may evade immune defences in a similar way to the Beta variant first discovered in South Africa, the report adds, but this needs to be confirmed by further work.

cont  https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/01/who-monitoring-new-coronavirus-variant-named-mu

[SteveH]

NEARLY 40 patients are being treated for Covid-19 at three hospitals in Gwynedd following an outbreak.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) said it is caring for 39 patients, 15 of which had acquired infections in hospital, at Ysbyty Gwynedd and Ysbyty Eryri.

The health board confirmed it is also managing outbreaks involving a small number of patients at Glan Clwyd Hospital and Llandudno Hospital, as cases continue to rise in each country in the North Wales region.

Gill Harris, BCUHB executive director for nursing and midwifery, said: “As of this morning, we are caring for 39 patients who are currently COVID-19 positive at Ysbyty Gwynedd and Ysbyty Eryri, of which we currently have 15 patients which are confirmed hospital acquired infection.

“A small number of patients linked to the outbreak are now being cared for at Ysbyty Dolgellau.

“We are continuing to manage the situation and the wards affected by the outbreak remain closed to admissions and visitors.

“We are also managing outbreaks affecting a small number of patients across hospitals in the central region. This includes Glan Clwyd Hospital and Llandudno Hospital.

cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19558093.health-board-manages-covid-outbreaks-four-north-wales-hospitals/

[SteveH]

Record surge in Covid-19 cases forces Anglesey Council to issue 'alarming' appeal                ref DP
The island recorded its highest ever number of positive coronavirus cases in a single month since the start of the pandemic

Coronavirus rates soared on Anglesey during August, with 585 positive cases recorded on the island over that period - the highest number of cases in a single month since the pandemic began in March 2020.

According to the Council, an increasing number of positive cases have been linked to social gatherings - festivals, parties and events - during this period.

Anglesey residents who have recently attended these type of social gatherings are being urged to take a rapid lateral flow test, even if they are fully vaccinated and are not displaying symptoms.

[Ian]

If seasonal 'flu returns this year, I suspect we're in for a nasty winter.

[SteveH]

If seasonal 'flu returns this year, I suspect we're in for a nasty winter.

All the more reason for following the basic three original rules, Hands Face Space, the governments poor decision in not making these rules (mostly) compulsory, is going to prove to be a big mistake, I am sensing changes, as they are now talking about passports for nightclubs etc.

Why use a face covering?                ref BBC
Evidence suggests transmission mainly happens indoors where people are close together.

Face coverings worn over the nose and mouth reduce the spread of coronavirus droplets from coughs, sneezes and speaking.

The main purpose is to protect others. If everyone wears one, the risks drop for all.

There is some evidence they offer protection to wearers, but are not a replacement for social distancing and hand-washing.

Masks can also help reduce virus spread from contagious people with no symptoms.

Cutting virus transmission is important because many people are not fully vaccinated.

Also, some new virus variants appear more transmissible.

[SteveH]

Venue Cymru opened on Sunday evening.........with everyone wearing masks, it does give some confidence, but We will still wait awhile longer.

[SteveH]

Council chiefs have rejected claims a private care home specialising in dementia care was “abandoned” during a staffing crisis – forcing Covid-infected workers to look after residents.

The owner of the Caledonia home at Holyhead, Anglesey, where 11 of the 12 residents have coronavirus, said it only “survived” the weekend because two employees who had also tested positive for Covid agreed to work the night shift.

With so many workers off ill or self-isolating, there would have been no night staff otherwise, and only three day staff, no cleaners and only one cook.

The Welsh Government is now investigating what happened "as a matter of urgency" and a multi-agency Incident Management Team has been convened to manage the outbreak.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/urgent-investigation-launched-after-care-21526605

[SteveH]

RECAP: Updates as First Minister gives latest on COVID situation in Wales

Masks remain the law in Wales, and people need to remember that:

If we want to go on enjoying the current level of freedom we have, says the FM, there are things we all need to do to ensure that.

He said that wearing face coverings is a small thing to do, but when you add that up with all the other 'small measures' that are still in place, it makes a difference.

He said that it is the law which requires you to wear a face covering in the supermaket or on the bus, unless medically exempt.

The FM adds that the many thousands of people following the rules "have a right to expect" other people to wear face coverings where they legally are required to do so.

He also said that it's a 'proper' question to ask whether more should be done to enforce that.

cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19572336.recap-updates-first-minister-gives-latest-covid-situation-wales/

[Fester]

When I’m in any shop or supermarket, roughly 70% of folk are wearing masks.
About 5% are wearing badges saying they are exempt,  I suspect most are lying.
The other 25% are simply flouting the law, but no one challenges them, so why would they comply?

[mull]

Same up here Fester.

Calmac ferries state 50% of passengers are now not wearing Facemasks and like Wales it is the law that they do so.

In the past 2 weeks considerable disruption has been caused.  MV Caledonian Isles, MV Isle of Arran and MV Isle of Mull have all had to be taken out of service for 24 hours to be deep cleaned after crew have tested positive. Crew are getting fed up with abuse from people when they are asked to comply with the law.

What is wrong with people ?

[SteveH]

I watched the recent BBC "Ambulance" series, which was filmed at the height of the Covid crisis, it was heartbreaking to watch the staff, frightened for themselves, and although exhausted, still working in dangerous situations to help others, I likened it, to firemen going into a burning building, with a plastic apron on, the least we can do is wear a mask, how hard is that.

 Access to North Wales hospitals restricted with immediate effect after Covid-19 rise
People will only be allowed in if 'absolutely necessary' as pressures increase on health service
Health chiefs have restricted access to a number of North Wales hospitals with immediate effect, following a rise in Covid-19 cases.

It comes as Betsi Cadwaladr University Health board (BCUHB) manages outbreaks at Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor; Ysbyty Eryri, Caernarfon; Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Bodelwyddan and Ysbyty Llandudno.

Entry to these hospitals will now only be permitted "if it is absolutely necessary" as cases of the virus continue to rise and more people are admitted to hospital, causing concern.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/access-north-wales-hospitals-restricted-21541266?IYA-reg=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4


And the thanks they get 

'Battle-weary' NHS staff endured 'warzone' conditions for pay so low, some had to rely on food banks
Unions say clapping for the NHS 'doesn't pay the bills' with some considering leaving the sector

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/battle-weary-nhs-staff-endured-21528307?IYA-reg=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4