General Covid 19 news

[SteveH]

Everyone aged 50 and over in Wales will be offered a booster vaccine to protect them against Covid-19 this autumn, the Welsh Government has announced. The decision comes following an alarming rise in Covid cases since May.

Two million COVID-19 booster vaccinations have been administered in Wales and all eligible people will be offered an autumn booster by the end of November, the Minister for Health and Social Services has announced. Following a successful COVID-19 vaccination spring booster campaign, which saw 85% of adults aged 75 and over and almost 84% of care home residents take up the offer so far, all eligible individuals will be offered a COVID vaccine by the end of November and a flu vaccine by the end of December.

The national winter respiratory vaccination strategy outlines how COVID-19 and flu vaccines will be offered over the winter months with the aim of achieving at least 75% uptake of both vaccines. To achieve this aim some people, including those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who are particularly vulnerable should they contract influenza or coronavirus, will be offered both vaccines in the same appointment.

The COVID-19 autumn booster will be available to residents and staff working in care homes for older adults, frontline health and social care workers, all those aged 50 and over and those aged 5 to 49 years in clinical risk groups, including pregnant women and household contacts of people with immunosuppression or carers aged 16 - 49.

It comes as Wales' Covid infection rate has risen once again and is close to reaching an all-time high. The latest infection survey from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that an estimated 183,500 people - around one in 17 (6.04%) - in Wales had the virus during the week ending July 7. That is an increase on the one in 20 reported the week before. The rate is now approaching the record levels seen in the middle of March this year when close to 8% of the Welsh public had the virus.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/over-50s-clinical-risk-groups-24505929

[SteveH]

Covid inquiry: Lessons will be learned before next pandemic

Lessons will be learned about the UK's handling of Covid, before another pandemic strikes, Baroness Hallett, chairing the public inquiry, has said.

Opening the inquiry, she promised to be "fair and robust".

The former High Court judge said she would conduct the inquiry as quickly as possible, without giving a timeframe for its completion.

Those who had suffered the most deserved to know if more could have been done, she said.

Lives had been lost, education harmed, businesses folded and mental and physical health had suffered.

"Every person has had their life changed to some extent," Lady Hallett said.

"Those who have suffered the most will want to know if any more could have been done to reduce their suffering."

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-62250899

[SteveH]

Covid booster: Who will get another jab this autumn?

Everyone aged 50 and over in the UK will be offered another Covid booster vaccine this autumn.

The programme will also include frontline health and care workers, as well as younger people who are at higher risk from the disease.

Who will get an autumn booster?
Another Covid vaccine dose will be offered to:

adults aged 50 and over
people aged five to 49 with health conditions which mean they're at higher risk - including pregnant women
care home staff
frontline health and social care workers
unpaid carers
household contacts of people with weakened immune systems
The rollout will begin in early autumn, a year after the first Covid boosters were given.

Originally only healthy people aged over 65 were expected to be offered another jab, but the programme has been expanded in response to the spread of the Omicron variant.

read more https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55045639

[SteveH]

Covid infections are starting to fall in Wales, according to the latest estimates by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

One in 19 people was estimated to have had Covid in Wales, in the week ending 20 July.

It comes as ministers decided to "pause" free lateral flow testing for people with symptoms from Monday.

But tests will continue to be offered to some, including in care homes and to NHS and care staff with symptoms.

How many have Covid now? ............
An estimated 156,200 people in Wales had Covid in the week ending 20 July, which equates to 5.14% of the population.

That is fewer than the previous week, when 183,200 people were estimated to have Covid.

The trend has started to fall after levelling off following a rise of six successive weeks.

Read more up to date stats.......... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-62349523

[SteveH]

General access to free lateral flow tests has been ended by the Welsh Government, but they remain free for the most vulnerable.

The decision has come following a decrease in case numbers which has in turn eased pressures on the NHS.

"It also ensures we safeguard resources for potential future waves during autumn/winter that may, alongside colder weather and other respiratory viruses, provide additional challenges and risks."

Testing facilities will continue to be provided in certain circumstances, including:

Lateral flow and PCR testing for those eligible for COVID-19 treatments.
Lateral flow testing for people visiting those eligible for COVID-19 treatments.
Lateral flow testing for people visiting care homes.
PCR testing for COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses for symptomatic care home residents and prisoners.
Lateral flow testing for symptomatic health and social care staff.
Lateral flow tests for regular asymptomatic testing for health and social care staff (This will be reviewed at lower prevalence).

Read full article  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/20594109.free-lateral-flow-tests-end-wales/

[SteveH]

There are three types of long-Covid and all have different symptoms, experts think
Researchers say there appears to be three 'subtypes' of the condition

Researchers examined 1,459 people living with long Covid - defined by the study authors as suffering symptoms for at least 84 days after infection - who were taking part in the Zoe Health study.

The pre-print of the study, published on medRxiv, claims that people with long Covid appear to be split into three main groups, including:

Those with neurological symptoms including fatigue, brain fog and headache - most commonly found among those who became infected when the most dominant strains were alpha and delta.

A second group experienced respiratory symptoms including chest pain and shortness of breath. This was found more commonly among those infected during the first wave of the virus.
A final group are experiencing a diverse range of symptoms including heart palpitations, muscle ache and pain, and changes in skin and hair, King's College said.

Read more https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/three-types-long-covid-different-24654145


THE Welsh Government plans to expand the rollout of the monkeypox vaccine to deal with any local outbreaks.

The risk of catching monkeypox is "extremely low" but health agencies have already begun vaccinating some frontline medical workers, close contacts of cases, and people in groups where there is more chance of them coming into contact with the virus.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/20596845.wales-expands-monkeypox-vaccine-rollout/

[SteveH]

Fatigue the most common symptom of Long Covid, study finds
A new study has found almost 70 per cent of participants reported the same symptom on average 125 days after testing positive

Although there are still more than 100,000 new cases of Covid-19 being recorded every day, there is evidence that symptomatic cases of the condition are beginning to ebb away in the UK.

But with the growing number of Britons once again coming down with symptomatic Covid, cases of long Covid are also consequently rising. And one particular symptom seems to be persisting more than others, according to American research.

cont https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/fatigue-most-common-symptom-long-24747928?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

The UK has become the first country to approve a dual vaccine which tackles both the original Covid virus and the newer Omicron variant.

The upgraded vaccine should be available as an autumn booster and give better protection against variants.

Moderna said it could supply doses in the next few weeks, but exactly who will get them has yet to be announced.

All over-50s and people in high-risk groups will be offered some form of booster from next month.

The original vaccines used in the pandemic were designed to train the body to fight the first form of the virus that emerged in Wuhan, in China, at the end of 2019.

The Covid virus has since mutated substantially, with a stream of new variants emerging that can dodge some of our immune defences. They have caused large surges in cases around the world.

Moderna's vaccine targets both the original strain and the first Omicron variant (BA.1), which emerged last winter. It is known as a bivalent vaccine as it takes aim at two forms of Covid.

The UK's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has considered the evidence and given the vaccine approval for use in adults.

Dr June Raine, the regulator's chief executive, said: "The first generation of Covid-19 vaccines being used in the UK continue to provide important protection against the disease and save lives.

"What this bivalent vaccine gives us is a sharpened tool in our armoury to help protect us against this disease as the virus continues to evolve."

Read more https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-62548336

[SteveH]

Autumn booster vaccines against Covid-19 will start being offered from 5 September in England, with care home residents and housebound people the first to get them.

About 26 million people in total will be eligible for the booster jab.

The new bivalent vaccine from Moderna will be used "subject to sufficient supply", NHS England says.

The original vaccines continue to provide good protection and people are being urged to take the one offered.

Booking can be made online and by phoning 119, and the NHS will contact you when it is your turn to book.

Some people will be offered a flu vaccine and Covid booster jab at the same time, and thousands of local GP practices and community pharmacies will be ready to give them out.

Read more https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-62591590

[SteveH]

Update you on the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in North Wales.

The Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has advised that they have now started to offer appointments to all those eligible for an Autumn booster. The Health Board is contacting patients automatically and there is no need for you to contact your doctor to book your jab.

This Autumn booster is being offered to:
 Care home residents and staff
 Front-line health and social care workers
 All adults over 50
 People aged 5 to 49 in a clinical risk group or are household contacts of immunosuppressed people
 Carers aged 16 to 49
If you are eligible for a booster and need to change the date and time of your appointment then you should contact the Health Board?s COVID-19 Vaccination Contact Centre on 03000 840004. You can also call this number if you are yet to receive either your first or second vaccination and would like to book one.

Further information about the vaccination programme can be found on the Health Board website here.

https://bcuhb.nhs.wales/covid-19/covid-19-vaccinations/covid-19-vaccination-booster-information/

[SteveH]

What should people do if they have or think they have Covid?

The number of people infected with coronavirus in the UK is still falling, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures.

However, attention is turning to what might happen this winter if cases surge again alongside other seasonal infections such as flu.

People with Covid are no longer legally required to self-isolate, but the detailed guidance about what to do depends on your age and your individual circumstances.

The official list of Covid symptoms was expanded from the original three in April to better reflect patients' experience of the disease:

continuous cough
high temperature, fever or chills
loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell
shortness of breath
feeling tired or exhausted
aching body
headache
sore throat
blocked or runny nose
loss of appetite
diarrhoea
feeling sick or being sick
The NHS says many of the symptoms are very similar to other illnesses, such as colds and flu.

What should I do if I might have Covid?
Across the UK, people are mainly advised to treat Covid like any other infectious respiratory disease.

Free Covid tests are no longer available for most people, but you can buy one privately for about ?2 - see below for what to do if you test positive.

The official guidance says adults with symptoms should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until they feel better.

If they do leave home, the government suggests wearing a mask and avoiding crowded spaces to avoid infecting others.

Read on  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-54239922

[SteveH]

China has become the first country to approve an inhaled Covid vaccine.

Made by CanSino, it has similar ingredients to its injected vaccine, using a harmless adenovirus as a carrier for the genetic code that teaches the body how to fight Covid.

Inhaled as a fine mist, Convidecia Air can provide good protection after just one breath, the company says.

Other researchers, including teams in the UK and the US, have been investigating nasal spray vaccines.

Scientists say these may give added immunity in the lining of the nose and upper airways, where Covid typically enters the body.

The National Medical Products Administration of China granted CanSino approval for its inhaled vaccine to be used as a booster dose.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-62793078

[SteveH]

Scientists have developed a virus-killing plastic that could make it harder for bugs, including Covid, to spread in hospitals and care homes.

The team at Queen's University Belfast say their plastic film is cheap and could be fashioned into protective gear such as aprons.

It works by reacting with light to release chemicals that break the virus.

The study showed it could kill viruses by the million, even in tough species which linger on clothes and surfaces.

The research was accelerated as part of the UK's response to the Covid pandemic.

Studies had shown the Covid virus was able to survive for up to 72 hours on some surfaces, but that is nothing compared to sturdier species. Norovirus - known as the winter vomiting bug - can survive outside the body for two weeks while waiting for somebody new to infect.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-62797775

[SteveH]

A further warning of whats to come ?   may not be local, but read between the lines !

Face masks are being reintroduced for visitors to hospitals due to rising Covid cases in patients, a trust said.

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT), which runs hospitals in Ipswich and Colchester, have brought in the new rules effective from Wednesday.

Visitors must wear surgical face masks and not fabric face coverings.

Masks will be made available in dispensers at all main hospital entrances, the trust said.

The policy is also being applied to Aldeburgh Hospital, Felixstowe Hospital, Bluebird Lodge in Ipswich, Clacton Hospital and Fryatt Hospital in Harwich.

It covers all general adult wards, including maternity and children's wards.
,
The hospital trust said it had found an increasing number of patients with Covid-19
Giles Thorpe, the trust's chief nurse and director of infection prevention and control, said: "We appreciate face masks are no longer required in many areas of our day-to-day lives, but our hospitals are not the same as a supermarket or a restaurant.

"Many of our patients are already extremely unwell and could be at higher risk of serious illness if they pick up Covid-19.

"Sadly we have seen an increase in the number of patients who have Covid-19, so we are having to enhance infection prevention and control measures in our wards and departments."          ref BBC

[SteveH]

My advice, wear a mask in crowded areas, its not much to ask, but the benefits will help a lot. 

The five most common Covid symptoms for people who have had the vaccine

A booster campaign is being rolled out across the UK as cases of the virus rise again

The five most common symptoms for Covid in people who have been vaccinated have been revealed, as cases of the virus rise again in Wales and across the UK. England has today launched its booster jab campaign for the over-50s, which is already underway in Wales, in a bid to stop the NHS facing increasing pressure going into winter.

Welsh health bosses say getting a jab continues to be the best way to prevent serious illness and the spread of Covid-19, as they urged everybody eligible to get it. According to Public Health Wales data, as of October 4, the number of hospital patients testing positive for the virus was at the highest level in more than two months,

In the UK overall, some 1.3 million people tested positive for the illness in the week ending September 26, according to the ONS. This was an increase on 1.1 million in the week previously.

Older people are said to be particularly under threat of re-infection, which has increased calls from public health experts for booster jab campaigns to resume as winter looms,  Dr Simon Clarke of the University of Reading said: "I think we should take this as a warning that infection numbers are likely to start increasing soon, where they haven't already done so.

"Exactly what impact that'll have on hospitals we can't be certain of, because we don't yet have a great feel for what society's level of protection against severe disease will be. This could be made worse of course by coupling it with seasonal flu, which is something we've not yet experienced properly."

The five most common Covid symptoms cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/five-most-common-covid-symptoms-25251349