General Covid 19 news

[SteveH]

The failures and weaknesses in the UK's pandemic preparations are expected to be laid out in the first report published by the Covid inquiry.

Baroness Hallett, who is chairing the public inquiry, will set out her findings at lunchtime.

Her report will cover the state of the healthcare system, stockpiles of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the planning that was in place.

It is the first of at least nine reports covering everything from political decision-making to vaccines and the impact on children.

During the hearings for this module, last year, 69 experts and politicians, including former Prime Minister David Cameron and Health Secretaries Jeremy Hunt and Matt Hancock, gave evidence.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c29dzp2z5y6o

[Hugo]

Covid hasn't gone away either as I've heard that a lot of people have caught it recently but thankfully with no serious side effects.  After a night of coughing and a headache this morning I took the test and it was positive for Covid.     

[SteveH]

Hugo....Sorry to hear that, it shows we still have to be careful , get well soon........................

How the UK planned for the wrong pandemic
Even as Covid hit, the government and its health officials were bullish in their confidence about their ability to cope.

Dr Jenny Harries, then the deputy chief medical officer for England, hailed the UK as an “international exemplar” in its preparedness at one of the early TV press conferences.

She was not the only one who thought like this – after all, just a year before the pandemic a government review had praised our “world-leading capabilities”.

But such a belief, said Baroness Hallett as she set out the first of her Covid reports, was “dangerously mistaken”.

The UK had, in fact, prepared for the wrong pandemic. How did this happen?

Across 217 pages and more than 80,000 words, external, Baroness Hallett has set out a detailed and damning critique of how a decade of over-confidence, wasted opportunities and muddled-thinking left the UK sleep-walking into a pandemic that went on to claim more than 200,000 lives and cause long-lasting damage to the economy and society.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy9472qxk1vo


PS
I think I was more prepared than the government was, I have just re read my first post on the Covid thread on: February 26, 2020, 11:05:28 am »  have a look, link ...... http://www.threetownsforum.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=4351.msg111698#msg111698

[SteveH]

There has been a vibe in BBC HQ that friends, colleagues and family have been having a grottier year than usual – shaking off one cold only to rapidly catch another, rolling from infection to infection.

“The reality is we're lacking data and so we have got a lot of anecdote,” says Prof Jonathan Ball, from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

So what could be going on?

It's a Covid summer
We are in a summer wave of Covid so if you have a cough or fever then the virus is a possible culprit.

We do not collect the same detailed data as during the peak of the pandemic, but the wave started to build around May.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjm9gez8e8mo

[Hugo]

Mrs H and I have both had  Covid recently and it started with a sore throat, then symptoms of a cold and I had a continual cough.   The worst part of it were the headaches and feeling woozy.    Thankfully we have now tested negative so we can venture out more now.
The Covid test kits are free and available from Chemists so it's a good idea to take a test if anyone has the symptoms
It's surprising how many people have had Covid and  I have heard of a number of people who have gone away on holiday in the UK and abroad knowing full well that they had Covid so the virus is never going to go away.

[SteveH]

Glad things are getting better for you both, I agree with your comment about those traveling abroad with Covid, we still need to be careful.

[SteveH]

Millions qualify for flu, Covid-19 and RSV vaccines this winter
At-risk groups will be offered RSV vaccination for the first time

Vaccines provide essential protection to help stop people from developing serious illnesses and ending up in hospital during busy winter months. And this year, in addition to the millions who receive flu and Covid-19 jabs, at risk groups will also be offered a Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) jab as the NHS sets out plans for protection ahead of winter.

Based on current scientific evidence, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recommended that adults aged 65 and over, residents of care homes for older adults and those with underlying health conditions aged six months to 64 years will be eligible for flu and Covid-19 vaccinations.

For the first time this year, the NHS will offer vaccines for RSV, a common cause of coughs and colds which can be dangerous to older people and young children. The vaccine, which will be rolled out in September, will be available to those aged 75 to 79, and it will be offered to pregnant women from 28 weeks, to protect their child.

Flu vaccinations for children will start when the new school year begins in September, to help stop the virus spreading. Pregnant women can also get their jab from September 1.

Who is eligible for vaccination... read on https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/millions-qualify-for-flu-covid-19-and-rsv-vaccines-this-winter?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

This year, the team at CYD have partnered up with the vaccine centre and we will be offering FLU and COVID vaccines to all who are eligible.

‼️VERY IMPORTANT‼️- You will be contacted, if you are eligible, via a letter ✉️with your appointment date and time ⏰over the coming weeks. This can be for flu, or Covid, or both. If you are just wanting one of the vaccines please still come to your appointment and confirm the vaccine you want.

We are able to vaccinate from 30th September so you will receive your appointment date and time prior to this.
If this needs amending, contact details of how to rearrange your appointment will be on your letter.

We look forward to getting our flu and covid season underway!

[SteveH]

The NHS was “creaking at the seams” when the pandemic hit – and this undermined the care given to both coronavirus patients and those needing treatment for other conditions, the Covid public inquiry has been told.

On the opening day of the third stage of the inquiry, which is looking at healthcare, lawyers said the health service entered the pandemic with too few staff and beds.

The problems meant non-Covid care had to be cancelled en masse, while those who were severely ill with the virus could not always get the care they needed.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c23ldze4eveo

[SteveH]

How to tell if you have Covid, the flu or a common cold

You might immediately think you've got a cold when you've got a sore throat or a high temperature.


But sometimes what you think could be a cold may be the flu or COVID-19, so it's best to check your symptoms.

Experts at Pharamcy2U have shared how to tell the difference between the illnesses so you know which medications to take.

How to treat a cold
If you have a cold, the symptoms will be milder than the flu and include the following:

Runny or stuffy nose
Mild cough
Sneezing
Aches and pains
Sore throat
Headaches

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24581236.tell-covid-flu-common-cold/

[SteveH]

People have started catching a new Covid variant that could soon take off and become the dominant type, according to scientists.

Identified in Germany, in June, cases of the XEC variant have since emerged in the UK, US, Denmark and several other countries, say users on X,, external formerly known as Twitter.

It has some new mutations that might help it spread this autumn, although vaccines should still help prevent severe cases, experts say.

For those more likely to become seriously ill from Covid, the NHS offers a free booster shot.

The vaccines have been updated to better match recent variants, although not XEC, which has emerged from earlier Omicron subvariants.

Prof Francois Balloux, Director of the Genetics Institute at University College London, told BBC News that although XEC has a "slight transmission advantage" over other recent Covid variants, vaccines should still offer good protection.

He says it is possible XEC will become the dominant subvariant over the winter though.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1jddenj5p5o

[SteveH]

Schools went back at the start of the month after the summer holiday and this often leads to an increase in viruses spreading - particularly if the weather turns colder. While the weather has been pretty good this month there are increased reports of people with the usual symptoms of a sore throat, runny nose, a cough and a high temperature.

The common cold is still the most likely cause although the latest variant of Covid is causing a slight increase in cases. Flu is also about although still at low levels.

We looked at the latest data from the Weekly Surveillance Report published by Welsh Government. It doesn't cover the common cold but does look at Covid, flu, whooping cough and RSV cases - as well as the dreaded winter vomiting bug norovirus.......
read on https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/updates-flu-norovirus-covid-wales-29981304



North Wales begins Covid booster and flu vaccine rollout
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board announced that most booster vaccinations will take place at health board vaccination centres, although some patients may be invited to their GP surgery or a nearby community pharmacy.

The vaccination campaign will prioritise older and more vulnerable individuals, with other groups following based on clinical need.

Appointment letters will be sent to everyone aged 65 or over, individuals between six months and 64 years with health conditions that put them at higher risk from Covid-19, and pregnant women.
cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24595793.north-wales-begins-covid-booster-flu-vaccine-rollout/

[SteveH]

What it's like to have Covid now as 'distinctive' XEC variant symptoms spread
New coronavirus strain is spreading around the world with increase in UK cases

A new variant of Covid-19 is causing concern worldwide, with researchers noting it seems to spread more quickly than previous strains. There are anecdotal reports of a rise in people experiencing symptoms similar to those of Covid, with many testing positive after taking a test.

The end of mass testing initiatives and the cost of lateral flow kits have made it difficult for public health officials to accurately track the number of cases and the speed at which new variants are spreading,

Despite only being identified three weeks ago, the XEC variant already accounts for 13% of cases in Germany. Over 80 cases have been reported in the UK

What is the Covid XEC variant?
XEC is the latest recombinant variant to hit the headlines, formed when an individual contracts two strains simultaneously - in this case, the KP. 3.3 and KS. 1.1 strains. These are linked to the ominously pervasive Omicron variant that first emerged in South Africa and became known for its heightened transmissibility but notably milder symptoms compared to earlier coronavirus strains.

Speaking to The Conversation, Richard Orton, Bioinformatics Research Associate at the University of Glasgow, warned of XEC's rapid spread: "XEC appears to have a growth advantage and is spreading faster than other circulating variants, suggesting it will become the dominant variant globally in the next few months."

Full article.......... https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/what-its-like-covid-now-30010208

[SteveH]

New nasal spray could put a stop to Covid, colds and flu
Fiona Callingham learns about the pathogen neutralising spray (or PCANS) being developed by US scientists

Scientists have developed a drug-free nasal spray that neutralises germs in the nose to help prevent infection. The breakthrough discovery has the potential to save lives by protecting us from Covid-19 as well as the flu and colds.

The pathogen capture and neutralising spray, or PCANS, has been developed by a team at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, one of the top hospitals in America. Researchers believe it could shield us from a wide range of airborne threats, from everyday colds to pandemic-causing viruses.

cont https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/new-nasal-spray-could-put-a-stop-to-covid-colds-and-flu?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

The NHS has started offering autumn Covid boosters to the most vulnerable.

Many pharmacies also now sell the Covid jab privately.

Who can get an NHS Covid booster jab this autumn?
The following groups can have an NHS Covid booster between 3 October and 20 December:

over-65s
people aged between six months and 64 years with health conditions that make them more vulnerable
people living in care homes for older people
front-line health and social-care staff, including in care homes for older people

The NHS has already contacted more than 11 million people, but those who qualify for the jab can also book their own appointments via the NHS App, external, GPs, pharmacies, drop-in clinics, external or by calling 119, external.

Public Health Wales: Covid vaccination, external

Anyone also entitled to the flu jab, external will be offered this at the same time.

But patients are advised not to have the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine at the same time as a flu or Covid jab, external.
more info....https://www.england.nhs.uk/2024/08/millions-to-get-protected-ahead-of-winter-in-nhs-vaccine-rollout/

For those adults eligible for both, the NHS will make flu and COVID-19 jabs available at the same time, giving the option to get protection from both viruses in one visit. However, it is more effective for people to have the RSV vaccination on a different day from any flu or COVID-19 vaccinations.

Full article https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55045639