CORONAVIRUS NEWS
Sewage signals early warning of coronavirus outbreaks
A government-led project is successfully detecting traces of coronavirus in sewage, providing an early warning for local outbreaks across the country and sharing data with NHS Test and Trace.- Coronavirus
Hundreds of Birmingham A&E patients may be turned away
Hundreds of patients who turn up to A&E departments in Birmingham may be turned away in a bid to protect key services, health bosses have said.- Coronavirus
Surgeons call for ring-fenced beds
Leading surgeons are calling for hospital beds to be ring-fenced for planned operations, to avoid a ‘tsunami of cancellations’ during the second wave of COVID-19.- Coronavirus
NICE and SIGN announce latest guideline will address Long COVID
NICE and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) have announced they will work with the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) to develop a guideline on persistent effects of COVID-19 (Long Covid) on patients.- Coronavirus
NHS to offer ‘long COVID’ sufferers help at specialist centres
People suffering ‘long COVID’ symptoms will be offered specialist help at clinics across England, the head of the NHS has announced.- Coronavirus
Globus Group boosts PPE supply for the NHS
UK PPE firm, Globus Group, is expanding its UK manufacturing capacity to meet the increasing demand for high performance PPE for the UK’s healthcare sector.- Coronavirus
Government signs contract for supply of COVID-19 antibody tests
The UK Government has entered into a contract with Abingdon Health, on behalf of the UK-Rapid Test Consortium (“UK-RTC”), for the supply of the AbC-19 Rapid Antibody tests.- Coronavirus
Study suggests growth of COVID infection may be slowing
Interim results from the fourth report of the country’s largest study on coronavirus rates of infection have been published.- Coronavirus
Health and Social Care Committee calls for action on testing NHS staff
A committee of MPs has highlighted the impact and unprecedented challenge caused by COVID-19 to the provision of essential services.- Coronavirus
Severe COVID-19 linked to faulty genes and autoimmune condition
More than 10 percent of young and healthy people who develop severe COVID-19 have misguided antibodies that attack not the virus, but the immune system itself, new research shows. Another 3.5 percent, at least, carry a specific genetic mutation.- Coronavirus
Heart rhythm in COVID-19 patients receiving hydroxychloroquine
Short-term hydroxychloroquine treatment is not associated with lethal heart rhythms in patients with COVID-19 who are risk assessed prior to receiving the drug.- Coronavirus
Research compares accuracy of SARS-CoV-2 antibody assays
Research presented at the ESCMID Conference on Coronavirus Disease has investigated the accuracy of a number of antibody assays.- Coronavirus
Modular ward provides COVID-free zone
A new 18-bed modular ward has been installed at Kettering General Hospital (KGH) to provide extra capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic.- Coronavirus
MRFF backs COVID-19 vaccine candidate
The Commonwealth Government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) has invested almost $3 million into new COVID-19 vaccine candidates led out of Melbourne.- Coronavirus
Rapid 90-minute COVID-19 test shown to be highly accurate
A 90-minute COVID-19 test has been shown to have over 94 per cent sensitivity, and 100 per cent specificity in a new study.- Coronavirus
New labs announced for COVID testing
Two new Lighthouse Labs in Newcastle and Bracknell will join the largest network of diagnostic testing facilities created in British history to help scale up testing capacity ahead of winter.- Coronavirus
RCN calls for lessons to be learnt from pandemic response
Speaking at the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Coronavirus, RCN director of nursing, policy and public affairs, Susan Masters, called for an inquiry to investigate how the UK prepared for and responded to the pandemic.- Coronavirus
£500m funding boost for rapid testing technologies
A £500 million funding package is being invested in next generation testing technology and increased testing capacity, the Health and Social Care Secretary has announced.- Coronavirus
QVH takes part in COVID-19 antibody study
Up to 200 staff working for Queen Victoria Hospital are being recruited to take part in a major national study to help scientists to find out more about COVID-19 antibodies and whether having COVID-19 antibodies makes someone immune to the virus.- Coronavirus
Most are comfortable with treatment during pandemic
A Medical Technology Group survey shows that patients are embracing technology during the COVID-19 pandemic, but still value real-life consultations.- Coronavirus
