CORONAVIRUS NEWS

‘Immune imprinting’ by different SARS-CoV-2 spike sequences from variants and vaccines means we now have diverse patterns of protection against new variants.

A new statistical analysis supports beliefs that COVID-19 became more lethal in the UK, in late 2020, while also suggesting that multiple factors (not just the alpha variant of the virus that causes COVID-19) were to blame.

A study published by The BMJ finds a gradual increase in the risk of COVID-19 infection from 90 days after receiving a second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

Medical experts are urging pregnant women to get their COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible, as new data published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) provides further evidence that the vaccines are safe for this group.

Sodexo has become the sole provider of assisted COVID-19 testing at regional test sites as part of the NHS Test and Trace programme.

The use of non-invasive breathing support, commonly known as CPAP or HFNO, to treat moderate to severe COVID-19 infection, isn’t linked to a heightened infection risk, as currently thought.

Researchers have identified a potential new treatment that suppresses the replication of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

A damning report published by the Public Accounts Committee says that “NHS Test and Trace has not achieved its  main  objective to help break chains of COVID-19 transmission and enable people to return towards a more normal way of life”.

Nearly 1.6 million booster jabs have been delivered over the past seven days. Last week also saw record bookings for boosters using the National Booking Service with nearly 900,000 people booking in their booster jab.

Thousands of vulnerable patients could be taking ground-breaking COVID-19 antivirals this winter after the Government announced deals to secure two new treatments.

In a new study, researchers from University of Copenhagen present what could be a much-needed helping hand to fight COVID-19.

Testing operations by the Immensa Health Clinic, Wolverhampton, have been suspended following an investigation into reports of people receiving negative PCR test results after they have previously tested positive on a Lateral Flow Device (LFD).

The Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN) has been announced as the winner of the “Best COVID-19 Crisis Response” at this year’s Association Excellence Awards which took place in Central London.

Vaccine clinical trial participants are to be offered the option to get additional vaccine doses from next week.

A new study has revealed important insights into the natural human antiviral defences against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

The University of Kent’s School of Biosciences and the Institute of Medical Virology at Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, have identified a protein that may critically contribute to severe forms of COVID-19.

Millions of vulnerable people are to be offered a COVID-19 booster vaccine from next week as the Government confirmed it has accepted the final advice from the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

An antibody treatment trialled at UCLH cuts the risk of developing symptomatic COVID-19 by 77%, according to results announced by AstraZeneca who developed the antibody known as AZD7442.

A new clinical trial will investigate whether a third dose of vaccine for people with weakened immune systems gives a stronger immune response than two doses.

Thousands of adults a day will be given free access to antibody tests through a new national surveillance programme launched by the UK Health Security Agency.