CORONAVIRUS NEWS
Vitamin D link to low virus death rate
A new study has found an association between low average levels of vitamin D and high numbers of COVID-19 cases and mortality rates.- Coronavirus
Third of doctors in high risk COVID19 settings unable to access PPE
Healthcare staff working in some of the most high-risk COVID-19 settings are still struggling to access the protective personal equipment (PPE) they need to keep them safe.- Coronavirus
Charity calls for clearer measures to protect people with diabetes
The findings of a new Diabetes UK survey show that two thirds (67%) of people with diabetes attending work do not feel safe. More than half of respondents (54%) also say their employer is not enabling them to socially distance at work.- Coronavirus
BAME nursing staff are more likely to be left without PPE
Amid warnings that BAME nursing staff may be disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, an RCN survey reveals that they are more likely to struggle to secure adequate PPE while at work.- Coronavirus
UK reaches 200,000 coronavirus testing capacity target
The 200,000 testing capacity target was reached on Saturday 30 May, at 205,634. The increased testing capacity has now allowed for the rollout of the new NHS Test and Trace system, which will identify and isolate new cases of the virus.- Coronavirus
Anaesthetists reveal concerns over PPE/anaesthetic drugs availability
A survey by the Royal College of Anaesthetists has found that access to testing has improved, but significant concerns remain around personal protective equipment and anaesthetic drugs availability.- Coronavirus
£300 million additional funding for local authorities to support new test and trace service
Local authorities will be central to supporting the new test and trace service across England, with the Government providing a new funding package of £300 million.- Coronavirus
New Professional Guidance to Support General Practice Nurses in the Covid-19 Pandemic Published
The Queen’s Nursing Institute has published a new document, Minimum Bridging Competencies for General Practice Nurses Transitioning to Community Nursing.- Coronavirus
Government to offer antibody tests to health and social care staff and patients in England
New antibody testing programme to provide tens of thousands of antibody tests per day across the UK from next week.- Coronavirus
NHS expands offer of help to people with diabetes during coronavirus outbreak
People living with diabetes face a significantly higher risk of dying with COVID-19 with a third of deaths in England associated with the condition, according to new NHS research. The health service in England has called on people with diabetes to access help available to them, including a new dedicated helpline and online tools to help manage the condition during the outbreak.- Coronavirus
IPS provides guidance on correct use of PPE
The Infection Prevention Society (IPS) has released a questions and answer document on “Using PPE for Covid-19 in Intensive Care Settings” and an accompanying video.- Coronavirus
High rate of blood clots in COVID-19
COVID-19 is associated with a high incidence of venous thromboembolism, blood clots in the venous circulation, according to a study conducted by researchers at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS), UK.- Coronavirus
Support for nurses facing hardship
Single Use Surgical will donate 5p from the sale of every disposable surgical instrument sold in the UK to Cavell Nurses’ Trust to help support nurses in their time of need.- Coronavirus
Vital laboratory link delivered to NHS Nightingale Hospital Bristol
CliniSys has delivered a laboratory link for NHS Nightingale Hospital Bristol (Nightingale Bristol), so clinicians can request tests for patients and receive the results electronically- Coronavirus
Coronavirus: new website for reporting medicines side effects and equipment incidents
A new online reporting site, dedicated to reporting any suspected side effects from medicines and medical equipment, relating to COVID-19 treatment, has been launched.- Coronavirus
COVID-19 identification in X-ray images by artificial intelligence
A novel approach to identify COVID-19 with high confidence from other viral and bacterial infections using X-ray will help to make Coronavirus diagnosis faster and more accurate with the help artificial intelligence-based program.- Coronavirus
Review into factors impacting health outcomes from COVID-19
Thousands of existing health records for people who have had COVID-19 are to be examined as part of a major exercise to establish more robust data on the factors impacting the number of cases and health outcomes for different groups within the population.- Coronavirus
NICE COVID-19 guidance on immunocompromised children and antibiotics for pneumonia
NICE has published a new series of guidelines in the wake of COVID-19, including guidance on the care of children and young people who are immunocompromised.- Coronavirus
New COVID-19 guideline on acute kidney injury
NICE has published a new COVID-19 rapid guideline on acute kidney injury (AKI). The guideline aims to help healthcare professionals who are not kidney specialists to prevent, detect and manage AKI in patients in hospital with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.- Coronavirus
UKAS supports efforts to ensure quality testing for COVID-19
Matt Hancock, the Secretary for Health and Social Care, has stated that during the Covid-19 (SARS-Cov-2) pandemic ‘good quality testing can help provide us with certainty’ and is ‘a big part of how we’re going to defeat this disease’.- Coronavirus
