CORONAVIRUS NEWS
Three-quarters of over 70s have COVID-19 antibodies
New findings from Public Health England have shown that an estimated 75.8% of 70 to 84 year old blood donors had antibodies against COVID-19 by early March.
New analysis of lateral flow tests shows specificity of at least 99.9%
New analysis shows lateral flow tests (LFD) to have a specificity of at least 99.9% when used to test in the community and could be as high as 99.97%.
COVID positive patients should delay surgery to reduce death risk
Surgery should be delayed for seven weeks after a patient tests positive for COVID-19 – as operations taking place up to six weeks after diagnosis are associated with increased risk of death, according to a new global study.
New report highlights link between COVID-19 deaths and obesity
A new report from the World Obesity Federation warns that increased bodyweight is the second greatest predictor of hospitalisation and a high risk of death for people suffering from COVID-19. Only old age rates as a higher risk factor.
Government updates on identifying and tackling COVID-19 disparities
Minister for equalities, Kemi Badenoch MP, has published the second quarterly report to the Prime Minister and Health Secretary on progress to understand and tackle COVID-19 disparities experienced by individuals from an ethnic minority background.
Households with school children to receive rapid COVID-19 tests
Whole families and households with primary school, secondary school and college age children, including childcare and support bubbles, will be able to test themselves twice every week from home as schools return from 8 March.
Latest findings from antibody surveillance study
Imperial College London and Ipsos MORI have published their latest antibody surveillance report tracking COVID-19 infection across England.
Many people with cancer symptoms have failed to see GP
The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) has urged patients to take up screening appointments and seek GP help for cancer symptoms, with oncology teams reporting more cases of less treatable cancer.
King's Fund report highlights COVID challenges and opportunities
A new report from The King’s Fund finds that health and care organisations across London have worked together more closely than ever before to improve and join up services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Asthmatics: no higher risk of dying from COVID, study shows
A new study looking at how COVID-19 affects people with asthma provides reassurance that having the condition doesn't increase the risk of severe illness or death from the virus.
£18.5 million to tackle long COVID through research
People experiencing the longer-term effects of long COVID will benefit from £18.5 million to fund research projects to help better understand the causes, symptoms and treatment of the condition.
New technology to identify people at high risk from COVID
New technology has been introduced in England to help clinicians identify, for the first time, a new group of people who may be at high risk from COVID-19.
Proper fit of face masks more important than material, study finds
A team of researchers studying the effectiveness of different types of face masks has found that in order to provide the best protection against COVID-19, the fit of a mask is as important, or more important, than the material it is made of.
Second breakthrough in major COVID trial
A UK study involving Addenbrooke’s patients has found that a drug used to treat arthritis reduces the chances of severely ill patients dying from Covid-19.
Calls to redouble efforts to vaccinate agency and temp nursing staff
With more than 24,000 responses, a recent survey by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) found that 85% of respondents had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, including 7% who had received both doses.
GPs receive funding boost to vaccinate housebound
The NHS will pay GPs an additional £10 for every COVID vaccination they deliver to someone who is housebound as part of the drive to protect the most vulnerable people as swiftly as possible.
Raised mortality from cardiac arrest in people with COVID-19
Sudden cardiac arrest is more often fatal in people with COVID-19, a new study shows. Those responsible for the research see the results as a wake-up call for the public and care providers alike.
COVID-19 alternating dose vaccine study launches in UK
Patients taking part in a new clinical study will soon receive different COVID-19 vaccines for their first or second dose.
COVID-19: improvement in intensive care mortality 'slowing'
A meta-analysis of global studies, published in Anaesthesia, shows that intensive care mortality from COVID-19 has continued to fall since the start of the pandemic, but the improvement is slowing and may have plateaued.
Althea launches affordable COVID-19 rapid antigen tests
Althea UK and Ireland – a medical technology services provider – is now offering high quality and cost-effective SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Antigen Tests.
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