As the death toll soars, will a lockdown be enough to stop the UK's mutant COVID-19 strain?
3 years, 11 months ago

As the death toll soars, will a lockdown be enough to stop the UK's mutant COVID-19 strain?

ABC  

On an evening shift in a busy London hospital last week, intensive care nurse Dave Carr came across a senior doctor standing next to a vending machine. "It's constant and it's relentless and we have been doing this since March and now, with the way the pandemic has been handled, we just don't know where it is going to end." Christina Pagel, director of the clinical operation unit at the University College London, described the British Government's approach as "constantly incremental". "Had we done that, we probably would have prevented this new strain from getting a foothold, because that's when it first appeared and we would've stamped it out," she said. "It's entirely plausible that we end up with what is called an escape mutant, which is a variant which actually is no longer controlled by the vaccine," he told the ABC.

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History of this topic

UK health services under strain after record flu, Norovirus cases
1 month ago

UK health services under strain after record flu, Norovirus cases

Hindustan Times  

The number of people in hospital with flu has more than quadrupled compared to last year, new figures reveal, as NHS leaders warn of a mounting "quad-demic" crisis, driven by rising cases of flu, Covid-19, norovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus. An average of 1,099 flu patients were hospitalized each day last week, including 39 in critical care, a sharp increase …

Whitty: UK faced ‘absolutely catastrophic situation’ before first Covid lockdown
3 months, 1 week ago

Whitty: UK faced ‘absolutely catastrophic situation’ before first Covid lockdown

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The UK faced an “absolutely catastrophic situation” as it headed …

Covid inquiry returns to examine pandemic's impact on NHS workers and patients
4 months ago

Covid inquiry returns to examine pandemic's impact on NHS workers and patients

Daily Mail  

The Covid Inquiry is to resume and enter a new phase today where it will examine the impact of the pandemic on NHS workers, patients and the delivery of healthcare. The first public hearings of part three of the UK's Covid-19 Inquiry will be held on Monday, with leaders from the Health and Safety Executive and Unison expected to give …

Government’s ‘fatal strategic flaws’ in Covid planning led to avoidable deaths and economic pain
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Government’s ‘fatal strategic flaws’ in Covid planning led to avoidable deaths and economic pain

The Independent  

Mass deaths and economic pain during the Covid-19 pandemic were driven by “fatal flaws” in planning by the government, civil servants and scientists who prepared for the “wrong pandemic”, a public inquiry has found. The UK Covid-19 Inquiry, chaired by Heather Hallett, published its first report on Thursday, focusing on the UK’s pandemic “preparedness and resilience”. The 217-page report said …

Inquiry finds Britain was ill-prepared for COVID-19 pandemic and failed its citizens
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Inquiry finds Britain was ill-prepared for COVID-19 pandemic and failed its citizens

Associated Press  

LONDON — The U.K. government was ill-prepared for the COVID-19 pandemic and serious errors in planning failed its citizens, an inquiry found Thursday. “In reality, the U.K. was ill-prepared for dealing with the whole-system civil emergency of a pandemic, let alone the coronavirus pandemic that actually struck.” The COVID-19 pandemic has been blamed for more than 235,000 deaths in the …

Covid: Four years after first case in UK, how widespread is coronavirus now?
11 months, 1 week ago

Covid: Four years after first case in UK, how widespread is coronavirus now?

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery Experts say it’s important for people to do what they …

How effective were Covid lockdowns – and should they be used again if another pandemic hits?
1 year, 1 month ago

How effective were Covid lockdowns – and should they be used again if another pandemic hits?

The Independent  

Boris Johnson has finally taken the stand at the Covid inquiry, an opportunity to defend himself against a barrage of criticism from politicians, advisers and civil servants who served with him as the pandemic engulfed the UK. They found that social contact among UK adults had dropped 75 per cent compared to pre-pandemic levels, enough to tip the growing epidemic …

Covid inquiry live: Hancock ‘wanted to decide who should live or die if NHS became overwhelmed’
1 year, 1 month ago

Covid inquiry live: Hancock ‘wanted to decide who should live or die if NHS became overwhelmed’

The Independent  

✕ Close Covid inquiry roundup: Lee Cain and Dominic Cummings provide worrying insight into No 10 Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The …

UK must be prepared to lock down to prevent disease spread – Hancock
1 year, 6 months ago

UK must be prepared to lock down to prevent disease spread – Hancock

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The UK must be prepared …

Lockdown given ‘very little thought’ ahead of pandemic, UK Covid Inquiry hears
1 year, 6 months ago

Lockdown given ‘very little thought’ ahead of pandemic, UK Covid Inquiry hears

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A lockdown was given “very little thought” ahead of the …

Benefits of original Covid lockdown were 'a drop in the bucket compared to the costs'
1 year, 7 months ago

Benefits of original Covid lockdown were 'a drop in the bucket compared to the costs'

Daily Mail  

Draconian lockdown measures taken to stop the spread of Covid in early 2020 may have saved as few as 1,700 lives, analysis suggests. A report suggests specific initiatives to control the spread of Covid had mixed results in reducing mortality, with mask mandates having the biggest impact while measures such as limiting gatherings paradoxically raised death rates Vaccines — considered …

UK health chief's leaked messages revive raw pandemic debate
1 year, 10 months ago

UK health chief's leaked messages revive raw pandemic debate

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Hancock shared his WhatsApp messages with …

Britain's NHS nightmare: How COVID-19, cost-cutting and burnout pushed the UK's health system to the brink
2 years ago

Britain's NHS nightmare: How COVID-19, cost-cutting and burnout pushed the UK's health system to the brink

ABC  

In a frantic hospital hall in northern England, a 92-year-old woman lay unwell on a trolley waiting for 33 hours to be taken to a bed. "Emergency medicine in the NHS is facing one of its most challenging times in our history," Dr Ian Higginson, vice-president at the Royal College of Emergency Medicine told ABC News. "We're unable to offload …

Covid cases in your area as hospitalisations rise by a third before Christmas
2 years ago

Covid cases in your area as hospitalisations rise by a third before Christmas

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. While admissions to intensive care and high dependency units remained relatively low in most regions …

COVID-19 updates: Mandatory isolation comes to an end as Australia enters new phase of pandemic — as it happened
2 years, 2 months ago

COVID-19 updates: Mandatory isolation comes to an end as Australia enters new phase of pandemic — as it happened

ABC  

*Sigh* — It looks like I'll be wearing an N95 for the foreseeable future. I haven't had covid yet and don't appreciate that people will be forced to work when sick as they won't receive paid leave- for their sake and for mine! Matthew Pickett — Absolutely crazy - look at what is happening in Europe and the USA now …

How a fresh Covid surge in the UK could be a warning sign for US
2 years, 3 months ago

How a fresh Covid surge in the UK could be a warning sign for US

Daily Mail  

An autumn Covid resurgence in the UK has fueled concerns that the US could be on course for another wave. The US' Covid situation has mirrored Britain's several times in the past — inthe Alpha wave it followed the surge two weeks later on October 14, and in the Omicron wave it also followed about two weeks later on December …

WHO warns of covid transmission, hospitalisation risks in coming months
2 years, 4 months ago

WHO warns of covid transmission, hospitalisation risks in coming months

Live Mint  

World Health Organisation on Thursday sounded a COVID warning stating that virus transmission and hospitalisation risks are likely to rise again in the coming months. We cannot live with inequitable access to vaccines and other tools,” WHO director general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said “This is completely unacceptable when we have all the tools to prevent infections and save lives.” …

Covid infections down as hospital admissions fall ‘rapidly’
2 years, 5 months ago

Covid infections down as hospital admissions fall ‘rapidly’

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Covid infections in the UK have now begun to fall as …

Covid cases jump by 800,000 in a week
2 years, 5 months ago

Covid cases jump by 800,000 in a week

The Telegraph  

Covid-19 infections in the UK have jumped by nearly 800,000 in a week, with some parts of the country nearing the record levels seen during the spring. This is the highest estimate for total infections since mid-April, but is still below the record of 4.9 million seen at the peak of the omicron BA.2 wave at the end of March. …

Covid hospital patients in England up by 37 per cent
2 years, 6 months ago

Covid hospital patients in England up by 37 per cent

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Hospital beds taken up by Covid patients have surged by 37 …

Covid cases in England rise for first time since end of MARCH
2 years, 6 months ago

Covid cases in England rise for first time since end of MARCH

Daily Mail  

England’s Covid outbreak has risen in size for the first time since March, according to official figures that have prompted doom-mongering experts to warn the next wave is on its way. Office for National Statistics statisticians estimate 797,500 people in England had Covid each day during the week ending June 2 Separate figures today show recent fall in the number …

'New lockdowns loom' if government fails to anticipate autumn corona wave
2 years, 7 months ago

'New lockdowns loom' if government fails to anticipate autumn corona wave

Dutch News  

The Netherlands needs to step up its preparations for a new wave of coronavirus infections in the autumn or risk another lockdown, experts have warned. Administrators said there was a lack of urgency among policymakers to fix problems, such as a shortage of intensive care beds, that hampered the Dutch pandemic response in the last two years. ‘We have fewer …

'New lockdowns loom' if government fails to anticipate autumn corona wave
2 years, 7 months ago

'New lockdowns loom' if government fails to anticipate autumn corona wave

Dutch News  

The Netherlands needs to step up its preparations for a new wave of coronavirus infections in the autumn or risk another lockdown, experts have warned. Administrators said there was a lack of urgency among policymakers to fix problems, such as a shortage of intensive care beds, that hampered the Dutch pandemic response in the last two years. ‘We have fewer …

Is this what the end of the pandemic looks like? The UK's lifting of all COVID-19 restrictions has lessons for Australia
2 years, 8 months ago

Is this what the end of the pandemic looks like? The UK's lifting of all COVID-19 restrictions has lessons for Australia

ABC  

In one of Europe's busiest cities, there are few outward signs left of the raging global pandemic that disrupted the world for more than two years. After vaccines and boosters offered a pathway out of strict restrictions last year, England scaled back its public health measures on what was dubbed "Freedom Day" on July 19. "The amount of effort it …

‘Brutal’ NHS pressures stop Covid testing
2 years, 8 months ago

‘Brutal’ NHS pressures stop Covid testing

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Overstretched hospitals are stopping routine Covid tests for new patients as …

Boris Johnson refuses to rule out future lockdown if more deadly Covid variant emerges
2 years, 9 months ago

Boris Johnson refuses to rule out future lockdown if more deadly Covid variant emerges

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Boris Johnson has said he “can’t rule out” a future lockdown …

'Learn to live with this virus': Boris Johnson scraps Covid restrictions in UK
2 years, 10 months ago

'Learn to live with this virus': Boris Johnson scraps Covid restrictions in UK

India Today  

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday said he would end all coronavirus restrictions in England including mandatory self-isolation for people with Covid-19 and free testing, drawing scepticism from some scientists and political opponents. Johnson said that the legal requirement to self-isolate for people who test positive for Covid would be removed on Feb. 24 while free universal testing would …

People with Covid in England won't need to self-isolate
2 years, 10 months ago

People with Covid in England won't need to self-isolate

India Today  

People with Covid-19 won't be legally required to self-isolate in England starting in the coming week, the UK government has announced, as part of a plan for “living with Covid” that is also likely to see testing for coronavirus scaled back. “We’ve reached a stage where we think you can shift the balance away from state mandation, away from banning …

UK: People with COVID in England won’t need to self-isolate
2 years, 10 months ago

UK: People with COVID in England won’t need to self-isolate

Associated Press  

LONDON — People with COVID-19 won’t be legally required to self-isolate in England starting in the coming week, the U.K. government has announced, as part of a plan for “living with COVID” that is also likely to see testing for the coronavirus scaled back. “We’ve reached a stage where we think you can shift the balance away from state mandation, …

As we attempt to live with Covid, a class of vulnerable people is emerging: the new excluded
2 years, 11 months ago

As we attempt to live with Covid, a class of vulnerable people is emerging: the new excluded

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Rejoice again, I tell you, for …

Covid isolation cut to five days in England over shortages
2 years, 11 months ago

Covid isolation cut to five days in England over shortages

Hindustan Times  

Boris Johnson’s government cut the Covid-19 self-isolation period in England to five days from seven as the surge in omicron infections sparked staff shortages at hospitals, schools and businesses. A healthcare worker wearing a PPE Kit walks inside a temporarily converted isolation ward for Covid-19 patients The reduction will take effect from Jan. 17, UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid told …

New Covid restrictions unlikely as daily cases fall, ministers signal
3 years ago

New Covid restrictions unlikely as daily cases fall, ministers signal

The Telegraph  

Government sources told The Telegraph last week that they were not expecting to repeal any of the Plan B restrictions yet, with adults in England set to be told to continue working from home if possible. Senior Tories on Sunday said Plan B must not become a new normal, warning Mr Johnson that the Government must push to "get back …

Reduced COVID-19 isolation for NSW healthcare staff a 'catch-up' measure to stop system 'collapsing'
3 years ago

Reduced COVID-19 isolation for NSW healthcare staff a 'catch-up' measure to stop system 'collapsing'

ABC  

Tired and overworked healthcare workers in New South Wales were left with no choice but to support reducing the isolation rules for staff with no symptoms who had been deemed close contacts of COVID-19 cases. Key points: Expert says reducing isolation for asymptomatic healthcare staff made complete sense President of the doctors union says patients will not be put in …

Extra Covid restrictions could be needed ‘at pace’ as NHS prepares for surge
3 years ago

Extra Covid restrictions could be needed ‘at pace’ as NHS prepares for surge

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Chris Hopson chief executive of …

Covid-19 UK: 40% of Omicron hospitalisations are unvaccinated adults, officials finally reveal
3 years ago

Covid-19 UK: 40% of Omicron hospitalisations are unvaccinated adults, officials finally reveal

Daily Mail  

Up to 40 per cent of patients hospitalised with the Omicron variant are unvaccinated, health chiefs have finally revealed in the wake of a transparency row. Separate UKHSA data proving how well the vaccines work shows unvaccinated adults are up to eight times more likely to be admitted to hospital than people given two doses Doctors fear London's hospital admissions …

UK health boss: COVID-19 rules could tighten by Christmas
3 years ago

UK health boss: COVID-19 rules could tighten by Christmas

Associated Press  

LONDON — Britain’s health secretary has refused to rule out imposing tougher COVID-19 restrictions before Christmas amid the rapid rise of infections and continuing uncertainty about the omicron variant. The British Medical Association is warning that almost 50,000 doctors, nurses and other National Health Service staff in England could be off sick with Covid-19 by Christmas Day unless additional measures …

Tougher Covid rules needed urgently to prevent ‘considerable pressure’ on NHS, Sage experts warn Johnson
3 years ago

Tougher Covid rules needed urgently to prevent ‘considerable pressure’ on NHS, Sage experts warn Johnson

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Tougher Covid restrictions are needed before the new year to prevent …

Nearly 10,000 more people have died than usual since July from non-Covid illnesses
3 years, 1 month ago

Nearly 10,000 more people have died than usual since July from non-Covid illnesses

Daily Mail  

Almost 10,000 extra people have died from non-Covid illnesses in England and Wales than would be expected since summer, according to official figures. Some 1.6million more Britons were waiting for elective surgery — such as hip and keen operations — at the end of September compared to the start of the pandemic NHS boss Amanda Pritchard reveals health service is …

The Netherlands may face ‘lockdown-type measures’ to curb rising Covid cases: NOS
3 years, 1 month ago

The Netherlands may face ‘lockdown-type measures’ to curb rising Covid cases: NOS

Dutch News  

Government advisors are recommending ‘lockdown type measures’ to combat the rise in coronavirus infections for a two week period, sources close to the Outbreak Management Team have told broadcaster NOS. The seriousness of the situation – new infections are reaching record levels – makes such measures unavoidable, the sources say. Ministers are meeting to discuss the proposals on Thursday morning, …

UK on the edge: Tougher COVID restrictions needed, health lobby says
3 years, 2 months ago

UK on the edge: Tougher COVID restrictions needed, health lobby says

Live Mint  

Britain's hospitals are close to be being overwhelmed by a new wave of COVID-19 infections so tougher restrictions are needed, the health service's lobby group said on Wednesday, but the government said now was not the time for a new lockdown. But it also had a quick start to its vaccine programme and Prime Minister Boris Johnson has lifted almost …

Report says UK's slow coronavirus lockdown cost thousands of lives
3 years, 2 months ago

Report says UK's slow coronavirus lockdown cost thousands of lives

India Today  

Britain's failure to impose a lockdown in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic cost thousands of unnecessary deaths and ranks among the country's worst public health blunders, lawmakers concluded Tuesday in the nation's first comprehensive report on the pandemic. "The report it's produced is laughable and more interested in political arguments about whether you can bring laptops to.meetings than …

UK's failure to impose lockdown in early days of COVID-19 cost thousands of lives, says report
3 years, 2 months ago

UK's failure to impose lockdown in early days of COVID-19 cost thousands of lives, says report

Firstpost  

Lawmakers said their inquiry was designed to uncover why the UK performed “significantly worse” than many other countries during the initial period of the pandemic. London: The British government’s failure to impose a lockdown in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic ranks among England’s worst public health blunders, lawmakers concluded on Tuesday in the country’s first comprehensive report on …

Report says UK’s slow virus lockdown cost 1000s of lives
3 years, 2 months ago

Report says UK’s slow virus lockdown cost 1000s of lives

Associated Press  

LONDON — Britain’s failure to impose a lockdown in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic cost thousands of unnecessary deaths and ranks among the country’s worst public health blunders, lawmakers concluded Tuesday in the nation’s first comprehensive report on the pandemic. “Decisions on lockdowns and social distancing during the early weeks of the pandemic - and the advice that …

National Cabinet considers how to deal with an influx of COVID-19 patients, with hospitals already straining
3 years, 4 months ago

National Cabinet considers how to deal with an influx of COVID-19 patients, with hospitals already straining

ABC  

There's something Mark McGowan would rather not talk about. Mr McGowan has conceded the system is under pressure but said "hundreds" of aged and disability care patients were occupying hospital beds because the federal government had failed to fund enough beds for them elsewhere. The Delta outbreak in New South Wales is putting enormous strain on the state's health system, …

Victoria to remain in lockdown as COVID cases surge but Andrews hopeful of driving down numbers
3 years, 4 months ago

Victoria to remain in lockdown as COVID cases surge but Andrews hopeful of driving down numbers

ABC  

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the state, Victorians have been told to prepare for another lockdown extension. "Obviously with almost 100 cases today, where many of them remain mysteries, many of them were out in the community during their infectious period, it is not going to be possible for us to open up our Victorian community in just …

Origin of COVID-19 infection behind NT lockdown unknown, Chief Minister uncertain on Christmas travel
3 years, 4 months ago

Origin of COVID-19 infection behind NT lockdown unknown, Chief Minister uncertain on Christmas travel

ABC  

The Northern Territory Chief Minister says health authorities are still unsure how an infected man that caused lockdowns in Greater Darwin and Katherine last week caught coronavirus. Key points: The Chief Minister said the man could have caught the virus in the US He said he could not rule out longer lockdowns in the future The Chief Minister would not …

Analysis: As Covid cases fall, why are things still tough for the NHS?
3 years, 5 months ago

Analysis: As Covid cases fall, why are things still tough for the NHS?

The Independent  

The predicted large summer wave of Covid infections and hospital admissions reaching beyond 1,000-a-day has thankfully not materialised. The Independent has doggedly reported the pressures across the NHS in recent weeks with many frontline staff describing what feels like a real summer crisis. With just under 900 patients currently in intensive care, that is still a significant chunk of England’s …

UK Covid restrictions: Scientists condemn ‘dangerous and unethical’ reopening plans
3 years, 6 months ago

UK Covid restrictions: Scientists condemn ‘dangerous and unethical’ reopening plans

CNN  

CNN — Calling it a “dangerous and unethical experiment,” more than 4,000 scientists, doctors, nurses and other professionals signed a letter published Wednesday condemning the British government’s plans to drop most pandemic control measures in England on Monday, July 19. Our young have already suffered so much in the past year, and are now being condemned to suffer the consequences …

Asked to Learn to Live with the Virus, Britain Nervously Steps out of Lockdown
3 years, 6 months ago

Asked to Learn to Live with the Virus, Britain Nervously Steps out of Lockdown

News 18  

Britain is now split between excitement and apprehension over the government move to lift the lockdown altogether later this month. People are being advised to make their own decisions on wearing masks, or social distancing, though Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he will wear a mask at public places “as a courtesy”. Johnson says cases are set to rise to …

Analysis: Has the government done all it can to help us ‘live with the virus’?
3 years, 6 months ago

Analysis: Has the government done all it can to help us ‘live with the virus’?

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, …

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