UK coronavirus: Criticism over testing as officials release guidance on who to save first
4 years, 9 months ago

UK coronavirus: Criticism over testing as officials release guidance on who to save first

CNN  

London CNN — The UK will test 100,000 people per day for coronavirus by the end of this month, UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced Thursday. Hancock set out the government’s order of priority for testing people for coronavirus: Patients first, expanding to NHS staff and their families, critical key workers third and “over time we will expand to community.” He said the government intends to reach the target through a five-pillar testing strategy: 1. The latest figures come eight days after Johnson asserted that the UK was “massively ramping up” its nationwide testing program, and would continue to increase the number of tests carried out each week. In France, which has focused testing on those seriously ill in hospital and health workers, the number of tests carried out “averages 9,000 daily,” the National Health Agency told CNN. Older, sicker patients could lose ventilators The BMA said its new guidance had been prepared for doctors who will need to make “grave decisions” about who should receive “scarce lifesaving resources” if the country’s health system is overwhelmed by coronavirus cases.

Health London Coronavirus Germany British Tests Patients Testing Johnson Hancock Nhs Bma Intensive Care Public Health England Cosford  medical  guidance  testing  criticism  tests  patients  total  save  workers  officials  health  release  day  coronavirus  uk

History of this topic

Covid making worrying comeback amid summer surge and Olympics infections, WHO official warns
5 months ago

Covid making worrying comeback amid summer surge and Olympics infections, WHO official warns

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. A top official said the number of people testing positive for Covid across 84 countries …

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 …

Continue COVID-19 testing to check emergence of new virus variants: WHO chief
1 year, 4 months ago

Continue COVID-19 testing to check emergence of new virus variants: WHO chief

The Hindu  

Warning that many countries aren’t testing enough and that new SARS-CoV-2 virus variants may emerge, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, on Wednesday said that testing and being vigilant is vital in continuing the fight against COVID-19. “While COVID is now behind us and India did its best during the time, we can expect new and more …

Matt Hancock arrives to give evidence to Covid-19 inquiry
1 year, 6 months ago

Matt Hancock arrives to give evidence to Covid-19 inquiry

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 Former health secretary Matt Hancock has arrived to give evidence …

‘Jewel in the crown’ Covid-19 infection survey bows out
1 year, 9 months ago

‘Jewel in the crown’ Covid-19 infection survey bows out

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. The long-running coronavirus infection survey, dubbed the “envy of the world” for its success …

Ex-UK health chief defends record after COVID messages leak
1 year, 10 months ago

Ex-UK health chief defends record after COVID messages leak

Associated Press  

LONDON — Britain’s former health minister on Wednesday denied wrongdoing after a newspaper published extracts of private messages he sent in the first weeks of the coronavirus pandemic. The Daily Telegraph said the exchanges show that then-Health Secretary Matt Hancock ignored scientific advice to test everyone entering nursing homes for COVID-19. Hancock said the WhatsApp messages had been deceptively edited, …

Coronavirus test centres can close, self-testing can stop, advisors say
1 year, 10 months ago

Coronavirus test centres can close, self-testing can stop, advisors say

Dutch News  

The government’s coronavirus advisory team says mass testing at regional centres can be wound down and that the recommendation to use self tests if people have symptoms can be dropped. In its 146th set of recommendations since the pandemic began three years ago, the Outbreak Management Team says the Omicron variant of the coronavirus and its sub variants is now …

Coronavirus test centres can close, self-testing can stop, advisors say
1 year, 10 months ago

Coronavirus test centres can close, self-testing can stop, advisors say

Dutch News  

The government’s coronavirus advisory team says mass testing at regional centres can be wound down and that the recommendation to use self tests if people have symptoms can be dropped. In its 146th set of recommendations since the pandemic began three years ago, the Outbreak Management Team says the Omicron variant of the coronavirus and its sub variants is now …

UK government considers Covid testing travellers from China amid virus surge
2 years ago

UK government considers Covid testing travellers from China amid virus surge

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. “But what the Italians are doing is post-flight surveillance of arrivals in Italy in …

Covid cases in UK are rising again: 1 in 35 people in England now infected
2 years, 2 months ago

Covid cases in UK are rising again: 1 in 35 people in England now infected

Hindustan Times  

Coronavirus cases are rising in the UK with infections increasing in all regions in England in the last week, except the northeast, Sky News reported quoting government experts. This marks the fourth consecutive increase in infections in England as the estimated number of people testing positive for Covid was 1,513,700, equating to 2.78 per cent of the population. "Infections have …

Covid cases surge across UK again as one in 35 people in England now has virus
2 years, 2 months ago

Covid cases surge across UK again as one in 35 people in England now has virus

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email 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. In England, the estimated number of people testing positive was …

‘Record-high’ 892,000 people living with long Covid for a year, figures show
2 years, 4 months ago

‘Record-high’ 892,000 people living with long Covid for a year, figures show

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 Close to one million people in the UK have been living …

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. …

Coronavirus infections rise 70% as fears of a new wave grow
2 years, 6 months ago

Coronavirus infections rise 70% as fears of a new wave grow

Dutch News  

The number of confirmed coronavirus infections in the Netherlands has risen for the third week in a row, and more people have been admitted to a hospital intensive care ward, public health institute RIVM said on Tuesday. Warnings On Monday, the Netherlands’ two biggest employers’ organisations made a public appeal to get people to start keeping to the basic coronavirus …

Coronavirus infections rise 70% as fears of a new wave grow
2 years, 6 months ago

Coronavirus infections rise 70% as fears of a new wave grow

Dutch News  

The number of confirmed coronavirus infections in the Netherlands has risen for the third week in a row, and more people have been admitted to a hospital intensive care ward, public health institute RIVM said on Tuesday. Warnings On Monday, the Netherlands’ two biggest employers’ organisations made a public appeal to get people to start keeping to the basic coronavirus …

Minister won't guarantee no lockdowns if new coronavirus variant hits
2 years, 6 months ago

Minister won't guarantee no lockdowns if new coronavirus variant hits

Dutch News  

Dutch health minister Ernst Kuipers has said he cannot guarantee that a new lockdown will not be imposed in the Netherlands because of the risk that a new, more infectious and problematic variant of coronavirus will hit. Vaccinations The minister also told MPs on Thursday that he is not concerned about regional health board capacity to carry out a new …

Minister won't guarantee no lockdowns if new coronavirus variant hits
2 years, 6 months ago

Minister won't guarantee no lockdowns if new coronavirus variant hits

Dutch News  

Dutch health minister Ernst Kuipers has said he cannot guarantee that a new lockdown will not be imposed in the Netherlands because of the risk that a new, more infectious and problematic variant of coronavirus will hit. Vaccinations The minister also told MPs on Thursday that he is not concerned about regional health board capacity to carry out a new …

Fewer than 500 people are now hospitalised with coronavirus
2 years, 7 months ago

Fewer than 500 people are now hospitalised with coronavirus

Dutch News  

The number of coronavirus patients being treated in Dutch hospitals fell below 500 on Thursday, for the first time since October 2021. The number of people testing positive for coronavirus fell to 10,000 last week but the figure is no longer an accurate representation of the spread of the virus, given that people are no longer been recommended to have …

Fewer than 500 people are now hospitalised with coronavirus
2 years, 7 months ago

Fewer than 500 people are now hospitalised with coronavirus

Dutch News  

The number of coronavirus patients being treated in Dutch hospitals fell below 500 on Thursday, for the first time since October 2021. The number of people testing positive for coronavirus fell to 10,000 last week but the figure is no longer an accurate representation of the spread of the virus, given that people are no longer been recommended to have …

‘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 …

Covid-19: NHS Adds Nine New Symptoms To The Official List In UK
2 years, 9 months ago

Covid-19: NHS Adds Nine New Symptoms To The Official List In UK

News 18  

We have been tackling the coronavirus pandemic for two years now, and every few months, with the arrival of a new variant, comes a fresh list of symptoms. Recently, the World Health Organization issued a fresh warning regarding the new Covid-19 mutant variant, XE, which was first detected in the United Kingdom on January 19 this year. And a BBC …

UK hits record COVID-19 levels; nearly 5 million infected
2 years, 9 months ago

UK hits record COVID-19 levels; nearly 5 million infected

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. Please try again later {{ …

Scientists fear U.K. is easing coronavirus testing and monitoring too soon
2 years, 9 months ago

Scientists fear U.K. is easing coronavirus testing and monitoring too soon

LA Times  

A lab assistant points at charts of a sequenced coronavirus sample at the Wellcome Sanger Institute in England. Britain is now ending some testing and monitoring programs, a move some scientists fear will complicate efforts to track the virus and detect worrisome new variants. After dropping nearly all coronavirus restrictions last month, Britain is now ending some of its most …

WHO leader ‘very concerned’ over the UK’s dismantling of Covid testing
2 years, 9 months ago

WHO leader ‘very concerned’ over the UK’s dismantling of 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 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. Mr Anil Soni, chief executive of the WHO Foundation, …

At long last, WHO issues coronavirus testing advice
2 years, 9 months ago

At long last, WHO issues coronavirus testing advice

LA Times  

A woman is tested for a coronavirus infection at the Lenasia South Hospital near Johannesburg in South Africa. The advice comes months after critics said the lack of recommendations from the global health agency was compromising efforts to stop the pandemic in poor countries. At a press briefing on Wednesday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the agency was concerned …

Covid-19 infections above pre-Christmas levels – but falling in England
2 years, 10 months ago

Covid-19 infections above pre-Christmas levels – but falling in England

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. It comes as Transport for London dropped a mandatory face mask rule for buses …

'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 …

Boris Johnson scraps remaining COVID restrictions in England
2 years, 10 months ago

Boris Johnson scraps remaining COVID restrictions in England

Associated Press  

LONDON — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is scrapping the last domestic coronavirus restrictions in England, including the requirement for people with COVID-19 to self-isolate, even as he acknowledged Monday the potential for new and more deadly variants of the virus. “But it is the day when all the efforts of the last two years finally enabled us to protect …

Boris Johnson says scrapping Covid isolation requirements is ‘moment of pride’
2 years, 10 months ago

Boris Johnson says scrapping Covid isolation requirements is ‘moment of pride’

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email 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. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Boris Johnson has …

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, …

Britain scraps all testing requirements for vaccinated travelers
2 years, 10 months ago

Britain scraps all testing requirements for vaccinated travelers

LA Times  

Vaccinated travelers can enter Britain without taking any coronavirus tests starting Friday, after the government scrapped one of the final restrictions imposed over the past two years in response to COVID-19. Andrew Flintham, managing director of travel group Tui UK, said there was “a huge pent-up demand for international travel,” and people were rushing to book getaways for the February …

England looks to fast-track plans to scrap self-isolation after positive COVID-19 test
2 years, 10 months ago

England looks to fast-track plans to scrap self-isolation after positive COVID-19 test

ABC  

England could scrap self-isolation for those who have tested positive for COVID-19 at the end of the month. Key points: England is set to end self-isolation periods for those who test positive for COVID-19 by the end of February PM Boris Johnson said the plan was brought forward as part of the strategy of "living with COVID" Mr Johnson is …

Sweden ends coronavirus testing along with all pandemic restrictions
2 years, 11 months ago

Sweden ends coronavirus testing along with all pandemic restrictions

LA Times  

Sweden has halted wide-scale testing for the coronavirus even among people showing COVID-19 symptoms, putting an end to the pop-up tents, drive-in swab centers and home-delivered tests that became ubiquitous during the pandemic and provided essential data for tracking its spread. Bharat Pankhania, a senior clinical lecturer at the University of Exeter Medical School in England, said that with a …

UK to drop COVID-19 testing requirements for fully vaccinated travellers
2 years, 11 months ago

UK to drop COVID-19 testing requirements for fully vaccinated travellers

ABC  

The British government will scrap coronavirus testing requirements for fully vaccinated travellers from next month, a decision the travel industry has hailed as a major step towards normality. Key points: From February 11, fully vaccinated travellers will no longer be required to take a COVID-19 test when arriving in the UK The travel industry has welcomed the decision, saying it …

UK to lift travel test requirements for the vaccinated
2 years, 11 months ago

UK to lift travel test requirements for the vaccinated

Associated Press  

LONDON — The British government announced Monday that it is scrapping coronavirus travel testing requirements for the vaccinated, news hailed by the travel industry as a big step back to normality. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that “to show that this country is open for business, open for travelers, you will see changes so that people arriving no longer have …

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 UK: Britons CANCEL pre-Christmas plans as public heeds Whitty's Omicron warning
3 years ago

Covid UK: Britons CANCEL pre-Christmas plans as public heeds Whitty's Omicron warning

Daily Mail  

Millions of Britons have axed their festive plans so they can see family on Christmas Day after Boris Johnson and Chris Whitty triggered a 'tsunamis of cancellations' for pubs and restaurants by urging the country only to socialise if necessary - and not in large groups or with strangers. And doubling down on the Prime Minister's inference that people must …

UK records highest ever daily number of coronavirus cases amid Omicron scare
3 years ago

UK records highest ever daily number of coronavirus cases amid Omicron scare

India TV News  

Highlights UK on Wednesday recorded highest ever Covid cases since pandemic began amid Omicron scare Experts say Omicron will become dominant variant in Europe by mid-January European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU is well prepared to fight omicron United Kingdom has recorded the highest-ever daily number of coronavirus cases 78,610 since the beginning of the pandemic, …

Omicron spreading so fast it threatens Britain’s hospitals
3 years ago

Omicron spreading so fast it threatens Britain’s hospitals

Associated Press  

LONDON — The omicron variant is spreading so rapidly it has the potential to overwhelm Britain’s hospitals, highlighting the need to strengthen coronavirus restrictions and speed up the delivery of booster vaccine shots, the country’s health minister said Tuesday. “We’ll keep straining every sinew to make sure we can reach that target.” Vaccinations centers throughout the U.K. put 562,800 shots …

No plans for new COVID-19 restrictions in U.K. despite increase in new cases, says PM Johnson
3 years ago

No plans for new COVID-19 restrictions in U.K. despite increase in new cases, says PM Johnson

The Hindu  

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is not planning further restrictions in England to contain the significant growth of the Omicron coronavirus variant, his spokesman said on Friday, as Scotland warned the variant could become dominant within days. “There is significant growth of Omicron here in this country and we are seeing early signs of vaccine escape,” the spokesman said, adding …

Confidence in Dutch coronavirus strategy hits all time low
3 years ago

Confidence in Dutch coronavirus strategy hits all time low

Dutch News  

Support for the government’s strategy to deal with coronavirus is now at an all-time low, with just 16% of people positive about what ministers are doing, according to the latest survey by public health institute RIVM. Yet even though 39% were neutral about the approach and 46% negative, the pandemic rules, such as working from home and keeping your distance, …

As Europe virus cases surge, UK plows on with its new normal
3 years, 1 month ago

As Europe virus cases surge, UK plows on with its new normal

Associated Press  

LONDON — The bars are shut in Vienna, and the Christmas market is empty in Munich, as several European nations tighten up or even lock down to combat a spike in coronavirus infections. But while Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned that a “blizzard from the east” could still ruin Britain’s Christmas, many scientists say the wind is now blowing …

New hurdle for COVID-19 home testing -- the holiday season
3 years, 1 month ago

New hurdle for COVID-19 home testing -- the holiday season

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Millions more home tests for COVID-19 are hitting store shelves, but will there be enough for Americans hoping to screen themselves before holiday gatherings? White House officials say the U.S. is on pace to have about 200 million home tests per month by December, quadrupling the number from this summer. Market leader Abbott says it is back to …

Number of Brits falling ill with Covid has dipped by another 10% in a week, symptom app shows
3 years, 1 month ago

Number of Brits falling ill with Covid has dipped by another 10% in a week, symptom app shows

Daily Mail  

Britain's Covid cases fell by a tenth last week, according to the country's largest symptom-tracking study which has sparked fresh hopes restrictions will not be needed before Christmas. King's College London scientists estimated 65,059 people were falling ill with the virus on any given day in the week to November 13, down from 72,546 previously. Graph shows: The proportion of …

Record number of coronavirus cases per day, hospital admissions 'rising fast'
3 years, 1 month ago

Record number of coronavirus cases per day, hospital admissions 'rising fast'

Dutch News  

More than 19,000 people were reported to have tested positive for coronavirus in the Netherlands in the last 24 hours, breaking the previous daily record by almost 3,000. Latest figures from the public health agency RIVM also showed 19.2% of all tests had a positive result, itself a record, while the seven-day average figure climbed to 14,499. If people can’t …

Record number of coronavirus cases per day, hospital admissions 'rising fast'
3 years, 1 month ago

Record number of coronavirus cases per day, hospital admissions 'rising fast'

Dutch News  

More than 19,000 people were reported to have tested positive for coronavirus in the Netherlands in the last 24 hours, breaking the previous daily record by almost 3,000. Latest figures from the public health agency RIVM also showed 19.2% of all tests had a positive result, itself a record, while the seven-day average figure climbed to 14,499. If people can’t …

More than half a million have a free coronavirus test in run up to stricter rules
3 years, 2 months ago

More than half a million have a free coronavirus test in run up to stricter rules

Dutch News  

A record 534,000 coronavirus tests were booked as part of the ‘test for entry’ scheme over the past week, the foundation running the programme said on Monday. Around half the people getting tested said they planned to visit a restaurant, café or club, while 5% were planning to take part in some form of sports. The QR code shows if …

More than half a million have a free coronavirus test in run up to stricter rules
3 years, 2 months ago

More than half a million have a free coronavirus test in run up to stricter rules

Dutch News  

A record 534,000 coronavirus tests were booked as part of the ‘test for entry’ scheme over the past week, the foundation running the programme said on Monday. Around half the people getting tested said they planned to visit a restaurant, café or club, while 5% were planning to take part in some form of sports. The QR code shows if …

UK Encourages Booster Jabs, Resists New Virus Restrictions Even As Covid Cases Rise
3 years, 2 months ago

UK Encourages Booster Jabs, Resists New Virus Restrictions Even As Covid Cases Rise

News 18  

Under pressure from rising infections and alarmed health experts, the British government on Wednesday urged millions of people to get booster vaccine shots but resisted calls to reimpose coronavirus restrictions such as mandatory mask-wearing. British Prime Minister Boris Johnsons Conservative government lifted domestic coronavirus restrictions in July, including mandatory face coverings and social distancing. A plan to require proof of …

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