Coronavirus: U.K. defends virus plan as ‘wartime’ measures loom
4 years, 9 months ago

Coronavirus: U.K. defends virus plan as ‘wartime’ measures loom

The Hindu  

Britain on Sunday said its criticised plan to deal with COVID-19 was designed to “protect life” in a “sustainable” manner as it prepared to unveil “wartime-style” measures to tackle the outbreak. “We’ll take the right action at the right time,” he said, adding “the time is coming.” Critics have accused the government of not acting quickly enough to contain the spread, but the government has said that it is taking the advice of experts, including behavioural scientists, on when to deploy the measures. Chief medical officer Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance are waiting for the “optimal time” to deploy the “painful” measures, it added, believing that fatigue will set in and that old people could die of neglect if they move too early. There has also been some confusion about Mr. Vallance’s suggestion on Thursday that they wanted enough people to catch the virus to build up “herd immunity”.

Virus Hancock Measures  right  sky  virus  sustainable  plan  hancock  wartime  protect  scientific  coronavirus  defends  wartimestyle  loom  told  measures  uk

History of this topic

Britain needs a ‘vaccine taskforce’ to prepare for the next pandemic, Lords warn
1 month ago

Britain needs a ‘vaccine taskforce’ to prepare for the next pandemic, Lords warn

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 Britain needs a “peacetime vaccine task force” to prepare for the …

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 …

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 …

World leaders to meet to discuss threat of hypothetical ‘Disease X’ in Davos
11 months, 3 weeks ago

World leaders to meet to discuss threat of hypothetical ‘Disease X’ in Davos

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. It’s known by the placeholder name of Disease X, …

Chris Whitty: Britain’s Covid plans were ‘woefully deficient’ – even for a flu pandemic
1 year, 1 month ago

Chris Whitty: Britain’s Covid plans were ‘woefully deficient’ – even for a flu pandemic

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 }} Britain’s pandemic plans …

The UK took action too late during COVID-19 pandemic’s first wave, its top medical officer says
1 year, 1 month ago

The UK took action too late during COVID-19 pandemic’s first wave, its top medical officer says

Associated Press  

LONDON — Britain’s government was too late in taking action against the coronavirus during the first wave of the pandemic in 2020, the U.K.'s chief medical adviser said Tuesday in testimony to the independent COVID-19 inquiry. He said he had been concerned in particular about longer-term impacts on the poorest people and those living alone, and described the difficulties in …

COVID returns? Hospitalisation hits record high in THIS country | DEETS INSIDE
1 year, 2 months ago

COVID returns? Hospitalisation hits record high in THIS country | DEETS INSIDE

India TV News  

As winter approaches, health authorities in the United Kingdom have issued a warning for its citizens to prepare for another wave of COVID-19. UK Health Security Agency has claimed that the cases will 'further increase' as the season progresses, along with other 'winter respiratory viruses like flu'. As we enter the colder months and people begin to mix more indoors, …

New Covid wave has begun in UK and masks should be worn again, warn scientists
1 year, 4 months ago

New Covid wave has begun in UK and masks should be worn again, warn scientists

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 Rates have risen since early July Prof Pagel predicted the …

Nearly 36 million in Europe may have experienced long Covid, World Health Organization official says
1 year, 6 months ago

Nearly 36 million in Europe may have experienced long Covid, World Health Organization official says

Hindustan Times  

Nearly 36 million people in Europe may have had long-lasting health problems from coronavirus infections they got during the first three years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization's regional director said Tuesday. Statistics from the University of Washington researchers indicate that about one in 30 of the region's residents have experienced “long COVID.” in the past three years. …

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 …

UK ‘underprepared for severe pandemic because of planning for no-deal Brexit’
1 year, 6 months ago

UK ‘underprepared for severe pandemic because of planning for no-deal Brexit’

The Independent  

Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight 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. Hugo …

COVID-19 inquiry in UK asks whether ‘terrible consequences’ could have been avoided or reduced
1 year, 6 months ago

COVID-19 inquiry in UK asks whether ‘terrible consequences’ could have been avoided or reduced

Associated Press  

LONDON — A mammoth three-year public inquiry into the U.K. government’s handling of the response to COVID-19 opened Tuesday by asking if some suffering and death could have been avoided with better planning — and whether Britain’s complex, protracted exit from the European Union distracted authorities from preparing for potential threats. Lawyer Hugo Keith, who is counsel to the inquiry, …

Covid-19 Inquiry: People encouraged to share pandemic experiences
1 year, 7 months ago

Covid-19 Inquiry: People encouraged to share pandemic experiences

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 People across the UK have been urged to share their …

Learn from missteps in Covid’s early days
1 year, 8 months ago

Learn from missteps in Covid’s early days

Hindustan Times  

Covid-19 is no longer a public health emergency, the World Health Organization declared last week, roughly 1,200 days after it first learnt of a new coronavirus spreading through Wuhan, China. Still, WHO’s word is a strong determinant in global health discourse and on this count, the agency fell short in its mission, especially in the early days of the pandemic. …

WHO downgrades COVID pandemic, says it’s no longer emergency
1 year, 8 months ago

WHO downgrades COVID pandemic, says it’s no longer emergency

Associated Press  

GENEVA — The World Health Organization said Friday that COVID-19 no longer qualifies as a global emergency, marking a symbolic end to the devastating coronavirus pandemic that triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended economies and killed millions of people worldwide. The U.N. health agency’s officials said that even though the emergency phase was over, the pandemic hasn’t finished, noting recent spikes in …

COVID-19 no longer a global emergency, says WHO
1 year, 8 months ago

COVID-19 no longer a global emergency, says WHO

The Hindu  

The World Health Organization said on May 5 that COVID-19 no longer qualifies as a global emergency, marking a symbolic end to the devastating coronavirus pandemic that triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended economies worldwide and killed at least 7 million people worldwide. “It's with great hope that I declare COVID-19 over as a global health emergency,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus …

World Health Organisation downgrades Covid pandemic: 'No longer global emergency'
1 year, 8 months ago

World Health Organisation downgrades Covid pandemic: 'No longer global emergency'

Hindustan Times  

The World Health Organization said Friday that COVID-19 no longer qualifies as a global emergency, marking a symbolic end to the devastating coronavirus pandemic that triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended economies worldwide and killed at least 7 million people worldwide. “It’s with great hope that I declare COVID-19 over as a global health emergency,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. “That …

COVID-19 is no longer a global emergency, World Health Organization says
1 year, 8 months ago

COVID-19 is no longer a global emergency, World Health Organization says

LA Times  

The World Health Organization said Friday that COVID-19 no longer qualifies as a global emergency, marking a symbolic end to the devastating pandemic that triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended economies and killed at least 7 million people worldwide. “It’s with great hope that I declare COVID-19 over as a global health emergency,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. “That does not …

Covid symptoms UK: 10 most common symptoms as UK cases rise
1 year, 9 months ago

Covid symptoms UK: 10 most common symptoms as UK cases rise

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. open image in gallery People walk past messages written on The National Covid Memorial Wall, …

Final Covid-19 data shows infections in England highest since start of year
1 year, 9 months ago

Final Covid-19 data shows infections in England highest since start of year

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 final official estimates of Covid-19 in the UK show …

‘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 …

WHO Says Covid-19 Remains 'Global Health Emergency'
1 year, 11 months ago

WHO Says Covid-19 Remains 'Global Health Emergency'

News 18  

The Covid-19 pandemic continues to be a “global health emergency” and the deadly virus will remain a “permanently established pathogen” in humans and animals for the foreseeable future, according to the World Health Organisation. “Three years ago today, I declared a public health emergency of international concern over the global spread of COVID-19 – the highest level of alarm under …

UK health chiefs crank up plans for spring AND autumn Covid vaccine roll-outs
1 year, 11 months ago

UK health chiefs crank up plans for spring AND autumn Covid vaccine roll-outs

Daily Mail  

It means that millions of Britons will have had an eighth vaccine by next winter Britain's universal Covid vaccine programme will be wound down this year as the country settles into post-pandemic life. Those who are older and those who are immunosuppressed should also receive an extra booster vaccine dose this spring, they advised Latest government data shows that 64.5 …

Lessons From COVID: What The World Needs to Learn to Tackle Future Pandemics
1 year, 11 months ago

Lessons From COVID: What The World Needs to Learn to Tackle Future Pandemics

The Quint  

The costly lesson from COVID: why elimination should be the default global strategy for future pandemics Getty Images Imagine it is 2030. An upgraded pandemic response to eliminate at source The process by which the WHO currently decides whether to declare a public health emergency of international concern has drawn criticism for being too slow. Elimination makes sense for other …

The covert winter wave of Covid-19
1 year, 11 months ago

The covert winter wave of Covid-19

BBC  

The covert winter wave of Covid-19 Getty Images The coronavirus that caused the pandemic has largely vanished from public discourse – but it's still causing deaths. "We've come to really pay attention when there are very large spikes," says Denis Nash, an epidemiologist at the City University of New York. "The people we’re seeing hospitalised tend to be those who …

Could the UK impose new Covid travel restrictions?
2 years ago

Could the UK impose new Covid travel restrictions?

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Pre-departure testing and the requirement to show a negative test result has been shown to decrease the number of infected …

U.K. to stop publishing coronavirus data for ‘living with COVID’ phase
2 years ago

U.K. to stop publishing coronavirus data for ‘living with COVID’ phase

The Hindu  

The U.K. health authorities said on December 26 that they will stop publishing their regular COVID-19 infections modelling data in the new year because it is seen as “no longer necessary” as the country moves to a phase of living with the virus with the help of vaccines and medicines. “During the pandemic, the R value and growth rate served …

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 …

More Efforts Required To Save Lives as COVID-19 Threat Continues: Study
2 years, 1 month ago

More Efforts Required To Save Lives as COVID-19 Threat Continues: Study

News 18  

The COVID-19 pandemic has put unprecedented strain on the worldwide healthcare system. Although some countries have made progress, particular efforts and resources are still needed to save lives as SARS-CoV-2 continues to circulate among us, according to new research, as per a PTI report. One of the six primary areas for action, selected by a wide panel of interdisciplinary experts …

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-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 …

Covid-19 vaccination campaign held back by poor planning, safety board finds
2 years, 2 months ago

Covid-19 vaccination campaign held back by poor planning, safety board finds

Dutch News  

The Dutch vaccination programme against Covid-19 was held back because the government’s initial plan was too reliant on family doctors, a report by the safety council has concluded. In the second of three reports into the government’s response to the coronavirus crisis, the OVV said preparations to set up vaccination centres through the local health board network only started in …

Covid-19 vaccination campaign held back by poor planning, safety board finds
2 years, 2 months ago

Covid-19 vaccination campaign held back by poor planning, safety board finds

Dutch News  

The Dutch vaccination programme against Covid-19 was held back because the government’s initial plan was too reliant on family doctors, a report by the safety council has concluded. In the second of three reports into the government’s response to the coronavirus crisis, the OVV said preparations to set up vaccination centres through the local health board network only started in …

WHO says new COVID-19 wave emerging in Europe
2 years, 2 months ago

WHO says new COVID-19 wave emerging in Europe

Al Jazeera  

UN agency’s regional data show only Europe with an increase in coronavirus cases in the week that ended October 2 as infections rose 8 percent from the week before. “Although we are not where we were one year ago, it is clear that the COVID-19 pandemic is still not over,” the WHO’s Europe director, Hans Kluge, and the ECDC’s director, …

No need for action now on coronavirus, says public health chief
2 years, 3 months ago

No need for action now on coronavirus, says public health chief

Dutch News  

The Netherlands does not yet need to take any new steps to prevent the spread of coronavirus and the increase in infections over the past two weeks is ‘relatively modest’, Jaap van Dissel, head of the public health institute RIVM told MPs on Wednesday. Van Dissel, who was addressing parliament’s healthcare committee, said most people who are currently infected have …

No need for action now on coronavirus, says public health chief
2 years, 3 months ago

No need for action now on coronavirus, says public health chief

Dutch News  

The Netherlands does not yet need to take any new steps to prevent the spread of coronavirus and the increase in infections over the past two weeks is ‘relatively modest’, Jaap van Dissel, head of the public health institute RIVM told MPs on Wednesday. Van Dissel, who was addressing parliament’s healthcare committee, said most people who are currently infected have …

Time for increased action against COVID-19: WHO Chief Scientist
2 years, 3 months ago

Time for increased action against COVID-19: WHO Chief Scientist

The Hindu  

In light of the World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreysus’ declaration that the end of the COVID-19 pandemic is nigh, nations wonder whether they can let their guard down and resume ‘normalcy’ as it existed pre-pandemic. “As the Director General said: ‘These policy briefs are an urgent call for governments to take a hard look at their policies …

Explained | Is there any end of the COVID-19 pandemic in sight?
2 years, 3 months ago

Explained | Is there any end of the COVID-19 pandemic in sight?

The Hindu  

The story so far: “We are not there yet, but the end is in sight.” At a press conference on September 14, World Health Organization director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: “Last week, the number of weekly reported deaths from COVID-19 was the lowest since March 2020. We have never been in a better position to end the pandemic.” The …

WHO: COVID end ‘in sight,’ deaths at lowest since March 2020
2 years, 3 months ago

WHO: COVID end ‘in sight,’ deaths at lowest since March 2020

Associated Press  

GENEVA — The head of the World Health Organization said Wednesday that the number of coronavirus deaths worldwide last week was the lowest reported in the pandemic since March 2020, marking what could be a turning point in the years-long global outbreak. “Now is the time to run harder and make sure we cross the line and reap all the …

When might ‘cruise’ and ‘carefree’ start to align?
2 years, 4 months ago

When might ‘cruise’ and ‘carefree’ start to align?

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The UK government doesn’t exactly inspire confidence: “Although operators have taken steps to improve infection control, cruise ships continue to …

Is COVID-19 winding down? Scientists say no
2 years, 4 months ago

Is COVID-19 winding down? Scientists say no

LA Times  

Vials of Pfizer’s bivalent COVID-19 vaccine are seen on a production line at a manufacturing facility in Kalamazoo, Mich. Is the coronavirus on its way out? Still, living with COVID-19 “should not necessarily be a scary or bad concept,” since people are getting better at fighting it, Jha said during a recent question-and-answer session with U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders. Topol …

Government urged not to fall behind with pandemic response
2 years, 4 months ago

Government urged not to fall behind with pandemic response

Dutch News  

Government advisers have urged ministers to step up preparations for a potential resurgence of coronavirus in the autumn. A joint report by 14 organisations, led by the Scientific Council for Government Policy, criticised ministers for putting off decisions on controversial measures such as compulsory vaccination and access passes for venues. The temporary law expired in June when the Senate voted …

Government urged not to fall behind with pandemic response
2 years, 4 months ago

Government urged not to fall behind with pandemic response

Dutch News  

Government advisers have urged ministers to step up preparations for a potential resurgence of coronavirus in the autumn. A joint report by 14 organisations, led by the Scientific Council for Government Policy, criticised ministers for putting off decisions on controversial measures such as compulsory vaccination and access passes for venues. The temporary law expired in June when the Senate voted …

‘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 ‘not going away’, WHO warns as death toll this year crosses 10 lakh
2 years, 4 months ago

Covid ‘not going away’, WHO warns as death toll this year crosses 10 lakh

Live Mint  

The World Health Organization's Maria Van Kerkhove on Friday warned that Covid is not going away and it was time for a reality check on the virus after the millionth death from the disease this year. The Covid Technical lead also said the toll was "heartbreaking" because the tests, treatments, vaccines and public health measures to control the disease were …

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 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 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 …

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