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, away from banning certain courses of action, compelling certain courses of action, in favor of encouraging personal responsibility.” But some of the government’s scientific advisers said it was a risky move that could bring a surge in infections and weaken the country’s defenses against more virulent future strains. Now the Conservative government says it will remove “all remaining domestic COVID regulations that restrict public freedoms” as part of a “move away from government intervention to personal responsibility.” The legal requirement to isolate for at least five days after a positive COVID-19 test will be replaced with advisory measures, and the coronavirus will be treated more like the flu as it becomes endemic. The New and Emerging Virus Threats Advisory Group, which advises the government, said last week that the idea viruses become progressively milder “is a common misconception.” It said the milder illness associated with omicron “is likely a chance event” and future variants could be more severe or evade current vaccines.

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History of this topic

Cases of flu ‘rising rapidly’ as Brits urged to get vaccinations
2 weeks, 5 days ago

Cases of flu ‘rising rapidly’ as Brits urged to get vaccinations

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 Cases of winter flu are “rising rapidly” in England as the …

Covid making worrying comeback amid summer surge and Olympics infections, WHO official warns
4 months, 2 weeks 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 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 …

Fury as nearly 4,000 people have been convicted in courts over Covid rule breaches since the pandemic curbs ended in February 2022
7 months ago

Fury as nearly 4,000 people have been convicted in courts over Covid rule breaches since the pandemic curbs ended in February 2022

Daily Mail  

Campaigners reacted with fury today as it emerged nearly 4,000 people have been convicted for breaking Covid rules since all restrictions were lifted more than two years ago. The legal requirement to self-isolate following a positive test ended in February 2022, meaning no one could have been prosecuted for a Covid offence carried out after this date. This brings the …

Why is whooping cough surging in the UK? Falling vaccination rates may be the answer
7 months, 1 week ago

Why is whooping cough surging in the UK? Falling vaccination rates may be the answer

Hindustan Times  

A large outbreak of pertussis has been ongoing in the UK since the beginning of 2024. Sadly, five infant deaths due to whooping cough have been confirmed, with unconfirmed reports that a sixth infant may have died in the last week of the bacterial infection. The reason whooping cough is so infectious is in part due to pertussis having a …

COVID-19 update: WHO asks nations to strengthen surveillance as coronavirus cases rise
1 year ago

COVID-19 update: WHO asks nations to strengthen surveillance as coronavirus cases rise

India TV News  

COVID-19 update: The World Health Organisation has urged countries in South-East Asia to strengthen surveillance given the increasing cases of respiratory diseases, including due to COVID-19 and its new sub-variant JN.1, and influenza. "For this, countries must strengthen surveillance and sequencing, and ensure sharing of data," said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, regional director, WHO South-East Asia. "As people travel and …

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

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 …

Flu and Covid-19 hospital admissions in England remain lower than last year
1 year, 1 month ago

Flu and Covid-19 hospital admissions in England remain lower than last 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 Flu and Covid-19 hospital admissions in England have fallen and …

Flu and Covid warning ahead of seasonal spike in cases
1 year, 1 month ago

Flu and Covid warning ahead of seasonal spike in cases

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 Flu and Covid-19 hospital admission rates in England are lower than …

Up to 167,000 people caught Covid in hospital in second wave of pandemic – study
1 year, 2 months ago

Up to 167,000 people caught Covid in hospital in second wave of pandemic – study

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. “The findings also point to ways we might be …

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, …

Covid cases double in a month as scientists warn about spread of new variants
1 year, 3 months ago

Covid cases double in a month as scientists warn about spread of new variants

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 cases in England have almost doubled in a month after …

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 …

Fast-spreading new coronavirus strain dubbed ‘variant of interest’
1 year, 4 months ago

Fast-spreading new coronavirus strain dubbed ‘variant of interest’

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 The World Health Organisation has classified a fast-spreading coronavirus strain circulating …

New COVID strain 'Eris' sweeping the US and UK is declared a 'variant of interest' by World Health Organization
1 year, 4 months ago

New COVID strain 'Eris' sweeping the US and UK is declared a 'variant of interest' by World Health Organization

Daily Mail  

The World Health Organization today classified the EG.5 coronavirus strain circulating in the US and UK as a 'variant of interest'. Recent deaths have also remained static and are at their lowest levels since Covid emerged, at around 500 per week The proportion of Covid cases in the US that are due to the EG.5 variant has increased, with it …

NHS flu jabs and Covid boosters to be scrapped for millions
1 year, 4 months ago

NHS flu jabs and Covid boosters to be scrapped for millions

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. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Free flu …

New Covid variant Eris detected in Maharashtra; should India be worried? What experts say
1 year, 4 months ago

New Covid variant Eris detected in Maharashtra; should India be worried? What experts say

Hindustan Times  

New Covid variant EG.5.1 or Eris that has been adding to the surge of Coronavirus cases in UK has also been causing slight increase in Coronavirus caseload in Maharashtra. The new Covid strain Eris has increased hospitalisation cases among elderly in UK and while there is no need to panic, it's imperative to keep a close watch on it. The …

UK Covid cases rise amid waning immunity
1 year, 4 months ago

UK Covid cases rise amid waning immunity

The Telegraph  

Official figures for Covid cases in the UK have crept up in recent weeks because of waning immunity and bad weather keeping people indoors, according to experts. Its records show that 3.7 per cent of 4,403 respiratory specimens were identified as Covid, compared with 3.6 per cent of 4,535 cases two weeks earlier. The Zoe Health Study, which takes its …

UK officials warn low measles immunization rates could lead to tens of thousands of cases in London
1 year, 5 months ago

UK officials warn low measles immunization rates could lead to tens of thousands of cases in London

Associated Press  

LONDON — Britain’s Health Security Agency said on Friday that measles vaccination rates in parts of London have dropped so low that the capital could see tens of thousands of cases of the rash-causing disease unless immunization coverage is quickly boosted. The Health Security Agency said that although the risk of an outbreak across the U.K. was low, the current …

EU urges keeping cats and dogs inside amid record cases of brid flu
1 year, 5 months ago

EU urges keeping cats and dogs inside amid record cases of brid flu

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 European Food Safety Authority …

Nearly 36 million in Europe may have experienced long Covid, World Health Organization official says
1 year, 5 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, 5 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 …

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, 6 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 …

Benefits of original Covid lockdown were 'a drop in the bucket compared to the costs'
1 year, 6 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 …

Mapped: Worst areas in UK for Covid cases amid fears over new Arcturus variant
1 year, 8 months ago

Mapped: Worst areas in UK for Covid cases amid fears over new Arcturus variant

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. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} England’s North …

England rolls out spring Covid-19 booster shots for vulnerable groups
1 year, 8 months ago

England rolls out spring Covid-19 booster shots for vulnerable groups

Firstpost  

The National Health Service said others eligible can book in on the UK’s National Booking Service or the NHS App from next Wednesday, with the first appointments available from April 17 London: Around five million people in England will be eligible for a spring Covid-19 booster vaccine, including over 75-year-olds, those with a weakened immune system, and care home residents, …

Covid symptoms UK: 10 most common symptoms as UK cases rise
1 year, 8 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, …

‘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 …

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 …

World Health Organisation issues fresh Covid guidelines: 6 things to know
1 year, 11 months ago

World Health Organisation issues fresh Covid guidelines: 6 things to know

Hindustan Times  

The World Health Organisation issued new guidelines for those who contract the Covid virus amid spread of new variants in several countries. The health agency said that it has updated its guidelines on “mask wearing in community settings, Covid-19 treatments, and clinical management.” WHO also urged everyone to continue wearing masks and take boosters doses of Covid vaccines in order …

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 …

Christmas Covid infections spiked to highest level since summer
1 year, 11 months ago

Christmas Covid infections spiked to highest level since summer

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. Just shy of 6,000 people entered English hospitals with coronavirus in the week to 2 …

Could the UK impose new Covid travel restrictions?
1 year, 11 months 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 …

Scientists play down concerns over China's Covid surge
1 year, 11 months ago

Scientists play down concerns over China's Covid surge

Daily Mail  

One of the Government's top scientific advisers has played down fears about China's surge in Covid cases and suggested fresh border restrictions are not necessary. Travellers arrived at London's Heathrow Airport on a flight from Shanghai yesterday The Government is so far resisting calls - including from two former health ministers - to reintroduce fresh border restrictions The US, Italy …

France, UK join growing list of countries in imposing COVID curbs
1 year, 11 months ago

France, UK join growing list of countries in imposing COVID curbs

Al Jazeera  

Visitors from China will be required to test negative for COVID-19 before boarding flights. With such a system, new variants of the coronavirus can be detected and appropriate measures taken quickly, the minister said, adding that it was “not yet necessary” for routine tests on passengers from China as all variants currently seen are already known. ‘Discriminatory’ restrictions condemned Outside …

U.K. to stop publishing coronavirus data for ‘living with COVID’ phase
1 year, 11 months 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
1 year, 11 months 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 …

WHO “very concerned” about reports of severe COVID in China
2 years ago

WHO “very concerned” about reports of severe COVID in China

Associated Press  

GENEVA — The head of the World Health Organization said the agency is “very concerned” about rising reports of severe coronavirus disease across China after the country largely abandoned its “zero COVID” policy, warning that its lagging vaccination rate could result in large numbers of vulnerable people getting infected. At a press briefing on Wednesday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus …

What is the situation in the UK with flu this winter?
2 years ago

What is the situation in the UK with flu this winter?

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. People with flu are advised to let their body rest, get some sleep, stay …

COVID, flu, RSV–Triple threat of respiratory viruses could collide this winter
2 years, 1 month ago

COVID, flu, RSV–Triple threat of respiratory viruses could collide this winter

The Hindu  

As the days get shorter and the weather colder in the northern hemisphere, health officials have warned of a perfect storm of infectious respiratory diseases over the winter months. Outbreaks of seasonal diseases like influenza and respiratory syncytial virus are already putting pressure on the overburdened NHS. Influenza Seasonal influenza is a respiratory infection caused by four types of viruses, …

‘Mixed picture’ for Covid infections but rise in England may have levelled off
2 years, 1 month ago

‘Mixed picture’ for Covid infections but rise in England may have levelled off

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 {{ …

Over 2 million people in the UK Covid positive in October: Report
2 years, 2 months ago

Over 2 million people in the UK Covid positive in October: Report

Hindustan Times  

More than 2 million people in the UK are estimated to have had Covid in early October, a report said citing latest figures from the office for national statistics. About one in 30 people in England- 3.1% of the population- had Covid in the week ending 10 October which was an increase from one in 35 a week before, Guardian …

Bird flu ‘prevention zone’ declared across Britain as cases rise
2 years, 2 months ago

Bird flu ‘prevention zone’ declared across Britain as cases rise

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy An avian flu “prevention zone” has been declared across Great Britain in the face of …

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 …

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 …

No Covid restrictions needed yet, Health Min. says as vaccinations open to everyone 12+
2 years, 2 months ago

No Covid restrictions needed yet, Health Min. says as vaccinations open to everyone 12+

NL Times  

Companies and organizations don’t have to take measures against the coronavirus yet but are free to do so if they wish. People between the ages of 40 and 60 can make an appointment next week, and “in principle the week after,” everyone from 12 to 40 can do so, Kuipers said. But according to Kuipers, it is ‘not yet necessary …

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, …

Covid-19 UK: Coronavirus infections jump 29% in a week in England
2 years, 2 months ago

Covid-19 UK: Coronavirus infections jump 29% in a week in England

Daily Mail  

Health chiefs have started cranking up their Covid advice as the virus continues its resurgence ahead of the winter. The figure was up 29 per cent on the 857,400 thought to have the virus daily in the week before Covid was most prevalent in the over-70s, of whom 2.5 per cent tested positive for the virus in the most recent …

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