A dozen children under five among nearly 850 Covid-19 patients in 142 days at Northampton General Hospital

A dozen children under five among nearly 850 Covid-19 patients in 142 days at Northampton General Hospital NHS staff on the Covid-19 front line Northampton General Hospital dealt with nearly 850 patients during 142 days of the pandemic — including a dozen youngsters under five-years-old. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• Four Northampton primary schools share how they are ready for the return of all children Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Mayor of Northampton thanks volunteers who have helped more than 1,000 people during the pandemic Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Will Wollaston's Covid-19 mortuary become Northamptonshire's permanent facility? Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Coronavirus rates in north Northants remain "significantly higher" than England rate Northamptonshire Telegraph

How Covid-19 has magnified some of social care’s key problems

How Covid-19 has magnified some of social care’s key problems  The pandemic has shone an uncompromising light on the social care sector. In this long read Simon Bottery explores how Covid-19 has exacerbated pre-existing challenges. The King's Fund

Fixing social care: the fundamental choice

Fixing social care: the fundamental choice This report weighs up the three leading options for social care reform, ranking them by cost, political feasibility and impact on supply. It concludes that, of the options being considered, a pension-style model would be most cost-effective, while also increasing supply and meeting the increasing demand for social care. It would also better protect people’s assets and benefit a greater number of families. Centre for Policy Studies

Greater Manchester coronavirus rules 'illogical', mayor says

Greater Manchester coronavirus rules 'illogical', mayor says Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has blasted the easing of coronavirus restrictions in parts of northern England as "completely illogical".

Measures were lifted overnight in Bolton, Stockport and Trafford despite concerns from some local councils. BBC News

See also:

• NIH panel says not enough data showing plasma therapy is effective at treating coronavirus The Daily Mail
• AstraZeneca begins final trials of Oxford University coronavirus vaccine enrolling 50,000 people The Daily Mail
• NHS workers with no mask won't be paid if they need to self-isolate, warns hospital head The Daily Telegraph
• Good news for vaccine - coronavirus-fighting antibodies last longer than scientists thought The Daily Telegraph
• British holidaymakers heading to Portugal should 'only travel if they are content to unexpectedly quarantine' warns UK Ambassador The Daily Telegraph
• England test and trace system in global 'top tranche', says Hancock The Guardian
• As a paramedic in England, I’m shocked at assaults on ambulance staff during Covid The Guardian
• Coronavirus: Europe can ‘learn to live with’ Covid-19 through local lockdowns, says WHO director The Independent

Health leaders warn Boris Johnson over axing of Public Health England

Health leaders warn Boris Johnson over axing of Public Health England More than 70 organisations have written to the prime minister with concerns about the future of health improvement

The abolition of Public Health England will damage the fight against obesity, smoking and alcohol misuse, the UK’s doctors and public health experts have told the prime minister. The Guardian

NHS increasingly reliant on GPs aged over 55 as workforce crisis grows

NHS increasingly reliant on GPs aged over 55 as workforce crisis grows General practice is becoming increasingly reliant on doctors aged over 55 at a time when early retirements in the profession have surged, GPonline analysis of official workforce data shows. GPonline