‘Work from home if you can’ - Government changes advice on return to office as coronavirus cases rise

‘Work from home if you can’ - Government changes advice on return to office as coronavirus cases rise The UK government has changed its stance on returning to the office, with workers to be told to work from home if possible, moving away from their ‘back to work’ campaign. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• This is what a 'circuit breaker' lockdown could look like - and its chances of success Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Northamptonshire's pubs and restaurants face 10pm curfew in PM's latest bid to beat Covid-19 Northamptonshire Telegraph

Northamptonshire's NHS workers call on Government to show its appreciation by giving them an early pay rise

Northamptonshire's NHS workers call on Government to show its appreciation by giving them an early pay rise Health staff across Northamptonshire – including nurses, paramedics, cleaners, domestics and porters – joined in two days of campaigning urging the Government to give an early pay rise of at least £2,000 to every NHS worker. Northamptonshire Telegraph

New Do OD Power and Impact tool

New Do OD Power and Impact tool Access the Do OD team's new tool on the Do OD Organisation Development app, A Conversation About Power. The tool comes after a series of workshops, and a session at their annual conference. Power is a central issue in organisation development roles and work. NHS Employers

Surge in smokers trying to quit see increased success rates in 2020

Surge in smokers trying to quit see increased success rates in 2020 This year’s Stoptober campaign is calling on smokers to put their lungs first and breathe easier ahead of flu season. Public Health England

Update from the UK Chief Medical Officers on the COVID-19 alert level

Update from the UK Chief Medical Officers on the COVID-19 alert level A joint statement from the UK CMOs recommending that the UK COVID-19 alert level move from level 3 to level 4. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Speech: Chief Scientific Advisor and Chief Medical Officer briefing on coronavirus (COVID-19): 21 September 2020 Department of Health and Social Care
• Statement to Parliament: New measures in response to the acceleration of coronavirus Department of Health and Social Care
• Childcare to be exempt from interhousehold mixing restrictions in local areas of intervention Department of Health and Social Care
• Statement to Parliament: New measures in response to the acceleration of coronavirus Department of Health and Social Care

Covid: UK coronavirus alert level ‘moving to 4'

Covid: UK coronavirus alert level ‘moving to 4' The UK's coronavirus alert level is being upgraded from 3 to 4, meaning transmission is "high or rising exponentially", its chief medical officers have said.

It comes after the government's scientific adviser warned there could be 50,000 new coronavirus cases a day by mid-October without further action.

On Monday, a further 4,368 daily cases were reported in the UK, up from 3,899.

The prime minister will make a statement in the Commons on Tuesday. BBC News

See also:

• Covid-19: UK faces 50,000 cases a day by October without action - Vallance BBC News
• Dr Patrick Vallance: 'Epidemic is doubling every seven days' BBC News
• Covid: Pubs and restaurants in England to have 10pm closing times BBC News
• Coronavirus: Hancock on fines for self-isolations rule BBC News
• Covid: Have local lockdowns worked? BBC News
• Human trials of the Oxford coronavirus vaccine are STILL on hold in the US over safety fears The Daily Mail
• Britain records 11 more coronavirus deaths and 4,368 cases The Daily Mail
• What are the five levels of Covid-19 alert in the UK? The Daily Telegraph
• Daily coronavirus tests may not be available on the NHS, Dido Harding suggests The Daily Telegraph
• Follow Covid rules or see UK deaths return to spring levels, minister warns The Guardian
• Some hospitals in England to be kept Covid-free in second wave The Guardian 
• Coronavirus: NHS app will carry out contact-tracing, government admits - hours after saying it would not The Independent
• Teachers, NHS and care staff given priority for Covid-19 tests under new rationing plan iNews
• Daily 'moonshot' tests for Covid-19 will not be given out by NHS - the public will have to pay iNews

Flu jab 'more important than ever' this winter

Flu jab 'more important than ever' this winter People are being advised to get a flu jab to help protect against the "double danger" of flu and coronavirus.

Research shows people can catch both diseases at the same time, with serious and sometimes deadly consequences.

More people will be offered a free flu vaccine this year - anyone over 50 in England is eligible. BBC News

Infected blood scandal: Treasury refuses to publish key documents

Infected blood scandal: Treasury refuses to publish key documents Response to FoI request from victim’s son says disclosure may attract ‘disruptive’ media coverage

The Treasury is refusing to publish key documents about the treatment of haemophiliacs infected by the NHS with HIV on the grounds that it would be “disruptive” and material might be “distorted” by the media. The Guardian