More than 150 now dead as Northamptonshire's Covid-19 death tolls keeps rising

More than 150 now dead as Northamptonshire's Covid-19 death tolls keeps rising The number of Covid-19 victims in Northamptonshire passed another grim milestone with more than 150 now dead in the county.

Seven more victims between Easter Sunday and Wednesday (April 15) means frontline staff Northampton General Hospital have now seen 93 patients die since the outbreak began last month. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Psychiatric hospitals in Northampton report six deaths between them since outbreak of coronavirus Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Northants GPs face challenge of switching to phone and video appointments
• Number of confirmed Covid-19 deaths at Northampton General Hospital rises to 106 Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Meet the seven-year-old Northampton girl who is doing everything she can to raise money for the NHS Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Kettering furniture store staff create hundreds of wash bags for the NHS Northamptonshire Telegraph
• No additional Covid-19 deaths registered at Kettering General Hospital in last 24 hours Northamptonshire Telegraph

Capitalising on the offer of help – volunteering in the Covid-19 crisis

Capitalising on the offer of help – volunteering in the Covid-19 crisis As we enter the fourth week of ‘lockdown’, it’s hard to comprehend the unprecedented changes happening in health and care. The weekly ‘clap for care’ is now a feature in most of our communities, reflecting the public’s appreciation of the huge sacrifice that staff are making. But equally notable is the number of people in those communities who have volunteered support to those around them and to organisations providing that care. The King's Fund

Guidance: COVID-19: guidance for stepdown of infection control precautions within hospitals and discharging COVID-19 patients from hospital to home settings

Guidance: COVID-19: guidance for stepdown of infection control precautions within hospitals and discharging COVID-19 patients from hospital to home settings This guidance provides advice on appropriate infection prevention and control (IPC) precautions for patients recovering or recovered from COVID-19 and remaining in hospital, or being discharged to their own home or residential care. Public Health England

See also:

• Guidance: Mental Health Act: exercise of approval instructions 2015 Department of Health and Social Care
• Press release: National testing coordinator warns against unapproved antibody tests Department of Health and Social Care
• Press release: Government launches Vaccine Taskforce to combat coronavirus
• Press release: Olympics chief brought in to boost PPE production Department of Health and Social Care
• Detailed guide: Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: COVID-19: guidance for managing a funeral during the coronavirus pandemic Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19: how to work safely in care homes Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19: infection prevention and control (IPC) Public Health England
• Promises that cannot be delivered just make difficult situation worse NHS Confederation
• Extra funding for councils as important as the money for the health service NHS Confederation
• NHS Nightingale London discharges first patients NHS England
• Extra support for occupational health services NHS Employers

Coronavirus: 'Possible to be infected with Covid-19 more than once'

Coronavirus: 'Possible to be infected with Covid-19 more than once' Scientists working on a coronavirus vaccine in Britain hope to start clinical trials towards the end of next week.

The leader of a team working on a vaccine, Professor Sarah Gilbert, from Oxford University said scientists believed it was possible to become infected with Covid-19 more than once.

She added that a vaccine-induced immunity could last longer than the infected-induced immunity. BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus cases to be tracked by ethnicity BBC News
• Coronavirus: 'Critical' to get protective kit to front line - NHS medical director BBC News
• Coronavirus: Plasma treatment to be trialled BBC News
• Coronavirus: Care home deaths in a week 'double previous month' BBC News
• Coronavirus: Hay-fever symptoms could mimic Covid-19, GPs warn BBC News
• Coronavirus: Personal protective equipment delivery to UK from Turkey delayed BBC News
• Whistleblower nurse says 80 per cent of NHS staff on one hospital ward have caught coronavirus due to lack of PPE protective gear The Daily Mail
• Being overweight puts people at greater risk of being hospitalised with coronavirus The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus UK: Lockdown extended for three more weeks The Daily Mail
• Exclusive: NHS rationing oxygen with doctors instructed to downgrade blood saturation targets The Daily Telegraph
• The care home front line, where a band of workers risk their own health to comfort dying patients The Daily Telegraph
• No evidence that people who have survived coronavirus have immunity, says World Health Organisation The Daily Telegraph
• Hospital leaders hit out at government as PPE shortage row escalates The Guardian
• Only one in four GP appointments now conducted in person The Guardian
• Scientists raise concerns about quality of UK Covid-19 tests The Guardian
• Michael Gove confirms PM missed five coronavirus Cobra meetings The Guardian
• Government under fire for failing to act on pandemic recommendations The Guardian
• NHS frontline staff may refuse to work over lack of PPE, says union The Guardian
• Coronavirus: Boris Johnson criticised after ‘missing five Cobra meetings’ at start of pandemic The Independent
• Coronavirus: Thousands more care home deaths than official figures show, data suggests The Independent
• Women struggling to access usual contraception as coronavirus plunges sexual health services into chaos The Independent
• Coronavirus: NHS appeals for blood plasma from survivors for trial to help new COVID-19 patients Sky News

Number of Northampton hospital's Covid-19 victims set to hit 100 over the weekend

Number of Northampton hospital's Covid-19 victims set to hit 100 over the weekend The number of Covid-19 victims at Northampton General Hospital is set to top 100 over the weekend.

Latest official numbers released today (Thursday April 16) revealed frontline NHS staff had seen another 13 coronavirus-related deaths at the Cliftonville site between April 8 and 14. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Coronavirus: Police make lockdown girl's 'best birthday' BBC Northampton
• Northamptonshire's care home workers set for coronavirus testing Daventry Express
• Hospital bosses puzzled by claims of PPE shortage among frontline staff at Northampton Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Wellingborough caterers donate hundreds of meals to KGH and NGH Northamptonshire Telegraph

COVID-19 mental health campaign launches

COVID-19 mental health campaign launches The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge support new Every Mind Matters advice for looking after mental wellbeing. Public Health England

See also:

• Detailed guide: Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: COVID-19: UKAP statement on health clearance and monitoring Public Health England
• New ‘Looking out for each other’ campaign Public Health England
• Survey results: understanding people’s concerns about the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic Academy of Medical Sciences

Coronavirus: Some social distancing needed 'until vaccine found'

Coronavirus: Some social distancing needed 'until vaccine found' The UK must keep a "significant level" of social distancing until a vaccine for coronavirus is found, a scientist advising the government has said.

Prof Neil Ferguson told the BBC there was "little leeway" to relax measures without "something... in their place" - such as testing and contact tracing.

A three-week extension to the lockdown is expected to be announced later.

It comes as the UK recorded another 861 coronavirus deaths, taking the total number of hospital deaths to 13,729. BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus: 9 in 10 dying have existing illness, ONS data shows BBC News
• Coronavirus lockdown: Lessons from Hokkaido's second wave of infections BBC News
• NHS boss: 'I need gowns, can I call Burberry?' BBC News
• Coronavirus hospitals: Leading a team of 500 during a pandemic BBC News
• Coronavirus: NHS contact tracing app to target 80% of smartphone users BBC News
• Coronavirus UK: NHS to probe 'disproportionate' BAME deaths The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus UK: Death toll hits 13,729 with 861 new deaths The Daily Mail
• Doctors vulnerable to legal challenge during COVID-19 pandemic, experts warn GPonline
• Refugees among hundreds of overseas medics to respond to NHS call The Guardian
• Government 'ignores' UK textiles firms desperate to make PPE The Guardian
• Doctors, nurses, porters, volunteers: the UK health workers who have died from Covid-19 The Guardian
• Social care 'an afterthought' in UK coronavirus response, says leaked letter The Guardian
• Healthcare workers 'should be screened for Covid-19 every week' The Guardian
• Less than half UK's Covid-19 testing capacity being used, figures show The Guardian
• Coronavirus: UK statistics on cases, tests and deaths, day-by-day The Independent
• Coronavirus: Britain applauds its NHS heroes Sky News

Ten more Covid-19 victims at Northampton General Hospital takes to county toll to 127

Ten more Covid-19 victims at Northampton General Hospital takes to county toll to 127 Ten more people have been added to the grim list of Covid-19 victims at Northampton General Hospital.

Today's NHS announcement took the sad total to 127 deaths at Northamptonshire's two acute hospitals.

These latest figures are for fatalities recorded between April 8 and April 13, all having tested positive for coronavirus. Delays in reporting over Easter have means they have only just been added to the official numbers. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Moulton College donates protective equipment and hand sanitiser to Marie Curie and NHS Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• University of Northampton extends closure until end of May Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Northampton lab volunteers to test county's GP staff for Covid-19 "at least once a week" Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Wellingborough care home's urgent appeal for PPE Northamptonshire Telegraph

Detailed guide: Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting tested

Detailed guide: Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting tested Guidance on coronavirus testing for critical workers who are self-isolating. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Policy paper: Coronavirus (COVID-19): personal protective equipment (PPE) plan Department of Health and Social Care
• Detailed guide: Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK Department of Health and Social Care
• Government to offer testing for “everyone who needs one” in social care settings Department of Health and Social Care
• Press release: National action plan to further support adult social care sector Department of Health and Social Care
• Policy paper: Coronavirus (COVID-19): adult social care action plan Department of Health and Social Care
• Coronavirus: prisons (England and Wales) House of Commons Library
• NHS ESR COVID-19 resource hub NHS Employers
• The psychological needs of healthcare staff as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic British Psychological Society
• Supporting older people and people living with dementia during self-isolation British Psychological Society
• The ICO’s regulatory approach during the coronavirus public health emergency Information Commissioner's Office
• Mortality associated with Covid-19 outbreaks in care homes: early international evidence International Long Term Policy Network
• Life under lockdown: coronavirus in the UK King's College London
• Patients should use the NHS wisely - but not put off seeking medical help for serious health concerns unrelated to COVID-19, says College Royal College of General Practitioners
• RPS guidance on ethical, professional decision making in the Covid-19 pandemic Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Coronavirus: We can cope with peak, hospital bosses say

Coronavirus: We can cope with peak, hospital bosses say Hospitals should be able to cope with an expected peak in coronavirus cases, according to NHS bosses.

NHS Providers, which represents hospitals and other NHS trusts in England, said there were enough beds in hospitals for patients.

The hard work to increase intensive-care capacity and free up space on general wards had paid off.

But coping with significant numbers of coronavirus patients in the long-term remained a concern.

Chief executive Chris Hopson said it looked "increasingly likely" the NHS would successfully navigate the peak. BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus: Some social distancing needed 'until vaccine found' BBC News
• Coronavirus: 'Profound' mental health impact prompts calls for urgent research BBC News
• Coronavirus: Should I wear a mask to stop the virus? BBC News
• Coronavirus: Hospitals and care homes to allow goodbyes to dying BBC News
• Coronavirus: How big is the problem in care homes? BBC News
• Matt Hancock ridiculed for say carers will get a 'special badge' for their efforts The Daily Mail
• Anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine does NOT speed up coronavirus recovery, Chinese study finds The Daily Mail
• UK is still testing less than 15,000 people for coronavirus each day The Daily Mail
• Government's handling of care homes in lockdown is 'shambolic' The Daily Mail
• Fact check: Trump’s WHO charge sheet and how it stacks up The Daily Telegraph
• Watch: Piers Morgan in heated exchange over 'laughing' Minister during care home crisis interview The Daily Telegraph
• 'It's heartbreaking. People dying at home, help denied them' The Guardian
• Coronavirus ventilator wins UK approval in run-up to NHS rollout The Guardian
• Matt Hancock's record on NHS coronavirus provision The Guardian
• PPE could be reused as last resort, says leaked PHE document The Guardian
• Boris Johnson reacted too slowly to Covid-19, says former scientific adviser The Guardian
• Care homes in England say coronavirus death toll has risen to 1,400 The Guardian
• Coronavirus: Government has failed to protect us against Covid-19, health workers say The Independent
• World will face a mental health crisis after coronavirus pandemic, experts warn The Independent
• Coronavirus: Pregnant NHS nurse dies from Covid-19 but baby saved The Independent
• Coronavirus PPE 'inadequate', says NHS frontline worker ITV News

Letters, personal belonging drop-offs and a helpline: The additional ways NGH is helping patients during pandemic

Letters, personal belonging drop-offs and a helpline: The additional ways NGH is helping patients during pandemic A number of services have been launched at Northampton General Hospital to help patients and their loved ones during the coronavirus pandemic.

While visiting is generally prohibited, with only a few exceptions, the hospital is working hard to make sure patients can still hear from their loved ones. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Coronavirus: Four Stanwick care home residents die with virus BBC Northampton
• Coronavirus deaths in the Anglia region up by more than 100 to 1270 ITV News
• Northamptonshire's community and mental health heroes say a big "THANK YOU" for your support Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Northampton hospital's Covid-19 death toll climbs past 60 with 113 victims across the county Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Fears over more Covid-19 deaths in care homes as 16 new fatalities are recorded in Northamptonshire hospitals Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Number of patients going to A&E at Northampton General Hospital drops by nearly 2500 in March Northampton Chronicle and Echo

£107m of debt at Northampton General Hospital written off by government

£107m of debt at Northampton General Hospital written off by government From the start of this month, almost £3.5 billion of NHS debt from 23 trusts across the Midlands will be scrapped, as announced by Health Secretary Matt Hancock last week.

And yesterday (April 9) it was revealed that Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust’s level of debt to be written off amounts to almost £108 million. This includes revenue debt of £97.78 million and capital debt of £10.18 million. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• KGH has £167m debt written off Northamptonshire Telegraph

Covid-19 rapid guideline: managing symptoms (including at the end of life) in the community

Covid-19 rapid guideline: managing symptoms (including at the end of life) in the community The purpose of this guideline is to provide recommendations for managing Covid‑19 symptoms for patients in the community, including at the end of life. It also includes recommendations about managing medicines for these patients, and protecting staff from infection. NICE

See also:

• Covid-19 rapid guideline: managing suspected or confirmed pneumonia in adults in the community NICE

Policy paper: Coronavirus (COVID-19): personal protective equipment (PPE) plan

Policy paper: Coronavirus (COVID-19): personal protective equipment (PPE) plan Cross-government UK-wide plan to ensure that critical personal protective equipment (PPE) is delivered to those on the frontline responding to coronavirus (COVID-19). Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Detailed guide: Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK Department of Health and Social Care
• Press release: Government sets out plan for national effort on PPE Department of Health and Social Care
• Health Secretary launches biggest diagnostic lab network in British history to test for coronavirus Department of Health and Social Care
• Student docs and nurses praised for joining ‘NHS Army’ to tackle historic coronavirus threat NHS England
• Thousands of former NHS staff are back on the front line in the NHS fight against coronavirus NHS England
• Deaths registered weekly in England and Wales, provisional: week ending 3 April 2020
• Covid-19: management of exposed healthcare workers and patients in hospital settings Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19: track coronavirus cases Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19: infection prevention and control (IPC) Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19: personal protective equipment use for aerosol generating procedures Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection Public Health England
• Risk of 'serious consequences' if non-COVID conditions unmanaged or untreated, warns College Royal College of General Practitioners

Coronavirus: More tests promised for care homes

Coronavirus: More tests promised for care homes All care home residents and staff with Covid-19 symptoms will be tested for coronavirus as laboratory capacity increases, the government has promised.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he was "determined" to ensure everyone who needed a test had access to one.

Labour welcomed the pledge but said the social care sector needed more support.

Care providers have been calling for more testing for weeks, with charities saying the virus is "running wild" amid outbreaks at more than 2,000 homes. BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus: Virus causes jump in total number of deaths BBC News
• Coronavirus: Nurse's PPE 'like soldier without combat gear' BBC News
• UK Biobank: DNA to unlock coronavirus secrets BBC News
• 'Difficult' cancer care decisions taken due to coronavirus BBC News
• Coronavirus: Baroness Altmann says health system is 'stacked against' care homes BBC News
• Coronavirus: Scientists to review impact of lockdown measures BBC News
• Coronavirus: Body-bag stocks 'in danger of running out' BBC News
• Coronavirus: Gown supply 'critically low' in some hospitals BBC News
• Covid-19 Deaths in England Are 15% Higher Than NHS Reports Bloomberg
• Why is it so hard to make a reliable coronavirus antibody test? The Daily Mail
• Boss of Britain's largest care operator claims TWO THIRDS of homes have had coronavirus The Daily Mail
• UK's coronavirus death toll could be 15% higher than official figures show The Daily Mail
• One THIRD of NHS workers tested for coronavirus are positive The Daily Mail
• Patients with severe COPD should have advanced care plans, says NICE COVID-19 advice GPonline
• NHS hospitals accused of risking staff lives by abandoning PPE fit-tests The Guardian
• How close is the NHS to getting the 18,000 ventilators it needs? The Guardian
• 'I feel fear and guilt': an NHS junior doctor on the effect of getting Covid-19 The Guardian
• England coronavirus testing has not risen fast enough - science chief The Guardian
• Coronavirus: Thousands of virus deaths may be being under-reported, warn experts The Independent
• Coronavirus: Doctors call for suspension of NHS charging regulations as vulnerable groups ‘effectively denied’ healthcare The Independent

NHS reveals seven Covid-19 deaths in one day at Northampton General Hospital

NHS reveals seven Covid-19 deaths in one day at Northampton General Hospital - Northampton NHS officials have revealed seven people died of Covid-19 in one day at Northampton General Hospital.

Four more deaths at the hospital were confirmed yesterday, taking the total to 45 countywide as at 5pm on Monday evening. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Hospital deaths of patients with coronavirus in the Anglia region rise to 687 ITV News
• Two more coronavirus deaths confirmed at KGH Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Building supplier donates 13800 protective masks to Northampton General Hospital Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Here's how to get in touch with Northampton General is you want to make a donation in fight against Covid-19 Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Birthday bop for Wellingborough community hospital healthcare workers on NHS frontline Northamptonshire Telegraph

Leading through and beyond Covid-19: what challenges are leaders facing?

Leading through and beyond Covid-19: what challenges are leaders facing? The health and care system in the UK is facing a challenge the like of which has not been seen in living memory. It is a crisis that has rewritten the rules: who cannot be amazed, whether it’s by the sight of our empty cities or the NHS and the army turning the ExCeL centre into a giant critical care unit. The pace has been dramatic and unrelenting. The King's Fund

See also:

• How has general practice responded to the Covid-19 (coronavirus) outbreak? The King's Fund

NHS launches mental health hotline for staff tackling COVID-19

NHS launches mental health hotline for staff tackling COVID-19 The NHS has launched a mental health hotline as part of a package of measures to support the NHS’ 1.4 million staff as they help people deal with the coronavirus.

NHS staff will be able to call or text a free number staffed by thousands of specially trained volunteers, to receive support and advice for the pressures they face every day during the global health emergency.

The volunteers will listen to NHS staff and give psychological support to those in need. NHS England

See also:

• Guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): hospital discharge service requirements 
• Detailed guide: Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): providing unpaid care Department of Health and Social Care
• Coronavirus: health and social care key issues and sources House of Commons Library
• Coronavirus: access to adult social care in England House of Commons Library
• Age-friendly health systems design to address Covid-19 Institute for Healthcare Improvement
• Coronavirus (Covid-19): health, care and volunteer workers parking pass and concessions Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
• Deploying nursing students to support COVID-19 response NHS Employers
• Guidance: COVID-19: background information Public Health England

Coronavirus: Will summer make a difference?

Coronavirus: Will summer make a difference?  The idea warmer weather might stop the coronavirus seems to have faded as the virus has spread around the globe. But could new research contain a glimmer of hope?

It's too early to know for sure whether the new coronavirus is seasonal. To really know that, we'd have to watch how cases change in one place across the year.

But we can look at its spread in different climates across the world for clues. BBC News

See also:

• Are minorities being hit hardest by coronavirus? BBC News
• Coronavirus: WHO chief urges end to 'politicisation' of virus BBC News
• Coronavirus pressures 'put organ transplants at risk' BBC News
• Coronavirus: What is the risk to men over 50? BBC News
• Coronavirus: Oxford junior doctors keep video diaries BBC News
• Coronavirus: Covid-19 detecting apps run into privacy issues BBC News
• Dentists warn patients are being left in agony amid coronavirus pandemic The Daily Mail
• CDC pulls confusing dosing guidance for malaria drug that Trump praised for treating coronavirus The Daily Mail
• Exclusive: Three nurses forced to wear bin bags because of PPE shortage test positive for coronavirus The Daily Telegraph
• GP workforce hit hard by COVID-19 self-isolation, BMA poll reveals GPonline
• How coronavirus changed the world in three months – video The Guardian
• UK Covid-19 antibody tests not ready until May at earliest The Guardian
• UK's coronavirus death toll: how does it compare with Spain and Italy? The Guardian
• 'Do not resuscitate' orders have caused panic in the UK. Here is the truth | Rachel Clarke The Guardian
• UK must learn from German response to Covid-19, says Whitty The Guardian
• The truth about do not resuscitate orders The Independent
• Coronavirus: UK death toll in hospitals alone rises by 938 in one day The Independent
• NHS Heroes: Teamwork helping NHS workers through Covid-19 crisis amid heartbreak ITV News

Northamptonshire hospitals battling biggest daily surge yet in Covid-19 cases

Northamptonshire hospitals battling biggest daily surge yet in Covid-19 cases Northamptonshire's two NHS hospitals are dealing with the biggest surge in Covid-19 cases yet as the pandemic continues to spread through the county.

Public Health England revealed 85 more people tested positive for the novel coronavirus in a 24-hour period up to 9am yesterday (Monday April 6). Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Coronavirus deaths reach 500 in hospitals in the Anglia region ITV News
• Volunteers are sewing scrubs for Northamptonshire's NHS heroes - here's how you can help them Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Graphs show people in Northamptonshire are listening to the coronavirus lockdown Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• 'Thanks Northants' after another weekend with no lockdown fines for flouting Covid-19 restrictions Northamptonshire Telegraph