Northampton General Hospital urges people not to avoid A&E after sharp drop in attendances

Northampton General Hospital urges people not to avoid A&E after sharp drop in attendances Northampton General Hospital (NGH) has urged people not to avoid A&E during the coronavirus pandemic as figures show a sharp drop in attendances.

Almost a third fewer people went to the emergency department at NGH in March compared to the same month last year, according to NHS England stats. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Number of Northamptonshire's Covid-19 victims may be one-third HIGHER than we thought Daventry Express
• Keep safe and thank you to the pathology laboratory staff at Northampton General Hospital Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• KGH confirms five tragic Covid-19 deaths Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Nine more Covid-19 victims as number of cases in Northamptonshire passes 1000 Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Northampton and East Northants care homes worst hit by coronavirus Northamptonshire Telegraph

Major home testing programme for coronavirus will track levels of infection in the community

Major home testing programme for coronavirus will track levels of infection in the community 100,000 people will be sent self-testing kits to determine if they are currently infected. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Caring behind closed doors: forgotten families in the coronavirus outbreak Carers UK
• COVID-19 treatments could be fast-tracked through new national clinical trial initiative Department of Health and Social Care
• News story: Home Secretary announces visa extensions for frontline health and care workers Department of Health and Social Care
• Lifting lockdown: how to approach a coronavirus exit strategy Institute for Government 
• A balancing act: youth volunteering in hospitals, in the context of Covid-19 Institute for Voluntary Action Research
• The NHS needs an updated testing strategy NHS Providers
• Nursing Times survey reveals negative impact of Covid-19 on nurse mental health Nursing Times
• Personal protective equipment (PPE): resource for care workers delivering homecare (domiciliary care) during sustained Covid-19 transmission in the UK Public Health England
• Daily death reporting now includes all positive COVID-19 deaths Public Health England
• Statistical data set: COVID-19: number of outbreaks in care homes – management information Public Health England

Coronavirus: PM to update UK on 'steps to defeat' coronavirus

Coronavirus: PM to update UK on 'steps to defeat' coronavirus Prime Minister Boris Johnson will chair a cabinet meeting later and then lead the daily coronavirus briefing for the first time since his return to work.

No 10 said the PM, whose fiancee gave birth on Wednesday, will update the UK on the "fight against this disease and the steps we are taking to defeat it".

But political editor Laura Kuenssberg said he was unlikely to give "chapter and verse" on lifting the restrictions. BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus: Deadline day for 100,000 tests pledge BBC News
• Coronavirus R0: Is this the crucial number? BBC News
• Remdesivir: Drug has 'clear cut' power to fight coronavirus BBC News
• Coronavirus 'as deadly as Ebola in hospital' BBC News
• PPE 'designed for women' needed on frontline BBC News
• Coronavirus: How does contact tracing work and is my data safe? BBC News
• Coronavirus UK: A THIRD of patients admitted to hospital die The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus UK: Care home deaths may exceed hospital fatalities The Daily Mail
• Why do so many NHS Nightingale hospitals remain empty? The Daily Telegraph
• Hospital chiefs 'increasingly frustrated' with UK testing failures The Guardian
• NHS looks into taking BAME staff off frontline for their safety The Guardian
• Exclusive: inquests into NHS staff coronavirus deaths told not to look at PPE shortages The Guardian
• UK turned down offer of 10,000 tests a day four weeks ago The Guardian
• Government rushes out request for experts to bolster Sage panel The Guardian
• Hancock grants GCHQ powers over NHS IT systems Health Service Journal
• Academics demand answers from NHS over potential data timebomb ticking inside new UK contact-tracing app The Register

Four more Covid-19 victims takes grim total to 234 in Northamptonshire's two acute hospitals

Four more Covid-19 victims takes grim total to 234 in Northamptonshire's two acute hospitals NHS officials today revealed four more Covid-19 patients have died at Northampton General Hospital.

The latest victims takes the grim total to 234 victims at the Northamptonshire's two acute hospitals in six weeks since the first deaths on March 16. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• Coronavirus outbreaks at fifty Northamptonshire care homes Daventry Express
• New coronavirus test at Northampton Hospital can provide result in under four hours ITV News
• A further 76 hospital patients die with coronavirus in the Anglia region ITV News
• Northampton nine-year-old raises hundreds of NHS by shaving 'pride and joy' head of hair Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Woman arrested for allegedly trying to sell PPE equipment stolen from Northampton General Hospital online Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• No Covid-19 deaths announced by KGH for second day running Northamptonshire Telegraph

Are more black, Asian and minority ethnic people dying with Covid-19 than might be expected?

Are more black, Asian and minority ethnic people dying with Covid-19 than might be expected? Amid worrying recent media reports that a disproportionate number of BAME people are dying from Covid-19, Theo Georghiou and John Appleby take a look at how the demographics of the areas worst hit by the coronavirus can affect attempts to assess the extent of the problem. Nuffield Trust

See also:

• Dire warnings from care home sector borne out in the latest data The Health Foundation
• Understanding the data about COVID-19 related deaths The Health Foundation
• Nuffield Trust response to ONS weekly mortality stats Nuffield Trust
• Deaths registered weekly in England and Wales, provisional: week ending 17 April 2020 Office for National Statistics

Further expansion of access to coronavirus testing helps protect the most vulnerable

Further expansion of access to coronavirus testing helps protect the most vulnerable Anyone in England with coronavirus symptoms who either has to leave home to go to work or is aged 65 and over will now be able to get tested. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Detailed guide: Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting tested Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): reuse of medicines in a care home or hospice 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
• Support for staff who are pregnant NHS Employers
• NHS warning to seek help for cancer symptoms, as half of public report concerns with getting checked NHS England
• Coping during a crisis and collaborating across systems requires a different approach to team working Primary Care Commissioning
• Decisions about patients' care during COVID-19 must be made on an individual basis, says RCGP Royal College of General Practitioners

Coronavirus: Testing opens for millions more people in England

Coronavirus: Testing opens for millions more people in England Coronavirus testing is available for millions more people in England from today after the government loosened rules on who can apply.

Testing expanded last week to all key workers in England with symptoms and their households.

That has expanded to all care home residents and staff, people over 65 and those who must leave home to work. BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus: What is the hidden health cost? BBC News
• Coronavirus: Thousands of cancer ops at 'Covid-free' hubs BBC News
• Coronavirus: Tests to be rolled out to care home staff and residents and over-65s BBC News
• Coronavirus: The hospice staff working through a pandemic BBC News
• Coronavirus UK: Death toll hits 21,731 but could be 55% higher The Daily Mail
• PPE shambles: Exposé claims ministers counted each glove INDIVIDUALLY instead of in pairs The Daily Mail
• Global coronavirus cases reaches 3 million milestone The Daily Mail
• Why UK's death toll could soon be the worst in Europe - in charts The Daily Telegraph
• Government must move faster to protect BAME doctors after COVID-19 deaths GPonline
• NHS contact-tracing app ready for use in three weeks, MPs told The Guardian
• Care home fatalities to be included in daily coronavirus death tolls The Guardian
• UK contact-tracing plans: an NHS app and an army of health staff The Guardian
• Almost 18,000 more people could die of cancer due to coronavirus, study shows The Independent
• Coronavirus: Cancer patients nearly three times more likely to die of Covid-19, study says The Independent
• Increasing concern over the effect the pandemic is having on NHS workers' mental health ITV News

Seven more Covid-19 victims at Northampton General Hospital as county death toll hits 230

Seven more Covid-19 victims at Northampton General Hospital as county death toll hits 230 Seven more victims of Covid-19 have been confirmed by Northampton General Hospital.

The latest deaths, all recorded between Thursday April 23 and Saturday April 25, takes the grim number of fatalities linked to coronavirus to 230 at Northamptonshire's two acute hospitals since the outbreak started. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Coronavirus survivor, 98, thanks Kettering General Hospital staff BBC Northampton
• Covid-19 daily death rate in the Anglia region is the lowest since March ITV News
• Super nurse Stephanie raises £2200 for NHS...by running London Marathon on a treadmill Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Northampton university science lecturer volunteers time to help test Covid-19 samples Northampton Chronicle and Echo

New guarantee on death in service benefits for frontline health and care staff during pandemic

Press release: New guarantee on death in service benefits for frontline health and care staff during pandemic The families of health and care workers on the frontline in England will benefit from a new life assurance scheme during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. 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
• Jump in NHS job applications as public back coronavirus battle NHS England
• NHS Volunteer Responders Portal NHS Volunteer Responders
• Research and analysis: COVID-19 population management strategy for prisons Public Health England
• Detailed guide: Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for social landlords on essential moves Public Health England
• College urges parents not to shun childhood vaccinations during COVID-19 for fear of 'burdening' the NHS Royal College of General Practitioners

Coronavirus: UK failed to stockpile crucial PPE

Coronavirus: UK failed to stockpile crucial PPE The government failed to buy crucial protective equipment to cope with a pandemic, a BBC investigation has found.

There were no gowns, visors, swabs or body bags in the government's pandemic stockpile when Covid-19 reached the UK.

NHS staff say they are being put at risk because of the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE).

The government said it has taken the right steps and is doing everything it can to increase stocks. BBC News

See also:

• Has the Government Failed the NHS? BBC Panorama (on iPlayer until March 2021)
• Coronavirus: NHS doctor's son asks Matt Hancock for public apology BBC News
• Coronavirus: Minute's silence for fallen key workers BBC News
• Coronavirus: Rising care home toll leads to record deaths BBC News
• Coronavirus immunity: Can you catch it twice? BBC News
• Coronavirus: London's NHS Nightingale 'treated 51 patients' BBC News
• Coronavirus alert: Rare syndrome seen in UK children BBC News
• Access to PPE for frontline NHS staff is getting WORSE with 27% now unable to get gear The Daily Mail
• SAGE warned the Government 'very early on' that care homes were at risk of COVID-19 The Daily Mail
• NHS Nightingales barely used due to lack of equipment to treat severe coronavirus cases The Daily Mail
• Lung bypass machines that oxygenate blood have kept 68% of critically ill coronavirus patients alive  The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus UK: Death toll hits 20,735 with 350 new fatalities The Daily Mail
• When will the UK lockdown next be reviewed? The Daily Telegraph
• Key PPE items not in pandemic response stockpile as Covid-19 struck The Guardian
• Son of doctor who died from Covid-19 confronts Matt Hancock over PPE The Guardian
• UK's lowest paid most at risk during Covid-19 crisis, report finds The Guardian
• Families of NHS and care staff who died from Covid-19 to get £60,000 The Guardian
• National alert as 'coronavirus-related condition may be emerging in children' Health Service Journal
• Surge in applications to work for NHS during pandemic ITV News

Northamptonshire 24/7 mental health hotline launched

Northamptonshire 24/7 mental health hotline launched Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) and the mental health charity Mind have collaborated to launch 24/7 mental health support number for the people of the county.

The mental health number has been designed to be the only number you need to call for mental health support in the county. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• War veteran, 98, beats coronavirus in Kettering hospital BBC Northampton
• Sharp fall in Covid-19 deaths in Anglia region ITV News
• New wave of volunteers line up to support Northampton General Hospital Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Stunning pictures show iconic tribute to Northampton's NHS workers amid pandemic Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Seven more Covid-19 deaths reported at Kettering General Hospital Northamptonshire Telegraph

Mobile coronavirus testing units to target frontline workers

Mobile coronavirus testing units to target frontline workers Mobile testing units, operated by the Armed Forces, will travel around the UK to increase access to coronavirus testing. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Coronavirus testing extended to all essential workers in England who have symptoms Department of Health and Social Care
• Clinical trial approved to help the NHS treat COVID-19 patients using plasma Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: COVID-19: supporting adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: COVID-19: providing unpaid care to adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults Department of Health and Social Care
• Detailed guide: Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting tested 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
• Deployment of student midwives during the COVID-19 emergency NHS Employers
• Help Us Help You: NHS Urges Public To Get Care When They Need It NHS England
• Detailed guide: COVID-19: paediatric surveillance  Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19: infection prevention and control (IPC) Public Health England
• View from the frontline of anaesthesia during Covid-19: April 2020 survey results Royal College of Anaesthetists 
• Joint letter to Lord Deighton on ongoing PPE supply challenges Royal College of Physicians

Coronavirus: Boris Johnson says this is moment of maximum risk

Coronavirus: Boris Johnson says this is moment of maximum risk The UK is at the moment of maximum risk in the coronavirus outbreak, Boris Johnson has said, as he urged people not to lose patience with the lockdown.

Speaking outside No 10 for the first time since recovering from the virus, Mr Johnson said "we are now beginning to turn the tide" on the disease.

But he refused to "to throw away all the effort and sacrifice of the British people" and risk a second peak. BBC News

See also:

• UK hospital coronavirus deaths pass 20,000 BBC News
• City's Nightingale hospital 'has no patients' BBC News
• Coronavirus: 'When will pandemic end?' and other questions from kids BBC News
• Coronavirus: Boris Johnson back at Downing Street to lead response BBC News
• Coronavirus: UK must find 'new normal' to ease lockdown - Raab BBC News
• Coronavirus: Care home staff struggling to get tests BBC News
• Coronavirus test website slots unavailable within hour of site reopening BBC News
• We MUST find out why so many black and Asian Britons are dying from coronavirus, doctors urge The Daily Mail
• Two new waves of deaths are about to break over the NHS, new analysis warns The Daily Telegraph
• Coronavirus tests slots booked up within hour of the government websites reopening The Daily Telegraph
• Millions of patients 'avoiding calls to GP' during COVID-19 pandemic GPonline
• Leaked Cabinet Office briefing on UK pandemic threat – the key points The Guardian
• More than 2m operations cancelled as NHS fights Covid-19 The Guardian
• Attendees of Sage meetings worried by presence of Cummings The Guardian
• Who's who on secret scientific group advising UK government? The Guardian
• Test, test, test: can Britain find a way out of lockdown? The Guardian
• Johnson faces lockdown dilemma as scientists warn over grim virus data The Guardian
• A growing clamour of voices treats the pandemic as if it's just health and safety gone mad The Guardian
• Coronavirus: NHS contact tracing app needs 60% take-up to be successful, expert warns The Independent
• NHS urges public not to let coronavirus concerns stop them seeking medical help as A&E visits drop by 50% ITV News
• Coronavirus: Robots in Milton Keynes deliver shopping to NHS workers Sky News

New coronavirus clinic in Corby's Urgent Care Centre opening next week

New coronavirus clinic in Corby's Urgent Care Centre opening next week A new coronavirus clinic will be opening at Corby’s Urgent Care Centre next week.

The clinic will be the second in the county, joining the provision opened earlier this month at the Waterside Campus in Northampton.The clinic is not a walk-in centre and will only be open to those referred by their GP. After being assessed at the clinic the patient may be sent home to self isolate or referred to hospital for treatment. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• Coronavirus: Councils warn government bailout cash 'gone now' BBC Northampton
• Coronavirus: Daventry carer sews her own PPE due to shortage BBC Northampton
• Fifth clap for carers as tribute paid to the NHS, carers and key workers ITV News
• Breathing aid built in Brixworth is now saving lives of Covid-19 patients Northampton General Hospital Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Northampton A&E nurse raising money for NHS coronavirus fund by running London Marathon...from her home Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Northampton's lift tower to turn blue for first time tonight to pay tribute to NHS workers Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Northants 'chef of the year' making 250 meals a day for Northampton General Hospital from Althorp House Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Our salute to thousands of ordinary Northamptonshire people doing extraordinary things during the Covid-19 crisis Northamptonshire Telegraph

Coronavirus testing extended to all essential workers in England who have symptoms

Coronavirus testing extended to all essential workers in England who have symptoms All essential workers in England and members of their households who are showing symptoms of coronavirus will now be able to get tested. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Detailed guide: Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting tested Department of Health and Social Care
• Government begins large-scale virus infection and antibody test study 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
• Community health, hospital discharge and social care weekly update NHS England
• Weekly COVID-19 surveillance report published Public Health England
• Research and analysis: National COVID-19 surveillance reports Public Health England
• RCGP calls on Home Secretary to 'urgently relax' rules on controlled medication for patients at the end of life during COVID-19 Royal College of General Practitioners

Coronavirus: Virus tests now available to millions of workers

Coronavirus: Virus tests now available to millions of workers Up to 10 million key workers and their households can now book a coronavirus test online or through their employer.

The move allows all essential workers in England to register for tests on the government's website, if they or a family member have virus symptoms.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the expanded testing programme was "part of getting Britain back on her feet".

The government remains some way short of its target of 100,000 tests a day in England by the end of this month. BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus: First patients injected in UK vaccine trial BBC News
• Coronavirus: Doctor rejects Trump's 'heat and light' idea at White House BBC News
• Hopes dashed as coronavirus drug remdesivir fails first trial BBC News
• Coronavirus: 'Limited supplies' of kidney treatment kit BBC News
• Coronavirus UK: Death toll hits 18,738 with 616 new fatalities The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus UK: Government to send testing kits to 20k homes The Daily Mail
• Health chiefs admit 1,000 Brits may have died from coronavirus in care homes between April 11 and 15 The Daily Mail
• Contact tracing: how has it worked for other countries, and could it really help ease UK lockdown? The Daily Telegraph
• Patients warned of zero tolerance approach after staff face discrimination in COVID-19 pandemic GPonlinr
• Emails reveal doctor's plea for PPE before Covid-19 death The Guardian
• Scientists criticise UK government's 'following the science' claim The Guardian
• Coronavirus: what would a year of physical distancing mean for the UK? The Guardian
• Why the UK is finding it so hard to reach 100,000 Covid-19 tests a day The Guardian
• NHS nurse must pay more than £11000 for her and her family to access health service ITV News
• 'I've never been so proud to work for the NHS': Hospital staff on the coronavirus crisis ITV News
• Suicide prevention charity sees surge in calls from NHS workers Metro
• Coronavirus: Applause for NHS up and down the country Sky News

Coronavirus testing at Northampton General 'unaffected' by news that thousands of UK tests could be inaccurate

Coronavirus testing at Northampton General 'unaffected' by news that thousands of UK tests could be inaccurate Northampton General Hospital says it is 'unaffected' by the revelation that thousands of coronavirus tests on frontline NHS staff in England were inaccurate.

Social care minister Helen Whately told Sky News today (April 22) that the initial Covid-19 tests for thousands of NHS staff may have been inaccurate. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Hospital given new breathing aids- thanks to Formula One team just down the road ITV News
• A further 77 coronavirus deaths in hospitals in the Anglia region taking total close to 2000 ITV News
• Government says pandemic has peaked as Northamptonshire's death rate starts to slow Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Northampton teen plans to Irish dance around the Racecourse to raise money for NGH Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• KGH coronavirus death toll rises to 72 Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Rushden car supermarket comes to the rescue of stranded NGH midwife Northamptonshire Telegraph

Britain’s biggest network of diagnostic labs are completed in 5 weeks

Britain’s biggest network of diagnostic labs are completed in 5 weeks Sites in Milton Keynes, Glasgow and Alderley Park in Cheshire are now live and are already testing thousands of patient samples for coronavirus (COVID-19) each day. 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
• Care fit for carers: Ensuring the safety and welfare of NHS and care workers during and after Covid-19 Institute for Public Policy Research
• Public Sector Equality Duty and COVID-19 NHS Employers
• Vulnerable people get direct line to NHS volunteer army NHS England
• Ending the divide: implications of COVID 19 for the Government’s health and social care agenda Policy Exchange
• Detailed guide: NHS entitlements: migrant health guide Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19: background information Public Health England
• Coronavirus (Covid-19) advice for social care Social Care Institute for Excellence

Coronavirus: Social restrictions 'to remain for rest of year'

Coronavirus: Social restrictions 'to remain for rest of year' The UK will have to live with some disruptive social measures for at least the rest of the year, the government's chief medical adviser has said.

Prof Chris Whitty said it was "wholly unrealistic" to expect life would suddenly return to normal soon.

He said "in the long run" the ideal way out would be via a "highly effective vaccine" or drugs to treat the disease.

But he warned that the chance of having those within the next calendar year was "incredibly small". BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus: Study to track infection and immunity levels BBC News
• Coronavirus: Test data 'reassuring for frontline healthcare workers' BBC News
• Coronavirus: How close are we to getting a vaccine? BBC News
• Fears some ambulances 'left Covid patients at home' BBC News
• GP, two paramedics and mental health worker are latest NHS workers to die from coronavirus The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus Q&A: What is PPE and how can it help NHS workers? Your questions answered The Daily Telegraph
• GPs slam hour-long journeys for COVID-19 tests and demand facilities in every CCG GPonline
• Anaesthetists report coronavirus concerns over inadequate PPE The Guardian
• UK government accused of cover-up over EU scheme to buy PPE The Guardian
• EU turns up pressure on Matt Hancock over Covid-19 PPE scheme The Guardian
• Revealed: Private firm running UK PPE stockpile was sold in middle of pandemic The Guardian
• Exclusive: deaths of NHS staff from covid-19 analysed Health Service Journal
• Apology after NHS sends thousands of dead people covid-19 warnings Health Service Journal
• Coronavirus: Army 'appalled' at NHS planning amid PPE shortage Metro
• Coronavirus: BAME people make up 72% of all NHS and carer deaths with COVID-19 Sky News

'Thousands missing out on cancer diagnosis'

'Thousands missing out on cancer diagnosis' Delays in diagnosing and treating people with cancer could lead to more years of lost life than with Covid-19, according to a leading cancer expert.

A drop-off in screening and referrals means roughly 2,700 fewer people are being diagnosed every week, Cancer Research UK says.

Cancer screening has paused in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with few invitations sent out in England. BBC News

Northamptonshire approaching 200 victims as Covid-19 toll keeps rising

Northamptonshire approaching 200 victims as Covid-19 toll keeps rising Northamptonshire is closing in on another grim Covid-19 milestone with 180 deaths now recorded at the county's two main hospitals.

NHS chiefs today confirmed four more patients at Northampton General Hospital died after testing positive for the novel coronavirus between April 7 and April 18. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Coronavirus deaths in the Anglia region back up after weekend dip ITV News
• Polish ambassador in UK pays tribute to Northampton hospital worker who died after contracting coronavirus Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Guidance: COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection

Guidance: COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection Stay at home guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection. 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: Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for people receiving direct payments Department of Health and Social Care
• Latest COVID-19 guidance updates NHS Employers
• NHS urges public to stay safe ahead of Ramadan NHS England
• Guidance: COVID-19: guidance on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing Public Health England
• COVID-19 and the VCSE Mental Health Sector Association of Mental Health Providers
• Understanding disproportionate COVID-19 mortality rates among BAME community 'vital', says RCGP Royal College of General Practitioners

Coronavirus: Experts question UK self-isolation advice

Coronavirus: Experts question UK self-isolation advice A group of 25 doctors have written to the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, because they are concerned about the UK's current advice on self-isolation for coronavirus.

The guidance says people should stay at home and avoid contact with others for seven days if they develop symptoms.

After that, self-isolation can end - if they feel well and do not have a fever.

But World Health Organization advice says people should self-isolate for 14 days after symptoms have cleared. BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus: Government facing fresh questions over EU equipment scheme BBC News
• Coronavirus: NHS and care staff struggling to access tests BBC News
• Coronavirus cure: When will we have a drug to treat it? BBC News
• Coronavirus: UK 'throwing everything' at developing vaccine BBC News
• Coronavirus tests given to NHS staff to let them return to work 'are FLAWED' The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus UK: Only 4,900 antibody tests have been carried out The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus UK: Lancet editor slams government 'disinformation' The Daily Mail
• Cities with worst air pollution have bigger coronavirus outbreaks, say scientists The Daily Telegraph
• GPs condemn 'shambolic' PPE situation and demand urgent action to protect staff GPonline
• Nurse shortage causes Nightingale hospital to turn away patients The Guardian
• Government misses out on 16m facemasks for NHS in four weeks The Guardian
• Matt Hancock forced to deny ‘political’ opt-out from EU ventilators The Guardian
• Psychiatrists fear surge of Covid-19 cases in UK mental health units The Guardian
• 'This is beyond anything we have ever seen': the fire crews tackling Covid-19 The Guardian
• Coronavirus: WHO warns ‘worst yet to come’ and only tiny minority have developed Covid-19 antibodies The Independent
• GPs wishing to return to NHS for pandemic caught up in red tape for weeks Pulse
• Coronavirus: NHS staff offered new COVID-19 tests after initial checks found to be flawed Sky News

Kettering chief executive lands new role running Northamptonshire's two acute hospitals

Kettering chief executive lands new role running Northamptonshire's two acute hospitals Kettering General Hospital's chief executive has landed the £220,000-a-year role running the new combined management team for Northamptonshire's two major hospitals.

Simon Weldon, will become group chief executive in charge of both Northampton and Kettering hospital trusts later this year, once the current Covid-19 crisis has eased. Northamptonshire Telegraph

'Joanna touched the lives of so many people': Northampton General Hospital worker dies after contracting coronavirus

'Joanna touched the lives of so many people': Northampton General Hospital worker dies after contracting coronavirus A member of staff at Northampton General Hospital (NGH) 'will be missed by everyone who knew or worked with her' having died after testing positive for coronavirus.

Joanna Klenczon, 34, worked at the hospital for 10 years and was a domestic supervisor at the time of her death on April 9. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Coronavirus: Tributes paid to 'well-liked' supervisor BBC Northampton
• Northampton General apologises for online 'anxiety' over social distancing controversy in Clap For Our Carers video Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• 'Government coronavirus handouts not enough' says Northamptonshire council leader Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• KGH confirms two more tragic coronavirus deaths Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Tributes paid after member of staff at Northampton Hospital dies from coronavirus aged 34 ITV News

Guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): hospital discharge service requirements

Guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): hospital discharge service requirements Sets out how health and care systems and providers should change their discharging arrangements and the provision of community support during the coronavirus situation. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): admission and care of people in care homes 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
• Testing capacity increases as second Lighthouse Lab becomes fully operational Department of Health and Social Care
• PHE response to a Sun newspaper column Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19: guidance for care of the deceased Public Health England
• Strengthening hospital capacity for the Covid-19 pandemic Imperial College London
• College Chair Martin Marshall updates members on supplies and use of PPE in general practice Royal College of General Practitioners

Coronavirus: Record number of deaths recorded

Coronavirus: Record number of deaths recorded Deaths in England and Wales have risen sharply above what would be expected, hitting a 20-year high.

The Office for National Statistics said there were 18,500 deaths in the week up to 10 April - around 10,000 more than is normal at this time of year.

More than 6,200 were linked to coronavirus, a sixth of which were outside of hospital.

But deaths from other causes also increased, suggesting the lockdown may be having an indirect impact on health. BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus: Masks for public 'could put NHS supplies at risk' BBC News
• Coronavirus: Dentists facing 'critical shortage of kit' BBC News
• Coronavirus: Why are there doubts over contact-tracing apps? BBC News
• Coronavirus: Minute silence in memory of NHS staff BBC News
• Coronavirus UK: Death toll hits 16,510 with 450 new fatalities The Daily Mail
• Up to 30% of coronavirus patients hardly develop ANY antibodies The Daily Mail
• Daily coronavirus tests are 80,000 short of the target promised by Health Secretary Matt Hancock The Daily Mail
• Donald Trump to suspend all immigration to US to fight 'invisible enemy' The Daily Telegraph
• NHS will be priority in decision on face masks for public, says minister The Guardian
• PPE shortages app receives hundreds of reports in first fortnight The Guardian
• At least 100 UK healthcare workers have died from coronavirus, figures show The Guardian
• NHS told to expect 'huge number' of legal challenges after pandemic Health Service Journal
• Coronavirus disproportionately affecting Bame communities in UK, new figures show The Independent
• Coronavirus: Medics shouldn’t work without safe PPE, doctors told as fears grow UK pandemic stockpile is almost empty The Independent
• One third of deaths in England and Wales now coronavirus-related The Independent
• Coronavirus: Boots ready to ramp up NHS testing centres Sky News

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