Coronavirus: Corby and Kettering named 'areas of concern'

Coronavirus: Corby and Kettering named 'areas of concern' An increase in Covid-19 cases among 20- to 29-year-olds with "active social lives" has led to two towns being added to the government's Covid-19 watchlist.

Corby and Kettering have been named as "Areas of Concern". BBC Northampton

See also:

• Coronavirus: Why have cases spiked in Corby?  BBC Northampton
• Coronavirus: Corby students travel on buses without social-distancing BBC Northampton
• At least six English NHS trusts could be overwhelmed by Covid spike this winter The Guardian
• Staff absences more than TRIPLED at Northampton General Hospital during the peak of the Covid-19 crisis Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Northampton downgraded from ‘area of intervention’ to ‘area of enhanced support’ as Covid cases fall Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• 'We could slip towards lockdown really easily': Northampton Market Square testing centre will not be moved for foreseeable future, council leader says Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Northants' match is abandoned after just two hours due to confirmed Covid-19 case in the County camp Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Local lockdown would be 'damaging' for Corby says leader Northamptonshire Telegraph

Help celebrate special staff and volunteers at Northampton General Hospital awards

Help celebrate special staff and volunteers at Northampton General Hospital awards The annual awards are an opportunity for patients, families and carers to tell the hospital about the staff and volunteers who have made a difference to their hospital experience, provided the best possible care or have helped to bring improvements to services and the care that patients receive. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Heartless Corby hospital carer burgled her elderly patients' homes

Heartless Corby hospital carer burgled her elderly patients' homes A heartless hospital worker burgled the homes of two elderly patients she was supposed to be looking after.

Leanne Jones stole bank cards and keys from her victims while they were inpatients at Corby Community Hospital - before taking jewellery and cashing cheques worth thousands after finding out where they lived. Northamptonshire Telegraph

The impact of Covid-19 on the use of digital technology in the NHS

The impact of Covid-19 on the use of digital technology in the NHS The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in the adoption of digital technology in the NHS and changes to the way services are delivered at an incredible pace. So as the health service works hard to get back to something like normality, are all the elements of this sea change in digital practice positive, or do some adaptations need further scrutiny before they become more deeply embedded? Nuffield Trust

Left stranded: our new report into the impact of coronavirus

Left stranded: new report into the impact of coronavirus The coronavirus outbreak has affected everyone. But it’s left many autistic people andtheir families completely stranded. Our new report, supported by four other leading autism organisations, highlights the often disproportionate and devastating impact the mental health, wellbeing and education prospects of hundreds of thousands of autistic people and their families. National Autistic Society

See also:

• Autistic people left completely stranded during pandemic The Daily Telegraph

Wellcome monitor 2020: Covid-19 study

Wellcome monitor 2020: Covid-19 study This report presents the results of the fifth Wellcome monitor. It looks at findings around the British public’s experience of the Covid-19 pandemic and their views on health information during lockdown. Wellcome

You had one job: the shortcomings of Public Health England and the World Health Organization during the Covid-19 pandemic

You had one job: the shortcomings of Public Health England and the World Health Organization during the Covid-19 pandemic This report looks at the criticisms of the World Health Organization and Public Health England regarding their response to the Covid-19 pandemic. It argues that both organisations spread themselves too thinly over a broad range of medical, political and social issues, leading to a lack of focus. Institute of Economic Affairs

Covid-19 insights: impact on workforce skills

Covid-19 insights: impact on workforce skills This report confirms that the pandemic has had wider than expected consequences on the NHS and health and care workforce which will continue to significantly influence service delivery for some time to come. The findings show that following three months of extreme change in the sector, organisations suffered severe skills loss. The report highlights the critical issues which contributed to this, with the aim of supporting the sector to rebuild and reset for a sustainable future, both now and in the long-term. Skills for Health

Government delivers 250,000 clear face masks to support people with hearing loss

Government delivers 250,000 clear face masks to support people with hearing loss 250,000 clear face masks are to be delivered to frontline NHS and social care workers to support better care for people who use lip-reading and facial expressions to communicate. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• New Lighthouse Lab to boost NHS Test and Trace capacity Department of Health and Social Care
• Research and analysis: National COVID-19 surveillance reports Public Health England

Coronavirus: Further 2,988 cases confirmed in UK

Coronavirus: Further 2,988 cases confirmed in UK A further 2,988 cases of coronavirus have been reported in the UK in the past 24 hours, government data showed. 

It is the highest number reported on a single day since 22 May and a rise of 1,175 on Saturday, according to the UK government's coronavirus dashboard.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he was "concerned" about a rise in cases "predominantly among young people". BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus: 'Critical moment' as students return to university BBC News
• Coronavirus: Schools 'no greater risk than home' for pupils and staff BBC News
• Coronavirus case numbers 'remain unchanged' in England BBC News
• Coronavirus: India overtakes Brazil in Covid-19 cases BBC News
• Air passengers might be screened again eight days after arriving in UK The Daily Mail
• Why are Covid death rates so low when cases are are soaring? The Daily Mail
• 400 people per day died in UK's care homes at peak of Covid crisis The Daily Mail
• Pfizer expects results from its coronavirus vaccine trials by October, CEO confirms The Daily Mail
• Rising cases in the UK sees countries tighten restrictions on British tourists The Daily Telegraph
• Exclusive: Airport testing reduces rates of infections better than quarantine, data shows The Daily Telegraph
• Matt Hancock: England in good position to avoid major Covid resurgence The Guardian
• Hospitals in England will miss target for restoring pre-Covid services The Guardian
• Rights watchdog backs court action over Covid deaths in English care homes The Guardian
• Coronavirus: More than 1000 doctors want to leave NHS over government's mishandling of pandemic The Independent

Esketamine spray for treating depression 'not cost-effective'

Esketamine spray for treating depression 'not cost-effective' A nasal esketamine spray for hard-to-treat depression has been rejected for use on the NHS for a second time because of uncertainty over cost.

Despite a need for new treatments for adults, it is also not clear how well the drug works long term, the healthcare watchdog NICE said.

Esketamine is a form of ketamine that targets a chemical linked with learning and memory. BBC News

Two-thirds of black Britons believe NHS gives white people better care, finds survey

Two-thirds of black Britons believe NHS gives white people better care, finds survey Almost two-thirds of black Britons think the NHS does less to protect their health than that of white people, research has found.

That negative view of the health service is shared by a majority of black people of almost all ages, and is held especially strongly by black women, according to findings of a study commissioned by a parliamentary committee. The Guardian

See also:

• Joint Committee on Human Rights publishes research ahead of evidence session on Monday on whether black people feel their human rights are protected Joint Committee on Human Rights
• The black community and human rights (report) Clearview Research

Blood tests may detect psychotic disorders years BEFORE they start

Blood tests may detect psychotic disorders years BEFORE they start A simple blood test can predict who will suffer psychotic disorders later in life, scientists claim.

Researchers from the Royal College of Surgeons University in Dublin took samples from more than 100 people deemed high risk of developing the conditions.

Using computer imaging and machine learning to look at hundreds of proteins in the blood, they were able to correctly tell who suffer them 93 per cent of the time. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Development of Proteomic Prediction Models for Transition to Psychotic Disorder in the Clinical High-Risk State and Psychotic Experiences in Adolescence (open access) JAMA Psychiatry

KGH staff helping four major Covid-19 research trials

KGH staff helping four major Covid-19 research trials Doctors and nurses at Kettering General Hospital are helping four major research studies into Covid-19 to help make the world a safer place.

The hospital - which is also the top-recruiting trust in the country in a Covid-19 sniffer dog trial - is playing a vital role in studies around the world. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• Fewer new Covid-19 cases in Northampton — but now it's Corby and Kettering in the spotlight Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Coronavirus warning leaflet sent to Kettering wards with rising cases Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Double Covid blow for Corby Wetherspoons pubs Northamptonshire Telegraph

Decision making in a crisis: First responses to the coronavirus pandemic

Decision making in a crisis: First responses to the coronavirus pandemic The government’s initial response to the Covid-19 crisis was hampered by the absence of a long-term strategy, lack of clarity about who was responsible for what and its poor use of evidence.

This report examines decisions made in three areas: economic support, Covid-19 testing and the lockdown. Institute for Government

Government working with midwives, medical experts, and academics to investigate BAME maternal mortality

Government working with midwives, medical experts, and academics to investigate BAME maternal mortality Minister for Equalities leads discussion to tackle Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) maternal mortality. Government Equalities Office

People urged to practise safer sex as gonorrhoea cases in England rise by 26%

People urged to practise safer sex as gonorrhoea cases in England rise by 26% A significant increase in annual gonorrhoea diagnoses has prompted health officials to warn of the need to practise safe sex. Public Health England

See also:

• Official Statistics: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): annual data tables Public Health England
• Rise in gonorrhoea cases in England prompts safe sex warning BBC News

£500 million funding for quick result COVID-19 test trials

£500 million funding for quick result COVID-19 test trials A new £500 million funding package will be invested in next generation testing technology and increased testing capacity. Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus testing rationed amid outbreaks

Coronavirus testing rationed amid outbreaks Prioritising coronavirus testing in high-risk areas has led to shortages in other places, leading to some people with symptoms being asked to drive more than 100 miles for a swab.

The government says areas with fewer Covid-19 cases have had their testing capacity reduced to cope with outbreaks elsewhere.

But public health experts warn this could miss the start of new spikes. BBC News

See also:

• As summer ends, UK must square up to Covid again BBC News
• Coronavirus: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube 'fail to tackle anti-vaccination posts' BBC News
• Coronavirus: Charity seeks judicial review on care home visit guidance BBC News
• Coronavirus: Cheap steroids save lives from severe Covid BBC News
• Novavax's experimental coronavirus vaccine triggered antibodies in 100% of trial participants The Daily Mail
• Care home worker, 31, becomes first Brit to catch Covid-19 twice The Daily Mail
• School reopening and flu season mean surge in Covid-19 patients, says WHO Europe director The Daily Mail
• Mass weekly Covid-19 testing of population to be trialled in England The Guardian
• Coronavirus tracked: 57 countries see surge in new cases as global count passes 25m The Independent
• Patients at risk as cash-strapped councils outsource services in middle of pandemic, warn NHS bosses The Independent

Deaths at home higher than normal - ONS figures

Deaths at home higher than normal - ONS figures Deaths of people in their own homes were far above normal levels in July in contrast to below-average levels of non-Covid-19 deaths in hospitals and care homes, figures show.

The Office for National Statistics says patients in England and Wales may not be being admitted to hospital or they are discharged earlier than usual. BBC News