Confirmed coronavirus cases in Northants rises by 20 for fourth day in a row

Confirmed coronavirus cases in Northants rises by 20 for fourth day in a row The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Northamptonshire has increased by at least 20 for the fourth day in a row and there are now 126 cases in the county. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Coronavrius: University of Northampton gives vacant rooms to NHS BBC Northampton
• Coronavirus: Coping with grief during a lockdown BBC Northampton
• Coronavirus: Exercise rule-breakers spark surge in police calls BBC Northampton
• Trusts advise widespread use of PPE as staff 'refuse to see patients' Health Service Journal
• University of Northampton lights up building to thank NHS staff for their hard work during pandemic Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Hunt for man linked to hand sanitiser theft from Northampton General Hospital Northampton Chronicle and Echo

New advice to support mental health during coronavirus outbreak

New advice to support mental health during coronavirus outbreak People struggling with their mental health during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak will be offered additional online support and practical guidance to help them cope. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Guidance: COVID-19: guidance for the public on mental health and wellbeing Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19: guidance on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing Public Health England
• Detailed guide: Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK Department of Health and Social Care
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): letter from the Secretary of State to the social care workforce Department of Health and Social Care
• Government launches new drive on coronavirus tests for frontline NHS staff Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: COVID-19: cleaning of non-healthcare settings Public Health England
• Greater flexibility when completing pre-employment checks during COVID-19 NHS Employers
• NHS volunteer responders: 250,000 target smashed with three quarters of a million committing to volunteer NHS England
• NHS to open two more new hospitals to fight coronavirus NHS England
• Coronavirus and voluntary sector resilience Centre for Social Justice
• Pharmacy resilience guidance Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee
• Covid-19 testing for frontline NHS staff will ensure GPs can provide care when they are well, says RCGP Royal College of General Practitioners

Coronavirus: Mercedes F1 to make breathing aid

Coronavirus: Mercedes F1 to make breathing aid A breathing aid that can help keep coronavirus patients out of intensive care has been created in under a week.

University College London engineers worked with clinicians at UCLH and Mercedes Formula One to build the device, which delivers oxygen to the lungs without needing a ventilator.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) devices are already used in hospitals but are in short supply. BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus: 20,000 former NHS staff return to fight virus, PM says BBC News
• Coronavirus: Six months before UK 'returns to normal' - deputy chief medical officer BBC News
• Coronavirus doctor's diary: Why are people stealing hospital supplies? BBC News
• Coronavirus: Testing rolled out for frontline NHS staff BBC News
• Coronavirus NHS workers 'told to close our eyes if patient coughs' BBC News
• Coronavirus: Number of UK deaths rises above 1,000 BBC News
• Coronavirus: What we still don't know about Covid-19 BBC News
• NHS England: 'Now is not the time to be complacent' BBC News
• It's NOT 'just like flu': All this fake news makes my blood boil, writes DR ELLIE CANNON The Daily Mail
• Not one person will be 'left to die' - no matter their age, says NHS intensive care specialist The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus UK: Boris Johnson and Matt Hancock test positive The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus fake news 'could cost lives', Culture Secretary warns The Daily Telegraph
• At least 1.6m people could be infected with coronavirus in UK, new estimates show The Daily Telegraph
• Pressure to provide equipment grows after two UK doctors die The Guardian
• Care homes refusing to take in patients ready to leave NHS hospitals The Guardian
• Midwife shortage doubles as NHS staff diverted to tend Covid-19 patients The Guardian
• Covid-19 patients in UK intensive care have 50% survival rate The Guardian
• UK strategy to address pandemic threat ‘not properly implemented’ The Guardian
• Artist sends hundreds of uplifting posters to NHS staff across the UK ITV News

'No visitors allowed' at Northampton General Hospital barring 'exceptional circumstances'

'No visitors allowed' at Northampton General Hospital barring 'exceptional circumstances' Northampton General has announced today it will not allow any visitors into the hospital.

With only a few exceptions, the hospital will now turn away anyone asking to visit patients on their wards. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Over 100 volunteers step up to help at Northampton General Hospital in just three days Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Could you join an army of volunteers to help the NHS in Northamptonshire? Northamptonshire Telegraph

Detailed guide: Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK

Detailed guide: Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK The latest number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk level in the UK. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• BMA warns that without protective equipment, doctors and Covid-19 patients will die BMA
• Government to provide free car parking for NHS and social care staff Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on vulnerable children and young people Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19: guidance for hostel or day centres for people rough sleeping Public Health England
• Standard operating procedure – community pharmacy NHS England
• Staying well when social distancing Royal College of Occupational Therapists

Coronavirus: Government orders 10,000 ventilators from Dyson

Coronavirus: Government orders 10,000 ventilators from Dyson The government has ordered 10,000 ventilators from Dyson to help deal with the coronavirus crisis.

The firm, headed by British inventor Sir James Dyson, said it had designed a new type of ventilator in response to a call on behalf of the NHS.

The order is still subject to the devices passing stringent medical tests but that is expected to happen quickly. BBC News

See also:

• Coping with coronavirus anxiety BBC News 
• Coronavirus: 'Frailty score' plan angers special needs parents BBC News 
• Coronavirus: Cancer patient's chemotherapy put on hold BBC News
• Coronavirus: GPs demand 'clarity' over protective gear guidance BBC News
• Coronavirus crisis could cause a loneliness epidemic in older adults The Daily Mail
• How can I join the NHS coronavirus volunteer army, and what would I do? The Daily Telegraph
• Woman, 21, with 'no underlying health issues' dies after contracting coronavirus, family say The Daily Telegraph
• Coronavrius positive: our new daily round-up of good news The Daily Telegraph
• Innovative GPs use 3D printers to produce masks amid PPE shortage GPonline
• Dispatches from the Covid-19 frontline The Guardian
• Mass Covid-19 home testing will help – but the data must be localised | Anthony Costello The Guardian
• NHS staff warned to hide ID after spate of targeted muggings The Guardian
• Coronavirus lockdown will be imposed by force in England The Guardian
• NHS workers to be thanked with nationwide round of applause ITV News
• Coronavirus: NHS will be crippled without frontline testing, says Doctors' Association chair Sky News

Biggest jump in Covid-19 cases in Northamptonshire for second day in a row

Biggest jump in Covid-19 cases in Northamptonshire for second day in a row The number of known Covid-19 cases in Northamptonshire now stands at 37.

Public Health England officials issued its daily figures, correct as at 9am yesterday (Tuesday March 24). Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• University of Northampton opens its doors at student halls for patients and healthcare staff Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Staff leaving shifts at Northampton and Kettering General Hospitals greeted with free flowers Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Government launches Coronavirus Information Service on WhatsApp

Government launches Coronavirus Information Service on WhatsApp The UK Government has today launched a GOV.UK Coronavirus Information service on WhatsApp. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Detailed guide: COVID-19 advice for accommodation providers 
• Detailed guide: Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK Department of Health and Social Care
• Coronavirus: effect on the economy and public finances House of Commons Library
• ‘Your NHS Needs You’ – NHS Call For Volunteer Army NHS England
• New NHS Nightingale Hospital To Fight Coronavirus NHS England
• Guidance: COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19: personal protective equipment use for aerosol generating procedures Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19: personal protective equipment use for non-aerosol generating procedures Public Health England

Coronavirus: NHS predicted to cope with increased demand

Coronavirus: NHS predicted to cope with increased demand The NHS should be able to cope with the coronavirus outbreak now the country is in lockdown, according to infectious diseases expert Prof Neil Ferguson.

Keeping people inside and increasing NHS staff and beds would prevent intensive care units (ICUs) from being overwhelmed nationally, he said.

There could still be some difficulties at a local level, he told MPs. BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus: Millions yet to receive UK government's Covid-19 text BBC News
• Coronavirus: Thousands volunteer to help NHS with vulnerable BBC News
• Coronavirus: What's the risk to young people? BBC News
• Coronavirus: 'We will make sure we have the capacity' BBC News
• Coronavirus UK: Death toll sees biggest daily jump of 87 to 422 The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus UK: Graph may show lockdown enforced too late The Daily Mail
• Covid-19: call for fast-track registration of refugee doctors in UK The Guardian
• 'Astonishing': 170,000 people sign up as NHS volunteers in 15 hours The Guardian
• Cancer patients must not be the forgotten tragedy of this coronavirus crisis The Guardian
• Matt Hancock: 3.5m coronavirus test kits on way to NHS The Guardian
• The UK's coronavirus policy may sound scientific. It isn't The Guardian
• Coronavirus test: UK to make 15-minute at-home kits available within days The Independent
• Coronavirus demand on intensive care units not set to overwhelm NHS during peak, says health expert The Independent
• Coronavirus: NHS volunteer scheme attracts more than 170,000 signs-ups within hours being launched The Independent
• Coronavirus: U-turn on critical care advice for NHS amid fears disabled people will be denied treatment The Independent
• ‘Total disregard for people’s lives’: Hundreds of thousands of fake masks flooding markets as coronavirus depletes world supplies The Independent
• NHS staff fighting coronavirus pandemic still forced to pay hospital parking charges ITV News

Northamptonshire coronavirus cases rise by eight in a single day

Northamptonshire coronavirus cases rise by eight in a single day The number of recorded cases of a Covid-19 has risen to 29 today (Monday, March 23) - the biggest increase in any single day since the global pandemic began. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Coronavirus: Northamptonshire Police could use drones BBC Northampton
• Coronavirus kindness: Christmas lights 'help' counter gloom BBC Northampton
• All inquests in Northamptonshire suspended until September in face of coronavirus measures Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• 'Do you want to help?': Northampton General offers paid roles for medical students who want to do their bit to fight coronavirus Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Full guidance on staying at home and away from others

Full guidance on staying at home and away from others The single most important action we can all take, in fighting coronavirus, is to stay at home in order to protect the NHS and save lives. The Cabinet Office

See also:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19): what you need to do Department of Health and Social Care
• Statutory guidance: The Exercise of Commissioning Functions by the NHS Commissioning Board (Coronavirus) Directions 2020 Department of Health and Social Care
• Vaccine trials among recipients of £20 million coronavirus research investment Department of Health and Social Care
• Statutory guidance: The Exercise of Commissioning Functions by the NHS Commissioning Board (Coronavirus) Directions 2020 Department of Health and Social Care
• New technology challenge to support people who are isolating Department of Health and Social Care
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for employees, employers and businesses Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19: guidance for domestic abuse safe accommodation provision Department of Health and Social Care
• Vaccine trials among recipients of £20 million coronavirus research investment Department of Health and Social Care
• Coronavirus bill: health and social care measures House of Commons Library
• COVID-19 ward for intubated patients NHS England
• Free COVID-19 e-learning programme NHS Employers
• Preparedness, prevention and control of COVID-19 in prisons and other places of detention: interim guidance World Health Organization

Gender pay gap reporting deadline suspended

Gender pay gap reporting deadline suspended Due to COVID-19, there is no longer an expectation on employers to report their gender pay gap data before 30 March. NHS Employers

Monitor BP in people routinely taking oral corticosteroids

Monitor BP in people routinely taking oral corticosteroids People with chronic inflammatory diseases who regularly take oral corticosteroids are at greater risk of hypertension than those who don’t take them, UK research has shown. The researchers behind the study, published today in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, urged doctors to closely monitor blood pressure in people treated routinely with these medicines. OnMedica

Number of known coronavirus cases in Northamptonshire now stands at 21

Number of known coronavirus cases in Northamptonshire now stands at 21 The number of known coronavirus cases in Northamptonshire now stands at 21.

Public Health England released the figure — a rise of one from 24 hours earlier — last night after earlier revealing the numbers nationwide have reached 5,683 as at 9am on 22 March 2020. Daventry Express

See also:

• Scammers target Northamptonshire couple with fake coronavirus tests Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Boxes full of snacks delivered to Northampton General Hospital staff fighting coronavirus Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• The Corby companies at the cutting edge of the fight against coronavirus Northamptonshire Telegraph

Major new measures to protect people at highest risk from coronavirus

Major new measures to protect people at highest risk from coronavirus A raft of new measures, including a helpline for the most in need of support, have been set out for those considered to be extremely vulnerable. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Guidance: Guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 Department of Health and Social Care
• New regulations created by Secretary of State for business closure (COVID-19) Department of Health and Social Care
• COVID-19 essential travel guidance Department of Health and Social Care
• ICNARC report on COVID-19 in critical care Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre 
• COVID-19 guidance for the NHS workforce NHS Employers
• Further COVID-19 guidance for the NHS workforce NHS Employers
• Hospitals Get Ramped Up For Delivery Of Protective Kit To Staff Fighting Coronavirus NHS England
• NHS strikes major deal to expand hospital capacity to battle coronavirus NHS England
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): Rapid guidelines and Evidence Review NICE
• Guidance: COVID-19: guidance on social distancing and for vulnerable people Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection Public Health England
• Guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on vulnerable children and young people Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19: infection prevention and control Public Health England
• UK launches whole genome sequence alliance to map spread of coronavirus Public Health England
• Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE): Coronavirus (COVID-19) response Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE)
• Coronavirus: Hancock orders 'millions of masks' for NHS BBC News
• Coronavirus: Doctors 'feel like lambs to the slaughter' BBC News
• Coronavirus: Hancock admits ‘challenges’ over NHS equipment BBC News
• Coronavirus: What is shielding?  BBC News
• NHS deal will provide thousands of extra beds BBC News
• Coronavirus: Health chief's plea to remember NHS workers BBC News
• Coronavirus: Young people are not ‘invincible’, WHO warns BBC News
• A&E doctor reveals people in their THIRTIES are in intensive care with coronavirus in UK hospitals The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus claims Britain's youngest victim at 18 The Daily Telegraph
• Who is on the list of key workers? Coronavirus school closures explained The Daily Telegraph
• 'Fit and healthy' 36-year-old UK nurse in intensive care with coronavirus The Guardian
• Coronavirus dos and don'ts: UK advice on behaving responsibly The Guardian
• Here's how to care for loved ones suffering with coronavirus | Rachel Clarke The Guardian
• Coronavirus: lack of protective equipment is putting medics at risk The Guardian
• Nice issues emergency coronavirus guidelines for UK doctors and nurses The Guardian
• Coronavirus: Government's mixed messages on social distancing could ‘cost lives’, warns Labour MP working as A&E doctor The Independent
• UK coronavirus death toll rises to 281 The Independent
• Thousands of retired doctors/nurse agree to help fight virus OnMedica
• NHS boss: Panic buyers 'should be ashamed' Sky News

A guide to video consultations

A guide to video consultations The British Journal of General Practice has published a guide for practices on how to use video in clinical consultations.

It covers the steps practices need to take to get started, guidance for clinicians on how to conduct the consultation and advice for patients on what to expect and how to prepare

Machine 'could quadruple' heart and lung transplants

Machine 'could quadruple' heart and lung transplants The number of heart and lung transplants could quadruple thanks to a "reanimation" machine used in a pioneering operation, a hospital says.

The device, developed at Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge, managed to pump oxygenated blood into both organs in a world-first procedure.

The machine can revitalise deteriorating organs allowing "donation after circulatory death" (DCD). BBC News

Blood donations needed after 15% drop, says NHS

Blood donations needed after 15% drop, says NHS The NHS is urging blood donors to keep their appointments during the coronavirus outbreak.

It said donations were 15% lower than expected last week, amid fears donors are feeling unsure about safety and whether sessions are still going ahead.

A spokesman said the impact of the drop was minimal but must be addressed. BBC News

£2.9 billion funding to strengthen care for the vulnerable

£2.9 billion funding to strengthen care for the vulnerable The funding will help patients who no longer need urgent hospital treatment to return home, making at least 15,000 beds available during the coronavirus outbreak. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Online isolation notes launched - providing proof of coronavirus absence from work Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): hospital discharge service requirements Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: COVID-19: ethical framework for adult social care Department of Health and Social Care
• Former docs and nurses told “Your NHS Needs You” to tackle greatest global health threat in history NHS England
• Guidance: COVID-19: prisons and other prescribed places of detention guidance Public Health England
• Guidance: COVID-19: guidance for hostel or day centres for people rough sleeping Public Health England
• Guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): residential care, supported living and home care guidance Public Health England
• Coronavirus: Thousands of retired medics asked to return to NHS BBC News
• PM: We can 'turn the tide' on coronavirus crisis BBC News
• Coronavirus: How can the NHS, students and businesses be supported? BBC News
• Coronavirus: When will the outbreak end and life get back to normal? BBC News
• Britain could start to lift drastic social restriction measures by summer, expert claims The Daily Mail
• Coronavirus death toll tops 10,000 worldwide as crisis continues to escalate in Europe The Daily Mail
• Who qualifies as a key worker? Coronavirus school closures explained The Daily Telegraph
• Microsoft Teams to be rolled out across NHS in response to coronavirus Digital Health
• 15,000 doctors invited to return to NHS frontline to fight coronavirus GPonline
• 'We're clearing the decks': a GP on watching the coronavirus pandemic unfold The Guardian
• Children to attend school if one parent classed as key worker The Guardian
• I'm the head of a medical school. But doctors like me are going back to the frontline The Guardian
• Busting common myths about Covid-19 The Independent
• Coronavirus: Health Secretary urges Britons to ‘stay home to save lives’ The Independent
• Structured Medication Reviews postponed under new COVID-19 guidance OnMedica

NICE publishes its first medtech briefing on artificial intelligence software

NICE publishes its first medtech briefing on artificial intelligence software A piece of software used to assess CT images of people with suspected brain abnormalities is the first Medtech Innovation Briefing (MIB) published by NICE which includes the use of artificial intelligence (AI).