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These are the UK coronavirus stories you need to know today.
Shortage evidence ‘threatens NHS recovery’
NHS providers warned that the COVID-19 testing shortage is beginning to affect the recovery of NHS service in England and leading to an avoidable absence of staff.
Group Chief Executive Chris Hopson commented: “It is clear that there are current capacity issues with the testing regime. Trust leaders from Bristol, Leeds and London have expressed concerns over the weekend about the unavailability of testing leading to higher staffing levels. It is not just access for testing for staff members, it is also access for their family members as NHS workers have to isolate themselves if their family members cannot confirm whether have COVID-19 or not.
“The problem is that the NHS trusts are working in the dark – they don’t know why this shortage is happening, how long it is likely to last, how geographically widespread it is likely to be, and what priority will be given to healthcare workers and their families to access scarce testing. They need to know all of this information so they can plan accordingly. For example, trusts need to know if they should try to create or reestablish their own testing facilities as soon as possible. “
England’s Health Secretary Matt Hancock again blamed the testing shortage on people who weren’t eligible for testing, prompting a sharp surge in demand. He also said there were operational challenges that the government was working hard to solve.
Mr. Hancock set out current testing priorities: “The highest priority is, and always has been, acute clinical care.
“The next priority is social care, where we now send more than 100,000 tests a day because we have all seen the risks posed by this virus in residences.”
He did not rule out steps to ensure tests are used in accordance with those priorities.
First COVID-19 death revised to January
The first COVID-19 death in the UK was thought to be on March 2. However, the death of an 80 to 84-year-old man who died in the week ending January 31 was recently recorded. However, the details of the record are being reviewed.
In week 36, which ends on September 4, the number of deaths recorded in England and Wales was 15.7% lower than the 5-year average, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This week included a bank holiday that could have affected the data and reports.
Seventy-eight deaths involved COVID-19, accounting for 1% of all deaths in England, the lowest in 25 weeks.
Deaths in hospitals, nursing homes and elsewhere were below the 5-year average, but deaths in private homes were above the 5-year average.
Action in long COVID
Thirty-nine GPs and specialists have written to the BMJ Calling for action on COVID long.
Suggested actions include one-stop-shop rehab clinics.
“As politicians, scientists, and clinicians attempt to address this problem, these principles can act as a guide that allows people’s experiences with the condition to inform the efforts of experts and lead to better research and clinical care, benefiting to those affected and to society as a whole, “they wrote.
Data breach proof
Public Health Wales apologized after a data breach saw details of thousands of people who tested positive for COVID-19 showing up online over a period of time on August 30 due to human error.
He said the risk was low for 16,179 people but higher for 1926 in nursing homes and similar settings. The Information Commissioner has been informed.
Tracey Cooper, Executive Director of Public Health Wales, said: “We take our obligations to protect people’s data very seriously and I am sorry that this time we have failed. I would like to assure the public that we have processes and policies in place to protect personal data. We have begun a rapid and thorough external investigation into how this specific incident occurred and the lessons that can be learned. I would like to assure our public that we have taken immediate steps to strengthen our procedures and to apologize again for any anxiety this may cause to people “.
Disagreement on the closure of the advisers
A BBC Freedom of Information request uncovered a major disagreement among government advisers on when to begin the shutdown.
An email showed that chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance received a “reprimand” from Professor Chris Whitty, chief medical adviser, for arguing vigorously in favor of the earlier lockdown restrictions in March.
The Department of Health and Welfare said the policy “was guided by the advice of world-renowned scientists.”
Rose to drink high risk low confinement
High-risk alcohol users rose from 4.8 million in February to 8.4 million after the shutdown, according to the Royal College of Psychiatrist analysis of data from Public Health England.
University President Dr. Adrian James commented: “Addiction services have been starved of funds in recent years, meaning that many are unable to treat and care for the large number of people who drink heavily. risk.
“More lives will be unnecessarily lost to addiction unless the Government acts now and commits to making a substantial investment in public health, including addiction services for adults, in Spending Review.”
Posthumous CPR Scholarship
The Royal College of Physicians has awarded its first posthumous fellowship.
Dr Peter Tun was an Associate Specialist in Neurological Rehabilitation at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust who died in April after contracting COVID-19.
He had moved to the UK from Myanmar to work for the NHS and later served on the RCP’s Staff and Associate Specialists (SAS) steering group.
“Fellows are nominated by their peers and fellows in recognition of their accomplishments and skills as physicians, and for their enduring contribution to the profession. As a CPR fellow, Dr. Tun is recognized and remembered among some of the most inspiring medical and innovators of the world, “RCP said in a statement.
Her family has been invited to accept the scholarship once COVID-19 restrictions allow.
Michael, the son of Dr. Tun tweeted: “Thank you @RCPLondon for this recognition. This means a lot to us. My dad loved his job, his colleagues, and he used to tell us that he believed in treating his patients like family.”
Nicky Lloyd, Acting Executive Director of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, commented: “It is so deserved that he has been appointed to the Royal College of Physicians and that his excellent dedication, experience and knowledge have been honored by his peers.”
Today the BMA and BMJ launched a commemorative page dedicated to the 34 doctors known to have died during the pandemic.
BMJ Editor-in-Chief Fiona Godlee commented: “Each name represents an irreplaceable gap in a family and a workplace. No one should have to risk their life or health because of their work, and we honor those who have paid this ultimate sacrifice. In doing so, we are committed to all efforts that will end this pandemic and ensure the safety and well-being of all who work on the front lines of healthcare. “
In Memoriam: Health workers who have died from COVID-19.
Grouse shot
Huffington Post he had an exclusive report on one of England’s ‘rule of six’ exempt activities: grouse and other group shooting activities.
He said a meeting to discuss the exemption was canceled on short notice.
See more global coronavirus updates on Medscape Coronavirus Resource Center.
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