COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 29th November 2024

COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 29th November 2024

"I have no idea how to work within a system that accelerates catastrophic risk because people are pi**ed about the COVID pandemic. I have no idea how to convince people who think public health is a form of tyranny that millions of people could die in a flu pandemic."

Professor Angie Rasmussen, virologist at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan.

English virus watch summary from the UK Health Security Agency (HSA):

- Influenza activity increased and has reached low activity levels

- COVID-19 activity remained stable and is at baseline levels

- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) activity increased is at medium levels

RSV is particularly affecting babies and infants 0-4 years (moderate levels), and children 5-14 (high). The UK also has a pretty big issue with Norovirus right now (sickness tummy bug). 

Stay at home if you are ill... 

Zensu Strategy Board Game Review (Sent By Cheatwell Games) For 2 Players Aged 8+

Long time favourites Cheatwell Games have sent us a new game for review - Zensu. This is a turn-based strategy board game for 2 players aged around 8 or over. It is incredibly simple to play, but, like chess or draughts, it'll take a long while to master...

COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 15th November 2024

 COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 15th November 2024

10,644 deaths were registered in England and Wales, week ending 1 November 2024 (Week 44):

· 13.3% lower than the expected number (1,634 fewer deaths)

· 13.8% involved influenza or pneumonia (1,469 deaths)

· 2.5% involved COVID19 (262 deaths)

Office for National Statistics

The UK HSA have started publishing weekly virus watch reports for England. We currently have lots of RSV, especially in children under 5. COVID and flu are pretty stable. 

During the UK Autumn budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced significant extra money for the NHS - £25.7 BILLION over the next 2 years.

It includes:

- funding to reduce waiting times by supporting the NHS to deliver an extra 40,000 elective appointments a week. This is part of the "plan to make sure patients wait no longer than 18 weeks from their referral to getting treatment". (Which would be utterly amazing if it ever happens.)

- £1.5 billion to fund new surgical hubs which will help build capacity for over 30,000 additional procedures, and more than 1.25 million additional diagnostic tests (which use CT or MRI scanners) 

- £70 million to invest in new radiotherapy machines to improve cancer treatment 

- Over £2 billion for NHS technology and digital improvements to increase productivity and save staff time 

- Over £600 million increase in local government spending to support social care  

- £26 million to open new mental health crisis centres  

"Looking beyond this Budget, the government will publish a 10-year health plan for the NHS in spring 2025. This will set out the long-term vision for fixing the NHS."

Well that all sounds incredibly promising... as long as they can get, and keep, the staff to deliver it. 

Confidence in Denim: How to Feel Your Best in Your Favourite Pair of Jeans (Brand Collaboration)

Confidence in Denim: How to Feel Your Best in Your Favourite Pair of Jeans (Brand Collaboration)

If there's one wardrobe staple that we can all unanimously agree on, it's jeans. The quintessential piece of clothing that effortlessly fits into every style scenario, whether you're dressing up for a weekend bash or dressing down for a casual coffee meet. 

When you don a pair of well-fitted jeans, it instils an undeniable sense of confidence within you. However, feeling and looking your best in your favourite denim requires more than just picking out a random pair from the shelf. It demands an understanding of your body type, pinpointing the right style, and accessorising it appropriately. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 1st November 2024

COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 1st November 2024

In the week ending 18th October, 241 people in England and Wales had COVID listed as their cause of death. This is the highest since February, and reflective of the recent wave of infection. 1,447 people had pneumonia or influenza listed as cause of death. 

Overall deaths were still down on the expected number by a massive 10.8%.

The better news is that based on todays figures, hospitalisations (England data) have peaked and are decreasing.