COVID-19

COVID cases rising, UK in the dark about virus future

— The UK is facing a growing problem with COVID-19, as cases continue to rise and many surveillance studies tracking infection levels have ended. This is leaving the country in the dark about how COVID may play out in the months ahead, as experts say a new wave of the virus is under way.

Public Health

How austerity made the UK more vulnerable to COVID

— Evidence shows austerity has wide-ranging consequences for health.

Long COVID

Long COVID’s brain fog: Impact of COVID-19 on memory

— How “brain fog” from Long COVID can be akin to ageing 10 years. A King’s College London study reveals cognitive impairments that can last up to 2 years post-infection.

Health

Feline coronavirus and bird flu kill cats across Europe

— An alarming rise in cat deaths in Cyprus and Poland has sparked concern among health experts. A potent strain of feline coronavirus is suspected in Cyprus, while avian flu is affecting cats in Poland. The situation has instigated studies into potential risks to human health.

Long COVID

What we know about how Long COVID condition affects mental health

— Research shows that people with long COVID have worse mental health than those without it. They may face disbelief, stigma and difficulties accessing healthcare.

Long COVID

The challenges of living with Long COVID

— We explore the most common symptoms reported by individuals with long COVID and how these symptoms impact their day-to-day activities.

COVID-19

COVID in kids: Younger children and those from deprived areas are at higher risk of being hospitalised

— A new study looks at all children hospitalised with a first recorded COVID infection in England from July 2020 to February 2022.

COVID-19

COVID: How incorrect assumptions and poor foresight hampered the UK’s pandemic preparedness

— Matt Hancock said the UK’s pandemic planning was wrong and focused on the consequences rather than the prevention of COVID-19, and failed to recognise the similarities between COVID-19 and SARS.

COVID-19 Inquiry

Cabinet Office U-turns on Boris Johnson’s phone messages for COVID Inquiry

— In a surprising turn of events, the Cabinet Office has reversed its stance on accessing Boris Johnson’s phone messages concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, raising some intriguing questions about transparency and trust in the COVID Public Inquiry.

COVID-19

The inside story of the vaccine programme’s battles with the Treasury

— A new book exposes the tensions between the Treasury and health officials over the COVID-19 vaccine programme, and alleges that Steve Barclay delayed the approval of the programme due to value-for-money concerns, angering the vaccine taskforce.

COVID-19

FU.1: The new COVID strain that could spark another wave

— FU.1, a new COVID strain that is more contagious and faster spreading than the previous ones, has been detected in many countries and poses a serious risk of another wave of infections.

COVID-19 Inquiry

COVID Public Inquiry exposes Government’s pandemic failures

— The COVID Inquiry has revealed the UK’s pandemic prep failures, including a lack of lockdown planning, PPE stockpiling, slow testing, and isolation response. Bereaved families demand justice and accountability for their loved ones.

Long COVID Kids

Why children in the UK should still be offered the COVID vaccine

— Widespread vaccination of children would likely avert thousands of cases of long COVID in the UK.

COVID-19

Brexit obsession left UK vulnerable to COVID, ex-Cabinet Office director reveals

— A former official said the UK Government neglected its pandemic preparedness due to its obsession with Brexit, adding that the government did not plan for lockdowns, social support, or PPE, and ignored the health inequalities and vulnerabilities of the poor and ethnic minorities.

COVID-19

Long COVID: Effects on fatigue and quality of life can be comparable to some cancers

— Of all symptoms studied, fatigue was associated with the biggest effect on long COVID patients’ daily lives.

COVID-19

Thousands of people in the UK are out of work due to long COVID

— Studies from multiple countries have found that long COVID is linked to an increased likelihood of not working. Here’s what’s happened in the UK.