Deltacron variant
That's new to me? Do you mean the new variant of Omicron, can't remember its proper designation?
BA.2 is increasing in the UK (Currently about 15%). It's much higher in Denmark (80%), where cases have just about turned over. It is significantly different from original Omicron, but shares much of the escape mutation scaffold.
UK GISAID recent profile is here:
https://outbreak.info/location-reports?xmin=2021-12-11&xmax=2022-02-14&loc=GBR
Note that this not a random sample, but it is a large sample.
Hardly news but here we go and fingers crossed all.
Covid isolation laws set to end in England next week
It's about time
^^ I hope you are right and we are effectively able to live with Covid. I really do.
I just hope Covid has signed up to the agreement too.
****ing stupid
The think what I'm bconcerned about is that if I needed to get one of the new antiviral drugs that are already approved, or about to be, there is no clear path to get them for the family member I am concerned about.
Boosted or not, the outcome could be terrible and easy/defined methods of getting the antivirals would put me at ease to a far larger degree then I am now.
Then there are the poor devil's that can't have the vaccine. Let's not forget about them. Big strides being made with treatments but are they on line just yet?
I think the vaccine and booster programme have left us at a point where we are as good as we can get with the omicron variant. Cruel and tragic as it is at the individual level, those vulnerable to the virus will also be vulnerable to other illnesses that we don't take these kind of precautions for. I'm still not convinced the decision isn't political ahead of scientific/economic though.
That said, I hope that the last two years have taught enough people that turning up for work or social events when feeling ill with anything transmissible is a dickhead move, and wearing a mask if you feel unwell or around someone vulnerable is a sign of respect and not weakness. Not all jobs/employers can support that attitude though.
The bigger risk is that another more serious variant comes along and getting people back into complying again will be a nightmare.
That said, I hope that the last two years have taught enough people that turning up for work or social events when feeling ill with anything transmissible is a dickhead move
No chance, the week before I caught it (only a few weeks ago) I had quite a few at work sniffling/ coughing etc. One of those was the current boss.
My concern is how will businesses and infrastructure work and cope. I'm lucky in that I can self cert sick for a week. Others cant and from my experience it's not something you can just "power through".
Are the elderly/ at risk being thrown under the bus?
It does seem political and classic misdirection.
Covid is done, just like Brexit. Done. Nothing to see here, move along. We’re actually the fastest growing economy in…erm, SomethingSomewhereAtThisTimePerhaps… Why do you hate Engerland, Vaccine rollout. Fastest Booster program. #strong&stable erm…… LatinWimbleWomble. Look, over there —> Those poors aren’t suffering enough
Indeed it feels rather premature.
And no-one can speak about vulnerable people.
Troubling times
Gdmfsob
Another outbreak at cassa del kimbers
My eldest son was ill through the night so did a test and half of us, including me seem to be positive, stressed as fk now as we visited my parents yesterday and my mum is not well anyway.
This is my 3rd bout of **** covid! I've just got a snotty nose and my throat us starting to hurt
Probably politically driven and a month too early. However I do wonder how many people aren't isolating at the moment anyway. Its ok if you have easy access to tests, can work from home / have a decent sick pay scheme and care. There are many who dont tick all those boxes and the article above alludes to as much.
The think what I’m bconcerned about is that if I needed to get one of the new antiviral drugs that are already approved, or about to be, there is no clear path to get them for the family member I am concerned about.
If they are designated as 'extremely vulnerable', they should have received a PCR test through the post to use and send back in the event of a suspected covid infection. There is then a number to call to get access to the antivirals. I have one sitting on my desk.
Not sure what the efficacy window is for the antivirals in terms of days (I suspect it's two or three). Seems a bit tight if you're relying on Royal Mail to get it to the lab!
****ing stupid
I believe SAGE agrees? As does the WHO, who have asked asked to ignore the advice. I believe SAGE went further and anticipate another outbreak within 9 months. I really, really hope our “system” Is prepared for it.
Absolutely ridiculous timing.
In a couple of months warmer weather will arrive. People can be outside for gatherings. We are still in winter atm. Just waiting a little longer is the best and safest thing to do.
Johnson thinks he's being popular. My elderly mother doesn't listen to the doctors, scientists, or experts who all say stay safe, wear masks and self isolate (where possible), she only listens to the politicians who foolishly are allowed to make the rules. I cannot get her to see sense.
We’ll be back to much higher levels of presenteeism. And as has been the case all through this pandemic, and one of the reasons we have had such poor health outcomes, the answer is nothing to do with legal enforcement of isolation, and everything to do with our benefits system, employment laws, and the financial and job security pressures put on people to work when ill and/or infectious. We haven’t supported people enough financially when isolating all through this. At one point the state was paying very well off, non infectious, not ill people to not work, while leaving many low paid workers trying to avoid testing because they didn’t want to have to face choosing between infecting others or not being able to earn enough to keep their household incomes afloat.
martinhutch
If they are designated as ‘extremely vulnerable’, they should have received a PCR test through the post to use and send back in the event of a suspected covid infection. There is then a number to call to get access to the antivirals. I have one sitting on my desk.
Unfortunately it won't apply to my old mum. 92, vascular dementia, chronic kidney disease etc etc.
Trouble is, even a UTI can impact mum very badly these days. On top of that when she goes into hospital the goes into a full on state of delirium. Pulling out IV's, thinking the nurses are trying to kill her, the hospital is on fire etc...
Past times she's been in (pre Covid) they let/asked me in so I could effectively restrain her and stop her from pulling her drip out. Kipped on the floor on a thermorest next to her bed. I spent a whole night standing at the end of the bed gently stopping her getting her legs out of bed (she thought we were all trying to kill her and she wanted to "go") whilst being called the worst things you can imagine and being hit with the bed remote whilst doing so. That was a night!
Problem is, I won't be allowed in the hospital to stay with her this time. Delirium will set in and frankly, she'll be forgotten about. I say that as someone that supports the NHS 100% but it's just the way it will be.
Stopping her going into hospital is my primary concern and yet there is no easy route to antivirals.
If she sas the queen I'm guessing it would be slightly different. Yes, that angers me.
I believe SAGE went further and anticipate another outbreak within 9 months. I really, really hope our “system” Is prepared for it.
I'd rather naively assumed that that would simply be the case of Covid becoming part of the annual winter viruses cycle?
But I agree, feels a month earlier than it needs to be, and for those who cannot afford to isolate now, changing the rules means they don't have to feel guilty about it.
Unfortunately it won’t apply to my old mum. 92, vascular dementia, chronic kidney disease etc etc.
Why's that? She must be in a sufficiently vulnerable group. The idea is that you get sent antiviral pills to take at home, rather than having to be admitted for treatment.
My test just turned up without me asking for it. I wonder if she's got it somewhere, or has been missed off a list? Worth speaking to her GP, perhaps.
@martinhutch
Thanks for the reply mate.
Do you mind me asking how the test was sent you you?
I mean, was the kit in an addressed box a bit like the LF tests, or in a padded envelope or such?
Want to make sure it's not arrived and I've misplaced it or something. Grabbing at straws. Our GP simply doesn't have any info I'm afraid.
Thanks.👍
Timing is vital for treatment, yes? So also stock up on at home LFT while they're still free, if you haven't already.
[ that is assuming the current unavailability of LFT is due to a blip in demand, not supply constraint as part of the "living with" the virus "plan" ]
Sorry, there are no home delivery slots left for these tests right now
The 119 service does not have access to more home delivery slots right now.
Ahh so it’s pretty much spot on for 2 years this thread was opened and err it’s all over then (well for the U.K.)
Dunno what to think is it a 🙂 or a 🙁 the end game was always going to be tricksy.
kelvin
Full Member
Timing is vital for treatment, yes? So also stock up on at home LFT while they’re still free, if you haven’t already.
Yes, im definitely doing that mate.👍
If anyone is struggling with LFT delivery I picked two packs up from the local pharmacy this afternoon. Code needed from the gov-uk website
Sorry if this is a repeat from an earlier post, but I can't be bothered to check 948 pages 🙂
Interesting comment on 5Live from a woman who is immuno-suppressed.
She said she's always been immuno-suppressed and always would be. Flu or shingles could be very serious. She has always been careful and will remain so, Covid was just yet another risk.
The example she gave to support the removal of all restrictions (husbands cancer missed last year and now terminal) doesn't really tie up (tragic as it is, Covid will stretch the NHS whether or not there's an isolation requirement) but her opinion made me think.
Ahh so it’s pretty much spot on for 2 years this thread was opened and err it’s all over then (well for the U.K.)
on paper
what about the human cost? my life has irreversibly changed, without any covid related deaths, relationship hampered and ended by wfh, kids with lost schooling and being at home, a job that changed because of restrictions (NHS) and became less enjoyable, covid induced depression (maybe it was always there, only takes one straw), uni that switched to online again a hinderance, at no reduced cost, 5% of my life at 40 seems hard enough, and I consider myself lucky still, must be utter shit for some, both those that had covid deaths and those thinking wtf was that all about
I’ve had to turn that briefing off, I cannot a bear another minute of that bumbling oaf stuttering and stumbling his way through it. I’m sure he’s now praying for more escalation in Ukraine as further distraction
On a lighter note, I noticed yesterday, and again today, is his hair developing a greenish tinge? Some kind of dye disaster?
Problem is, I won’t be allowed in the hospital to stay with her this time. Delirium will set in and frankly, she’ll be forgotten about. I say that as someone that supports the NHS 100% but it’s just the way it will be.
Is this true? At our hospitals if you’re up to date with jabs you can accompany those that need a carer because you will actually reduce the staff workload (as you well know). Are you able to contact the hospital to discuss? We have patient liaison officers who help organise this kind of thing (can’t remember the NHS equivalent) and you might be able to set up some form of exemption in advance.
So Johnson's declaring Covid to be over on April 1st? Destroying our 'World beating' mass testing regime and telling the Health Secretary that any further free texting for NHS staff, the vulnerable and ill must now come out of the budget meant to alleviate the massive backlog? Give me strength.
Add in the I know that the servicing contracts for all of the testing sites were signed off for 3 years, with only just over 18 months gone, then quite how this is going to save money is beyond me. What about the cost of setting it all back up if another wave or variant hits us? How are we going to know that another wave or variant is out there if we're not testing? The one thing that we are genuinely world class at, sequencing new strains quickly, is going to struggle without the samples to sequence.
Yet another example of politics overriding what should be done.
As hard as it is, I think a balanced view needs to be taken. Clearly, science has said this is not over, we need to vaccinate the vulnerable post flu season and apply similar criteria to the Flu jab next season just in case. Clearly, tests are being held in storage as is PPE, and more vaccines and medicines are being prepared against multiple strains for the future - the scientific defence continues. This was all good news from Witty and Valance. Clearly they are both cautious and urging caution - stay at home if sick, test if you need to, wear masks where appropriate. They do not have the power to make that legal.
Johnson is applying his libertarian populous ideology to keep him and his cronies in power. Clearly they don’t know how to fund the above AND speed up the return of the NHS at the same time without impinging on public taxation more than they already have at a time of great individual costs. Even he recognises the need to be ready; for a PM that can sail this close to the wind and still remain in his job surely could not survive a C19 resurgence for which we are not prepared. Variants will be identified from the fewer tests we do, targeted tests on a resurgence or info from other countries.
It’s my personal action and hope for others that lessons learned about hygiene and spread of viruses lead people to change their attitude to personal contact, washing, social contact and so forth. I fear the majority will be back to post Covid habits before the end of the year.
So Johnson’s declaring Covid to be over on April 1st?
Well right at the start of all this he did say we'd see the back of Covid by Easter. Since he didn't actually specify a year, he could actually be correct; via the powers of his amazing leadership, Covid is over by Easter - albeit Easter 2 years and 175,000 dead people later...
I fear the majority will be back to post Covid habits before the end of the year.
from what I am observing this is very much the case right now
Do you mind me asking how the test was sent you you?
Sorry, only just seen this - mine was in a grey plastic A4ish envelope, sent by RM tracked. The letter was dated December 14. Didn't have to ask for it. Might be worth ringing 111 and seeing if a human is available for a conversation.
As for the removal of restrictions, is this our second or third 'freedom day' now? We could turn it into an annual thing, a bit like advent, where you can count down the days until the new variant turns up.
I truly hate the phrase "Freedom Day". Any politician using that phrase to describe the removal of compulsory public health measures while recommending their continued adoption voluntarily needs stringing up for hypocrisy, and media sources promoting it should be burnt to the ground.
Other than that, I have no strong views.😎
Problem is, I won’t be allowed in the hospital to stay with her this time.
YOu should be . Find out if the Hospital supports "johns campaign" which would mean you must be allowed with her
https://www.goldstandardsframework.org.uk/john-s-campaign-dementia
Other than that, I have no strong views.
Freedom-hater, eh? I want to be free to pass on my viruses on public transport and to my work colleagues whenever I please, and anyone who stands in my way is just some sort of woke communist.
I want to be free to pass on my viruses on public transport and to my work colleagues whenever I please
You've been doing that since the day you were born.
Good job we've learned from experiences then.
Timing is vital for treatment, yes?
Within 7 days of treatment onset, ideally earlier the better. A single infusion might be a better option than five days and thirty tablets for someone with dementia.
Given that BA.2 is as different to BA.1 as delta was from WT, I remain very unconvinced that COVID is "over". However you have to take note that the UK faced a significant wave of an immune escaping variant, and coped, albeit with a rushed out booster system to raise the national levels of immunity. Next time, that booster might be replaced with treatments, most likely Paxlovid (because I don't think molnupiravir does much).
I won't be changing my behaviours, and I suspect many feel the same. Removal of testing for contact with the vulnerable is not a good idea, in fact, I'd like to see testing for more respiratory viruses, perhaps on a single test.
Well, the inevitable has happened, myself and mum were exposed on Sunday.
My partner, asymptomatic came over, tested negative that morning.
Today positive on LT and she has cough/ sore throat.
Just heard via call. No symptoms here as yet. Not told mum either (as yet... In bed to think good to handle this) but now have to decide how to look after mum whilst trying to minimise further exposure for her as I spent more time with partner than she did.
Horse possibly well and truly bolted but need to try to reduce exposure for mum if only for my own peace of mind.
Edit: Thanks for replies regarding any possible hospital scenario for mum, I'll check those links out tj.👍
Removal of testing for contact with the vulnerable is not a good idea,
It seems perverse to make it harder to reduce the risk of transmission to those most likely to need the NHS
in fact, I’d like to see testing for more respiratory viruses, perhaps on a single test.
How close to that Holy Grail are we?
Edited to say I've nothing useful to add other than to hope things aren't as bad as you fear poopscoop
Thinking of you Poopscoop. I imagine all you can do is at this point is heating up, windows open, mask on. You don't sound like you're in a position to have someone else step in to help you mum. Thinking of you both. Fingers crossed your own tests stay negative. For what it's worth, we've had Covid in this (small terraced) house three times and I never caught it. You still have a good chance that you haven't caught it from your partner. Just go big on ventilation and mask wearing from here on, just in case, and we'll all be hoping you got lucky.