The Private Clinic

[Sandra]

Britain's Nimbus Covid wave? Cases of new variant with unusual symptoms soar with cases doubling in a month.
The strains - XFB, dubbed Stratus, and NB.1.8.1, known as Nimbus - are fuelling a surge in infections, with cases doubling since August.

[Sandra]

Public health experts urge Britons to wear masks and isolate if infected as cases of new Covid variants Nimbus and Stratus soar
Leading experts from Warwick University and the University of Leeds have revealed how to stay safe amid a worrying surge in Covid cases sweeping the UK.

[Sandra]

As Covid surges, flu and RSV are also on the rise sparking warnings NHS could be overwhelmed and operations cancelled.

A leading virologist has warned if cases of five common illnesses in the colder months soar, it will put 'extreme' pressure on the NHS.
Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at Warwick University said 'If flu takes off soon, and people don't come forward for their Covid or flu jabs, then we could be in some trouble.

Flu season was particularly bad in Australia this year, which means the UK's will be too.'



Public health experts urge Britons to wear masks and isolate if infected as cases of new Covid variants Nimbus and Stratus soar.

Leading experts from Warwick University and the University of Leeds have revealed how to stay safe amid a worrying surge in Covid cases sweeping the UK.
Just yesterday health chiefs launched their winter vaccination drive, urging millions to come forward for Covid and flu jabs as hospitalisations creep up.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said positivity had risen from 7.6 to 8.4 per cent in just a week, while admissions increased from 2.0 to 2.73 per 100,000.

[Sandra]

New virus with potential to spark another pandemic discovered in bats in South America.

A new coronavirus has been found in Brazil that shares key features with the one that sparked the Covid pandemic.

[Sandra]

Officials warn flu season has hit a month early with cases already three times last year's toll: 'Long drawn out winter for the NHS'

Sir Jim Mackey, chief executive of NHS England, warned that A&E departments were likely to experience record demand during a 'prolonged and difficult' wave of flu.

[Sandra]

Mutant strain could overwhelm hospitals and trigger worst flu season in a decade.

A mutated strain of the flu that spreads particularly quickly could overwhelm hospitals and cause record deaths this winter, experts have warned.

A potentially dangerous new strain of the virus has emerged and started spreading much earlier than usual in the UK.

It appears to be easier to catch and pass on and is a 'hotter' and 'nastier' virus that could impact more of the population, specialists say.

And it could trigger the worst flu season in a decade – surpassing previous years.

The flu virus evolves constantly but in June this year there was a substantial shift, with seven mutations in a strain of H3N2.

Experts say the form of flu the UK is facing this year is more severe than usual, particularly for older people.

[Sandra]

NHS may have to cut frontline staff and perform fewer operations and scans to cover the £240m cost of today's doctors' strike, health leaders warn.

Thousands of resident doctors are due to walkout for five days from 7am today in a row over pay - despite pocketing rises worth 28.9 per cent over the past three years.

Junior doctors begin five-day walkout in England in row over pay - despite salaries jumping 28.9% in just three years
The 13th walkout, by British Medical Association (BMA) members in both emergency and non-urgent care, began at 7am today and will last until 7am on Wednesday.

[Sandra]

Lockdowns could have been avoided,
COVID inquiry report finds as it condemns 'too little, too late' response and claims 23,000 lives could have been saved.

There were 23,000 people killed by Covid who could have been saved if the lockdown had been imposed just one week earlier, the official inquiry concludes today.

[Sandra]

A troublesome mutant strain of the flu is believed to be more infectious and leading to more severe illness and hospital admissions than last year.
Leading virologists also fear the flu outbreak may be leaving people vulnerable to other catching other seasonal illnesses at the same time, such as norovirus and cold-like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), in the run up to Christmas worsening symptoms.

Health chiefs yesterday urged people to consider masking up again in an effort to curb the spread of infection. 

[cayo]

I'm sure that's not the kind of mask they had in mind

[Sandra]

Record number of Britons hospitalised with flu as NHS warns UK is set for 'worst year ever'
Surveillance programmes that monitor the UK's outbreak suggest flu hospital admissions in England are more than double last year.

[Sandra]

Brits told to wear face masks by health bosses amid 'flunami' with warnings hospitals face 'historic crisis' this winter.
Britons are being warned to wear face masks as the NHS faces a 'historic crisis' this winter amid looming strikes and record numbers of people in hospital with flu.