COVID-19 Coronavirus, Other Virus and Health UK and World News Update 3rd October 2025

In the UK COVID cases are still on the rise, we haven’t hit the peak yet. RCGP Sentinel Surveillance of around 2,000 GP surgeries in England suggests cases are up around 20% in the latest week (week ending 28th September) and UK HSA data confirms, showing a rise of 22.2% in the week ending 24th September. Looking at the charts, allowing for lags in data, it's probably on a par with where we were this time last year. Stratus (the XFG and XFG.3 variants) and Nimbus (NB.1.8.1) are being given the blame, Stratus accounted for around 2/3 of cases last month.

Online reports say Stratos includes a hoarse voice. Presumably can confirm. I've had hardly any sore throat, but I've spent over 2 weeks out of the last 3 1/2 croaking, and I still don't have my voice back properly, despite feeling a lot better and a negative test finally (hurrah!).

COVID-19 Coronavirus, HPAI H5N1 Bird Flu, Measles, Tropical Imports and Other Virus UK and World News Update 5th September 2025

From January every eligible child in the UK will receive a chickenpox (varicella) vaccination with their MMR jabs (MMRV). 

"Research shows that chickenpox in childhood results in an estimated £24 million in lost income and productivity every year in the UK. The rollout will also save the NHS £15 million a year in costs for treating the common condition."

Mild chickenpox can still be awful and leave you with scarring. Severe chickenpox is rare, but does happen. It can cause infections, pneumonia, encephalitis or a range of problems with organs, including the brain, eyes and heart. Chickenpox during pregnancy can affect your baby. Any baby born with chickenpox will be very poorly. 

Chickenpox vaccination also helps protect against shingles - which is where dormant varicella virus hiding in your body (often for decades) reawakens and can make you very ill. 10 years ago my partner got meningitis from dormant varicella springing back into action and making it into his head.

I strongly agree with vaccinating against varicella. 

NHS England:

From 1 September, all severely immunosuppressed adults aged 18+ will be able to get the shingles vaccine from their GP.

"This includes people with conditions such as leukaemia or lymphoma or those who are undergoing chemotherapy, which put them at greater risk of becoming seriously unwell if they contract shingles."

This is another varicella vaccine, although it contains no complete or live virus (it's just a reminder for your immune system and safe for vulnerable people). You should get an invitation to book from your GP next month.

COVID-19, Long COVID, HPAI H5N1 Avian Flu, and other virus UK and World News Update 25th July 2025

I hope you've had a good month - thanks for coming back! I've had a very lovely time off - I survived going on a plane, which I haven't done in 26 years because I was terrified last time. It's never too late to face your fears, and I'm exceptionally glad I did. We went on holiday with 5 of our 'children', ticked off some bucket list items visiting Pompeii, Vesuvius and Herculaneum, and walking a crippling 80 miles over 11 days. Be brave, it pays off, even if you have sore knees. Back to it... 

COVID-19 Coronavirus, HPAI H5N1, Measles, Vaccinations and Virus UK and World News Update 27th June 2025

Last report I mentioned NB.1.8.1 Nimbus COVID variant. It's still under close scrutiny and expected to cause a COVID wave around the world due to its speed, and ability to bypass older immunity. In May, the US CDC's airport surveillance program began detecting cases in travellers from a range of countries. By the last week of May it accounted for almost half of the cases they detected. 

In the last 4 weeks, of those samples which have been sequenced and uploaded to GISAID, NB.1.8.1 has accounted for 81.8% of cases in Hong Kong, 76.9% in China, 75% in Japan, 56.5% in South Korea, 45.6% in New Zealand, 40.3% in Australia, and it's spread to Europe at the rapid speed we were promised. 41.7% in the Netherlands, 37.5% in Finland, 23.8% in Norway, 21.5% in Ireland, 20% in Portugal, 19.5% in Germany, 12.5% in the UK and 10% in France. Slightly slower domination in North America, but 21.1% of cases in Canada, and 9.9% in the USA. 

COVID-19, HPAI H5N1 Avian Flu, Mpox and other virus UK and World News Update 13th June 2025

The UK NHS is critically short of blood and is asking for new donors to come forward urgently. If you are aged 17 to 65, generally fit and well, and weigh between 7 stone 12 lbs (50kg) and 25 stone (158kg) you can usually donate. Find out more information and register if you are able at blood dot co dot uk. Save a life. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus, Measles, HPAI H5N1 and other virus UK and World News Update 30th May 2025

Until it left the World Health Organisation, the US paid them $2.1b a year. 

Norovirus cases in the UK are still incredibly high. Over the last 5 years 31st March to 27th April we've averaged 6,446 confirmed cases (which doesn't include anyone who isn't tested, which is Loooooooads), and this year that figure is 14,959. UK Gov remind us to pretty please STAY AT HOME for 48 hours AFTER you are last ill. Do not prepare food for others, do not go to school or work, do not pass go, do not risk spreading this to the very young, the very old or other vulnerable people who may become very seriously ill. 

"So far this year, nearly 2.9 million COVID cases have been reported in the U.S., causing 200,465 hospitalizations and 14,213 deaths."

BNO News

In the UK around 160 people a day are still currently being admitted to hospital with COVID, and it is officially responsible for around 70 UK deaths a week. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus, HPAI H5N1 Avian Flu, Measles and other virus UK and World News Update 4th April 2025

The UK has announced Spring COVID boosters, with a focus on "protecting those who are most likely to become seriously ill", the same as last Spring, but unlike previously you have to COME FORWARD and book your appointment, rather than waiting for an invitation. Do this online at nhs dot uk /bookcovid or by calling 119.

Those eligible include:

- people aged 75 or over by 17th June

- residents of care homes for older adults (not staff or carers)

- people meeting immunosuppression criteria (check online for a list)

The UK Department of Health and Social Care has agreed an extra £167m funding (over 2 years) with Community Pharmacy England.

On top £193 million of debt for community pharmacy owners will be written off. 

In return community pharmacies in England will:

- all offer the ‘morning-after pill’ free of charge

- offer patients prescribed antidepressants "convenient support at pharmacies".

- cut red tape, with more of the pharmacy team able to deliver services such as medicines advice, Pharmacy First services, and blood pressure checks.

- have financial incentives boosted for pharmacists to identify patients with undiagnosed high blood pressure, to take pressure off GPs.

- have funding for medicine supply boosted, so patients have better access to the medicines prescribed for them. This includes writing off the historic debt linked to dispensing activity during the pandemic and increasing fees linked to dispensing prescriptions.

COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 21st March 2025

5 years ago most of the world was going into lockdown. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), as of January 5, 2025, a total of 7,083,246 confirmed COVID-19 deaths had been recorded worldwide - and that does not include any of those who died without testing or who were recorded as dying from other causes. 

On Sunday 9th March the UK held a Day of Reflection to remember the people lost since the pandemic began, and to give thanks to those who who have worked to help others and shown kindness above and beyond the norm. 

A huge thank you from me too - we couldn't have kept going without all of you who risked your own health for us. 

"COVID causes permanent brain damage and immune system dysfunction. It’s why everyone’s sick."

Dr Sean Mullen, Research Director at Exercise Tech Lab, Illinois. 

Saturday 15th March was Long COVID Awareness Day. Our essential workers, those people who kept us going through lockdown, the frontline medical staff, bus drivers, cleaners, shop workers and everyone else who had to face the public back when we had Alpha, Beta and Delta strains and no vaccinations, were more likely to lose their lives to COVID, and today they are more likely to suffer severely from Long COVID. 

There is no doubt for anyone now that Long COVID exists. It's real, it can be viewed on X-rays, in blood tests, scans and autopsies. COVID can affect all organs of the body, including the brain, heart and lungs, and it affects your blood. It affects your immune system. There is also no doubt that the more people who catch COVID, the more are left with Long COVID, and the more times you catch COVID, the higher your chance of having Long COVID. 

Never give up on relief of your symptoms. Our bodies are miraculous things and a lot of the damage can take a long time to heal. Each week scientists and researchers piece together more of the jigsaw, and they learn more about what COVID does and how it does it. The more they learn, the more potential therapies and cures they can try, and they are making improvements in people's lives. Keep hope. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus, HPAI H5N1 Avian Flu and other virus UK and World News Update 21st February 2025

Between July and November 2024 the UK NHS managed to deliver almost 2.2 million more appointments than July to November 2023. These included chemotherapy, radiotherapy, endoscopy and diagnostic tests.

There is a caveat in that during that period in 2023 there were 12 days of strikes by doctors-in-training (junior doctors) - but in 2024 no strikes and more patients seen is undoubtedly a doubly good thing. 

The waiting list has been cut by almost 160,000 since the current government took office, compared to a rise of almost 33,000 over the same period the previous year. 

The overall waiting list for planned treatment in England fell slightly in December to 7.46 million - but only 59% started treatment within 18 weeks, with the Govt target by end of parliament 92%. Some way to go yet. 

Keep going Wes. Keep fixing the NHS. 

Amanda Pritchard, Chief Executive of NHS England with a less than heartwarming quote last week:

“We need to think much more radically, particularly about capital…I think we now must consider private capital investment in the NHS…if we don’t fix our buildings, if we don’t fix our technology we’re not going to..really drive that long term improvement."

You don't really seem to want to save the NHS Amanda. Surely pumping cash into wining and dining private capital, then repaying interest or renting for the next bazillion years is not the best way to save the NHS?

COVID-19 Coronavirus, H5N1 Avian Flu, Disease X and other virus UK and World News Update 20th December 2024

"We are currently seeing more norovirus cases than in any season since we started our current reporting system."

UK Health Security Agency (HSA)

Norovirus is a tummy bug that can be nasty. Always wash hands before touching food, don't cook for others if you are ill, wash soiled bedding and clothes at 60º and as always, stay home if you are ill. 

UK HSA VirusWatch:

Flu activity has increased and is now at medium levels.  

COVID19 activity decreased across all indicators and remains at baseline levels. 

RSV activity decreased across most indicators and we are seeing less cases.

11,511 deaths were registered in England and Wales, week ending 6 Dec 2024 (Week 49):

· 8.0% lower than the expected number (998 fewer deaths)

· 14.5% involved influenza or pneumonia (1,671 deaths)

· 1.0% involved COVID19 (118 deaths)

UK public are being asked to only go to A&E at hospital if you really need to. If in doubt or you've got plenty of time to think about it, call 111 and get further advice. They will triage over the phone and send you for the correct help. If someone is seriously ill or injured, deteriorating rapidly, shows signs of stroke or heart attack, or a life is in danger, call 999 as an emergency. 

 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. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 30th August 2024

It has slowed down over Summer, but there were still 153 cases in the 4 weeks to 5th August (mostly in London), and 2,278 cases across England since the start of the year.

Measles is nasty and almost entirely preventable by vaccination. Babies, infants and people with less robust immune systems are most at risk of serious illness, permanent damage and death. By taking your child for their MMR, or catching up with your own, you aren't only protecting one person, you are protecting all of those they come into contact with. The MMR has been considered safe and used around the world since 1971 (1988 in the UK). 

 COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 2nd August 2024

The UK's JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation) have announced who will get COVID boosters this Autumn. They haven't expanded the list to include all children, nor do they include people who live or work with vulnerable people, but they have expanded the age range for older people. Folk in the following categories will be sent an invitation to book later in the year:

- Adults aged 65 or over

- Residents in a care home for older adults

- Individuals aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group (huge list, available online). 

The UK currently has high levels of COVID, and we aren't alone. Earlier Greece was warning tourists about a surge which has seen masks return to some hospitals, and travel advisories from neighbouring countries.

The FLIRT variants are being blamed. They actually appear to hospitalise slightly less people, but they can creep around some of our immunity, so more people are catching them, with a knock on effect that hospitals are still seeing more COVID patients. 

Latest hospital figures for England show a peak in COVID admissions almost as high as last Winter or Autumn's peaks, and Scotland's wastewater monitoring shows the highest levels since early 2022.

Prof Christina Pagel of indieSAGE reminds us one negative test doesn't mean you don’t have COVID, test again over consecutive days to confirm:

"Basically, there is a LOT of Covid around and not a lot of other respiratory viruses.

If you have cold or flu symptoms, it's probably Covid."