These are the British coronavirus stories you should know today.
Obesity and coronavirus vaccine
Research investigating the relationship between obesity COVID-19 complications also quantified some of the additional risk in people with a BMI above 30.
US studies published in journals Obesity reviews Found:
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113% higher risk of hospitalization
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74% increased risk of having to be admitted to the intensive care unit
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48% higher risk of death from COVID-19
The study authors also discuss whether the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine is less effective in obese individuals.
Melinda Beck, a professor of nutrition at Gillin’s School of Global Public Health, influenza The vaccine has been shown to be less effective in obese adults, and the same may apply to future SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
“But we’re not saying the vaccine is ineffective in obese people, but obesity should be considered as a modifier to be considered for vaccine testing,” she said.
Duncan Young, a professor of intensive care medicine at Oxford University, said: “The debate about the effects of obesity on vaccine efficacy is not based on meta-analysis of the paper or new data, it is the scope of other studies and is merely a hypothesis.
“Many ongoing vaccine studies are very likely to document BMI, and this provides accurate data on the association between obesity and vaccine efficacy.”
Heart service during lockdown
According to a new study, the number of NHS patients offering cardiovascular services for serious heart disease at a center in Scotland was more than halved during the coronavirus blockade.
Observational research in journals Open heart Before and after the lockdown, we analyzed Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary’s cardiology services, Dumfries and its supporting tertiary services, Golden Jubilee National Hospital, and Glasgow’s key performance indicators.
Overall, researchers found significant reductions in all areas of service delivery, including outpatient clinics, surveys, procedures, and professional community services. heart failure And Cardiac rehabilitation..
During the first month of lockdown, the number of people with chest pain and shortness of breath dropped sharply, with a 53% reduction in cardiovascular and coronary unit admissions.
In addition, the number of patients diagnosed with heart attacks was reduced by 40%.
The findings were consistent with other studies on the health effects of lockdown measures. “Therefore, similar changes are likely to occur in other medical and surgical areas,” the researchers noted.
Following the lockdown, cardiology services need to prepare for a significant increase in workload and need to develop new pathways to urgently assist those affected by changes in service delivery. It was.
One positive outcome of the changes introduced to address the pandemic was the central role of technology in providing care. They said the use of virtual clinics would be a “long-lasting legacy”.
Pharmacist and mental health
According to the Royal Society of Pharmacy, pharmacists must be at the forefront of supporting the mental health of people affected by COVID-19.
so Policy document Pharmacists recommend working with health care and social care colleagues to play a central role in:
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Identify people suffering from mental health and wellness
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Increase access to support for people with poor mental health
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Supporting patients with prescription drugs
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Supporting communication throughout the healthcare environment for effective care transfer
Ah To report Earlier this month, the National Bureau of Statistics found that 19.2% of UK adults were likely to experience somehow depression During the June pandemic-up from 9.7% before the pandemic began.
Sandra Gidley, chairman of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said: “COVID-19 has been a very tough time for our community and its impact on mental health is significant.
“The experience of illness and grief caused by the outbreak, along with isolation, economic instability and sudden changes in daily life, had a serious impact on the mental health of the country. People who were previously unaffected. Depression and distress.
“We want pharmacists to be responsive and confident in their response. The only way to manage a potential tsunami of mental health needs is to work with other institutions and healthcare professionals. As part of our approach to coordinating, we need to work together” and across the NHS to support each other and the health of people affected by pandemics. “
Payment for self-separation
Low income, high COVID-19 levels in parts of England need to be self-isolated and can charge up to £182 if they cannot work from home.
of scheme Trials in Blackburn with Derwen, Pendle, and Oldham begin Tuesday, September 1.
Eligible individuals who test positive for SARS-CoV-2 will receive £130 during the 10-day self-isolation period. Other members of the family who need to be self-isolated for 14 days can be paid £182.
Non-household contacts advised to self-isolate via the NHS Test and Trace can also be paid up to £182 depending on the time required for self-isolation.
The payment will be available to those who currently receive Universal Credits or Working Tax Credits.
“This new payment system helps people who are low-income, unable to work at home, and unable to continue to participate in the national fight against the virus,” said Matt Hancock, Minister of Health and Social Welfare. ..
Find more global updates on coronavirus at Medscape’s Coronavirus Resource Center.