Covid Tests for Students to Start Before Christmas
Mass Covid testing for students in England could kick off from 30 November, according to a letter from the universities minister. The plan aims to help students head home safely for Christmas.
The week-long testing blitz will run from 30 November to 6 December, overlapping with the end of the lockdown. Universities expect fast test results “within an hour” to prevent students spreading the virus as they travel home.
Students Face Early Finish and Isolation if Positive
This testing window could see many students leaving uni early, with face-to-face teaching wrapping up sooner than usual this term. Students testing positive must retake tests and, if infectious, stay isolated — ruining holiday plans.
Hydroxychloroquine Fails to Help Covid Patients, US Study Finds
A major US study has found hydroxychloroquine offers no benefit for adults hospitalised with Covid-19. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) trial tested the malaria drug, long championed by Donald Trump, on 479 patients across 34 hospitals.
- Patients were split evenly between hydroxychloroquine and placebo groups.
- Average age was 57, including significant numbers of Black and Hispanic participants.
- Health outcomes checked two weeks after treatment showed 32% in the hydroxychloroquine group returned to normal life, compared to 29% on placebo.
- After 28 days, 48% of the hydroxychloroquine group were discharged, just 1% more than the placebo group.
- Deaths were equal in both groups at 25 patients each.
“The finding that hydroxychloroquine is not effective for the treatment of COVID-19 was consistent across patient subgroups and for all evaluated outcomes,” said lead researcher Dr Wesley Self.
The verdict is clear: hydroxychloroquine does not improve survival, reduce organ failure, or shorten hospital stays for Covid patients. The Trump-favoured drug has been dealt a knockout blow.
