New Covid Testing Scheme to Boost Care Home Visits Before Christmas
A fresh testing trial kicks off in Hampshire, Cornwall, and Devon from November 16. The plan? To let one family member or friend per care home resident undergo regular Covid testing. They can use PCR home kits or rapid lateral flow tests at the homes.
This move aims to combine testing with PPE, allowing “meaningful visits” without the cold barrier of screens. If successful, it could roll out across the UK just in time for the festive season.
Children Now Biggest Covid Spreaders in Households, Say Experts
Government scientific advisers have revealed a sharp rise in Covid cases among school-age kids during the second wave. Shockingly, children are now more likely than adults to bring the virus into their homes.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom. Families with children face no greater risk of severe illness compared to others.
Teachers’ Union Sounds Alarm Over Rising Child Cases
The National Education Union (NEU) voiced concerns over the growing number of children testing positive. The precise role kids play in spreading Covid has baffled experts for months.
While youngsters face low risk of severe illness, evidence suggests younger children may be less prone to catching the virus at all. But for older kids, their role in transmission remains murky.
Good News from Down Under: Australia Sees No New Covid Cases
Australia’s three biggest states celebrated a week without any local Covid transmissions. Victoria, once the epicentre of the outbreak, marked its 15th straight day with no new infections or deaths.
Two weeks after ending one of the world’s toughest lockdowns, Victorian deputy chief health officer Allen Cheng called the run of zero cases “about as good as it can get.” This offers hope for Australia’s pandemic recovery—and a glimmer of optimism for the rest of the world.
