UK and pandemic problems

UK
Cases, + 6,178 + 6,634 + 6,874
Deaths, 37 + 40 + 34

https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/healthcare

Adherence to the test, trace and isolate system
(National Institute for Health Research, Public Health England, King’s College London, University of East Anglia, 18th September)

https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.09.15.20191957v1.full.pdf
Need for people with a persistent new onset cough, fever or loss of their sense of taste or smell to:
Remain at home for at least seven days from the onset of their symptoms
Request an antigen test
Provide details of their close contacts to a dedicated service if the test result is positive
Close contacts of people who have tested positive for COVID-19 to remain at home for 14 days from the time of their contact
2 March to 5 August 2020

N = 42,127

Identification of the key symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, high temperature / fever, and loss of sense of smell or taste)

48.9% of participants identified key symptoms of COVID-19

Self-reported adherence to self- isolation if symptomatic

18.2%

Requesting an antigen test if symptomatic

11.9%

Intention to share details of close contacts

76.1%

Self-reported adherence to quarantine if alerted that you had been in contact with a
confirmed COVID-19 case

10.9%

Non-adherence was associated with:

Men

Younger age groups

Having a dependent child in the household

Lower socio- economic grade

Greater hardship during the pandemic

Working in a key sector.

Conclusions

Practical support and financial reimbursement is likely to improve adherence

Targeting messaging
Covid-19 sniffer dogs

ET, Kossi, Miina and Valo

Anna Hielm-Björkman of the University of Helsinki

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/24/close-to-100-accuracy-airport-enlists-sniffer-dogs-to-test-for-covid-19?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other&fbclid=IwAR0mAlVP8tm01DoBRmYopV5Lu1RN_dDwEmAX7h0DTKbcddeEivWcIrRLon0

Four dogs working at Helsinki airport

State-funded pilot scheme

If it works, it could prove a good screening method in other places

After dog indicates infection, PCR testing is carried out

Nearly 100% accuracy, even days before symptoms

Dogs are also able to identify Covid-19 from a much smaller samples than PCR tests

Dogs can sniff 10-100 molecules to detect the presence of the virus

https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.06.03.132134v1.full

Видео UK and pandemic problems канала Dr. John Campbell