Is it necessary?
By asking ourselves this simple question we can reduce risk.
It is well documented that we are more likely 'let our guard down' with people we know, and be more wary of strangers. As me move closer to Christmas we all need the reminder;
Adults & Children can spread the virus without ever showing symptoms or feeling unwell.
This week we are urging families to keep their Christmas's at home, and to avoid mixing indoors unless necessary....even if the government chooses to ignore the science and say mixing is allowed, just because we can, doesn't mean we should.
New Variant of COVID-19
The UK government's New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG) have stated that the new variant of COVID-19 has swiftly become the dominant strain in the south of Britain, and could soon do the same across the country.
"We now have high confidence that this variant does have a transmission advantage over other virus variants that are currently in the UK,"
Peter Horby, a professor of emerging infectious diseases at Oxford University and chair of NERVTAG.
"There is a hint that it has a higher propensity to infect children,"
Neil Ferguson, a professor and infectious disease epidemiologist at Imperial College London and member of NERVTAG.
Child Hospital Admissions
Long Covid Kids have been recording the data for paediatric hospital admissions using Government figures since September, and has noticed an upwards trend in the numbers.
With an increase from 138 paediatric admissions in the first week of November to 205 in the second week of December, there are questions to ask around the role of the recently announced new strain of the virus.
7- 8 per day when schools were closed.
18-20 per day after schools opened.
30+ in the last 3 days.
Our founders Sammie Mcfarland & Frances Simpson have released a statement to the press highlighting their concerns.
"We are concerned that the rising number of admissions for children with Coronavirus may be a reflection of the increased virulence of the new strain of Covid19.
Having seen the devastating impact of the virus on previously fit and healthy children, we call upon the Government to ensure that children’s health is prioritised in the response to this situation.”
