Covid-19 update

nurse delivering vaccination
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has provided an update on the BA.2.86 COVID-19 variant in England and the identification of further cases. This variant was behind the sole care home outbreak so far this autumn in Norfolk, where 28 cases were identified.
As of 4 September 2023, 34 confirmed cases of BA.2.86 had been identified in England. Of these, 5 were hospitalised and no deaths due to COVID-19 have been reported amongst these cases.
The update notes that, while there is a degree of community transmission, it is too early to draw conclusions about the variant’s behaviour and characteristics. UKHSA will continue to monitor the situation and provide a further update next week.
As before, vaccination, COVID-19 treatments and the current IPC guidance, remain the best way to help protect against infection across adult social care, and we ask you to continue with these measures.
As set out in the recent letter to the care sector, the COVID-19 and flu autumn/winter vaccination programme began on Monday 11 September and all care staff and care home residents are encouraged to take up the offer as soon as possible.
More social care news in this week’s Wednesday digest