Outbreak investigation case study

Published 4 days ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics Coronavirus pandemic Health experts have taken steps to tackle Covid outbreaks at two hospitals in the Borders. The Hay Lodge site in Peebles and Ward 9 at the Borders General near Melrose have been shut to admissions. NHS Borders said that all but essential visiting had also been suspended at both sites. It said the situation was being kept under regular review and the restrictions would be eased as soon as it was safe to do so. Essential visiting includes seeing a person receiving end-of-life care or to support someone with a mental health issue. Earlier this week, the health board was forced to drop its plans for its first in-person meeting in more than two years due to rising Covid case numbers in the region. I Related Internet Links Patients & visitors … [Read more...] about Covid outbreaks halt Borders hospital admissions

As global temperatures continue to rise, corals around the world are being subject to more stress, with many bleaching in response. But a new study suggests that corals could have an unexpected ally to help protect them from bleaching – dolphin poo. Researchers from Zoological Society London (ZSL) have revealed how vital nutrients in dolphin poo can enhance coral reef productivity and resilience. 'Coral reefs are facing profound threats around the world, including climate change and biodiversity loss, but this research has identified a clear ally for them; spinner dolphins,' said Dr Tom B Letessier, lead author of the study. Researchers from Zoological Society London (ZSL) have revealed how vital nutrients in dolphin poo can enhance coral reef productivity and resilience As global temperatures continue to rise, corals around the world are being subject to more stress, with many bleaching in response Spinner dolphins: The acrobats of the sea Spinner … [Read more...] about Fin-tastic news! Vital nutrients in DOLPHIN POO could help bleached coral reefs to recover, study claims

The rules of federal governance are being dramatically reconceived under the presidency of Donald Trump. The president's traditional relationship with federal agencies, with Congress and with state governments are all being called into question. At no time, however, in the past three and a half years has the radical nature of the "Constitution according to Trump" been more apparent than on Tuesday, when the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two cases addressing whether the Constitution permits either Congress or a state district attorney to subpoena the president's tax returns from his accountants, Mazars. Trump's lawyers, of course, say no—a president's personal financial records cannot be subpoenaed, because a sitting president cannot be investigated, not by Congress and not by a state district attorney. The nub of the president's argument is that Article II of the Constitution gives him "temporary absolute immunity" until he leaves office. Worse, Trump thinks it extends … [Read more...] about Trump says a sitting president can’t be investigated. Will the Supreme Court tell him he’s wrong? | Opinion

A Tory MP accused of rape and sexual assault offences spanning seven years has been released on bail. The Metropolitan Police have not named the man, who is aged in his 50s, but said he faces further investigation. He was also detained on suspicion of indecent assault, abuse of position of trust and misconduct in public office. Tory chief whip Chris Heaton-Harris urged the MP to stay away from Parliament but has not suspended the whip, meaning the suspect remains a member of the parliamentary party. Scotland Yard said officers received a report in January 2020 relating to alleged sexual offences committed in London between 2002 and 2009. The investigation is being led by officers from the Met’s central specialist crime team. It is understood the Conservatives will not make a decision on suspending the MP’s whip until the police investigation is concluded. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said she was ‘very, very concerned’ that a Tory colleague had been arrested. … [Read more...] about Tory MP arrested for rape is released on bail but faces further investigation

The monkeypox virus spreading across the US, Europe and the UK is mutating surprisingly fast, according to a study conducted by Portuguese researchers and published in the journal Nature Medicine. The study offers the most in-depth look at the genetic makeup of the virus so far. Scientists sequence virus genomes because the genome is the virus's playbook — the genome is the genetic material of an organism, and, in the case of a virus, it tells us what the virus is, what is does and how it is likely to spread. Monkeypox mutated 50 times since 2018 For the study, the researchers took samples from 15 monkeypox patients and compared the genomes of the virus that had infected them. The researchers found that the patients each had a strain of monkeypox that could be traced back to a previous outbreak of the virus in 2018-2019 in the United Kingdom, Israel and Singapore, which had originated in Nigeria. But, more than that, the tests showed that the virus had mutated 50 times — … [Read more...] about Monkeypox virus mutations ‘challenging’ what we know

By Rob Cameron Published 21 February 2019 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Thousands have attended protest rallies across Slovakia in memory of murdered journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancée, shot in a targeted killing a year ago. He had been investigating alleged corruption linked to Italian organised crime - a story which would, after his death, bring down the government. About 25,000 people rallied in the capital Bratislava. It remains unclear who ordered the killing of Kuciak and Martina Kusnirova, both aged 27 at the time. While the Bratislava rally was very much an act of remembrance for them - there were Slovak chorales and a sermon by a priest - it was also a political protest. Demonstrators cheered as organisers called on the political old guard to resign - a group including former Prime Minister Robert Fico, who remains an MP and head of the … [Read more...] about Jan Kuciak: Murdered Slovakia journalist remembered

On Monday, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj announced that the annual pilgrimage will, despite the worst fears of billions of Muslims around the world, still go ahead this year. It will however only be open to pilgrims (of any nationality) already within Saudi Arabia's borders, which means that for most of the two million pilgrims planning their visit next month, Hajj will not be possible due to travel restrictions. But this will also open the door to the transformational opportunity of a "virtual Hajj", where live feeds and social media allow more people than ever to participate in the event in some way. Many of those, despite the best efforts of all involved, struggle to afford the Hajj. This means that virtual participation is an important step in widening access to what is a religious obligation for approximately 2 billion Muslims. But it is an expensive obligation. In Bangladesh, for example, the minimum cost of a Hajj package is 315,000 BDT, equivalent to about $3,700—nearly … [Read more...] about “Virtual Hajj” is a painful interval—but also Islam’s most global moment yet

Published 26 June 2018 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing As the National Health Service turns 70, BBC Scotland highlights some of the key milestones in its history - from prescription charges and keyhole surgery to pioneering scans and the smoking ban. 1913 : The Highlands and Islands Medical Service is set up with a Treasury grant of £42,000. It was designed to address a shortfall in healthcare for remote communities. The service is considered a forerunner of the UK-wide NHS in that it was a state-funded and centrally-controlled. 1930 : Scotland's first blood transfusion service is established. The inaugural panel of donors was brought together by Edinburgh dentist Jack Copland. 1933 : Fisherman John McDermid becomes Scotland's first air ambulance patient. He was in urgent need of an abdominal operation but too ill for the sea and road journey. Mr McDermid arrived … [Read more...] about The NHS at 70: Prescriptions, scans and the smoking ban

Valneva ships first doses of COVID-19 vaccine on April 6th Sign up for FREE health tips to live a long and happy life SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info One of these side effects, say University College London, is a condition known as Guillan-Barre Syndrome (GBS). This is a rare but serious autoimmune condition known to attack the peripheral nervous system. Researchers are concerned about the damaging impact of the condition and what this could mean for the select few who suffer from it. It is important to note, while unnerving, the onset of GBS is highly unlikely. Related articles How to live longer: The diet linked to ‘20-year’ changes in lifespan Bowel cancer signs: Three feelings that come to you … [Read more...] about Unusual syndrome affects patients with AstraZeneca vaccine – symptoms to spot

Congressional oversight has long been recognized as an essential implied power of the legislative branch, a power principally exercised through Congress' ability to conduct investigations. At the heart of any congressional investigation is the ability to call and question witnesses. If Congress is to exercise its oversight responsibilities with regard to the executive branch, it must call executive branch officials before it, and those officials should participate with alacrity. Possibly the most important regular witness to appear before Congress is the attorney general, whose activities as chief law enforcement officer for the federal government determine the tone and direction of the rule of law for the country. For the most part, past administrations have been quite willing to have their attorney generals appear before Congress, and with good reason. When executive branch officials testify before Congress, they have an opportunity to offer a public justification for their actions … [Read more...] about Trump’s no-show Attorney General Barr must testify to Congress—or resign | Opinion