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New data from Public Health England suggests that emergency attendances for several conditions are still well below their normal levels, despite a steady increase in overall activity since the peak of the coronavirus outbreak.
Data from the 77 A&E departments included in the research suggests that overall attendances are up to an average of 15,000 day, compared to around 10,000 at the peak of the pandemic and the long-term trend of just under 20,000. However, attendances for bronchitis, acute respiratory infections, respiratory, pneumonia, asthma, gastroenteritis are still far below their normal levels.
No explanation was offered for why attendances for these conditions have remained low, while those for cardiac, influenza, myocardial ischaemia and gastrointestinal problems have returned to normal levels or above. While PHE’s data does not cover every emergency department. But it includes a wide range of departments and is considered representative of the broader health system.
Leaders across the country are still trying to prepare for and encourage patients returning to hospital, with patients still avoiding hospitals because of COVID-19. Across the country, regional reports from Public Health England centres show that seven-day averages for COVID-19 symptoms continue to fall with some recording fewer than five attendees.
Source: HSJ, 5 June 2020
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A new report has highlighted the risk of both contracting and dying from COVID-19 increases significantly for families living in the most deprived areas. A Public Health England report published on June 2 on the disparities in risk for different groups and parts of the country painted a damning picture for Sunderland.
According to the figures, after adjustments for age, Wearside’s rate of COVID-related deaths per 100,000 stands at 766.9 – the second highest in the North East, after Middlesbrough, and more than 50% higher than the England average.
Councillor Geoff Walker, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, said: “I would hope that because this has highlighted the health inequalities, we will have a chance to improve health in a more targeted way, things like obesity, alcohol and smoking.”
“There has been a significant reduction in smoking across the North East and people are beginning to realise some of these things do increase your chances of surviving things like this. This may not be the last virus attack we get, so we need to have things in place to deal with inequalities more effectively and this could give us the chance to do that.”
Source: Sunderland Echo, 7 June 2020
See also: COVID-19: Review of disparities in risks and outcomes
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Tobacco control groups have demanded an increase in the Federal Excise Duty (FED) on cigarettes in Pakistan’s upcoming annual budget 2020-21 to enhance revenue collection and discourage tobacco use.
They were addressing a pre-budget press conference to demand higher taxes on cigarettes for improved health and economy. The press conference was jointly organized by Society for Protection of Rights of the Child (SPARC), Human Development Foundation (HDF) and Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH).
Sajjad Ahmed Cheema, Executive Director, SPARC said that an increase in dollar price has increased the prices of basic goods for living, whereas the prices of tobacco products are still the same which makes them accessible to minors. Heavy taxation on tobacco products will not only reduce tobacco consumption and its accessibility but will also keep the minors away from tobacco, he added. “We urge the Government to impose higher taxes on tobacco products to save our children.”
Sana Ullah Ghuman, Secretary-General of Pakistan National Heart Association said the government needs to adopt a progressive approach and channel the additional revenues into situations where financial setbacks are faced such as the coronavirus pandemic. “This additional revenue will continue in lessening the financial crunch that the country is facing.”
Source: The News, 7 June 2020
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