What is the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC)?
The JBC aims to provide evidence-based, independent analysis, assessment and advice to inform local and national decision-making in response to COVID-19 outbreaks. This includes:
• helping to direct action on testing, contact tracing and local outbreak management in England
• informing an assessment of the risks to UK public health from inbound international travel
• advising on the COVID-19 alert level
What is the UK regulatory agency for monitoring COVID-19?
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is responsible for protecting and improving the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe.
What is an enduring transmission area in the context of COVID-19?
Enduring transmission Areas experiencing enduring transmission are those parts of the country where the case rate has remained above the national or regional average for a prolonged period.
What is the government's autumn and winter plan for COVID-19?
In September 2021 the Government published its 'COVID-19 Response: Autumn and Winter Plan', setting out a comprehensive plan for managing the virus over the colder months. Plan A for England relied on booster vaccinations, testing and isolation, guidance on safer behaviours and measures at the border.
The publication also outlined a Plan B which could be deployed later in the winter if the situation deteriorated. The measures in Plan B – mandatory face coverings, working from home guidance and COVID-19 certification – were designed to reduce transmission while minimising economic and social impacts.
What are the UK COVID-19 alert levels?
• level 1: COVID-19 is not known to be present in the UK
• level 2: COVID-19 is present in UK, but the number of cases and transmission is low
• level 3: a COVID-19 epidemic is in general circulation
• level 4: a COVID-19 epidemic is in general circulation; transmission is high and pressure on healthcare services is widespread and substantial or rising
• level 5: as level 4 and there is a material risk of healthcare services being overwhelmed
What are the COVID-19 alert levels?
The alert levels are:
• level 1: COVID-19 is not known to be present in the UK
• level 2: COVID-19 is present in UK, but the number of cases and transmission is low
• level 3: a COVID-19 epidemic is in general circulation
• level 4: a COVID-19 epidemic is in general circulation; transmission is high and pressure on
healthcare services is widespread and substantial or rising
• level 5: as level 4 and there is a material risk of healthcare services being overwhelmed
Can you still catch COVID-19 after having the booster vaccine?
Can you still catch COVID-19 after having the vaccine? The COVID-19 vaccination will reduce the chance of you suffering from COVID-19. It may take a few days for your body to build up some protection from the booster.
What plan is the UK Prime Minister setting out during the autumn for the COVID-19 pandemic?
- Boosters, testing and refreshed public health advice will help keep the virus under control in the coming months
- Plan B prepared to protect NHS if necessary
- PM continues to warn the pandemic is not over and public need to remain vigilant
Do you need to wash food packaging?
If you have been shopping, there should be no need to sanitise the outer packaging of food. This is because food businesses are required to have a system for managing food safety in place, which should include keeping packaging clean.
You should still follow good hygiene practice by washing your hands after handling any outer packaging.
How long after having COVID-19 can I get the spring booster vaccine?
If you are unwell, wait until you have recovered to have your vaccine. If you have had confirmed COVID-19 you should ideally wait 4 weeks before having your spring booster.
What are the possible modes of transmission of COVID-19?
Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 can occur through direct, indirect, or close contact with infected people through infected secretions such as saliva and respiratory secretions or their respiratory droplets, which are expelled when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks or sings.
What are some of the ways by which COVID-19 is transmitted?
COVID-19 transmits when people breathe in air contaminated by droplets and small airborne particles. The risk of breathing these in is highest when people are in close proximity, but they can be inhaled over longer distances, particularly indoors.
What are some ways by which COVID-19 can spread?
The virus can spread from an infected person's mouth or nose in small liquid particles when they cough, sneeze, speak, sing or breathe. These particles range from larger respiratory droplets to smaller aerosols.
Which company designed the NHS COVID-19 app to protect the privacy and identity of the users?
This system is designed by Apple and Google to protect the privacy and identity of app users, making their use of the app anonymous.
What is the COVID-19 Law Lab?
The COVID-19 Law Lab is a database of laws that countries have implemented in response to the pandemic. It includes state of emergency declarations, quarantine measures, disease surveillance, legal measures relating to mask-wearing, social distancing, and access to medication and vaccines.
Which organisations process personal data from NHS COVID-19 app?
The ones that will be processing personal data are:
•Amazon Web Services (AWS) which hosts the central system (cloud server) that supports the app
•The Health Informatics Service (THIS), which is hosted by the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust. THIS provides the ‘NPEx’ system which provides test results to the app (using the test code unique to the app)
These organisations can only work under instruction from DHSC and cannot use information they process for any other purposes
Can you get the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from packaging?
The risk of imported food and packaging from affected countries being contaminated with coronavirus is very unlikely. This is because the law requires the exporter to follow the right controls during the packing and shipping process to ensure good hygiene is met.
What can I do to prevent COVID-19 during grocery shopping?
• Clean your hands with sanitizer before entering the store.
• Cover a cough or sneeze in your bent elbow or tissue.
• Maintain at least a 1-metre distance from others, and if you can’t maintain this distance, wear a
mask (many stores now require a mask).
• Once home, wash your hands thoroughly and also after handling and storing your purchased
products.
Can the coronavirus disease spread through food?
It is very unlikely that COVID-19 is transmitted through food. However, as a matter of good hygiene practice, anyone handling food should wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before doing so. Crockery and eating utensils should not be shared. Clean frequently touched surfaces regularly.
How long will the UK coronavirus bill last?
The legislation will be time-limited – for 2 years – and not all of these measures will come into force immediately. The bill allows the 4 UK governments to switch on these new powers when they are needed, and, crucially, to switch them off again once they are no longer necessary, based on the advice of Chief Medical Officers of the 4 nations.
The measures in the coronavirus bill are temporary, proportionate to the threat we face, will only be used when strictly necessary and be in place for as long as required to respond to the situation.
Can I go abroad if I don't have the COVID-19 vaccine?
If you have not been fully vaccinated, you should continue to follow the entry requirements of the country you are travelling to, such as proof of a negative COVID-19 test on arrival. You should carefully research the requirements of your destination country before travelling.
When were Plan B measures for COVID-19 introduced?
Plan B measures were initially introduced on 8 December 2021 to slow the spread of the Omicron variant and buy time for scientists to better understand it and get more jabs in arms. The Get Boosted Now appeal was launched, bringing the date for all adults to be offered a booster to the New Year.
Can I develop immunity to COVID-19 after testing positive for PCR?
If you have previously tested positive for COVID-19, you will probably have developed some immunity to the disease. However, it cannot be guaranteed that everyone will develop immunity, or how long it will last. It is possible for PCR tests to remain positive for some time after COVID-19 infection.
Can I get COVID-19 or other infections even if I am vaccinated?
Vaccinations are very effective at preventing serious illness from COVID-19, however even if you are vaccinated there is a chance you might catch COVID-19 or another respiratory infection and pass it on to other people.
Does the COVID NHS pass show a COVID-19 booster?
COVID-19 booster vaccinations. You should get your COVID-19 booster as soon as you are eligible, but you do not need a COVID-19 booster vaccination to get an NHS COVID Pass for domestic use. If you've received a booster vaccination it will show in your NHS COVID Pass for travel within 5 days.
