Dr Joe Pajak

Infection prevention is about far more than spotting dust or checking cleaning checklists. This article by Tommy Davis argues for structured, multidisciplinary infection prevention rounds that examine clinical workflows, waste handling, device care, hand hygiene and environmental hygiene together, while recognising EVS staff as essential patient-safety partners. Valuable reminder that preventing healthcare-associated infections requires shared accountability...
https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/how-purposeful-infection-prevention-rounding-supports-patient-safety-evs-collaboration

Latest official data appears to indicate that COVID-19 activity in England is rising. Cases, test positivity, hospital occupancy & deaths trending up from recent lows. Levels remain well below largest pandemic waves.
For many, infection may be 'mild', but increasing transmission can have serious consequences for older adults, clinically vulnerable people, & those at risk of Long COVID. Reducing spread through good ventilation, cleaner indoor air & staying home when unwell helps protect everyone.

Latest official data suggest COVID-19 activity in England is rising again. Cases, test positivity, hospital occupancy and deaths all increased from recent lows, although levels remain well below largest pandemic waves.
For many, infection may be mild, but increasing transmission can have serious consequences for older adults, clinically vulnerable people, & those at risk of Long COVID. Reducing spread through good ventilation, cleaner indoor air & staying home when unwell helps protect everyone.

Independently produced COVID‑19 chart showing that infections, hospital activity and deaths continue at a steady, persistent level. The visuals highlight ongoing circulation rather than elimination. It's clear that airborne viruses spread most easily indoors, and that clean indoor air, ventilation and filtration remain essential protections. Long COVID research must stay central, and science, data and public education are key to keeping people safer. Data source: @ukhsa.bsky.social.

New research shows Long COVID’s impact goes beyond physical symptoms, hitting overall wellbeing hard. Study data suggests a link between higher symptom counts and reduced life satisfaction and happiness. Read more at the CIDRAP website.
@cidrap.bluesky.social

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/study-details-long-covid-s-effect-patients-wellbeing

SARS, SARS‑CoV‑2 and other sarbecoviruses keep showing how disruptive this viral group can be. Their continued evolution underlines why vaccines aiming for broad, cross‑sarbecovirus protection matter so much for future preparedness.
Paper: https://www.journalofinfection.com/article/S0163-4453(26)00084-8/fulltextt

England’s latest COVID data show continued circulation despite fewer published metrics. This independent chart tracks cases, hospital activity, deaths and positivity, while the absence of Long COVID data remains noticeable — and is a reminder of why better ventilation and stronger IPC still matter.

Science of airborne pathogens clearer thanks to
@linseymarr.bsky.social
@kprather.bsky.social
@jljcolorado.bsky.social
@carlzimmer.com
@zalaly.bsky.social
@donmilton.bsky.social
@cathnoakes.bsky.social
@joeallenjoe.bsky.social
@virusesimmunity.bsky.social
@edyong209.bsky.social
Lidia Morawska et al

Seminal paper by Lidia Morawska and Don Milton: link
@cidjournal.bsky.social
It Is Time to Address Airborne Transmission of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/71/9/2311/5867798

Long COVID study appears to suggest a potential causal link between autoantibodies and neurological symptoms in Long COVID:
🔗 https://www.cell.com/cell/abstract/S0092-8674(26)00509-X
Authors:
@virusesimmunity.bsky.social @putrinolab.bsky.social et al.
Source: www.cell.com
Volume 189, Issue 11, p3214-3235.E37, May 28, 2026

Heat is now shutting NHS theatres and breaking vital scanners — a stark warning about an AGEING estate struggling in extreme temperatures.
Report by @zoetidman.bsky.social and @alijanemoore.bsky.social, via @hsj.co.uk.
#Patient-safety #Staff-safety #Visitor-safety

https://www.hsj.co.uk/patient-safety/heatwave-shuts-theatres-and-scanners/8123729.article?mkt_tok=NTI1LVNIQS0zNTUAAAGiovobhldJKDDXThWHNslCzeXEkQRlRz4xJMuxHiuR99lqPTrKk5ohENeRFoJtcmpNJ8NF2sHaYq3mboU3SH_DW5MjM3pgJcXfTsl7KueF4A

⚽ How the world is reacting to Scotland’s win?
From France to Brazil to Morocco, the respect for the team and the Tartan Army is huge.
A performance full of heart, and fans who made the stadium feel like home.
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿#FlowerOfScotland
@dailyrecord.co.uk.web.brid.gy
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/world-media-reacts-scotland-give-37292622?utm_source=daily_record_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=main_sport_newsletter&utm_content=&utm_term=&ruid=7e8f9ac0-a9ac-4ead-bd68-d3d0e2c03a07&hx=1607e08b06a36da99553e53d58fb3788ee38d6d683c382437c98043f24db1fb6

From hedgehogs and bats to butterflies and newts, the UK’s wildlife is disappearing fast – and our government is letting it happen. I’ve just signed @friends-earth.bsky.social’s petition calling for urgent action. Please consider adding your name: https://action.friendsoftheearth.uk/petition/tell-government-act-nature-its-too-late?refsid=1587243&utm_source=bluesky_share&utm_campaign=%5B2657%5D&utm_medium=share

Early data from first human trial of Cambridge / DIOSynVax’s computationally designed pan‑sarbecovirus vaccine shows it was safe, well‑tolerated and needle‑free.
Authors: Heeney, Munro et al. https://www.journalofinfection.com/ @biainfection.bsky.social
Credits: https://www.journalofinfection.com/article/S0163-4453(26)00084-8/fulltext

SARSCoV2 is now in Hazard Group within UK lab rules.

A regulatory change for labs, the biology hasn’t changed. That’s paperwork, not a sign that the virus is harmless.

COVID‑19 still causes long‑term harm - #LongCOVID.

COVID‑19 still spreads through the air — and clean indoor air still protects us. https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/misc208.htm?utm_source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=hse-guidance&utm_term=sixth-edition&utm_content=biosafety-21-may-26

Science of airborne pathogens clearer thanks to @linseymarr.bsky.social @kprather.bsky.social @jljcolorado.bsky.social @carlzimmer.com @zalaly.bsky.social @donmilton.bsky.social, @cathnoakes.bsky.social @joeallenjoe.bsky.social @virusesimmunity.bsky.social @edyong209.bsky.social Lidia Morawska et al

Sharing this... *Help celebrate the UK’s wildlife.*
Which animals would you like to see on the Bank of England's next series of banknotes... deadline 3 July 2026 https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes/help-us-design-our-next-series-of-banknotes

A logarithmic line chart titled “Tracking COVID‑19 Data in England: independently produced chart using official data (Feb 2020 to 13 May 2026)”. The x‑axis runs from early 2020 to May 2026, with vertical markers every four weeks. The y‑axis is logarithmic, ranging from 1 to 1,000,000. Four datasets are plotted as dotted lines:
• Blue: positive COVID‑19 cases
• Magenta: COVID‑19 patients in hospital
• Red: deaths involving COVID‑19
• Purple: PCR test positivity (%)

Highlighting this useful information from UKHSA for students starting university this autumn.

The blog covers reducing the spread of colds, flu and COVID-19, recognising possible meningitis symptoms, and ensuring vaccinations are up to date, including MMR, MenACWY and, for eligible students, MenB. UK Health Security Agency, 25 September 2026.

#PublicHealth #University #Meningitis #Vaccination https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/09/25/how-to-avoid-freshers-flu-at-university-and-spot-the-warning-signs-of-meningitis/