Comment from the British HIV Association (BHIVA) and the Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) on UK Government Guidance on Social Distancing to Protect Vulnerable Adults, published 16 March 2020

Tuesday 17 March 2020

The British HIV Association (BHIVA) and the Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) have received a number of enquiries about the UK Government's Guidance that "members of the public with serious health conditions will soon be asked to self-isolate for 12 weeks." This is defined in the Guidance as "anyone instructed to get a flu jab as an adult each year on medical grounds" which includes anyone living with HIV.

Whilst there is no evidence so far to determine whether people with HIV are at greater risk of COVID-19 acquisition or severe disease the new advice reflects the lack of evidence by classifying all people with HIV as vulnerable.

The Guidance from Public Health England (PHE) on Social Distancing for Vulnerable Groups, including people with HIV is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults. The general advice in this does not go as far as to recommend self-isolation for all at risk, nor does it specify a duration of time for the self-isolation.

More detail is expected soon and this may include specific advice for people living with HIV based on viral load and CD4 count, as people on HIV treatment with a good CD4 and undetectable viral load are not usually considered to have a "weakened immune system" as specified in the PHE guidance. BHIVA and THT will aim to inform the HIV community about new developments in the field as they emerge but right now we recommend following PHE’s "social distancing" advice which does not necessarily mean "self-isolation."

For further information, please contact Jo Josh on +44 (0) 7787 530922 or jo@commsbiz.com

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POSTIVELY SPEAKING

Could you tell your own story to raise awareness of the facts of living with HIV?

A very exciting opportunity has arisen to join our ‘Positively Speaking’ Project.  We are seeking applications from people living with HIV who are prepared to talk about their experiences of living with HIV.

You will attend training, delivered at George House Trust, where you will be supported to develop your own unique story in preparation for sharing your experiences with different groups of people.  Some examples of groups we have worked with so far are school children and young people, medical professionals and professional networks.

As a Positive Speaker you will play a vital role in raising awareness of HIV and challenging HIV-related stigma.  George House Trust is commited to ensuring that the Undetectable = Untransmittable message reaches and is understood by the widest possible audience.  We need your help to spread this message.  This volunteer role is flexible so can work around your other commitments.

Interested?  Contact Rachel for more information and how to apply.

PUBLIC HEALTH ENGLAND (PHE) HAS PUBLISHED 2018 HIV DATA. 

The PHE Sexual and Reproductive Health Profiles has also been updated this morning. The profiles present epidemiological data about new HIV diagnoses and people receiving HIV care at national, regional and local levels and are based on place of residence. The profiles include existing indicators and seven new indicators including ART initiation and viral suppression.

PHE will publish the annual HIV report in mid-November; this report will contain a more detailed picture of HIV in the UK and will combine modelled estimates of undiagnosed HIV infection and incidence together with public health commentary and recommendations.

Below is a summary of data from a perspective on Greater Manchester:

Manchester has seen a decline in new diagnosis with 112 new HIV diagnosis in 2018 compared to 124 in 2017 and 136 in 2016. This is nearly a 10% decrease since previous year and 32% since 2014.

Greater Manchester diagnosis fell from 289 in 2017 to 253 in 2018 12.45% decline.

The Greaeter Manchester picture is mixed with falls in 7 LAs and 2 increases with Salford having the same number (40) Bury diagnosis increased from 10 to 18 and Tameside from 14 to 21 whilst Oldham fell from 18 to 8 and Wigan 20 down to 12.

The new diagnosis rate per 100,00 aged +15 in Manchester in 2018 was 25.3 compared to 28.1 previous year. 2014 was 38.7.

Greater Manchester fell from 12.8 to 11.2. England fell from 9.4 to 8.8

in 2018 75.6% of Manchester residents diagnosed with HIV in commenced antiretroviral therapy (ART) within 90 days of diagnosis.

Greater Manchester 75.7 and England 79.1

Big variations across Greater Manchester with Rochdale at 50.0, Bury 57.5, Wigan 88.9, Bolton 83.1

97.3% or people accessing HIV treatment and care in Manchester are virally suppressed and have an undetectable viral load (Greater Manchester 97.4, England 97.2 NW 97.1)

Manchester's diagnosed prevalence rate in 2018 was 6.21 this compares to 6.19 in 2017 (GM 3.05)

Only 3 GM areas have a rate below 2 (Wigan, Oldham and Stockport)

Bury Tameside and Trafford have new rates above 2.0 having previously been below.

‘THE CATWALK FOR POWER, RESISTANCE, AND HOPE’

We are excited to be working with Positively UK to launch Manchester’s very first ‘Catwalk4Power’.

The event is organised by women living with HIV and aims to raise awareness of the issues faced by women living with the virus.  There will be a series of workshops that aim to empower participants and the project will culminate in a Catwalk where women can showcase their talent and beauty.

Join us on Saturday 28th September, 1pm at George House Trust for an information session run by Mel and Neo from Positively UK where you can find out more about the project.

The first workshop is scheduled to run on Saturday 5th October, 10.00am – 3.30pm at George House Trust.  We can reimburse travel expenses, lunch will be provided and we can subsidise childcare.

If you have any questions, email Joshua or call 0161 274 4499.