Tag: Covid-19

Businesswoman jailed after raiding Covid support scheme five times to fraudulently claim over £216,000 

She fraudulently secured five Bounce Back Loans during the pandemic

  • Rupali Wagh fraudulently secured £216,250 in Bounce Back Loans for her four companies in 2020
  • The 50-year-old inflated turnover figures, obtained duplicate loans for some companies, and used funds to pay off personal debts and buy stocks and shares
  • Wagh was jailed for more than two years following investigations by the Insolvency Service

A fraudster who illegally obtained five Covid loans at the height of the pandemic has been jailed.

Cardiff-based Rupali Wagh fraudulently applied for £216,250 in Bounce Back Loans for her four companies between May and September 2020.

The 50-year-old inflated the turnover of her businesses to secure the loans and used some of the funds to buy stocks and shares.

She also obtained two loans for one of her companies when businesses were only entitled to a single loan.

Wagh, of Harrison Way, pleaded guilty to five counts of fraud when she appeared at Cardiff Crown Court in November 2025.

She was jailed for two years and three months when she appeared at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Friday 17 July.

David Snasdell, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: “Rupali Wagh systematically targeted a scheme designed to help genuine businesses survive the pandemic.

“She lied about her turnover, obtained duplicate loans for the same businesses, and used the funds to pay off personal debts and buy stocks and shares.

“When confronted with the evidence, Wagh initially tried to blame someone else before admitting she had acted alone.

“These are serious crimes and the Insolvency Service remains committed to bringing Covid fraudsters like Wagh to justice no matter how long it takes.”

Wagh’s first fraudulent application came in early May 2020, when she applied for a £16,250 Bounce Back Loan for One2Four Accounting Ltd, a bookkeeping services company she had set up in June 2018.

She declared the company had a turnover of £65,000 and said that the funds would be used wholly for business purposes.

In reality, the company’s turnover for the previous calendar year was just £39,000.

Within weeks of receiving the funds, Wagh transferred the money into her personal bank account and spent most of it paying off debts and purchasing stocks and shares.

The following month, Wagh applied for a £50,000 loan, the maximum allowed under the scheme, for Talensetu UK Ltd.

She claimed the business had a turnover of £218,000 when dormant accounts filed by the company for the period June 2019 to June 2020 showed it was not trading.

Within days of receiving the funds, Wagh transferred the entire £50,000 into her personal account and spent it on personal finance and stocks and shares. She also transferred more than £25,000 to an account in India.

Wagh applied for a second £50,000 Bounce Back Loan for Talensetu UK Ltd in July 2020, this time from a different bank.

She claimed a turnover of £225,000 despite having estimated the company’s turnover for the next calendar year as just £72,000 on the bank account application form she completed the same day.

Wagh also falsely declared this was the company’s only Bounce Back Loan application.

After receiving the funds in August, Wagh again transferred almost the entire amount into her personal account and spent it on stocks and shares and paying off personal finance.

Wagh followed this up with a fourth fraudulent application in August 2020, seeking £50,000 for White Coconut Ltd, which traded as an Indian street food outlet in Cardiff.

She claimed a turnover of £252,000, again contradicting the £72,000 estimate she provided on her bank account application.

Wagh falsely declared this was the company’s only Bounce Back Loan application, despite having already secured £18,000 from the bank for the same business three months earlier.

Her final fraudulent application came in late September 2020, when she applied for a £50,000 loan for Indian Canteen Ltd, a street food business incorporated only in January of that year.

Wagh claimed a turnover of £206,000, despite estimating on her bank account application that the company’s turnover for the next year would be just £82,000.

She later transferred more than £25,000 of the loan funds to White Coconut Ltd.

In interviews with the Insolvency Service, Wagh initially attempted to blame a third party for one of the loan applications, claiming someone sharing her computer had made the application without her knowledge. She later retracted this and acknowledged she had acted alone.

Wagh admitted using the funds to pay off personal credit card debts and loans, saying she thought that by clearing her personal debts she would be helping her businesses.

The Insolvency Service is seeking to recover the fraudulently obtained funds under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Tree-plantings create a living heritage at Cramond

After four years of tree-planting, the “Cramond Commemorates” project culminated on Friday (20 March) with a celebration event for everyone who donated and dedicated a tree.

The project came about as the world emerged from the Covid19 pandemic when so much had been lost. It quickly developed into a commemoration, not only of experiences missed, but also of loved ones who died.

Some 58 trees were planted in four locations: Cramond Hall grounds, Cramond House parkland, Cramond Walled Garden and Cramond Primary School grounds.  

All the plantings have been carefully recorded and mapped, and appear with their individual dedications on a website that showcases the project https://www.cramondcommemorates.com

Rev Ian Gilmour, who came up with the tree planting idea, said: “Dedicating a tree to someone whom you’ve loved and lost can be a means of having a tangible reminder of their presence and a focal point for remembrance. 

“The Cramond Commemorates plantings represent a living heritage of people with a connection to the area or to Cramond Kirk.  

“As well as enhancing the environment and the beauty of the area, these trees are symbols of renewal and a reassurance that life goes on.”

The first tree, a Sessile Oak, was planted in November 2021 by pupils from Cramond Primary and Cargilfield Schools.  Other varieties include Beech, Maple, Silver Birch, Rowan and Sycamore, as well as a number of fruit trees.

John Naylor chose a James Grieve apple tree in memory of his wife Margery who died in 2022. He said:  “Margery was a lover of trees and of Cramond. She was Secretary, then President, of the Cramond Association and a great supporter of the Woodland Group.

“What better way of celebrating and remembering her life well lived.”

Christine Roy dedicated a Wheelers Russet apple tree to her late husband, Jim. She said:  “Jim loved his garden, trees and everything outdoors in nature.

“My sons and I thought it would be a lovely way to remember him. Somewhere that we and the grandchildren could go and see the tree grow over time in a woodland setting. We have planted bulbs around it, and had a little plaque made.”

Lending itself to an obvious choice of memorial tree, the song ‘O Rowan Tree’ was a favourite of Dorothy Spence’s grandmother, a member of Cramond Kirk from 1882 till 1958, now buried in the Kirkyard with her husband and two sons.  

The event was attended by many of the tree donors and organisations involved in supporting the project: Cramond Association’s Woodland Group, Cramond Estate, local poet David Bleiman, Edinburgh Council’s Parks and Greenspaces.

Many of the Cramond Community became involved in clearing and preparing ground for tree plantings. 

When new trees required watering in their early days, local schoolchildren, Cubs and Scouts saved the day by forming bucket chains to areas which hose-pipes could not reach!

Eligible? Get your Covid vacccination

Older adults and people with a weakened immune system are being offered a COVID-19 vaccine.

Protection against COVID-19 reduces over time, so it’s important to get vaccinated when offered.

For more information, visit http://nhsinform.scot/covid19vaccine #SpringTopUp

Health Board issues advice on Gastroenteritis, COVID-19 and flu to visitors


Members of the public are being reminded not to visit NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde hospitals if they have symptoms of Gastroenteritis, COVID-19 or flu.  

Anyone planning to visit a loved one in hospital should not do so if they are displaying any symptoms including sickness and diarrhoea.  

All visitors should also practice good hygiene by ensuring they regularly wash their hands to prevent the spread of viruses.  

Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea are common symptoms of Gastroenteritis, flu and COVID-19, along with headaches, fever and muscle or limb pain.  

Flu and COVID-19 symptoms also include coughs, chills, a sore throat and a blocked or runny nose.  
 
Symptoms of Gastroenteritis include:  

  • Suddenly feeling sick  
  • Projectile vomiting  
  • Watery diarrhoea  
  • Slight fever  
  • Headaches  
  • Painful stomach cramps and aching limbs 
     

Symptoms of COVID-19 include:  

  • Continuous cough  
  • High temperature, fever or chills  
  • Loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell  
  • Shortness of breath  
  • Unexplained tiredness, lack of energy  
  • Muscle aches or pains that are not due to exercise  
  • Not wanting to eat or not feeling hungry  
  • Headache that’s unusual or longer lasting than usual  
  • Sore throat, stuffy or runny nose  
  • Diarrhoea  
  • Feeling sick or being sick  

Symptoms of flu include:  

  • A sudden fever  
  • A dry, chesty cough  
  • A headache  
  • Tiredness and weakness  
  • Chills  
  • Aching muscles  
  • Limb or joint pain  
  • Diarrhoea or abdominal (tummy) pain  
  • Nausea and vomiting  
  • A sore throat  
  • A runny or blocked nose  
  • Sneezing  
  • Loss of appetite  
  • Difficulty sleeping.

In recent years, taking precautions against viral infections have become part of our daily life and we can all continue to help each other by following guidance around slowing the spread of viruses and practicing good hygiene. 

You can protect yourself and others by staying at home if you are unwell and by cleaning hands and surfaces regularly. 

Dr Aleksandra Marek, Consultant Microbiologist and Infection Control Doctor, said: “During the winter months, illnesses such as Gastroenteritis, COVID-19 and flu, can add to the pressures that staff face across our sites.  

“To help protect yourself, your loved ones and our services, we are asking members of the public not to visit our hospital sites if they are displaying symptoms of any of these viruses.   

“We are also asking anyone who does attend a site to follow infection control guidance, such as washing your hands regularly.  

“Our dedicated members of staff are working around the clock to continue to provide the highest standard of patient-centred care possible.” 


  
NHSGGC is urging people to only attend Emergency Departments (A&E) if their condition is very urgent or life-threatening.   
  
Any patient unsure of who to turn to has a range of options available to them: 
 
1. Visit the NHS Inform website: https://www.nhsinform.scot/  
2. Call NHS24 on 111  
3. Visit the NHSGGC website: https://www.nhsggc.scot/your-health/right-care-right-place/  
  
For very urgent or life-threatening emergencies, the public should continue to call 999 or attend A&E.  

New Winter COVID-19 Infection Study

A study to gather vital data on COVID-19 this winter has been launched by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The Winter COVID-19 Infection Study (WCIS) will run from November 2023 to March 2024, involving up to 200,000 participants.

UKHSA previously commissioned the Coronavirus Infection Survey (CIS), carried out by the ONS during the pandemic, in partnership with scientific study leads Oxford University.

Recognised globally as the gold standard for surveillance of the virus, CIS gathered and analysed more than 11.5 million swab tests and 3 million blood tests from April 2020 to March 2023. 

The new WCIS is a different study and will involve up to 32,000 lateral flow tests being carried out each week, providing key insight into the levels of COVID-19 circulating across the wider community. This sample will be broadly representative of the population according to key characteristics.

While widespread vaccination has allowed us to live with COVID-19, some people remain more vulnerable to severe illness, and this in turn can lead to increased pressures on the NHS over the winter months.

That is why UKHSA is urging eligible adults to book their flu and COVID-19 vaccines online via the NHS website, by downloading the NHS App, or by calling 119 for free, to give themselves the best protection against severe illness and hospitalisation.

UKHSA’s existing surveillance systems already provide up-to-date information on hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) admission rates, but the introduction of this study will allow us to detect changes in the infection hospitalisation rate (IHR), which requires accurate measurement of infection levels in the community.

Calculating the IHR will enable UKHSA to assess the potential for increased demand on health services due to changes in the way the virus is spreading, which could be driven by the arrival of any new variants.

Professor Steven Riley, Director General of Data, Analytics and Surveillance at UKHSA, said: “The data we collected alongside the ONS during the pandemic provided us with a huge amount of valuable insight, so I am delighted that we are able to work together again to keep policymakers and the wider public informed in the coming months.

“UKHSA continues to lead the way internationally on COVID-19 surveillance and by re-introducing a study of positivity in the community, we can better detect changes in the behaviour of the virus.”

The study will use lateral flow devices (LFDs) supplied by UKHSA.

The latest UKHSA technical briefing, published on 22 September, included initial findings of tests performed in the laboratory at Porton Down to examine the effectiveness of LFDs in detecting BA.2.86, and found no reduction in sensitivity compared to previous variants.

The model and scale of this study could also be converted into a programme that captures data on different respiratory viruses, should that be required in future.

Deputy National Statistician Emma Rourke at the ONS said: “ONS is committed to building on the experience of standing up the gold standard CIS. Our resources and statistical expertise are here for the public good, and we are delighted to be delivering this study in partnership with UKHSA.

“There remains a need for robust data to help us continue to understand the virus and its effects during the winter months.

“As well as working to provide UKHSA with regular rates of positivity, we will also be looking at analysis of symptoms, risk factors and the impact of respiratory infections, including long COVID, as part of this important surveillance.”

Covid cases continue to rise

LATEST UPDATE PUBLISHED 31st AUGUST

This fortnightly flu and COVID-19 report brings together the latest surveillance data along with the latest public health advice.

COVID-19 surveillance up until end of week 34

COVID-19 case rates continued to increase this week compared to our previous report. A total 9.7% of 4,288 respiratory specimens reported through the Respiratory DataMart System were identified as COVID-19. This is compared to 7.1% of 4,303 from the previous report.

The overall COVID-19 hospital admission rate for week 34 was 3.37 per 100,000 population, an increase from 3.00 per 100,000 in the previous report.

Intensive care units (ICU) admission rates have increased to 0.11 per 100,000 compared to 0.08 per 100,000 in the previous report.

Hospital admission rates have increased in most age groups.

Those aged 85 years and over continue to have the highest hospital admission rates; these have increased to 34.15 per 100,000 from 32.63 per 100,000 in the previous report. Admission rates among those aged 75 to 84 years have increased to 17.66 per 100,000 from 15.71 per 100,000 in the previous report.

Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said: “Over the last 2 weeks, we have seen an increase in some COVID-19 indicators. This includes hospital admissions and ICU admissions, but these have all stabilised over the last week. While case rates have continued to rise, rates remain low overall, and we will continue to monitor them closely.

“If you are experiencing any symptoms of respiratory illness, you should avoid mixing with other people, especially those who are vulnerable. This will help combat the spread of COVID-19.

“This week, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) announced that the winter vaccination programme has been brought forward as a precautionary measure to deliver greater protection against the potential impact of BA.2.86 variant. We urge everyone eligible to take up the vaccine when offered.”

New BA.2.86 variant found in Scotland

Scotland has detected its first case of a new Covid variant that is being closely monitored by the World Health Organization.

The BA.2.86 variant is not yet considered a variant of concern but it has a high number of mutations.

Scotland’s winter vaccination programme starts on 4 September, but in response to the new cases PHS and Scottish government are now working to bring winter vaccinations forward for those at the highest risk of becoming seriously ill from flu and Covid-19.

COVID-19 testing guidance update

Testing to be based on clinical need in hospitals, care homes and prisons

Routine COVID-19 testing in hospitals, care homes and prisons is to be substantially reduced following clinical and scientific advice.

Due to the success of the vaccination programme and improved treatments, Public Health Scotland and Antimicrobial Resistance & Healthcare Associated Infection Scotland have recommended a return to pre-pandemic testing.

This means testing will be based on person-centred clinical decisions, rather than a routine policy for all individuals. Routine testing will continue for patients moving from hospitals to care homes and will be reviewed based on future advice and outbreaks. Tests will also continue to be available for those eligible for antiviral treatment.

The new guidance will come into effect by 30 August 2023.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Gregor Smith said: “Due to the success of vaccines in protecting people, and the availability of improved treatments, now is the right time to revise the advice on routine COVID-19 testing across health and social care settings and prisons. This will ensure the testing regime remains effective and proportionate.

“Routine testing will remain when patients are discharged from hospital to care homes, to provide additional reassurance for these settings, and testing will still be required when clinically appropriate.

“The clinical advice tells us that focusing on the risk to individuals under general infection control procedures will allow our hospital, social care and prison staff to better protect those in their care and that there is no longer a requirement to apply separate COVID-19 guidance across the board when so many are now protected from its worst harms.”

COVID CASES ON THE RISE

This UK Health Security Agency fortnightly flu and COVID-19 report brings together the latest surveillance data along with the latest public health advice.

The latest report was produced on 3 August:

COVID-19 case rates continued to increase this week compared to our previous report. 5.4% of 4,396 respiratory specimens reported through the Respiratory DataMart System were identified as COVID-19. This is compared to 3.7% of 4,403 from the previous report.

The overall COVID-19 hospital admission rate for week 30 was 1.97 per 100,000 population, an increase from 1.17 per 100,000 in the previous report.

ICU admission rates have decreased to 0.05 compared to 0.07 in the previous report.

Those aged 85 years and over continue to have the highest hospital admission rates; these have increased to 20.49 per 100,000 from 9.8 per 100,000 in the previous report.

Admission rates among those aged 75 to 84 years have increased to 9.45 per 100,000 from 5.54 in the previous report.

Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said: “We continue to see a rise in COVID-19 cases in this week’s report. We have also seen a small rise in hospital admission rates in most age groups, particularly among the elderly.

“Overall levels of admission still remain extremely low and we are not currently seeing a similar increase in ICU admissions. We will continue to monitor these rates closely.Regular and thorough hand washing helps protect you from COVID-19 and other bugs and viruses.

“If you have symptoms of a respiratory illness, we recommend staying away from others where possible.

“The NHS will be in contact in autumn 2023 when the seasonal vaccine is available for those who are eligible due to health conditions or age, and we urge everyone who is offered to take up the vaccine when offered.”

Facemasks: Return to pre-pandemic advice for health and social care

People in health and social care settings will no longer be advised to wear facemasks from Tuesday next week (16 May).

The return to pre-pandemic guidance means that mask use will be based on clinical need based on infection prevention and control advice, meaning  staff, patients, service users and visitors will not be routinely asked to wear facemasks in health and social care settings.

It follows a review of the guidance introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic to protect staff, patients, service users and visitors, and recognises that Scotland has entered a calmer phase of the pandemic.

Chief Nursing Officer Alex McMahon said: “Due to the success of vaccines in protecting people, and the availability of treatments, now is the right time to revise the advice on wearing masks in health and social care settings and return to pre-pandemic guidance.

“We recognise that some staff may have concerns around the withdrawal of this guidance and would expect organisations to undertake individual occupational health assessments and risk assessments as appropriate.

“We continue to be vigilant in our response to Covid-19 and encourage everyone to make sure they are up to date with the boosters available to them. We are grateful for the tireless work of health and social care teams during these challenging times and to everyone who has helped them by adhering to the guidance.”

COVID-19 spring booster programme gets underway today

At-risk groups offered additional dose

Residents in care homes for older adults are receiving their spring COVID-19 booster from today (Monday) as the latest stage of the national vaccination programme gets underway.

Following recent advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), a spring booster dose will also be offered to those aged 75 and over from 11 April and individuals aged five and over with a weakened immune system from 24 April. These groups will either receive appointment details through their preferred means of contact or will be sent details of how to book.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “We know that people in high-priority groups are at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19 so I welcome the start of the spring rollout which will offer an additional dose to those who are most vulnerable, boosting their protection.  

 “Prioritising those most at risk has been our approach from the outset and vaccination has been our most effective tool against COVID-19. However, the degree of protection offered does fade over time, which is why booster vaccination is needed.

“I continue to encourage everyone to receive the doses they are eligible for as and when they become available.”

Spring coronavirus (COVID-19) booster | NHS inform

NHS Lothian releases results of research into transmission of COVID-19 from hospitals into care homes

Scientists in NHS Lothian have helped to develop national infection controls after studying COVID-19 transmission between hospitals and care homes.

The teams found that 99 per cent of patients discharged from hospital into care homes during the first wave of the pandemic did not introduce COVID-19 into care homes.

The study, conducted with the University of Edinburgh, focused on patients in Lothian discharged from hospital into 130 care homes from 1st March 2020 to 31st May 2020. 

Of the 787 discharges in this time, the researchers found that the majority – a total of 776 – did not introduce COVID-19 into care homes as a result of their hospital stay.

Forty-one of the discharged patients had a positive COVID-19 test within two weeks of leaving hospital and genome sequencing was used to identify if these cases could be linked.

The study found that 30 patients likely contracted this in the care home or from the community.

The results of 10 patients were inconclusive and one patient was confirmed to have contracted COVID-19 during their stay in hospital.

Very sadly, this patient later passed away and a number of residents in their care home subsequently contracted COVID-19.

Dona Milne, Director of Public Health and Health Policy, NHS Lothian, said: “This study has shown that 99 per cent of hospital discharges didn’t introduce COVID-19 cases into Lothian care homes during the first wave of the pandemic.

“However, we’re able to say with certainty that one care home outbreak in this time originated from us. We are deeply saddened by this, and our heartfelt apologies and condolences are with the families and loved ones of those affected.

“We began testing symptomatic care home residents very early in the pandemic, so it’s been really important for us to use this information to find out what we can learn about how the virus was contracted and spread and how this linked to our hospitals.”

Before the nation went into its first lockdown when testing wasn’t widely available, NHS Lothian built capacity into its labs specifically to PCR test those who were symptomatic in hospitals and care homes.

Because of this early testing of symptomatic patients, in-depth data was available to the research team to enable them to genome sequence the transmission of the virus as part of the study.

Dr Kate Templeton, Head of Molecular Diagnostics for NHS Lothian who led the study, said: “Testing was a priority for us from the beginning and we were the first health board in Scotland to build capacity in our labs specifically for care home residents.

“This early testing has enabled us to genome sequence the virus and track where this was acquired and how this spread, leading to the creation of an outbreak methodology which has informed best practice at both Scotland and UK-level.

“This methodology not only has applications to COVID-19 but other viruses too and has been vital in learning lessons around infection control. It also clearly shows that the protection of the most vulnerable in society needs to involve not just health authorities but the community too.”

You can read the study in full here.