U.K Rising Highest Covid Infection Since June
According to the most recent official statistics, the total number of Covid infections in the UK has increased by 31% — the largest percentage increase since June — and virus levels are now steadily rising over the majority of the nation.
The oldest age groups, which have the greatest rates of hospital admission, have also seen “another considerable surge” in infections.
The statistics were released on the same day that everyone in England who is 50 years of age or older may now make an appointment to get a new booster dose of the Covid vaccination.
According to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), between September 23 and October 3, about 1.7 million persons living in private homes in the UK are expected to have tested positive for the virus.
Here is up from 1.3 million in the previous poll, which was conducted from September 18 to September 26.
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It is higher than the total for the entire UK since late July, but it is still lower than the 3.8 million weekly infections recorded in early July when the wave brought on by the Omicron BA.4/BA.5 subvariants of the virus was at its height.
The time it takes to put together the survey causes a lag in reporting the ONS data.
The number of patients testing positive for Covid in hospitals is very clearly on the rise, according to more recent data, however, there are some indications that the rate of growth may have slowed recently.
In England, 1.5 million persons, or around one in 35 people, tested positive for Covid in the most recent poll, up from 1.1 million, or one in 50, in the previous survey.
England has increased, with the most recent estimate for infections increasing from 63,400 to 74,00, or one in 40 persons.
The ONS describes the trend in Scotland as “uncertain” elsewhere, with 109,700 persons, or one in 50, expected to have Covid in the most recent poll, compared to 113,000 in the preceding survey, or one in 45.
Additionally, the most recent estimate for infections in Northern Ireland is 45,100, or one infection per 40 people, as opposed to 46,100, or one infection per 40 people, even if the longer trend indicates an increase.
Ages 70 and older had the highest infection rates in England, with 3.7%, or about one in 25, likely to have tested positive for coronavirus in the most recent survey, according to the ONS. This is an increase from 2.5%, or one in 40, in the previous survey.
According to the study, rates are lowest among students in grades 7 through 11, at 1.5%, or one in 70. with the exception of the northeast, where the trend is uncertain, all regions of England have experienced an increase in the percentage of those testing positive. Nevertheless, Covid 10,608.
patients were hospitalised in England as of 8 am on October 12 due to an increase in patient volume, according to NHS data.
This is the biggest number since the end of July and represents an increase of 10% from 9,631 a week earlier.
At the height of the BA.4/BA.5 wave in mid-July, patient counts reached 14,000; they then progressively decreased until mid-September, after which they have been increasing. The rate of growth has, however, decreased recently.
The increase of 10% in the seven days leading up to October 12 is much less than the increase of 37% in the same period leading up to October 5.
While the number of patients is rising in both Scotland and Wales, it has levelled out in Northern Ireland following a brief surge.
Most hospital patients who test positive for Covid are being treated primarily for other conditions in around two-thirds of cases.
However, they must be kept apart from patients who do not have the virus, which puts further strain on the personnel who are already working to get through a massive backlog of treatment.
The week ending October 9 had a hospital admission rate of 151.7 per 100,000 individuals, which is greatest for those over 85.
This is the highest rate for this age group since mid-July, up from 130.3 the previous week.
The UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) Dr Mary Ramsay, head of public health programmes, said: “We continue to encourage anyone eligible for immunizations to get them, whether it’s a first dose or a booster since we are continuing to see persistent rises in Covid-19 cases and hospitalisation rates.
The best defence against serious illness and hospitalisation this winter is vaccination, and it’s never too late to get your first shot.
“If you are ill or have indications of a respiratory illness, it is especially vital to avoid contact with the elderly or those who are more prone to have serious sickness due to their chronic health issues.”
