Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) based on smears collected from randomly selected households show that in the week ended June 25, an estimated 1,829,100 people in the UK community had Covid, which equates to about one in 30 and over 1,360,600 last week. Increases were also seen in the rest of the UK, with an estimated one in 18 people in Scotland, one in 30 in Wales and one in 25 in Northern Ireland believed to have Covid in the most recent week. Although they still avoid the highest levels of infection seen earlier this year, when about one in 13 people in England had Covid, the estimated number of infections in the UK is the highest since late April and the highest ever seen for a summer month. According to ONS data, in the summer of 2020 the estimated percentage of the population found positive in England remained below 0.1%, while in 2021 the highest summer percentage, recorded in July, was 1.57%. By contrast, the most recent rate is 2.5%. Officials say the estimates reflect an increase in Omicron variants, with BA.4 and BA.5 when taken together now dominating the UK. “Across the UK we have seen a steady increase of over half a million infections, most likely caused by the development of variants BA.4 and BA.5,” said Sarah Crofts, head of analytical results for Covid-19 Infection Research. . “This rise is observed in all ages, countries and regions of England.” Covid-related hospitalizations are also on the rise. As of June 30, there were 8,928 Covid patients in hospital in England, up from 6,401 last Thursday. Data released by the United Kingdom Health Insurance Agency (UKHSA) on Thursday showed that ICU admission rates for Covid had risen slightly and were higher in London and in the 75-84 age group. The increase is also seen when looking at only those patients who are primarily receiving treatment for Covid, with data from NHS England showing an increase from 2,165 on June 21 to 2,877 on June 28. Although they are still lower than the numbers during the winter and early spring, the data suggest that the recent increase in hospital cases is not only due to people being treated for other reasons but also having Covid. Dr Mary Ramsay, Director of Clinical Programs at UKHSA, said: “It is reassuring that 83.5% of people aged 75 and over have been vaccinated in the last six months, but we urge the remaining 16.5% live in nursing homes or are clinically vulnerable to receive their spring souvenir for protection against serious illness. “Vaccination remains the best defense against serious diseases and hospitalization.” On Thursday, Dr Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at UKHSA, said the UK was likely to be hit by another Covid wave later this year. Speaking at an online meeting of the Royal Society of Medicine on Thursday, he said winter was never good for the healthcare system. “I think this year will be even more difficult than normal,” he said. “Our current planning assumptions are that we will see at least one wave [of Covid] in the autumn / winter period, after we have overcome the current wave in which we are at the moment “. Hopkins said plans were also under way for a flu wave, noting that Australia – which is now winter – was experiencing a bad flu season. Data from Australia show that flu cases in May were more than double the previous record for the month set in 2019. “It started earlier and went up very, very fast in all age groups. “So we expect to see an early flu wave,” Hopkins said. “While we normally do not see the flu really starting until the end of November to December, this can happen as early as the end of September, October. And that is what we are planning. “ Subscribe to the First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every day at 7 p.m. BST He said the guidelines issued to the public for respiratory infections have been strengthened, advising people with symptoms to stay home if possible, avoid contact with others and wear a mask if leaving home. “I think this is a good practice that we have seen in Asian countries for many years.” He added that good hand hygiene and other practices such as socializing outdoors were also important. “All of this, along with vaccination, is the way we will get through this difficult winter,” he said.
