Covid-19 infections in the UK have increased by around 7%, with the continued increase still being driven by the new Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants.
Hospitalization numbers continue to rise, with early signs of increased intensive care admissions among the elderly.
A total of 3.8 million people in private households are estimated to have received it in the week to 14 July, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). In the previous week, there were around 3.3 million cases across the UK.
This is the highest estimate for total infections since late April, but is below the 4.9 million seen at the peak of the Omicron BA.2 wave in late March.
ONS data shows that in the summer of 2020, less than 0.1% of people in England tested positive, while in 2021 it was 1.57%. Now it is 4%.
A recent report from the Covid ZOE analytics app shows that sore throat has now become the most reported symptom.
The ZOE study allows victims to report their symptoms as they contract the virus.
The data provided is then analyzed by King’s College London researchers who track epidemics across the UK to identify who is most at risk and where the highest risk areas are.
Almost 58% of all Covid patients who used the app reported having a sore throat before they tested positive.
Headache, nasal congestion and cough are the next most common symptoms reported.
Professor Tim Spector, who leads the ZOE project, said: “Covid is still prevalent in the population. Data from ZOE Health showed there were more than 350,000 daily Covid cases this week – a new record for the UK.
ICU submissions among seniors have increased, UKHSA reports
(shovel)
“If you have cold symptoms now, it’s twice as likely to be Covid than cold.
“Even if people have had a past infection and are fully vaccinated, people still catch it.
“While we all want to make the most of the nice weather, people have to decide for themselves whether it’s worth going to big events, working in the office or using busy public transport.”
Sarah Crofts, ONS head of analytical results for covid infection research, said: “Across England, we have seen a steady increase of more than half a million infections, possibly caused by the development of BA.4 and BA.5 strains.
“This increase is seen across all age groups, countries and regions in the UK.
“We will continue to monitor the data to see if this growth continues in the coming weeks.”
According to the ZOE Covid app, the number one symptom is now a sore throat
(shovel)
Mary Ramsey, director of clinical programs at the UK Health Safety Agency, said: “We continue to see an increase in Covid-19 data, case rates and hospitalizations and outbreaks in care in people aged 65 and over. houses.
“Now we see an increase in ICU admissions among the elderly.
“Vaccination is the best protection against serious illness and hospitalization. Covid-19 is not going away and we should all remember to maintain good hand and respiratory hygiene.
“It is also prudent to wear a mask in closed, crowded places.”
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