A small increase in COVID-19 cases has been reported in the UK, with a slight spike in hospital admissions, primarily affecting those aged 85 and over. However, it is challenging to track the exact number of cases due to reduced testing.
According to the latest data, the number of people admitted to hospital with COVID-19 increased to 3.31 admissions per 100,000 in the week ending June 16, compared to 2.67 per 100,000 in the previous week. The largest group of people hospitalized with COVID-19 were those aged 85 and over.
Despite the increase in cases, epidemiology experts believe that the current COVID-19 rates are not concerning. Prof Paul Hunter, an epidemiology expert from the University of East Anglia, told the BBC that he did not believe the current COVID-19 rates were concerning and that the severity of illness associated with COVID-19 has gone down significantly over the last three years.
New Variants Emerge
In recent months, new variants of COVID-19 have emerged, collectively nicknamed as FLiRT. These variants are descended from the dominant JN.1 variant, which is itself a sub-variant of the Omicron strain of COVID-19. The KP3 variant, which has driven a rise in cases in the US, has also been identified in the UK in small numbers.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said it needed “more data” on the new variants to understand how severe and transmissible they might be. The agency also said it was “impossible” to tell at this stage whether these variants were behind the small rise in hospital admissions.
Symptoms and Rules
The official list of COVID-19 symptoms has not changed, according to the UKHSA. General symptoms can include high temperature or shivering, new continuous cough, loss or change to sense of smell or taste, shortness of breath, feeling tired or exhausted, aching body, headache, sore throat, blocked or runny nose, loss of appetite, diarrhea, feeling sick or being sick.
There are no longer any legal restrictions requiring people to self-isolate if they have COVID-19. You also do not need to take a lateral flow test, and there is no requirement to wear masks. However, government advice is to try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for five days after testing positive.
