Amid discussions of a “summer Covid wave,” many people seem to know someone who has recently tested positive or taken sick leave. But are Covid cases increasing, and should we be concerned about new variants? Here’s a summary of what we know at the moment.
Are Covid Cases on the Rise?
There appears to be a slight uptick in Covid hospital admissions. As of the week ending June 16, the rate of hospital admissions in England increased to 3.31 per 100,000 people, up from 2.67 per 100,000 the previous week. The majority of those hospitalized are aged 85 and older.
However, accurately gauging the overall number of Covid cases is challenging. National testing has decreased significantly, so many cases may go unrecorded. Current data mainly comes from lab tests of individuals in the healthcare system. As of June 26, 4.37 per 100,000 hospital admissions in England tested positive for Covid. Since not all patients are tested, the actual rate of COVID-19 in hospitals could be higher.
Prof. Paul Hunter from the University of East Anglia suggests that the current infection rates are not particularly alarming. He believes that this year’s COVID levels are similar to those from last year, with fewer deaths and hospitalizations compared to previous years.
Are New Covid Variants Emerging?
Recent months have seen the rise of new Covid variants, collectively known as FLiRT, which are derived from the JN.1 variant, a sub-variant of Omicron. The KP3 variant, which has been driving case increases in the US, has also been detected in the UK, though in limited numbers.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is still gathering data to assess the severity and transmissibility of these new variants. It’s too early to determine if they are contributing to the recent rise in hospital admissions. The UKHSA is continuing to monitor these variants and evaluate how well vaccines protect against them. There are no changes to public health advice at this time.
Prof. Hunter notes that Covid is becoming a regular part of life, with decreased severity compared to earlier in the pandemic. He suggests that Covid may eventually be as common as the common cold, though its high transmissibility makes it difficult to avoid entirely.
Have Covid Symptoms Changed?
The list of official Covid symptoms remains unchanged. Symptoms include:
- High temperature or shivering
- New, continuous cough
- Loss or change in sense of smell or taste
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Body aches
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Blocked or runny nose
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Nausea or vomiting
Current Covid Rules
There are no legal requirements for self-isolation, lateral flow tests, or mask-wearing at this time. However, it is recommended to stay home and avoid contact with others for five days after testing positive. It is also advised to avoid close contact with vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly or those with weakened immune systems. Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal of the UKHSA emphasizes the importance of staying home if experiencing symptoms to protect others, particularly those at higher risk.
Covid Vaccines
The vaccine rollout has been scaled back since the initial pandemic response. Seasonal boosters are now available for:
- Individuals aged 75 or over
- People with weakened immune systems
- Adults in care homes
Vaccines are effective at preventing severe illness but may not prevent infection entirely. As of the end of June, approximately 59.6% of eligible individuals had received their spring booster. Vaccinations are also available privately.
Clarification (July 2, 2024): To simplify the article, a statistic previously referenced has been updated to state that 4.37 out of 100,000 hospital patients had COVID-19 on June 26. This figure is likely higher than the actual number due to incomplete testing.
