The pandemic may seem like a bad nightmare for many but Covid certainly hasn’t disappeared into the background as cases have more than doubled since January this year, new figures show. As immunity wanes from vaccines and variants appear Covid cases have been rising slowly but surely since the beginning of the year.
The number of hospital patients in England testing positive for Covid increased by 7% in the week to Sunday, April 6, as the ‘positivity rate’ rose from 4.2% to 4.5%, according to the latest figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). This compares to a positivity rate of just 2.2% in early January, when Covid hit its lowest level for at least two years where around 1 in every 330 people were infected.
Although the current level is barely a quarter of what it was at the height of last summer, Brits are being advised to not be lulled into a false sense of security.
Although another "pandemic-level crisis like in 2020" is unlikely Dr Wylie believes those most likely to catch new variants are those who have not received a recent booster or infection.
Data from the UK Health Security Agency - based on the 2024 spring vaccination programme - showed those who received a vaccine were more than 40% less likely to be admitted to hospital with Covid for up to two months after their jab, compared to those who did not receive one.
Dr Wylie says: "Seasonal changes and increased indoor social mixing can contribute to the spread, much like we see with other respiratory viruses.
"Common symptoms include a sore throat, cough, congestion, fatigue, and sometimes a fever or loss of taste or smell, though the latter is less frequent now."
Around 7.5 million people in England are eligible for the NHS spring booster top-up vaccination. The booster is available between April 1 to June 17.
Vaccinations are being offered to:
adults aged 75 years and over.
residents in a care home for older adults.
people aged between six months and 74 years who have a weakened immune system, external and are at a greater risk from severe illness.
If you are 74 but turn 75 years old by June 17, 2025, you don’t have to wait for your birthday to come forward.
