COVID cases have crept above one million again in the UK, new data has revealed.
Figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) found that cases have risen in the West Midlands, London and across the South of England.
GettyNew data published today shows that cases of Covid are rising once more in the UK[/caption]
It comes after health chiefs yesterday warned that a new variant could drive a surge in cases ahead of Christmas.
The BQ1 Omicron offshoot is now dominant and makes up 50.4 per cent of infections, compared to 39 per cent last week.
Professor Stephen Powis, medical director at NHS England warned that this winter could be one of the most challenging for the NHS.
He said: “There is a new variant circulating – BQ1 – which is becoming the dominant variant and it seems likely that is going to drive further increases.
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“In some countries in Europe that have it you can already see growth in hospital admissions. No doubt those pressures will increase.”
However, millions of Brits are now protected from a huge vaccine rollout and immunity from prior infections.
Cases are still lower than they were when Omicron first burst onto the scene.
This time last year, daily cases sat at over 53,000, with over 140 deaths being reported.
The latest data from the Government suggests there are around 3,000 cases a day with around 4,000 Brits in hospital with the bug.
ONS data states that cases are up six per cent on last week, when 972,000 Brits tested positive.
The data, up to November 21, shows that in England, one in 60 people currently have the bug.
In Wales this is one in 75 people and the experts said figures released today includes all variants currently in circulation.
‘SMALL RISE’
NHS figures also suggest a small rise in the number of people testing positive for Covid in hospital – with 4,964 cases reported as of November 30, up eight per cent on the previous week.
The data suggests that the fall that had been seen in hospitalisations earlier this year has now stopped.
Patient numbers had been on a downward trend for just over a month after peaking at 10,688 on October 17.
Patient levels had peaked at 14,000 earlier this year, caused by the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants of the virus – but this was still well below levels seen in the early 2020 waves of the pandemic.
Hospital admission rates are also showing signs of a rise, with 4.7 admissions per 100,000 people in the week to November 27, up slightly from 4.5 per 100,000 the previous week.
Rates are highest among people aged 85 and over, at 50.2 per 100,000.
Sarah Crofts, Deputy Director for Covid-19 Infection Survey Analysis today said that the data would be monitored carefully in the run up to Christmas.
She added: “After a recent period of decline, we are once again seeing infections begin to rise in England.
“Though Wales has seen continued decreases in positive cases, the trend is uncertain for the rest of the UK.”
GET JABBED
Dr Mary Ramsay, director of public health programmes at the UKHSA urged people to get their booster jabs, as she warned “we would expect to see the prevalence of Covid and other winter viruses begin to increase as people mix more indoors”.
“This is what the data is beginning to show,” she added.
“Covid hospitalisations are highest in the oldest age groups, so it is particularly important that everyone who is eligible comes forward to receive their booster jab.
“While Covid-19 and flu can be mild infections for many, we must not forget that they can cause severe illness or even death for those most vulnerable in our communities.”
All people aged 50 and over are able to book their autumn booster jab, providing they had their last dose at least three months ago.
Doses are also available to frontline health and care workers, pregnant women, and people with a weakened immune system.