New Covid variants drive another surge in cases – as millions have just days to get last booster jabs

COVID cases and hospitalisations have risen sharply in the UK over the past week, with two new variants gaining momentum.

It comes as millions of Brits have just two days to get their Covid booster jabs before the offer stops for good.

Eight million people are still not double-jabbed and face running out of time

The nation is moving on from Covid and vaccines for healthy people will be wound down, health chiefs have announced.

Booster jabs will no longer be available to healthy under-50s from February 12 – meaning Brits have just two days to book a slot.

But recent data suggests cases of the bug have surged by 25 per cent since February 2, driven by new variants Kraken and Orthrus.

And hospital admission rates have increased by 11 per cent, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) figures show.

Dr Mary Ramsay, from UKSHA, said: “It’s concerning that the recent downward trend in Covid-19 hospitalisations has started to show signs of a reverse this week.

“Older people are still at the highest risk of being hospitalised for Covid-19, so it’s vital those eligible get their autumn or winter booster jab – come forward before Sunday 12 February when the offer comes to an end.

“It will top up your immunity and keep you protected,” she added.

The expert said Orthrus – or CH.1.1 – and Kraken – named XBB.1.5 – both have “growth advantage in the UK”.

“We can expect further increases in transmission and hospitalisations in future weeks,” Dr Mary added.

Up to eight million people are still not double-jabbed and face running out of time to come forward.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which advised ministers on the latest move, said the vaccine rollout should now become “more targeted”.

It added “emergency surge vaccines” will be held on standby in case of a deadly new variant.”

All over-50s and Brits with long-term illnesses will be offered another booster as part of another autumn rollout, to coincide with flu vaccines.

Meanwhile, spring boosters are only likely to go to care home residents and people with weak immune systems.

The vaccines have helped put an end to lockdowns and have protected millions of Brits.

Over 43million people have had at least two doses of the lifesaving jabs and over 145million have been rolled out since December 2020.

Where to get boosted

If you’ve not had your first booster yet you can book an appointment online for a slot at a vaccine centre or at your nearest pharmacy.

You can pre book a slot if it’s been two months since your previous dose.

But you can also go to a walk-in site without needing an appointment.

If your NHS record shows you’re at high risk from Covid-19, you should be invited for a seasonal booster.

You can have your seasonal booster if it’s been at least three months since you had your previous dose, guidance states.

If you have not had a first or second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine yet, you should have them as soon as possible, the NHS states.

If you have a severely weakened immune system you should get an additional primary dose before you get a booster.

What are the symptoms of Covid?

A high temperature – once one of the most prevalent Covid symptoms – has fallen of the top 20 list of symptoms for the first time, according to data from the ZOE Health Study, seen by The i paper.

The decline in fever symptoms, suggests immunity among the population is much higher than it has been in the past – thanks in part, to the mammoth vaccine rollout.

A fever is typically a strong immune response to a bug or virus.

This raised hopes that the new Kraken variant, which was predicted to become dominant in the UK by the end of the month, won’t have as much of an impact as previous strains on the bug.

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