Covid cases continue to fall across the UK, further surveillance data indicates.
But health chiefs are still warning of chaos from Kraken and Orthrus in the coming weeks.
Virus-related hospital admissions are already on the rise, according to separate figures.
Analysts at the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimate that fewer than 950,000 Britons carried the virus on any given day of the week from 24 January.
That was 15 percent less than in the previous week, the lowest toll since mid-September.
Analysts at the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimate that fewer than 950,000 Britons carried the virus on any given day of the week from 24 January. That was 15 percent less than the week before, the lowest since mid-September
The agency tasked with tracking coronavirus across the UK will continue to “closely monitor” the data.
Today’s surveillance data comes after health chiefs warned yesterday that the outbreak was no longer abating.
Officials at Britain’s Health Safety Agency, which is also assessing the spread of the virus, said it was ‘worrying’ that hospital admissions were rising again.
Dr Mary Ramsay, UKHSA’s head of vaccinations, added: “We can expect a further increase in transmission and hospital admissions in the coming weeks.”
Officials said this was due to the emergence of Omicron variant XBB.1.5, nicknamed Kraken, and CH.1.1, nicknamed Orthrus.
Together, they account for about 40 percent of all new cases.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) expects one of the strains to become dominant in the coming weeks.
Over the past week in England, the incidence of Covid has fallen across the country. Levels remained highest in the North East, where 1.8 per cent were thought to be infected, followed by Yorkshire and The Humber (1.7 per cent) and the South West (1.6 per cent). The West Midlands, South East and London had the lowest Covid infection rates, according to ONS data.
While Covid rates fell among those aged 50-69 and over 70, according to the ONS, the trend among those aged 12-24 and 25-34 was uncertain
Some scientists have called for face masks and restrictions during the pandemic to contain the virus and protect the NHS.
Commenting on the surge, Dr Ramsay added: “There are simple measures we can all take to prevent the virus from spreading.
Read more: Is the mask debate finally over? The ‘gold standard’ analysis of 78 studies and 1 million people shows face coverings make ‘little to no difference’ to Covid infection or death rates
“Regular hand washing, catching coughs and sneezes in handkerchiefs and, if possible, letting fresh air into rooms and areas helps.
“If you or your child is sick, do not visit vulnerable people and try to stay at home.
“If you have to go outside when you are sick, you should wear a face covering, which can prevent you from transmitting viruses.”
ONS data, based on the random swab of more than 100,000 Britons, suggests that one in 70 people in England – around 799,200 (1.4 per cent) – were infected with Covid last week.
This is down from 906,300 in the previous week ending January 17.
Virus levels have also fallen in the UK.
In Scotland, 75,900 (one in 70, 1.4 per cent) people were believed to be carrying the virus, up from 92,400.
Around 38,800 people are now believed to be in Wales (one in 80, 1.3 per cent) – down from last week’s 57,100.
And in Northern Ireland, 27,900 (one in 65, 1.5 per cent) have been infected with the virus, up from 56,500.
Michelle Bowen, Head of Dissemination and Health Surveillance Strategy at the ONS, said: “Infections across UK countries are showing an overall decline this week.
“However, we see a number of different trends when we look at the age groups.
She added: “In England, we have seen an increase in the number of school-age children and 35-49 year-olds in the past week, with a drop only in the over-50s.
UKHSA data to 29 January shows that Covid hospitalizations rose to 6.61 per 100,000 – from 5.94 per 100,000 the previous week. The Covid hospital admission rate for week 4 was 6.61 per 100,000, a small increase from 5.94 per 100,000 the previous week
DR Mary Ramsay, head of vaccinations at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said: “It is worrying that the recent downward trend in Covid hospitalizations is showing signs of reversing this week
“We will continue to monitor the data closely to see how the situation develops over the coming weeks.”
The latest Covid wave appears to have peaked in the week to 28 December with 2.5 million infections in England.
This is less than the level reached in previous outbreaks.
The number of infections rose to 4.3 million last winter during the distribution of the original Omicron – but that figure was surpassed a few months later when the number reached a record 4.9 million.
Despite the blip, advisers have warned that the virus will be in society forever. This means more waves are inevitable.
Hospitalization records show that on January 30, 741 virus admissions were recorded.
Overall, the rate is about 18 percent week-on-week.
The NHS data that tracks Covid patients, including those who happen to test positive and are not primarily ill, may not reflect the true state of affairs.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
