More than a million Britons will contract Covid this Christmas, according to official data today, as the number of cases rose by 9 per cent in less than a week.
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) chiefs have urged anyone feeling ‘sick’ to avoid loved ones during the holiday season. Frustrated Britons have previously spoken of how they had to cancel their plans after testing positive.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show 1.2 million people had the virus on any day of the week to December 9 in England. That was more than the estimated 1.1 million the virus had just four days earlier.
Experts said the number of MailOnline infections is likely to continue to rise in the coming weeks as more people gather indoors for festive social gatherings during the cold weather.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that 1.2 million people had the virus on any day of the week to December 9 in England
Today’s ONS data – the last to be released before Christmas – shows the number of Covid cases in Scotland also rose by 30 per cent to 130,900 in a week. They also rose by 3 per cent in Wales to 57,600 but fell by 4 per cent to 37,000 in Northern Ireland
Covid was most common in adults aged 25 to 34, with 2.8 per cent of the age group testing positive during the week. This is followed by the 35- to 39-year-olds (2.7 percent)
Regionally, infections were most common in London, where 2.5 per cent of the population had the virus, followed by the South West (2.4 per cent), the West Midlands (2.3 per cent) and the North East (2.2 percent).
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Professor Paul Hunter, a public health expert at the University of East Anglia, said: “The ONS data is only valid until December 9 [it’s] already a bit outdated.
“The number of infections still seems to be increasing, but not as fast as in previous waves, so I suspect the number of infections will increase until after Christmas, but probably peak soon after.
“The run-up to Christmas is often associated with an increased risk of respiratory virus transmission, but population mixing is much less during the Christmas holidays.”
Newer data shows that the number of people hospitalized with Covid in England, Scotland and Wales is on a clear upward trend, with the number of patients in England rising by 29 per cent in the past week to the highest level in almost two months.
The Covid wave comes after Britons were warned of a separate flu outbreak hitting the NHS.
In the past week, almost 60 times as many people have been hospitalized with the virus as at the same time last winter.
Today’s ONS data – the last to be released before Christmas – shows the number of Covid cases in Scotland also rose by 30 per cent to 130,900 in a week.
They also rose by 3 per cent in Wales to 57,600, but fell by 4 per cent to 37,000 in Northern Ireland.
In England, Covid was most common in adults aged 25 to 34, with 2.8 per cent of the age group testing positive during the week.
Regionally, infections were most common in London, where 2.5 per cent of the population had the virus, followed by the South West (2.4 per cent), the West Midlands (2.3 per cent) and the North East (2.2 percent).
Sarah Crofts, Deputy Director for Analysis of the Covid-19 Infection Survey, said: “Today’s data shows that Covid infections in England have increased for the fourth week running, with cases also continuing to increase in Scotland.
“More than half of England’s regions have seen increases, although there is a mixed picture across age groups.
Infections increased in most adults under the age of 70, while there was a decrease in infections in school-aged children.
“We will continue to monitor the data closely over the coming weeks.”
The surge comes after health bosses asked Britons to cancel their Christmas plans if they suffer from Covid or flu symptoms.
DR Mary Ramsay, a director at the UKHSA, said eligible adults should have their flu and Covid vaccinations.
She added: “Both Covid and flu can cause serious illness or even death for the most vulnerable in our communities. That’s why it’s also important to avoid contact with other people when you’re unwell to prevent infections during the Christmas period and New Year spread.’
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Data from NHS England shows an average of 1,939 people were admitted to hospital with flu each day in the past week. This was 67 percent higher than the 1,162 recorded the previous week and 57 times higher than the 34 recorded at the same time in 2021.
Dozens of people who tested positive for the virus this week have revealed their party plans have already been ruined by Covid.
One tweeted: “Merry Christmas to me!!! Way to end the week and start the celebrations.
“I would like to thank my youngest who had Covid for the third time for passing it on to me for the first time.”
Another said: “Finally I caught myself. Merry Covid Christmas.”
A third added: “It really is the gift that keeps on giving, isn’t it?”
But some tried to look on the bright side when one person shared a meme of the Grinch with his head in a fishbowl, tweeting: “I trust I’ll catch Covid for the rest of Christmas. Christmas is cancelled.”
A woman decorated her living room with ‘Covid Christmas’ decorations, with red and green cutouts of the virus replacing traditional baubles.
“Had to rearrange family Christmas but I isolated Covid Christmas with two other Covid positive friends!” They said.
TV presenter Julia Bradbury also succumbed to the virus after testing positive three days before Christmas.
The 52-year-old had hoped to enjoy the celebrations following her breast cancer diagnosis and mastectomy in peace with her partner Gerard Cunningham, three children and Julia’s parents Michael and Chrissi.
But on Thursday night, Julia tweeted: “Merry Christmas everyone. #covid
Covid hospitalizations stood at 9.6 per 100,000 people last week, a fraction above the corresponding rate for flu, which is 8.3 per 100,000.
Flu admissions overtook Covid admissions earlier this month, but have now fallen behind, although both rates continue to rise week-on-week.
The latest figures come amid fears that more children across the country are contracting both Covid and flu.
DR Susan Hopkins, UKHSA’s chief medical adviser, urged those who are ill to stay at home: “Hospital admissions have increased dramatically in the past week for people aged 75 and over, with the number of admissions for children under five still high .
“The number of IC admissions has also increased this week. NHS services are already under pressure, so it’s more important than ever to protect yourself with the flu vaccine and stay out of hospital.
“Most children between the ages of two and three can get a nasal spray for flu from their GP. If you are pregnant or in a clinical risk group, you are also at greater risk, so it is all the more important that you accept the offer.
“Anyone over 50 can get a free flu or Covid booster shot which can be booked online.
“We can take all measures to stop the spread of flu and other infections. If you are not feeling well, try to stay at home and if you must go out, wear a face covering in closed areas.” Wash your hands often and try to ventilate the rooms well.”
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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.
