Reports of a “summer Covid wave” have been circulating recently, but is there any evidence to support this claim? It’s difficult to say for certain, but there has been a minor increase in Covid hospital admissions in England. The number of hospitalizations rose to 3.31 per 100,000 in the week ending on June 16, compared to 2.67 in the previous week. Although fewer tests are being conducted now, each using lab swabs, which has led to fewer cases being officially recorded. The latest data indicates that around one in every 25,000 people had Covid on June 26th, a small number compared to the start of the pandemic as it was one in 13 in March 2020. Rates of Covid cases can vary throughout the year and may not be alarming. Prof Paul Hunter from the University of East Anglia commented that he is not concerned about the current Covid rates.
There have been reports of a new group of Covid variants, referred to collectively as FLiRT, emerging recently, with the KP3 variant, which has driven a rise in US cases, identified in the UK in minor numbers. However, more research is required to understand the severity and transmissibility of these new variants, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). It is impossible at this stage to say if these new variants are responsible for the slight increase in hospital admissions. The UKHSA will continue to monitor the new strains and will gather more information on vaccine effectiveness against them.
The official list of Covid symptoms remains the same, according to the UKHSA. High temperature or shivering, new or continuous coughing, loss or change to sense of smell or taste, and shortness of breath are some of the symptoms mentioned. There is no need for people to self-isolate now or to wear a mask unless required. The UKHSA’s consultant epidemiologist, Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, suggested staying at home and avoiding contact with others who are more vulnerable if someone tests positive for Covid.
While the vaccine is still available, seasonal booster programmes have been reduced, with only specific categories of people, such as those aged 75 and above, care home residents, and people with weakened immune systems, qualified for jabs. The recent data reported that 59.6% of eligible people have been vaccinated under the scheme since April, and NHS England urged everyone entitled to the vaccine to receive it before the spring booster programme ended on June 30th. The vaccine is proficient in preventing severe Covid symptoms but does not necessarily protect against the virus
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