Covid-19 infection levels rising in all four UK nations

Covid-19 infection levels rising in all four UK nations

Ian Jones - Evening Standard

Prevalence of the virus remains well below the record high reached in the spring.

The number of people in hospital with Covid is also showing signs of an upwards trend (Danny Lawson/PA) / PA Wire

Covid-19 infections have risen in all four nations of the UK, with the increase likely to be driven by the Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5, figures show.

The number of people in hospital with Covid is also showing signs of an upwards trend, suggesting the virus is once again becoming more prevalent across the country.

A total of 1.4 million people in private households are estimated to have had the virus last week, up 43% from 989,800 the previous week, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).


Total infections are now back at levels last seen at the start of May, but remain well below the record 4.9 million at the peak of the Omicron BA.2 wave at the end of March.

The ONS said the latest increase was “likely caused by infections compatible with Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5”, which are now thought to be the most dominant variants in much of the UK.

BA.4 and BA.5 are newer strains of coronavirus that were recently classified as “variants of concern”, after analysis found both were likely to have a “growth advantage” over BA.2.

In England, 1.1 million people were likely to test positive for Covid-19 last week – the equivalent of around one in 50.
This is up week-on-week from 797,500, or one in 70.
Wales has seen infections rise to 64,800 people, or one in 45, up from 40,500, or one in 75.
The virus is estimated to be most prevalent in Scotland, where 176,900 people were likely to have tested positive last week, or one in 30, up from 124,100, or one in 40.

Northern Ireland has seen Covid-19 infections jump to an estimated 42,900 people, or one in 45, up from 27,700, or one in 65.

The percentage of people testing positive is thought to have increased among all age groups in England and all regions except the North East, where the trend is described as “uncertain”.

Infection levels are highest among 50 to 69-year-olds, where 2.7% – one in 35 – were likely to have had the virus last week.
The estimates are the latest in a series of figures in recent days to suggest a rise in prevalence of the virus is under way.

The number of people in hospital in the UK with Covid-19 has started to increase, though the trend is not identical across the country.

Some 5,008 patients in England had Covid-19 on June 16, up 23% on the previous week, while in Scotland 748 patients were recorded on June 12, the latest date available, up 17%.

Wales and Northern Ireland have recorded smaller week-on-week increases but have yet to show a steady rise, Government figures show.

Patient numbers across the UK remain well below the peaks reached during previous waves of the virus.
There were 221 suspected outbreaks of Covid-19 in the UK last week, up from 96 the previous week and the highest since the start of May.

Some 153 outbreaks were detected in care homes, up week-on-week from 67, with 102 outbreaks having at least one linked case that tested positive for Covid-19, according to the UK Health Security Agency.

There is no evidence of an increase in intensive care unit admissions, however.

The number of registered deaths involving coronavirus also remains low.

New Omicron variant: symptoms of BA.4 and BA.5 strains - and where is Covid spreading in the UK?

Covid infections are increasing in the UK, with the surge thought to be fuelled by the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron variants

By Claire Schofield - National World

Two new Omicron subvariants are causing a rise in Covid cases, sparking concerns the UK could be faced with a new wave of infections.
Parts of the country are showing early signs of an increase, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Data up to 2 June shows that three counties in England and Northern Ireland are starting to see a spike in infections, with the BA.4 and BA.4 Omicron variants thought to be to blame.

The BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron variants are thought to be fuelling infections in the UK (Composite: Mark Hall / NationalWorld)

What are the BA.4 and BA.4 strains?

The BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron strains are newer variants that were recently classified by the UK Health Security Agency as “variants of concern”.

Analysis found that both variants were likely to have a “growth advantage” over BA.2, which is currently still the dominant Covid strain in the UK.
Initial findings suggest that BA.4 and BA.5 have a degree of “immunity escape”, meaning the immune system can no longer recognise or fight a virus.
This is likely to contribute to their growth advantage over BA.4, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
Dr Meera Chand, UKHSA director of clinical and emerging infections, said: “The reclassification of these variants as variants of concern reflects emerging evidence on the growth of BA.4 and BA.5 internationally and in the UK.
“Whilst the impact of these variants is uncertain, the variant classification system aims to identify potential risk as early as possible.
“UKHSA is undertaking further detailed studies. Data and analysis will be released in due course through our regular surveillance reporting.”

Where are BA.4 and BA.4 spreading?

BA.4 and BA.5 emerged in South Africa and were added to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) monitoring list in March. They have also been designated as variants of concern in Europe.
The variants were detected in South Africa at the beginning of the year and now appear to be spreading more quickly than other strains.
The variants have been reported in most European countries, including France, Austria, Denmark, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium, and they have also been found in the US, Hong Kong, Canada and Australia.
They look set to overtake other Covid variants as the dominant strain, with BA.5 now already dominant in Portugal.
The US has also reported rising case numbers caused by the two variants, with the UK also showing early signs of a possible rise.

BA.4 and BA.4 appear to be spreading more easily than other Covid strains (Photo: Getty Images)

New ONS data shows all four UK nations have seen a slight rise in the prevalence of Covid, although the trend is described as “uncertain” in Scotland and Wales.

Among the regions of England, infection levels are estimated to have increased in the North West, London and the South East, with early signs of an increase in eastern England. Levels have fallen in the South West and the West Midlands while the trend in all other regions was uncertain.

A total of 797,500 people in England were estimated to have tested positive for Covid last week – the equivalent of about one in 70. This is up week on week from 784,100, which was also about one in 70.

Northern Ireland has seen infections rise for the second week in a row to 27,700 people, or one in 65, up from 24,300 people, or one in 75.

In Scotland, 124,100 people are estimated to have had the virus last week, or one in 40, up from 105,900, or one in 50.

Wales has seen infections increase very slightly to an estimated 40,500 people, or one in 75, up from 39,600, also one in 75.

Should we be worried?

The BA.4 and BA.5 variants are not thought to be any more severe than other Covid strains, although they appear to be spreading more easily.
This is thought to be due to waning immunity and because of the many mutations the virus has undergone.
It appears that BA.4 and BA.5 are able to infect people even if they have recently been infected with other strains of Omicron, but there is currently no data to determine the impact of the variants on hospital admissions or deaths in the UK.

What symptoms should I look for?

The NHS extended its list of Covid symptoms earlier this year to reflect the wider array of signs that could indicate infection. People are advised to look for the following:

• a high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
  
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
  
• a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
  
• shortness of breath
  
• feeling tired or exhausted
  
• an aching body
  
• a headache
  
• a sore throat
  
• a blocked or runny nose
  
• loss of appetite
  
• diarrhoea
  
• feeling sick or being sick
  

The legal requirement to self-isolate after a positive Covid test ended across the UK earlier this year, with the governments instead asking people to take “personal responsibility”.

 

UK PM Boris Johnson in Kyiv for talks with Zelensky

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has travelled to Kyiv for talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Stay with us for the latest updates.

Johnson makes second surprise visit to Ukraine

PM Boris Johnson is in Kyiv. It's the second unannounced visit he's made to Ukraine during the war - after he previously visited the capital in April.
He had been due to appear at a conference held by a group of his Tory MPs in Doncaster, but cancelled the visit to travel to Kyiv instead.
Boris Johnson has just tweeted a picture of himself with Volodymyr Zelensky, adding: "Mr President, Volodymyr, it is good to be in Kyiv again."
Read more here.

UK's support for Ukraine is firm and resolute - Zelensky

Following the news that the UK PM is in Kyiv, the official Telegram channel of Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has put out this message: "Many days of this war have proved that Great Britain's support for Ukraine is firm and resolute.
"Glad to see our country's great friend Boris Johnson in Kyiv again."

A video accompanying the message shows Zelensky greeting Johnson outside the presidential palace, then walking through the building's corridors before posing for photos and sitting down for talks.

Johnson discusses weapons and economic support with Zelensky

Volodymyr Zelensky and Boris Johnson discussed supplies of heavy weapons as part of their talks, the head of the Ukrainian president's office says.
The two leaders also spoke about air defence systems, economic support for Ukraine and further sanctions on Russia, Andriy Yermak writes on the Telegram messaging app.
He goes on to express gratitude for Johnson's visit, saying the two countries have "common goals and an understanding of how to achieve them".

Johnson offers fresh training for Ukrainian troops

We're getting updates from the UK side now, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson made another surprise visit to Kyiv to meet his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.
Johnson offered to launch a major training operation for Ukrainian forces, a statement from Downing Street says.
This claims to have the potential to train up to 10,000 soldiers every four months, which could "fundamentally change the equation of the war".
The proposal would see Ukrainian troops trained in other countries for a period of three weeks each - learning "battle-winning skills" as well as medical training, cyber-security, and counter-explosive tactics.
The statement says the ambition would be to rebuild and increase Kyiv's resistance against the Russian invasion.
Johnson is quoted telling the people of Ukraine that the UK is with them until they "ultimately prevail".

Johnson shares vision of victory for Ukraine - Zelensky

More now on Boris Johnson's visit to Kyiv to meet with Ukraine's President. The two men are holding a news conference in Kyiv.
Volodymyr Zelensky says they share a vision of how to reach victory for Ukraine.
He says he discussed the situation at the front lines, as well as the need to increase the supply of heavy weapons.
Zelensky says they also discussed how to step up sanctions against Russia.

We salute the heroism of Ukrainian forces - Johnson

BBC

Boris Johnson says the barbaric assault of Ukraine continues on entirely innocent people, with towns and villages being reduced to rubble.
He adds there is continued evidence of the “deliberate targeting of civilians in what is unquestionably a war crime".
The UK prime minister also says “in a hideous echo of the past, the illegal deportation of people that the Russian forces believe are insufficiently sympathetic to Putin’s aggression”.
Johnson says the UK salutes the heroism of the Ukrainian forces.

Boris Johnson says it is great to be back in the Ukrainian capital and to see “how life is coming back to the streets, to the cafes, the restaurants” and says it’s a “very positive thing” to see how Kyiv is much “livelier” than a few weeks ago.
Johnson says:

 But we’ve got to face the fact that only a couple of hours away, a barbaric assault continues on entirely innocent people, towns and villages are being reduced to rubble.

He says there has been continued evidence of the deliberate targeting of civilians and “what is unquestionably a war crime”.
Johnson says he “completely understands” why Zelenskiy and his people “can make no compromise with Putin”.
“All the evidence” shows that Russian forces are suffering “acute pressure” and “taking heavy casualties”, he says, describing the Russian expenditure on weaponry and munitions as “colossal”.
Despite this, after 114 days of attack, “they have still not achieved the objectives they set out for the first week”, Johnson says.