According to the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS), the country has once again seen a rapid increase in COVID-19 infection rates. Today, the number of infected people is about 2.3 million, which means that every thirtieth citizen of the country has COVID-19. This is 32% more than a week ago. Experts attribute this to two new and rapidly spreading Omicron variants – BA.4 and BA.5.
In addition, people who have already had COVID-19 can get sick again, although the vaccine helps to make the disease milder. After analyzing the situation in England, the ONS concluded that the number of cases is increasing in all regions and all age groups. As of June 30, there were nearly 9,000 COVID patients in hospitals in England – double the number at the beginning of the month. Similar growth is seen in other parts of the UK.
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The number of COVID patients currently hospitalized is not much lower than the peak of the pandemic in January 2021, when more than 34,000 people with the alpha variant were hospitalized. However, since the beginning of June, the number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units in England has increased from 111 to 211. Again, this is a drop in the bucket compared to January 2021, when more than 3700 people needed intensive care.
Doctors recommend that everyone age 75 and older get a booster shot (if they haven’t had one in the last six months) to help prevent complications and hospitalization. In addition, Dr. Mary Ramsey, director of clinical programs at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), urges people to exercise caution on a regular basis. “In crowded places, it makes sense to wear a mask,” she says, “and if you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, a fever, or just don’t feel well, try not to leave the house and avoid contact with other people, especially the elderly or frail.”
“If you think it’s just like a bad cold, you’re very much mistaken,” warns her colleague, UKHSA Chief Medical Officer Dr. Susan Hopkins, who says the illness can last 7-10 days. “Try not to attend various holidays and other events in enclosed spaces as this increases the risk of infection”.