The latest data indicates that infection rates have risen for the fourth week in a row, following a sustained period of low case numbers
After nearly four months at around the lowest levels for three years, infections have risen in the UK for the fourth week in a row, driven by new variants together with waning immunity built up from vaccines and prior infections among the public.UKHSA’s surveillance system increased to 9 per cent compared with 8.2 per cent in the previous week – a rise of 9.8 per cent in a week.
The positivity rate figures relate to the proportion of people who take a Covid test, not the overall population, but scientists say they do give a good rough indication of infection rates more generally.on May 5, the latest day for which data is available. The variants involve two key mutations from the JN.1 virus which mean they can spread more easily.“There is a general complacency in the population that Covid is no longer a problem.
“You don’t have to wait for the NHS to get in touch with you, book online at nhs.uk/get-vaccine or call 119 if you don’t have access to the internet. If you are 75 years old or older, a resident in a care home for older adults, or have a weakened immune system – you’re eligible, so book now,” she said.
At the same time, the new subvariants are not as different from their “parents” as some previous subvariants were from theirs.
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