Levels of coronavirus have risen this week in the UK, with an estimated 1.4 million people in private households estimated to have had the virus last week. Infections were likely to have been caused by the BA.4 and BA.5 strains of the Omicron variant, the Office for National Statistics has said.
The estimated number of infections was up 43%, from 989,800 the previous week. This is the highest estimate for total infections since the start of May, but is still well below the record high of 4.9 million which was reached at the end of March, reports the Mirror.
News of a spike in cases comes after the UK Health Security Agency said on Thursday (16 June) there had been a rise in Covid outbreaks and hospitalisations last week. There were 221 outbreaks recorded in Britain, up from 96 in the previous week.
Of these 153 were in care homes and this was a rise from 67. The surge is thought to be linked to Jubilee Bank holiday mixing, new subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 and waning immunity among over-75s who have not had a Spring vaccine booster.
UKHSA director Dr Mary Ramsay said: “After a period of low case rates, we are now seeing increases in outbreaks within care homes and in hospitalisations among those aged 80 years and over.
"As we enter summer, it’s still important to remember that Covid-19 has not gone away and to get vaccinated to reduce the risk of becoming seriously ill with the virus. If you’re not yet up-to-date with your jabs please come forward now – it is not too late to get protected."
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