England Covid admissions rise as experts assess the latest wave
Covid hospital admissions in England have risen from a low baseline, with a particularly sharp increase in London, prompting questions about the latest wave of infections. Experts say the rise is not unexpected for this time of year and that the situation remains far less severe than during the pandemic, though a winter surge of several viruses could put pressure on hospitals.
The XFG strain, known as Stratus or “American Covid”, is currently prominent and can cause familiar symptoms such as cough, fever, sore throat, headache, runny nose and fatigue; some doctors also report stomach problems. UKHSA figures cited in the article show weekly admissions in England rising from 0.81 to 1.20 per 100,000, while positive hospital tests increased from 5.9% to 7%; London admissions rose nearly 80% in a week. Testing is now less common, so the overall number of infections is unclear.
- Covid admissions are rising from a low baseline.
- London saw a nearly 80% weekly increase.
- Experts say a combined winter-virus wave could pressure hospitals.
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Covid hospital admissions in England have begun to increase after a prolonged period of low numbers, with particularly sharp rises reported in London. Whilst some seasonal uptick is expected at this time of year, the rise marks a notable shift from recent months when the virus had become a minor health concern.
The increase is being attributed to the XFG strain, also known as Stratus, which causes typical Covid symptoms such as cough, fever, sore throat, headache and fatigue, alongside stomach problems in some cases. This variant has become the most common form of the virus currently circulating in England.
Experts are monitoring the situation carefully because winter typically brings a surge in multiple respiratory viruses simultaneously, which could place pressure on hospital services. The challenge is that testing for Covid has become less routine since the pandemic, leaving uncertainty about how many people are actually infected nationwide.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “What doctors and virus experts are saying about the wave of American Covid sweeping Britain”.