 have said the new Covid variant is now responsible for one in seven cases across the country amid a rise in infections over the summer A new Covid variant is spreading across the UK, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). One in seven Covid cases across the country have now been attributed to the new Eris variant, as cases of the virus continue to rise across all age groups this summer. But overall levels of hospital admission remain "extremely low", according to the UKHSA, and the government agency has not observed any increase in ICU admissions. Eris was first raised as a concern by officials in July, and has since become the second most common strain in the country, behind Arcturus. It has also been found in countries across Europe, Asia and North America, while Japan recently reported a 'ninth wave' of Covid infections. Commenting on the latest findings, Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said: "We continue to see a rise in Covid-19 cases in this week's report. We have also seen a small rise in hospital admission rates in most age groups, particularly among the elderly. Overall levels of admission still remain extremely low and we are not currently seeing a similar increase in ICU admissions. We will continue to monitor these rates closely. "Regular and thorough hand washing helps protect you from Covid-19 and other bugs and viruses. If you have symptoms of a respiratory illness, we recommend staying away from others where possible. The NHS will be in contact in autumn 2023 when the seasonal vaccine is available for those who are eligible due to health conditions or age, and we urge everyone who is offered to take up the vaccine when offered." Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at Warwick University told the MailOnline that the prolonged bad weather this summer and an increase in cinema attendance could be behind the uptick in Covid cases, telling the ne){kind=link}
Experts at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have said the new Covid variant is now responsible for one in seven cases across the country amid a rise in infections over the summer
A new Covid variant is spreading across the UK, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
One in seven Covid cases across the country have now been attributed to the new Eris variant, as cases of the virus continue to rise across all age groups this summer.
But overall levels of hospital admission remain “extremely low”, according to the UKHSA, and the government agency has not observed any increase in ICU admissions.
Eris was first raised as a concern by officials in July, and has since become the second most common strain in the country, behind Arcturus.