According to the latest figures in the government’s coronavirus dashboard, both the number of cases detected through mass community testing and patients admitted to hospital with Covid have increased over the past seven days, suggesting the country may be facing a resurgence of the virus. On Monday, 781 Covid patients were admitted to hospital in England, up from 519 the previous week, with the seven-day total rising by 17%, from 3,434 in the week ending September 12 to 4,015 in the week ending September 19. As noted by the Health Service Journal, admissions in the South West rose by 39%, to 509, in the past seven days and by 30% in the North East and Yorkshire region. While data on levels of Covid infection across the UK are expected from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) tomorrow, data from the Zoe Health Study suggests that cases are rising, with hints also seen in the latest figures for the number of mass community testing of cases in England. Dr Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at the UK’s Health Security Agency, said there were actions people could take. “While Covid-19 rates are still low, the latest figures for the past seven days show an increase in hospitalizations and an increase in positive tests reported by the community,” he said. “For those who qualify, the time to get your fall booster is now. Taking a booster will give your immune system time to strengthen your protection against being seriously ill from Covid-19 as we move into winter. “All available boosters provide good protection against serious illness from Covid-19 and getting your booster sooner rather than later is vital. “As it gets colder and we head into winter, we will start to see respiratory infections increase – try to stay at home if you are unwell and avoid contact with vulnerable people.”
