COVID cases are up by 32% in the UK as Omicron sub-variants continue to spread at an alarming rate, with 1 in 18 infected in Scotland
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published data for the week ending 24 June 2022 showing that COVID infections have increased by 32% in the UK. It is believed that the spike has been caused by an increase in infections compatible with Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5.
Scotland is currently being hit the hardest, with the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 288,200 (95% credible interval: 250,100 to 327,200), equating to 5.47% of the population or around 1 in 18 people.
It should be noted that the ONS is only able to report on those who report their COVID test results, so the actual figure could be much higher.
It should be noted that the ONS is only able to report on those who report their COVID test results, so the actual figure could be much higher
In England, 1,829,100 people have tested positive for COVID (95% credible interval: 1,745,900 to 1,914,300), equating to 3.35% of the population or around 1 in 30 people.
In Wales, the estimated number of people testing positive was 106,000 (95% credible interval: 86,400 to 127,100), equating to 3.49% of the population or around 1 in 30 people.
In Northern Ireland, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 71,000 (95% credible interval: 58,000 to 85,700), equating to 3.87% of the population or around 1 in 25 people.
Individuals can catch the sub-variants of Omicron even if they have recently had COVID
People can catch the newer variants – called BA.4 and BA.5 – even if they have had coronavirus recently which may explain the sudden rise in infections.
Weekly coronavirus figures show 2.3 million infections were recorded in the week to 24 June up from 1.7 million the week before.
This is the highest number for total infections since late April.
The reassuring news is that hospitals are not yet overwhelmed by the increase in infections and the newer variants are not thought to be any more potent or dangerous.
Vaccines still offer reliable protection against becoming seriously ill with the disease.
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