Covid: Is there a summer wave and what are FLiRT variants?
Written by Aurelia Foster, Health journalist for BBC News
There has been a slight increase in the number of Covid cases in England.
Right now, there is a lot of discussion about a potential increase in Covid cases during the summer. It seems like everyone knows someone who has recently contracted the virus or has been feeling unwell.
Are there actually more instances occurring, and are there any fresh mutations we should keep an eye on? What other information do we currently have?
Have Infections Increased?
Maybe, but it's hard to say for sure.
We are aware that there has been a slight rise in the hospitalization of Covid patients.
The amount increased to 3.31 admissions per 100,000 people in the week ending on June 16th, as opposed to 2.67 per 100,000 in the week before.
The biggest number of individuals admitted to the hospital with Covid were those who were 85 years old and above.
It's hard to determine the exact number of people with Covid who are isolating at home.
We have changed the way we gather national data because there is less testing happening.
This implies that a large number of Covid cases are going unreported among the public.
The information we have comes from tests conducted in laboratories nationwide, primarily swabs collected from individuals within the healthcare system.
Based on this information, 4.37 individuals out of every 100,000 were hospitalized for Covid in England on June 26th.
This means that approximately one out of every 25,000 people admitted to the hospital tested positive for Covid-19 on that particular day.
Although it may seem like a large figure, it is actually quite small compared to the numbers we witnessed when the pandemic first began.
Nevertheless, the number of Covid cases fluctuates throughout the year, without always becoming a reason to worry.
Expert in disease study, Prof Paul Hunter from the University of East Anglia, expressed to the BBC that he was not alarmed by the current Covid infection rates.
I believe that we are experiencing a similar amount of infections this year compared to last year, slightly lower but not significantly.
He thinks that in general, we are witnessing a significant decrease in the number of deaths and hospitalizations from Covid compared to last year.
New Covid Variant?
Lately, there have been several new variations of Covid popping up, which have been given the moniker FLiRT.
They come from the main JN.1 variant, which is a type of the Omicron strain of Covid.
Combined, they are responsible for a significant number of current Covid cases in England. The KP3 mutation, which has led to an increase in cases in the US, has also been detected in the UK in limited quantities.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) stated that they require additional information on the new variants in order to comprehend their severity and how easily they can spread.
The organization in charge of maintaining public health stated that it was difficult to determine if these different versions of the virus led to the slight increase in hospitalizations.
The UKHSA will keep an eye on these new strains in the UK and around the world, gathering more data on how effective the vaccines are in protecting against them.
However, the organization stated that there have been no updates or modifications to the current recommendations for public health.
Viruses naturally evolve and change over time, and the UKHSA acknowledges that the healthcare system is still adjusting to the fluctuating number of cases.
Professor Hunter stated that Covid-19 is now a regular part of our lives and should not be as concerning as it used to be.
He stated that we will all experience multiple Covid infections throughout our lives, starting from birth until death.
Lately, it seems that the seriousness of Covid-related sickness has decreased significantly over the past three to four years.
In the end, it will just end up being another reason for catching a cold, and for a lot of people, that's already the case.
He stated: "Honestly, it's hard to escape it since it's so widespread."
Are Covid Symptoms Different?
The UKHSA has confirmed that there have been no updates to the official list of Covid symptoms.
Common signs may include:
What Are The Current Covid Regulations?
There are no longer any laws that say you must stay away from others if you have Covid. You don't have to do a quick test or wear a mask either.
On the other hand, official recommendations suggest staying indoors and refraining from interacting with others for a period of five days following a positive test result.
It's important to stay away from people who are at higher risk of getting very sick from Covid, like older adults or people with weaker immune systems.
"If you are experiencing signs of Covid-19 or the flu, please stay at home and avoid interacting with others, especially those who may be more susceptible," advised Dr. Jamie Lopez Bernal, a consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA.
Additional Covid vaccinations are currently limited to select individuals.
Are Covid Vaccines Still Available?
The vaccine distribution has been reduced from earlier in the pandemic. Now, only specific individuals are eligible for vaccinations through seasonal booster programs.
Vaccinations are effective in reducing the severity of Covid symptoms, however, they may not completely prevent you from contracting the virus. NHS England encouraged all eligible individuals to get vaccinated before the spring booster programme concluded on June 30th.
The most recent information revealed that four million individuals, which represents 59.6% of those who qualify, have received the vaccine under the program that started in April. This includes two-thirds of residents in care homes.
Private vaccinations can be accessed by individuals who have the means to cover the cost.
