The Government has issued a warning after Coronavirus infection rates have soared once again in the UK. New figures have shown that the total Covid-19 infections in the UK have jumped 25% to their highest level since mid-August.
Around 1.3 million people in households across the UK are likely to have tested positive for coronavirus in the week leading up to September 26, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
There are reports that a new wave of the virus is now unfolding across the country as hospitalisations more than double in a week and experts predict that variants with different symptoms with an ability to pass by the immune system are on their way.
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With a “marked” rise in infection levels among over-70s, the government has now issued a warning to anyone going to visit elderly people.
Dr Mary Ramsay from the UK Health Security Agency said that the rises have coincided with people returning from their summer holidays and children going back to school.
She told the BBC that most of the infections are due to Omicron variants of the virus which have been around for some time.
"This isn't being driven by a new variant, so it is difficult to say how much this is going to carry on through the winter now that people are in that mode - back at work, back at school. We are keeping a very close eye," she said.
Dr Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at the UKHSA warned that with cases and hospitalisation rates at their "highest level in months," people need to help protect the most vulnerable.
She then issued some advice to those expecting to visit elderly relatives or those most vulnerable.
"If you are unwell, it is particularly important to avoid contact with elderly people or those who are more likely to have severe disease because of their ongoing health conditions," Dr Susan Hopkins said.
"If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, wearing a face covering will also help stop infections spreading."
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