The number of hospital patients in London testing positive for Covid has risen by 15 per cent in a week, according to the latest figures.
A total of 992 people in the capital were in hospital with Covid as of 8am on September 28, a jump on the figure of 862 reported the week before.
Meanwhile, the total number of hospital patients in England testing positive for the virus nationally increased by 37 per cent in the same period - the highest figure since August 19 and a sign that an autumn wave of infections is underway.
The number of occupied beds remains far below the peak of 7,917 in the capital recorded on January 18, 2021. It is also below the highest figure recorded this year so far of 4,074, on January 5.
Patient levels topped 14,000 in mid-July at the peak of the wave of infections caused by the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of the virus, after which they started to fall steadily.
London’s summer wave peaked on July 19, when 2,339 beds were occupied by Covid patients. The number of occupied beds has since declined, with a low of 824 on September 12.
Covid-19 hospital data is currently published only once a week, on a Thursday.
The number of daily Covid infections has also been rising slowly in London, surpassing 600 on September 20 for the first time in five weeks. Figures for the past week have not yet been released.
Some 766,500 people in private households were estimated to have tested positive for coronavirus in the week to September 14, or around one in 70 – up from 705,800, or one in 75, in the previous week.
More recent data from the ZOE Health Study, which is based on symptoms reported by volunteers across the country, suggests that an average of one in 32 people in the UK were likely to have symptomatic Covid-19 at the start of this week, with rates rising in all age groups.
Professor Tim Spector, co-founder of the ZOE study, said: “It’s clear we’re now seeing an autumn wave of Covid-19, combined with increases in hospital admissions.
“With rates on the rise, especially in the vulnerable elderly age groups, the impact on hospitalisations could be higher.
“However, the youngest age group are showing possible early signs of case numbers slowing. Children tend to be a leader of infection trends, so if this continues next week it is possible that the Covid wave might not be as bad as previously predicted.”
All people aged 65 and over are currently eligible for an autumn booster dose of Covid-19 vaccine, providing they had their last jab at least three months ago.
Doses are also available to frontline health and care workers, pregnant women and people with a weakened immune system.
A booster will eventually be offered to everyone aged 50 and over.
NHS director for vaccinations and screening Steve Russell said: “This winter could be the first time we see the effects of the so-called ‘twindemic’ with both Covid-19 and flu in full circulation, so it is vital that those most susceptible to serious illness from these viruses come forward for vaccines in order to protect themselves and those around them.
“If you have been offered a flu vaccination or Covid-19 booster you should book in as soon as possible and with more vaccination centres than ever before this year, they are quick, convenient and will provide vital protection this winter.”
