Flu and coronavirus (COVID-19) are currently circulating at high levels and are likely to continue to increase in coming weeks. Almost three million people across the UK tested positive for COVID in late December, the highest number since July.
The concerning number is more than double the number at the start of December and the highest total since mid-July. Office of National Statistics (ONS) head of health surveillance, Michelle Bowen, said infections have increased in all of Britain, with levels in Northern Ireland now at their highest since March 2022.
She added: "Across English regions, infections have increased in the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, the East Midlands, the East of England, the South East and the South West. Cases have also increased in those aged two to school Year 6, and those aged 50 years and over."
READ MORE: Expert warns new Covid subvariant could make vaccines 'less effective'
It comes as experts warn a new COVID sub-variant is expected to take off in the UK, named 'XBB.1.5'. The strain is a sub-variant of the Omicron variant, which wrecked havoc during Christmas 2021.
People are being urged to look out for the top symptoms associated with the virus. According to the latest data from the ZOE Health Study — from the 30 days before December 5, 2022 — the top symptoms reported by contributors with positive COVID tests are:
a sore throat
a runny nose
a blocked nose
sneezing
a cough without phlegm
a headache
a cough with phlegm
a hoarse voice
muscle aches and pains
an altered sense of smell
The ZOE Health Study adds that previous “traditional” symptoms, such as loss of smell (anosmia), shortness of breath, and a fever, are much less common these days. In the list of common symptoms, anosmia ranks 14th, and shortness of breath ranks 16th. Anosmia used to be a key indicator of COVID-19, but only about 16 per cent of people with the illness now experience it.
What to do if you have symptoms:
Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have symptoms of COVID-19 and either:
- you have a high temperature
- you do not feel well enough to go to work or do your normal activities
Take extra care to avoid close contact with anyone who is at higher risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19. You can go back to your normal activities when you feel better or do not have a high temperature.
Who needs to do a COVID-19 test?
Free testing for COVID-19 from the NHS has ended for most people in England. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you are no longer required to do a rapid lateral flow or PCR test.
If you still want to get tested and you're not eligible for a free NHS test, you must pay for a COVID-19 test yourself. You can buy a COVID-19 test from some pharmacies and retailers, in person or online.
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