UK Covid-19 infections have hit a record high as scientists have revealed the top three symptoms to watch out for.
Data released by the ZOE Covid Study shows that as of July 11 there have been 349,773 new daily symptomatic infections.
It further estimates the R-value is about 1.1 for the UK and one in 15 people in the country currently have Covid.
It comes as scientists from the study have warned to look out for a sore throat, blocked nose and dry cough as the three primary symptoms of the current wave.
Fully vaccinated people are still catching Covid because multiple variants, Omicron BA.4 and BA.5, are in circulation at the same time, they added.
However, they do say that daily cases are starting to drop slightly but it is important to stay vigilant.
Professor Tim Spector, ZOE Scientific Co-Founder and lead scientist on the ZOE Health Study, comments on the latest COVID data:
“COVID is still rampant in the population. ZOE Health Study data shows that there were over 350,000 daily COVID cases this week- a new record for the UK.
"So much so, that if you have any cold-like symptoms at the moment it’s nearly twice as likely to be COVID as a cold.
"Even if people have had a past infection and are fully vaccinated, people are still catching it.
"This is because there are multiple COVID variants coexisting at the same time (BA.2, BA.4 and BA.5). The top symptoms to keep an eye on including sore throat, blocked nose and dry cough.
"The good news is that case numbers won’t rise indefinitely and we’re already seeing a slight drop in numbers day to day.
"Although we all want to make the most of the good weather, people will need to decide for themselves whether going to large events, working from the office or using busy public transport is worth the risk.”
Ealier this week, Labour health spokeswoman Baroness Merron noted the “stark rise” in infections and questioned if mandatory face masks in hospitals could return.
“We might be through the worst of Covid but it hasn’t gone away,” Lady Merron added.
Lord Kamall replied: “We are always ready to stand up measures should the case rates rise so much that our health system was under pressure, but also what we have managed to do is break the link between infections and hospitalisations, and hospitalisations and death.
“If that gets out of control then of course we will stand up the measures that we have previously.”
He even suggested free testing could be reintroduced if needed.
Liberal Democrat peer Lord Paddick asked: “Why does the Government not reintroduce free Covid tests for everyone in England and financial support for those who do the right thing and self-isolate, especially in the face of the cost-of-living crisis?”
