Doctors have warned that the UK could see another spike in Covid infections early next year. It comes as cases rose above one million again, with levels increasing in England for the first time since mid-October, according to new figures.
The total number of people in private households in the UK testing positive for coronavirus rose to 1.0 million in the week to November 21, up 6 per cent from 972,400 the previous week, according to the ONS. It is the first increase in UK-wide infections since the week ending October 17 and comes a week after the infection levels dropped below one million for the first time since mid-September.
Tim Spector, from the Zoe Covid health study, said Covid rates are "starting to creep back up", and warned that a spike in infections could occur in the new year. In his latest Youtube update, the epidemiologist said: "We're now over 150,000 estimated cases, which is up about 3.5 per cent from two weeks ago. Nothing dramatic, no big surges, but it's certainly not looking like it's going to go down. One in 32 people at the moment have Covid and the R rate is flat at one."
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He said large gatherings for Black Friday and the World Cup could contribute to a rise in cases. "We've had big shopping sprees with Black Friday and people getting together to watch the World Cup, so cases are likely to increase," he said. He added: "I don't see another big peak until next year".
Dr Spector also warned that other illnesses were circulating widely, saying he had seen "a massive increase in reports of colds". He said: "There's lots of it around at the moment, the main driver is the RSV virus, very high. This is mainly driven though kids, and babies are getting it under the age of four. Most people are suspectable to it."
Turning to flu, he said: "For the first time in a long time, we're starting to see significant increases in flu. About one in six people in some age categories have been detected as having the virus. That doesn't mean they're getting the symptoms, but it means there's quite a lot of it around." He urged people to get their flu jab if they have not already.
During the latest wave of Covid-19 infections, the total peaked at just over two million in mid-October. This is well below the peaks seen earlier in the year, when infections climbed to nearly four million in July and just under five million in March.
The number of people testing positive for coronavirus in England in the week to November 21 was 873,200, or around one in 60 people, up from 809,200 the previous week, or one in 65. Wales has recorded six consecutive weekly falls, with 39,600 people likely to have Covid-19 in the latest survey, the equivalent of one in 75 people, down from 45,400, or one in 65, while Scotland has seen infections rise to 91,100, or one in 60, up from 83,700, or one in 65, though the ONS said the trend was “uncertain”.
Infection rates in England are highest among 35 to 49 year olds, with 1.9 per cent likely to had have the virus in the week to November 21 – the equivalent of one in 50. The ONS said that the proportion testing positive for Covid-19 in England had increased for those in school Year 7 to 11, school Year 12 to aged 24 years, and people aged 35 to 49 years.
And around one in five people aged 75 and over has yet to have a booster dose of Covid-19 vaccine. The UKHSA data, which covers vaccinations up to November 27, shows an estimated 80.8 per cent of people aged 80 and over have received a booster, along with 81.1 per cent of 75–79-year-olds and 78.3 per cent of 70–74-year-olds.
All people aged 50 and over are able to book an appointment 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 weakened immune systems.
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