After a June COVID-19 peak, hospitalizations in UK rises again as positivity rate hits 15.86 percent
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jul 23, 2024 1 month, 2 weeks, 1 day, 21 hours, 43 minutes ago
COVID-19 News:
Amid Waning Immunity and Euro Football Fever, Hospitalizations Increase by 17 percent Within A Week
Rising Cases and Hospitalizations
COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are once again on the rise in the United Kingdom, with the latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) showing a significant increase. Hospital admissions jumped by 17% in the week ending Sunday, July 14, just a fortnight after the peak of the June wave. The positivity rate has surged to 15.86%, signaling a renewed concern among health officials.
https://ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/topics/covid-19#healthcare
https://ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/topics/covid-19#testing
After a June COVID-19 peak, hospitalizations in UK rises again as positivity rate hits 15.86 percent
Waning Immunity and Vaccine Uptake
‘Experts’ attribute the increase in cases and severe outcomes to several factors. One major reason is the waning immunity from previous vaccinations and infections. Many people have not received a booster shot in over two years, as free booster availability has been limited to fewer individuals.
Furthermore, the uptake of the spring booster has been lower this year compared to last year. This decline in booster vaccinations has left a significant portion of the population with reduced immunity, making them more susceptible to the virus.
Impact of Euro 2024 Gatherings
The European Football Championship has also played a pivotal role in the resurgence of COVID-19. Nationwide gatherings in pubs and living rooms to watch the matches have created ideal conditions for the virus to spread. The full impact of these gatherings is still unfolding, as increased transmission from the semi-finals and finals is expected to result in new infections.
During the last Euro semi-final in July 2021, when England faced Italy, transmission rates in England soared by up to nine times.
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adm8103
This raises concerns about a similar spike following the recent final against Spain.
The KP.3 Subvariant
Another contributing factor to the rising cases is the rapid spread of the KP.3 subvariant, part of a group known as the FluQE variants. These new, more infectious variants are believed to be driving the increase in infections.
Epidemiologists at the UKHSA are closely monitoring the situation. "Our current surveillance suggests that in the past week, COVID-19 activity has increased slightly, and we will continue to monitor it closely," a UKHSA epidemiologist told local
;>COVID-19 News journalists. They emphasized the importance of taking precautions when unwell to prevent the spread of the virus, especially to vulnerable individuals.
Summer and COVID-19: A Persistent Threat
Despite the expectation that summer activities would reduce virus transmission, the reality has been different. The combination of waning immunity, new variants, and crowded events like the Euros has led to a summer resurgence of COVID-19.
"Even though levels of infections are low, it’s a concern to see the virus spreading in the summer months. This stresses the need to remain alert and not to be complacent," warned a UKHSA official.
Looking Ahead
The recent spike in cases and hospitalizations is a stark reminder that COVID-19 is still a significant public health threat. While the current levels of hospitalizations are below those seen at the turn of the year, the upward trend is worrisome.
Experts believe that the rise in cases will continue in the short term, especially as the impact of the football championship is fully realized. However, there is hope that the numbers will stabilize and potentially decrease once the immediate effects of the Euro Football have passed.
In conclusion, the UK is facing another challenging period in its fight against COVID-19. The combination of waning immunity, the spread of new variants, and mass gatherings has created a perfect storm for the virus to thrive. It is crucial for individuals to remain vigilant, get vaccinated, and take precautions to protect themselves and others as the country navigates through this latest wave.
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