An American Covid-19 strain is on the rise in England, as more people are admitted to hospital. The UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) revealed the rate of positive results inside hospitals increased from 5.9% to 7% last month.
Hospital admissions surge by almost 50%
Hospital admissions have risen by almost 50%, with the London region seeing the highest increase at 79%. More than half of the positive tests were a variant of the Stratus strain, which has been dubbed 'American Covid'.
People particularly at risk of the virus are being urged to get vaccinated. This includes people aged 75, residents in care homes for older adults, and immunosuppressed individuals.
UKHSA monitoring data
Alex Allen, consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, said: 'While Covid-19 activity has shown some recent increases, cases remain at low levels in the UK.'
'UKHSA is monitoring all the data relating to Covid-19 variants in the UK and abroad, and we continue to publish our findings in our regular surveillance reports.'
Universal treatment in the works
A universal treatment for the common cold, flu and Covid is in the works in the US. Experts say a simple nasal spray could help boost people's immunity to respiratory viruses, bacteria and allergy triggers.
While the study, published in the journal Science, was carried out on mice, researchers say it shows promising results for humans. On top of the coronavirus, the jab Stanford Medicine experts developed is also effective against the skin infection, staph.
Covid symptoms to watch for
Symptoms can range from mild to severe, or there may be no symptoms at all. Those symptoms include: a high temperature or shivering (chills), a new continuous cough, a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, shortness of breath, feeling tired or exhausted, an aching body, a headache, a sore throat, a blocked or runny nose, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, and feeling sick or being sick.
Common symptoms of coronavirus are very similar to the common cold or flu, so if you're unwell you'll need to get tested to know what you're dealing with.
