The UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) has said Covid-19 cases are on the rise due to a new "American" strain. As the colder months approach, case rates are expected to increase as people mix more frequently indoors.
Hospital admissions and positive test rates
Hospital admissions have increased by almost 50% in the last month, and the rate of positive Covid-19 results inside hospitals has risen from 5.9% to 7%. More than half of the positive tests were a variant of the Stratus strain, which has been dubbed "American Covid", according to Metro.
The UKHSA said cases remain low in the UK but it's important to keep on top of your health and well-being.
UKHSA monitoring and advice
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."
Full list of symptoms
According to the NHS website, Covid-19 symptoms can include a high temperature, 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.
If you're experiencing symptoms of Covid-19 you should stay at home. You can go back to your normal activities when you feel better or do not have a high temperature.
Avoid meeting people who are more likely to get seriously ill from infections, such as people with a weakened immune system, for 10 days after the day you took your test.
