The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a verdict on Covid as cases and hospital admissions are on the rise again. Positive Covid-19 tests in September were up seven per cent, while hospital admissions were up 50 per cent, the UKHSA said.
XFG variant, nicknamed American Covid
As with all other viruses, the Covid-19 virus adapts to survive, which leads to different strains, which can also have different variants. XFG, also known as Stratus, is currently the most common variant.
XFG has recently been nicknamed American Covid after becoming the new most common variant in North America, and it has now become more common in the UK, but the UKHSA has stressed that this is not a new variant.
The UKHSA said: "XFG has also been referred to as 'American Covid' in some media coverage, though it is not new and has been circulating in the UK and other countries for around a year."The name reflects where the strain was first sequenced and detected, rather than necessarily where it originated."
Rising cases across the UK and beyond
As cases and hospital admissions rise in England, the same patterns have been observed in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Europe and the US, the UKHSA says.
The UKHSA also said that there is currently no evidence that these variants are leading to more severe illness, and that the increase in hospital admission is due to the overall increase in cases rather than it being a more serious disease.
What to do if you have symptoms
The UKHSA advises that if you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as Covid-19, you should avoid contact with vulnerable people and stay at home if possible.
If this isn't possible and you have to leave the house, the guidance from the UKHSA is as follows:
- Wear a well-fitting face covering made with multiple layers or a surgical face mask
- Avoid crowded places such as public transport, large social gatherings, or anywhere that is enclosed or poorly ventilated
- Take any exercise outdoors in places where you will not have close contact with other people
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitiser after coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose and before you eat or handle food; avoid touching your face
Covid vaccination eligibility
The UKHSA says that vaccines remain our best defence against severe disease and hospitalisation from flu and Covid-19. Those who are eligible for a vaccination will be contacted by the NHS.
Current eligibility includes people aged 75 and over, those with weakened immune systems, and those living in care homes for the elderly. "Anyone who falls into these groups is strongly encouraged to take up the vaccine, as it provides protection against severe illness," the UKHSA says.
