The UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported a rise in Covid-19 cases driven by a new strain dubbed “American Covid.” As the UK heads into colder months, case rates are expected to increase as people mix more frequently indoors. The UKHSA has shared advice on symptoms and how people in the UK could be affected.
Hospital admissions rise nearly 50%
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. 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 blocked or runny nose, a headache or sore throat. The symptoms are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu. Most people feel better within a few weeks, but it can take longer to recover.
Full list of Covid-19 symptoms:
- a high temperature – you may feel hot, cold or shivery, or your skin is hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
- 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
- feeling sick or being sick
What to do if you have symptoms
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. If your child has mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat or mild cough, and they feel well enough, they can go to school or childcare.
Most people do not need to take a Covid-19 rapid lateral flow test if they have symptoms. But if you choose to do a test and the result is positive:
- try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for three days after the day the test was taken if you or your child are under 18 years old – children and young people tend to be infectious for less time than adults.
- try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for five days after the day you took your test if you are 18 years old or over.
- 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.
