Covid-19 cases are increasing in the UK, with a newer variant nicknamed 'American Covid' now accounting for nearly half of positive tests. Health officials are urging eligible people to get vaccinated against winter viruses as hospital admissions rise.
The latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows an increase in positive Covid tests and hospital admissions. Around half of the positive tests were found to be a newer variant known as XFG, also called Stratus. More recently, it has been dubbed 'American Covid' after becoming the most common variant in North America.
Hospital admissions jump by almost 50%
The most recent UKHSA data shows the rate of positive Covid-19 tests in hospitals increased from 5.9 per cent to 7.0 per cent, while the hospital admission rate jumped by almost 50 per cent, from 0.81 per 100,000 to 1.20 per 100,000.
There have been 1,364 Covid cases reported in the past week, an increase of 28.6 per cent from last week. Hospital admissions have also risen by 15 per cent, with 261 patients admitted.
Dr Alex Allen, consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, told The Independent: "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."
What is 'American Covid'?
The 'American Covid' or Stratus strain was declared a "variant under monitoring" by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in June 2025 after it was first reported in January of that year. According to the WHO, a "variant under monitoring" needs prioritised attention due to characteristics that may pose an additional threat compared to other strains.
This strain, which the WHO said is a mix of earlier variants LF.7 and LP.8.1.2, now makes up 46.2 per cent of Covid cases in England, according to the latest UKHSA data.
Last year, Dr Allen of the UKHSA said there was "no evidence to suggest that the XFG and XFG.3 variants cause more severe disease than previous variants, or that the vaccines in current use will be less effective against them."
Symptoms to look out for
Unlike previous Covid strains, some experts have suggested the 'American Covid' variant is known for its unique symptom of giving people a hoarse voice. According to Dr Bruno Silvester Lopes, lecturer in microbiology at Teesside University, the XFG variant is "linked to hoarseness and fatigue".
The NHS says common symptoms of Covid-19 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 or a headache, a sore throat, blocked or runny nose, loss of appetite, feeling sick or being sick, and diarrhoea.
Like many seasonal viruses, Covid spreads very easily through close contact with people who have the virus. You can catch the virus by breathing in droplets when someone with Covid breathes, speaks, coughs or sneezes, or by touching surfaces covered in them and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
The NHS says it is important to wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser regularly to avoid the spread of the virus. It also urges you to avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Those at a higher risk of getting ill from Covid are urged to avoid contact with people who have symptoms. The NHS says they may also want to open windows and doors if meeting people inside, or meet them outside instead, stay at least two metres away from people, work from home if they can, wear a face covering when it's hard to stay away from other people, and think about asking people to wear a face covering or take a rapid lateral flow test if meeting them inside.
Those eligible are also urged to get their Covid vaccine this winter to help protect themselves against the virus.
