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A brand new COVID variant is spreading throughout the UK, based on the UK Well being Safety Company (UKHSA) – and already makes up one in seven new circumstances.
Scientifically referred to as EG.5.1, it’s descended from the Omicron variant of COVID.
The UKHSA has been monitoring its prevalence within the nation because of rising circumstances internationally, notably in Asia, and it was categorised as a variant right here on 31 July.
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Within the week starting 10 July, one in 9 circumstances have been right down to the variant.
The most recent information suggests it now accounts for 14.6% of circumstances – the second most prevalent within the UK.
It seems to be spreading rapidly and may very well be one cause why there was a current rise in circumstances and hospitalisations.
COVID-19 charges have continued to extend – up from 3.7% of 4,403 respiratory circumstances final week to five.4% of 4,396 this week.
The most recent information additionally reveals the COVID-19 hospital admission fee was 1.97 per 100,000 inhabitants, a rise from 1.17 per 100,000 within the earlier UKHSA report.
Officers say they’re “intently” monitoring the scenario as COVID case charges proceed to rise.
“We’ve got additionally seen a small rise in hospital admission charges in most age teams, notably among the many aged,” stated Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation on the UKHSA.
“General ranges of admission nonetheless stay extraordinarily low and we aren’t presently seeing the same improve in ICU admissions.
“We’ll proceed to watch these charges intently.”
The Arcturus XBB.1.16 variant – one other descendant of Omicron – is essentially the most dominant, UKHSA figures present. It makes up 39.4% of all circumstances.
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The World Well being Organisation (WHO) began monitoring the EG.5.1 variant simply over two weeks in the past.
WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated although persons are higher protected by vaccines and prior an infection, international locations mustn’t let down their guard.
“WHO continues to advise folks at excessive danger to put on a masks in crowded locations, to get boosters when advisable, and to make sure enough air flow indoors,” he stated.
“And we urge governments to take care of and never dismantle the methods they constructed for COVID-19.”
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