Covid cases are continuing to rise in England and Wales, sparking fears of a new wave of infections.
Some 1.1 million people in the UK have tested positive for coronavirus in the latest survey, covering the seven days to 17 September in England and the week to 20 September in the other three nations.
This marks a 14% rise from 927,900 in the previous survey, which covered the week to 13/14 September.
It is the first time the UK-wide total has been above one million since late August, bringing an end to a steady fall in UK-wide infections since early July, when the total hit 3.8 million at the peak of the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 wave.
Sarah Crofts, ONS deputy director for the Covid-19 infection survey, said it is “too early to identify whether this is the start of a new wave”, but Professor Tim Spector, co-founder of the Zoe Health Study, said on Thursday it is “clear we’re now seeing an autumn wave of Covid-19, combined with increases in hospital admissions”.
Professor Spector, lead scientist on the ZOE Covid study, explained in a recent update on YouTube that one in 37 people now have the virus and the R number up at 1.1. An R number of one means that on average every person who is infected will infect one other person.
He added that infections among all age groups are now “creeping up”, particularly among the over 75s.
Prof Spector warned of a potential new Covid variant, named BQ1.1, which virologists are monitoring, but the BA.5 variant is currently still dominant.
As case numbers are rising across the UK, Prof Spector issued an update on the most common symptoms being logged on the ZOE Covid Study app. Listed are the top 10 symptoms of Covid to be aware of right now.
This marks a 14% rise from 927,900 in the previous survey, which covered the week to 13/14 September.
9. Muscle pains and aches
Body aches and pains have been reported as a symptom of all Covid strains, with some patients infected with Omicron complaining of lower back pain. Pains should only last for a few days and will usually occur at the start of the illness.
10. Fatigue
Fatigue - both mild and severe - has been linked to Omicron, as well as previous Covid strains and will usually last between five to eight days. It can leave you feeling ‘wiped out’, despite resting or having a good night’s sleep.