Covid-19 infections across the UK have risen by more than half a million in a week, with the rise likely to be driven by the latest Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5, new figures show.
Hospital numbers are also continuing to increase, with early signs of a rise in intensive care admissions among older age groups.
A total of 2.3 million people in private households are estimated to have had the virus last week, up 32% from a week earlier, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
This is the highest estimate for total infections since late April, but is still some way below the record high of 4.9 million seen at the peak of the Omicron BA.2 wave at the end of March.
Friday’s figures are the latest evidence that the virus is circulating at increasing levels across the country.
Dr Mary Ramsay, director of clinical programmes at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said: “We continue to see an increase in Covid-19 data, with a rise in case rates and hospitalisations in those aged 65 years and over, and outbreaks in care homes. We can also now see a rise in ICU admissions in older age groups.
“Vaccination remains the best defence against severe disease and hospitalisation. Covid-19 has not gone away and we should all remember to keep up good hand and respiratory hygiene. It is also sensible to wear a face covering in crowded, enclosed spaces.”
Here are the 10 areas of the UK which saw the highest rise in the proportion of the population infected with Covid-19 in the week ending June 24, when compared with the previous week.
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1. Cheshire East
Cheshire East in the North West had the highest rise in estimated infection rates, with 4.5% of the population believed to be infected last week, up from 2.5% the week before. | Shutterstock
2. Broxbourne; Dacorum; Hertsmere; North Hertfordshire; Three Rivers; Watford; St Albans; Welwyn Hatfield; East Hertfordshire; Stevenage
A group of local authorities in Hertfordshire had the second highest rise. 4.1% of the population were estimated to have Covid last week across the council areas of Broxbourne, Dacorum, Hertsmere, North Hertfordshire, Three Rivers, Watford, St Albans, Welwyn Hatfield, East Hertfordshire and Stevenage, up from 2.3% the week before. | Shutterstock
3. Calderdale
Calderdale in West Yorkshire had the third highest rise. It is estimated that 4.3% of the population there had Covid last week, up form 2.5% the week before. | Shutterstock
4. Bridgend; Rhondda Cynon Taf; Merthyr Tydfil
Part of Wales saw the fourth highest rise in infection rates. 3.6% of the population were thought to have Covid last week, up from 2.1% the week before. | Shutterstock