People being admitted to hospital with Covid increased by 60 per cent in England alone in just as one month and, as autumn bites, experts are concerned the rate will rise
Health officials are “concerned” Covid and flu cases are rising at a time when this year’s vaccination programme has barely started.
People being admitted to hospital with Covid rose by 60 per cent in England alone in just one month, the latest UK Health Security Agency report states. It covers the period of August 18 to September 18, with figures for the period into October likely due in the next couple of weeks.
Lawrence Young, a professor of molecular oncology at the University of Warwick, said this increase is “worrying” as it is “so early in the autumn period”. The Covid-19 seasonal vaccination programme only began days after the rocket in hospital admissions.
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Flu cases are also on the rise, with influenza A – the most dangerous strain – already starting to do the rounds. The number of patients testing positive for some common cold viruses rose by up a third in one week in England recently, the UK Health Security Agency said.
The Mirror yesterday published a list of typical symptoms one can expect to experience should they contract one of the latest strains of coronavirus. These include a “particularly painful” sore throat, continuous cough and shortness of breath – though these can be mistaken for signs of a cold or flu.
Experts have now identified ways to help protect yourself and your family and, though some of these tips may be simple pieces of advice, doctors have urged the importance Brits pay attention to them.
For instance, Professor Peter Openshaw, a respiratory physician and immunologist at Imperial College London, said all Brits should take the Covid or flu vaccine if they are offered it. Uptake of the Covid vaccine was just 60 per cent last year, a figure Prof Openshaw described as “disappointingly low”.
Flu vaccines are available to anyone 65 and over, under-65s in at-risk groups (such as people with asthma), care home residents, children and pregnant women. Prof Opeshaw recommends this if you’ve had bad flu in the past or if you live with or regularly visit vulnerable people.
And, to help protect yourself and others from all viruses, experts have stressed Brits should now wear face masks, especially in crowded areas such as public transport. A review of more than 400 studies published in Clinical Microbiology Reviews last year found that masks could help ward off Covid, as well as coughs and flu.
Prof Openshaw added: “I wear a mask to avoid getting all types of airborne viruses, including colds and flu, especially if people around me are coughing and sneezing. Most people are relaxed with you wearing a mask and it does help you avoid illness if you wear it correctly.”
As often the case, washing your hands regularly with hot water and soap will help protect you from Covid and other diseases. Environmental factors can also reduce infection rates, including good ventilation. Government advice is that everyone should consider taking a 10mg daily vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter.