Consider Covid. As with many respiratory viruses, it typically reappears during the colder months. The number of hospital patients in London who have tested positive for Covid has increased by 15% in one week, according to the most recent data.
Experts have warned that the United Kingdom is “blind” to potentially devastating new COVID-19 waves. An immunologist has cautioned that the new strain of Covid-19 may cause different symptoms, leading people to mistake it for the common cold.
As of 8 a.m. on September 28, 992 people in the capital were hospitalized with Covid, an increase from the 862 reported the week prior. During the same period, the total number of hospital patients in England who tested positive for the virus increased by 37% – the highest figure since August 19 and an indication that an autumn/winter wave of infections is underway.
However, identifying a Covid infection may be more difficult. The Independent quoted professor Tim Spector, co-founder of the COVID ZOE app, as saying, “Many people still use incorrect government guidelines regarding symptoms.” “Currently, two-thirds of people with a sore throat develop COVID. Now that fever and loss of smell are so uncommon, many elderly individuals may not suspect they have COVID. They would diagnose it as a cold and decline testing.”
All individuals aged 65 and older in the United Kingdom are eligible for the booster vaccination, provided they received their most recent shot at least three months ago. Additionally, doses are accessible to frontline health and care professionals, pregnant women, and individuals with compromised immune systems. The booster is meant to strengthen protection against serious illness during the next wave of the virus and will eventually be made available to all those aged 50 and older.
Tests for coronavirus (COVID-19) are no longer free for the majority of people. If you have a medical condition that qualifies you for COVID-19 therapies, the NHS will pay for your tests. You may also qualify for free NHS testing if you are hospitalized or if you work in healthcare or adult social services.
Some pharmacies and merchants sell quick lateral flow testing in person or online. For more information about testing for Covid-19, you may check the NHS’s guidelines here.
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