Covid-19 infections within the UK are persevering with to fall and at the moment are at their lowest stage for greater than two months, figures present.
A complete of 1.4 million individuals in non-public households are estimated to have had the coronavirus within the week to August 16, in accordance with the Workplace for Nationwide Statistics (ONS).
This can be a drop of 16% from 1.7 million the earlier week.
(PA Graphics)
Infections hit 3.8 million in early July throughout the unfold of the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of the virus, however have fallen in latest weeks.
Well being consultants have warned ranges are prone to rise once more within the autumn and winter, nevertheless.
A brand new booster jab might be provided to everybody within the UK aged 50 and over from subsequent month, in addition to these with underlying well being situations, to extend safety forward of future waves.
Sarah Crofts, head of analytical outputs for the Covid-19 an infection survey, mentioned: “Infections proceed to go in the best route throughout the entire UK and at the moment are at ranges much like these final seen in mid-June.
“Charges stay lowest in school-aged youngsters and we are going to carefully monitor the information to see how the return of faculties in September could have an effect on this.”
Whole UK infections at the moment are at their lowest stage because the week ending June 11, when the BA.4/BA.5 wave of the virus was starting to develop.
Some 1.2 million individuals in England have been prone to have examined constructive for Covid-19 within the week to August 16, the equal of round one in 45, the ONS mentioned.
That is down from 1.4 million, or one in 40, within the earlier survey in early August.
In Wales, infections stood at 65,500 within the newest week, or one in 45 individuals, in contrast with 72,600, or one in 40, within the earlier survey.
The newest estimate for individuals testing constructive in Scotland is 135,000, or round one in 40, down from 164,100, or one in 30.
In Northern Eire, infections have been estimated to be 26,400, or one in 70 individuals, down from 36,600, or one in 50.
The variety of individuals testing constructive for Covid-19 is estimated to have decreased in all areas of England.
All age teams in England are estimated to have seen a fall in prevalence of the virus apart from individuals aged 25 to 34, the place the development is described by the ONS as “unsure”.
An infection charges are highest among the many 25-34 age group, with 2.5% prone to take a look at constructive for Covid-19 in the latest week, or round one in 40 individuals.
Charges are lowest amongst younger youngsters between the age of two and college 12 months six, at 1.3% – the equal of 1 in 75.
The ONS an infection survey is essentially the most dependable measure of the prevalence of Covid-19 and relies on a pattern of swab checks from households throughout the UK.
The BA.4/BA.5 wave has not been as steep because the Omicron BA.2 wave earlier in 2022, which noticed weekly infections peak at 4.9 million in late March.
Hospital numbers throughout the newest wave have additionally peaked at a decrease stage than earlier within the 12 months.
The variety of sufferers within the UK testing constructive for the virus reached 17,307 on July 15, in contrast with a peak of 20,559 on April 6 throughout the BA.2 wave.
Figures at the moment are falling steadily in all 4 UK nations.
Excessive ranges of coronavirus antibodies among the many inhabitants – both from vaccination or earlier an infection – imply the variety of individuals significantly sick or dying from the virus this 12 months stays low.
Dr Mary Ramsay, director of scientific programmes on the UK Well being Safety Company, mentioned: “Covid-19 case charges and hospitalisations are at low ranges and proceed on a downward development.
“The effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines considerably reduces the chance of being significantly sick with the virus. When the autumn booster is rolled out in a number of weeks’ time, we urge all these eligible – individuals aged 50 and over and people with underlying well being situations – to come back ahead for his or her jab.”
The autumn booster marketing campaign begins in England within the week of September 5, when NHS workers will begin vaccinating care dwelling residents and people who find themselves housebound.
A nationwide reserving service can even open that week, inviting over-75s and other people prone to critical sickness to decide on an appointment.
Boosters might be provided in Scotland, Wales and Northern Eire from early September.
