Covid-19 infections in the UK rose 43% in early June, apparently as people gathered to celebrate the late queen’s platinum jubilee over a four-day weekend.
Driven by the BA.4 and BA.5 variants of Omicron – the strain that spread very rapidly across the UK in December 2021 and January 2022 before gradually declining – cases continued to rise to a peak of around 4.6 million in mid-July before that. It gradually began to decline.
While September finds Britain in a much better place in terms of infections, only approximately 145,000 per day According to a ZOE Health studyThe recent spike was a timely reminder that Covid is not gone and that we still need to be vigilant as new mutations continue to emerge around the world.
Interestingly, the ZOE Project’s analysis reveals that sore throats are now the most commonly reported symptom of the coronavirus.
The ZOE study allows infected people to report their symptoms through an app while suffering from the virus, with the aim of gaining a better understanding of Covid and its development.
The data provided is then analyzed by researchers at King’s College London, who track infections across the UK, as well as identifying who is most at risk and where the high-risk areas are.
Nearly 58% of all Covid patients who used the app recently reported a sore throat before returning to positive tests.
Headache, stuffy nose, and cough have been reported as the following most common symptoms.
The first symptom now is a sore throat, according to the ZOE Covid . app
(shovel)
Professor Tim Spector, who leads the ZOE project, said in July: “If you have any symptoms of a cold at the moment, it is twice as likely to be Covid than a cold.
“Even if people have had a previous infection and are fully vaccinated, people still get it.
“While we all want to make the most of good weather, people will need to decide for themselves whether it’s worth going to big events, working in the office, or using crowded public transportation.”
Mary Ramsay, Director of Clinical Programs at the UK’s Health Safety Agency, said: “Vaccination remains the best defense against serious illness and hospitalization. Covid-19 has not gone away and we must all remember to keep our hands and respiratory system clean.
“It also makes sense to wear a face covering in crowded, enclosed spaces.”
Charlotte Whitmore is a contributor at Mediarunsearch.co.uk, covering a broad range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. She focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting and practical information that helps readers stay informed about current events and emerging developments. Her work highlights stories that matter to everyday audiences, with an emphasis on accuracy, relevance, and accessible journalism that keeps readers connected to the issues shaping the UK and beyond.