Covid Infections Surge Again Across UK
Covid cases are back on the rise, with the latest figures showing 3.8 million people infected in the UK — up 7% from 3.5 million just a week earlier. That’s the highest infection level since April, during the Omicron BA.2 wave, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed.
Who’s Catching It? Where?
- Infection rates are soaring among 16 to 24-year-olds and those aged 50 to 69.
- Kids aged 6 to 11 have the lowest rates.
- Scotland is worst hit, with one in 15 people infected — around 340,900 in total.
- In Wales, infections are steady at one in every 17 people.
- Northern Ireland shows a possible dip, falling to one in 20.
Omicron Variants Still Rule
Kara Steel, Senior Statistician for the Covid-19 Infection Survey, said: “Overall, infections have continued to rise in England, reaching levels similar to those seen in April during the Omicron BA.2 wave.”
The BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron strains now dominate, causing nearly 90% of infections in early July.
ONS Warns: Official Figures Understate Reality
Many avoid reporting positive tests to the NHS, so the ONS relies on estimates to track the true scale of infections, offering a clearer picture than official testing data.
Cases remain high but have not yet reached the March peak of 4.9 million.
