The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said that Covid-19 positivity increased from 7.6% to 8.4% in a week, while hospitalisations from Covid-19 also increased from 2 per 100,000 to 2.73 per 100,000
The NHS is urging people who experience certain symptoms from a Covid-19 infection to either book an ‘urgent appointment’ with their GP or ring 111 for additional support. This comes as the XFG variant of the coronavirus has been gradually taking over Covid cases throughout the UK.
Latest figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reveal that flu and Covid-19 reports from late September demonstrated that cases are consistently rising across the nation as temperatures start to fall. The government body reported that Covid-19 positivity rose from 7.6% to 8.4% within a week, whilst hospital admissions from Covid-19 also climbed from 2 per 100,000 to 2.73 per 100,000.
Due to this surge in infection risk, people are broadly being encouraged to safeguard themselves by receiving vaccinations where suitable. Jabs can help ready your immune system to battle against Coronavirus and other viruses and assist in preventing severe complications from an infection.
Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, commented: “Flu and COVID-19 levels are starting to slowly increase. While this is to be expected at this time of year, now is the time for people to come forward for their winter vaccines if they’re eligible, before we start to see more of these viruses in circulation in the winter months.
“Vaccination offers the best protection against flu, COVID-19 and RSV which is why it’s vital that eligible groups get vaccinated. If you have symptoms of flu or COVID-19 such as a high temperature, cough and feeling tired and achy, try to limit your contact with others, especially those who are vulnerable.
“If you have symptoms and need to leave the house, our advice remains that you should wear a face covering. Washing hands regularly and using and disposing tissues in bins can reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses.”
Coronavirus symptoms and when to call a doctor
If you do catch Covid-19, you might experience some of the following symptoms:
- Blocked or runny nose
- Feeling sick or being sick
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling tired or exhausted
- A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
- A high temperature or shivering (chills)
- A sore throat
- An aching body
- Diarrhoea
- A headache
- A new, continuous cough
- Loss of appetite
Whilst for most people these signs will start to improve within a few weeks naturally, the NHS has also cautioned in its Covid-19 guidance that there are certain circumstances where you may need to ‘ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111’. You may need to do this if you encounter the following:
- You’re worried about Covid-19 symptoms in yourself or your child and don’t know what to do
- A child aged three to six months has a temperature of 39 °C or higher
- A child under three months has a temperature of 38 °C or higher
- You or you’re child has experienced a high temperature that lasts five days or more and isn’t treatable with paracetamol
- You or you’re child experiences a rash, loss of appetite, or feeling weak
- The symptoms of Covid-19 infection are getting worse instead of better
Further advice on what to do if you have Covid-19 can be found on the NHS website here.
#NHS #urges #people #Covid19 #symptoms #urgent #appointment
