London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

Covid infections remain around record levels in most of UK, figures show

Covid infections remain around record levels in most of UK, figures show

ONS data reveals about one in 13 people had virus in week ending 2 April, with only Scotland seeing fall
The number of Covid-19 infections remains near or at record levels in most of the UK, with only Scotland experiencing a drop, figures from the Office for National Statistics have revealed.

The ONS data, based on swabs collected from randomly selected households, shows that, for the second week running, about one in 13 people across the UK are thought to have had Covid – an estimated 4.88m infections.

In England, the number of infections remained steady in the week ending 2 April, with an estimated 7.6% or one in 13 people in the community thought to have had Covid. In Wales, the estimated rate was up from one in 14 people to one in 13 while in Northern Ireland the most recent estimate was one in 16.

In Scotland, 396,800 people – about one in 13, down from one in 12 the previous week – were estimated to have had the virus in the week ending 3 April.

Within England, infections rose in the north of the country and the east Midlands, but fell in the south-east. In other parts of the country, including London, the trend was unclear, although levels remained highest in the south-west, where almost 9% of the population were thought to have had Covid in the most recent week.

Sarah Crofts, the head of analytical outputs for the Covid-19 infection survey, said there were early signs in the latest data that infections may no longer be increasing in some parts of the UK.

She added: “It is too early to say if infections have peaked in England and Scotland. We will continue to monitor the data closely.”

The ONS survey confirms that the Omicron variant BA.2 remains the most common variant in the UK. BA.2 is more transmissible than the original form of Omicron, BA.1, that reached the UK towards the end of last year.

While BA.2 is believed to have played a key role in the latest wave of infections, experts have suggested the removal of Covid restrictions, waning immunity and a shift towards pre-pandemic behaviour could also be contributing.

According to a report from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), released on Friday, several variants of Omicron have now been identified, although not all have been detected in the UK. The report adds that the XE variant – a combination of BA.1 and BA.2 – is now spreading almost 21% faster than BA.2, with 1,125 cases in England identified as of 5 April.

The ONS data also reveals variations by age, with infection levels rising among those between school year 12 and those aged 34, while 7.1% of those aged 70 and over were thought to have had Covid in the week, the highest level yet for that age group. However, infections fell among younger children and those between the ages of 35 and 49, with the trend unclear among other age groups.

Prof Rowland Kao, an epidemiologist at the University of Edinburgh, said one concern was that most elderly people received their last booster jab more than four months ago.

“We are entering the stage where their protection against infection is quite low and so a getting the elderly vaccinated as quickly as possible is going to be important in keeping numbers of infections down, especially with the recent trend towards higher numbers of infections and re-infections being concentrated in the elderly,” said Kao.

According to data from UKHSA released on Thursday, just over 15% of people aged 75 and above have received their spring booster vaccination: the programme officially began on 21 March. The agency said the figures include those who have come forward for a third dose (first booster) since that date, as well as those who have received a second booster.

The ONS survey now gives the best picture of Covid levels around the UK. From 1 April free testing for Covid ended for most people, with many reporting difficulties getting hold of free kits in the weeks before, meaning far fewer infections are now being picked up by people coming forwards for a test. Experts behind another major infection survey, React-1, issued their final report this week after the government axed funding for the project.

The recent rise in infections across the UK has also been reflected in a rise in Covid patients in hospital and, more recently, an increase in in deaths. While the link has been weakened by Covid vaccinations, experts, including Prof Chris Whitty, have warned the NHS is under pressure.

On Wednesday NHS bosses urged families to help them discharge loved ones, even if they have Covid, to help the service weather a “perfect storm” fuelled by heavy demand, severe staff shortages and rising Covid cases.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
×