Covid cases in England fell last week in all age categories, and in all regions other than London. Official surveillance showed today that there were no signs of Omicron spreading to the area.
In the UK Health Security Agency’s Weekly Surveillance Report, 22% of the declines in health were seen among those over 70 (down 29%) and 80 (22%) where boosters have been administered.
Although infections fell across the board, this includes under-40s who were not yet given a second dose of antibiotics but experienced much lower rates than those in older groups.
In England, infections declined in all regions except London. They rose by 2 percent in London and 116 out of 149 local authorities, or 78%.
The number and frequency of PCR/lateral flow testing has fallen 15% compared to the 5 million performed the week prior.
Omicron was not detected by any of 16 authorities in South Africa. However, this hasn’t caused an increase in infection rates. The strain is now in South Africa. Each week, the number of cases has increased sixfold.
UKHSA sources stated that they could not find any evidence suggesting the spreading of this variant within the community. Omicron first was discovered in the UK by a November 20 sample. There have been 32 Omicron cases.
This was after scientists at King’s College London reported that cases increased five percent last week, compared with the seven-day period before. The report also indicated that cases are falling in the 55-plus population.
However, their estimations relied upon 42.596 Covid swabs in order to track the outbreak for the week up to November 27, while the UKHSA data uses results from the nationwide testing drive.
No10 revealed its scheme for vaccinating all 18-year-olds before the end of January. On Tuesday, the UK purchased 114million doses to combat the spread of Omicron supermutant variant.
The ministers also moved to encourage the UK to begin administering vaccines for primary schoolchildren.
Below is a graph showing the age-specific infection rates. It is clear that Covid cases declined in all age categories over the week of November 28, even though some received the booster vaccine. While testing fell during the period, experts believe that cases may have fallen in older age groups due to immunity to jabs and past infections.
Above shows that the Covid infection rate has fallen in all regions except London. The capital saw a two-percent increase in Covid infection rates compared to last week’s seven-day spell.
Based on the test results of around 650,000 volunteers, ZOE’s symptom-tracking survey estimated that 80.483 people became ill during week ending November 27.
Covid cases also declined in 116 of the 149 local authorities. Local Omicron detections were not affected by sudden increases in the last week.
Each week the UKHSA publishes a report based on data taken from the national testing program.
The study found that infection rates were lowest among people aged 70-79 (66.8 per 100,000), then the over-80s (51.8) and 60-69-year olds (202.1), where they fell 18 percent.
These groups receive booster vaccinations. NHS England data shows that 77% have had their third dose already (10million of 13million).
The incidences of infections among people aged 50-59 dropped by 10% last week, to 353 for every 100,000. They also declined by 6 percent in those 40-49 years old (545.6).
The latest data show that around 30% of those in these groups received booster doses already (4million of 14.7million).
UKHSA data showed that the number of cases among 30- to 39-year olds dropped by 4.5 percent (to 439.4per 100,00), 20-29-years-olds fell by 8.5 percentage (263.5/100,000), and 10-19-years-olds declined by 8.7 percent (758.3 for 100,000), while 5-9-years-olds saw a drop by eight percent (873.8 per 100).
The infection rate for London rose from 331.3 to 325.9 per 100,000 in England’s other regions.
Infections increased in only four of the Omicron areas that were previously identified.
Wandsworth, up 8 percent, was one of these. A single case has been identified but is linked to foreign travel.
In Lewisham, cases rose 8.9% and 7.6% respectively. It is unclear if Omicron infection can be linked to travel.
A separate study from the Covid Symptom Study — also run by health data science company ZOE — said cases rose nearly five per cent last week. Based on the test results of around 650,000 volunteers, it was estimated that 80.483 people became ill during the week ended November 27.
The study’s epidemiologist, Professor Tim Spector warned that the variant had ‘rudely awakened the UK’ to the pandemic. He encouraged volunteers to keep track of their symptoms in order to monitor it.
Today, the UK ministers moved to make arrangements to administer vaccines to children in primary schools. This is amid growing concerns that the variant could cause a tsunami.
They asked their independent vaccine advisers the Joint Commission for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and chief scientists Sir Patrick Vallance and Chris Whitty to consider the move.
But the UK’s chief strategy for dealing with the strain remains vaccinating more vulnerable, older age groups, according to business minister George Freeman.
Professor Spector claimed that Omicron “has rudely awakened a number of countries, including the UK,” from the slumber they’d fallen into with Covid.
“While more information is needed to fully understand this variant’s risks, I advise people not to panic but to remain vigilant.
The best way to stop the spread of cold-like symptoms is by getting your third shot, protecting your face, keeping away from indoors crowds and not going outside if you are feeling unwell.
“The ZOE Covid Study will be a key tool in fighting this variant.
“We require everyone to log their symptoms, tests results, and vaccinations into the app in order to rapidly understand the new variant and aid the rest of the world.
The figures show cases are highest in children aged under 18, who are seeing more than 32,000 symptomatic infections per day — although the numbers have fallen over the week.
Covid was the most common in the East Midlands and East of England, as well as the South East. One in every 57 people infected during the week with the disease.
The study estimated the R rate — the average number of people an infected person will pass the virus onto — is around 1.0 for the whole of the UK.
Figures show cases are highest in children aged under 18, who are seeing more than 32,000 symptomatic infections per day — although the numbers have fallen over the week.
People aged 75 years and older have the lowest levels of illness with less than 1000 cases per day.
Covid was the most common in the East Midlands and East of England, as well as the South East. One in every 57 people infected during a week saw covid.
London and the North West had the lowest rates with one in 68 people falling ill with the virus during the week.
Figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) yesterday showed Britain’s Covid crisis appeared to pick up again, with cases and deaths increasing together for the first time in four days.
Britain recorded 48,374 new cases over the last 24 hours, up 10.8 per cent on last week’s total of 43,676.
However, eight cases of Omicron supermutant variant were detected in England yesterday. This brought the UK’s total of Omicron variants to 22.
Likewise, the number of people dying with the virus increased 14.8 per cent to 171 today, up from 149 recorded last Wednesday.
But hospitalisations continued to fall, with 706 people admitted to hospital with coronavirus on Saturday, the latest date data is available for.
According to Government data, 393,000 people received their third dose of booster vaccine yesterday. This brings the total population fully infected up to 18.6 million.
Around 30,500 were administered their first shot, with 32,000 receiving the second.
Pfizer boss Dr Albert Bourla today said Britons could need a Covid vaccine every year to maintain its ‘very high’ levels of protection.
In an interview, Dr Bourla from the UK’s leading vaccine supplier suggested that additional jabs might be required for many years.
Pfizer had already developed a jab that would fight Omicron, which could be more effective than the other variants at getting rid of vaccine-induced immunity.
After purchasing another 114million Covid vaccines which were potentially modified to prevent variants, the UK made this announcement.
This deal indicates that ministers plan to improve the nation’s ability to withstand the winters ahead.
According to Dr Bourla, the BBC was informed by him that annual vaccines…are likely to be required to protect against a strong and high degree of infection.