![COVID Cases Spike Up In UK! COVID Cases Spike Up In UK!](https://images.medindia.net/health-images/1200_1000/new-covid19-variant-on-the-lane.jpg)
‘According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the UK has discovered a new COVID variant EG.5.1, making up 1 in 7 of the recent cases.
# COVID, #COVID variant
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The UKHSA in a statement said that COVID rates have increased this week -- 5.4 percent of 4,396 respiratory cases from 3.7 percent of 4,403 respiratory cases reported in the previous week. Accounting for 14.6 percent of COVID cases, EG.5.1 is the second most prevalent in the UK, after XBB.1.16 which makes up 39.4 percent of all cases."We continue to see a rise in COVID-19 cases in this week's report. We have also seen a small rise in hospital admission rates in most age groups, particularly among the elderly," said Dr. Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), in the statement.
Concerning Surge Amidst the Pandemic
While the admission rates are extremely low, Ramsay said, the variant will be monitored "losely" for any spike in numbers."Regular and thorough hand washing helps protect you from COVID-19 and other bugs and viruses. If you have symptoms of a respiratory illness, we recommend staying away from others where possible," she added.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation has added EG.5.1 to the list of variants under monitoring.
"WHO continues to advise people at high risk to wear a mask in crowded places, to get boosters when recommended, and to ensure adequate ventilation indoors," said WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in a recent address.
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"Since Omicron appeared, travel and especially international travel became an important risk factor," Hunter was quoted as saying to Daily Mail.
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Source-IANS