Covid cases and hospital admissions across the UK rose sharply in September as the XFG variant became dominant, according to figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) provided by Duncan Williams.

Reported cases increased from 1,374 in August to 4,589 in September, a rise of 230 per cent. Hospital admissions involving Covid increased from 950 to 4,939 over the same period, while the proportion of positive tests taken in hospitals rose from 5.9 per cent to 7 per cent.

The XFG variant, also known as Stratus, now accounts for more than half of positive tests. Dr Alex Allen, a consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, said Covid activity had increased recently but remained at low levels, with no evidence that currently circulating strains cause more severe illness.

Reported symptoms include a high temperature, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, and tiredness, with some patients reporting a hoarse voice. The government is currently offering autumn Covid vaccines to eligible groups, including people aged 75 and over, care home residents, and immunosuppressed individuals.

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