LONDON, July 15 (Reuters) – An estimated 3.5 million folks in Britain had COVID-19 within the newest week of accessible knowledge, the Workplace for Nationwide Statistics (ONS) mentioned on Friday, up practically 30% on the two.7 million recorded within the earlier week.
Individually, the federal government introduced {that a} new COVID booster jab programme would start later this 12 months.
“The share of individuals testing optimistic for coronavirus (COVID-19) continued to extend throughout the UK,” the ONS mentioned. “These will increase have been probably attributable to will increase in infections appropriate with Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5.”
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An estimated 1 in 19 folks in England have been testing optimistic within the week to July 6, the ONS mentioned, up from round 1 in 25 the earlier week.
Scotland, whose figures have been for the week to July 7, had the very best an infection price in the UK, with an estimated 1 in 16 folks testing optimistic for COVID-19.
The federal government mentioned the vaccine booster programme would start in “early autumn” and be provided to folks aged 50 and over, residents and workers at care properties, people in scientific threat teams, people who find themselves immunosuppressed and frontline staff.
“It’s completely important essentially the most weak teams obtain a booster vaccine to strengthen their immunity in opposition to critical illness over winter to guard themselves and cut back strain on the NHS (Nationwide Well being Service),” Britain’s well being minister Steve Barclay mentioned.
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Reporting by Farouq Suleiman; modifying by Michael Holden and William James
Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
