The NHS continues to offer three Covid treatments as the ‘more infectious’ Nimbus variant continues to spread across the UK. The latest data shows a concerning rise in the number of Covid cases and hospital admissions, which experts have described as “worrying, so early in autumn.” In the week leading up to September 15, the overall weekly hospital admission rate for Covid was 2.73 per 100,000 people, according to the most recent surveillance report from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
This represents a 60 per cent increase from a month earlier, when the rate was 1.71 per 100,000 in the week commencing August 18. Lawrence Young, a virologist at Warwick University, told the BMJ: “A combination of return to work and school after the summer holidays, cooler weather – more indoor mixing in poorly ventilated spaces – and waning immunity are contributing to the increased spread of the virus.
“The increased trend in cases of infection and hospitalisations, although still low, are worrying so early in the autumn period.”
Amanda Doyle, NHS England’s primary care director, expressed her concern about the rising numbers of flu and Covid-19 cases ahead of winter, urging those who are eligible to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Young has issued a stark warning that the UK’s reduced data collection on the virus could leave health officials in the dark as we head into the winter months. “The lack of routine [Covid] testing means we have no idea about the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the general population, making it difficult to predict any future waves of infection,” he cautioned.
He pointed out that current testing is primarily focused on hospital patients rather than community or primary care, which could make it “difficult to identify and monitor outbreaks”, before adding: “Relying on hospitalisations as a measure of surges in infection is not a sensible approach to managing the spread of infection and planning for pressures on the NHS.”
When asked to comment on the current Covid situation and concerns over the lack of surveillance, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson told the BMJ: “The government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable to Covid-19 from serious disease and death, in line with the expert advice from the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.
“This includes older adults – those aged 75 years and over and residents in a care home for older adults – and individuals who are immunosuppressed. The UK Health Security Agency continually monitors the prevalence of Covid-19, with the most recent data suggesting circulation is currently low.”
According to Young, the Nimbus variant is more infectious than Stratus, while mutations within the Stratus virus enable it to dodge antibodies produced by prior Covid infections and vaccines. “Both these features contribute to the increased spread of these variants,” he added.
The UKHSA states current evidence doesn’t suggest these variants cause more serious illness than earlier Covid strains.
The NHS website outlines several measures those with Covid can take to alleviate their symptoms:
- take paracetamol or ibuprofen if you feel uncomfortable
- get lots of rest
- drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration (your pee should be light yellow or clear)
- try turning the heating down or opening a window to help with breathlessness
- try having a teaspoon of honey if you have a cough – do not give honey to babies under 12 months
- breathe slowly in through your nose and out through your mouth, with your lips together like you’re gently blowing out a candle
- sit upright in a chair to help with breathlessness
- relax your shoulders so you’re not hunched to help with breathlessness
- lean forward slightly – support yourself by putting your hands on your knees or on something stable like a chair to help with breathlessness
NHS guidance also says you should avoid lying flat on your back if you’re coughing, and avoid using a fan to cool the room, as this could spread the virus. Panicking while feeling breathless can also make things worse.
Those at the highest risk of severe illness from Covid can access treatments on the NHS, including nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir (Paxlovid), sotrovimab (Xevudy), and molnupiravir (Lagevrio).
Some of these treatments are administered orally as capsules or tablets, while others are delivered via an intravenous drip, typically in a hospital or local health centre. These treatments can help manage Covid-19 symptoms and reduce the risk of serious illness.
The NHS has outlined that people may be at the highest risk of severe illness from Covid-19 if they:
- have stage 4 or 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD), including those on dialysis
- have Down’s syndrome, or another chromosomal condition affecting the immune system
- have certain types of cancer, or have undergone treatment for certain types of cancer
- have conditions affecting the blood, including some types of blood cancer
- have sickle cell disease
- have severe liver disease
- have certain autoimmune or inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease
- have received an organ transplant
- have a condition affecting the immune system
- have HIV or AIDS with a weakened immune system
- have a condition affecting the brain or nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, motor neurone disease, myasthenia gravis, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or certain types of dementia
- have certain lung conditions or treatments for lung conditions
Should you require hospitalisation due to Covid-19, additional treatments may be given.