Just when we thought COVID was fading into history, the numbers tell a different story. Health officials are seeing cases double since January, proving the virus hasn’t disappeared like many hoped. While we’re not facing another 2020-style crisis, the recent uptick serves as a reminder that COVID remains part of our lives.
The latest UK Health Security Agency data shows the positivity rate climbed to 4.5% in early April, up from just 2.2% at the start of the year. This means about 1 in 330 people currently carry the virus. Hospitalizations have followed this upward trend, with a 7% increase in COVID-positive patients across England.
Experts point to two main culprits: waning vaccine immunity and new virus variants circulating in the population. Dr. Wylie explains that seasonal patterns play a role too, as people spend more time indoors together, creating ideal conditions for respiratory viruses to spread.
The good news? Current symptoms tend to be milder, with sore throats, coughs, and congestion being most common. The distinctive loss of taste or smell appears less frequently now. For extra protection, the NHS is offering spring boosters to about 7.5 million eligible people in England through mid-June.
