Hospitals in the South West of England are now recording more daily Covid admissions than during the peak of Covid omicron Ripple, official figures show.
Government dashboard data shows that the sector saw an average of 150 admissions a day during the week till March 5, a 30 per cent increase in the first full week after ‘Independence Day’.
For comparison, the average daily virus penetration reached a previous high of 142 on December 31 at the peak of the Omicron wave.
Experts said today that there is nothing to panic so far, but they conceded that this booster vaccine could be an early sign of reduced immunity.
Even though the Southwest continues to see an increasing number of COVID-19 cases, there are indications that a significant proportion of these may not be primarily caused by the virus.
Separate NHS figures show that at the beginning of March 43 per cent of the 663 Covid patients in the region were primarily ill with a different disease.
In another promising sign, COVID ICU admissions in the Southwest are still at barely a quarter of the level in January, and are 14 times lower than in January 2021, with about 16 admissions per day. Covid deaths are still falling.
Covid cases are also now about a third of the level compared to January, but testing is stopping, making it difficult to measure the true scale of infection.
Nationally, daily Covid admissions are now increasing in all seven regions of England.
The graph above shows the COVID hospitalizations in South West. This suggests that they are now higher than the levels recorded during the Omicron wave, and have reached one-year highs.
The graph above shows the proportion of covid patients in the southwest who are being treated primarily for covid (red line) and the number mainly ill with a different condition, but containing the virus. Meanwhile, the number of COVID patients on ventilators is shown in a dark red line
His hospital admissions are now increasing in all areas across England, official figures showed today.
Number 10 lifted all final Covid laws in England on 24 February after hospitalisation, meaning people would no longer have to self-isolate even if they were infected.
It also coincides with the rise of a more contagious version of Omicron, which experts say is just as mild as the original.
Dr Simon Clark, a microbiologist at the University of Reading, said the figures in the Southwest were ‘not yet a reason to panic’, but acknowledged it was a reminder that Covid was here to stay.
He added: ‘Maybe we’re starting to see the level of protection offered by the booster below the level that gives good protection.
‘This is a reminder that COVID is not over yet, and you cannot make it go away. Denying this is a problem until it is too late, which means more sanctions may be needed.’
Data from NHS England shows that almost half of COVID patients in the South West are not being treated primarily for COVID.
The latest figures show of 663 patients in the wards as on March 1, only 384 were primarily being treated for the virus.
This suggests that many patients are testing positive for the virus after being hospitalized for other illnesses or injuries.
At the peak of the Omicron wave, hospitals in the Southwest had about 1,000 COVID patients.
Covid deaths in the Southwest are also much lower, with three recorded on March 2, the latest available, compared to seven from a week ago.
There were 22 deaths per day at the peak of the Omicron wave, and this had risen to over 100 the previous winter.
This comes after a top medic in Scotland said there was no reason to ‘panic’ over the rising number of cases in the UK.
Yesterday the UK recorded 126,605 Covid cases over the past three days, as the virus rebound continued.
Government dashboard data showed combined infections on Saturday, Sunday and Monday were 54 per cent higher than the previous week.
But Scotland’s national clinical director Professor Jason Leach told BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland that there is no reason to ‘panic’ over the rising number of cases.
He said, ‘I’m panicking – I’m not thinking we should suddenly go back to restrictions or security, but I’m worried.
‘As we mix more, the virus gets more opportunities, so we have 10,000 cases a day, we’ve had a little increase in those in hospital – it’s not huge, so people shouldn’t panic, but This disease is not over and it has not happened to us.
He emphasized the importance of vaccines to allow continued suppression of the virus.
“You should still be cautious, especially around people who are vulnerable,” he said.
‘So get your vaccine, especially if you’re getting a letter right now if you’re in one of these elderly groups, or vulnerable groups.
‘Test – because that test is still available – and follow the guidance.’
Another 139 Covid deaths were recorded over the weekend, up from just one in 138 last week. Deaths are several weeks behind cases so no fluctuations would be expected for some time.
Meanwhile, the latest hospital data shows 1,287 admissions were recorded on March 1, up 15 per cent from a week ago.
The flare-up in infections comes after England’s ‘Independence Day’ on 24 February and amid the spread of a more contagious version of Omicron.
Experts warn that there could be some fluctuations in the rates of cases from the more infectious form, but say there is nothing to panic as there is no evidence that stress is likely to cause serious illness.