Covid ‘has not gone away’ – but hospital admissions low

TWO new Covid strains are now thought to be responsible for around half of cases in the West Midlands and are helping to drive up infections once again.

Experts say there has been a shift from the Omicron BA.2 variant, which up to now had been dominant, with the BA.4 and BA.5 strains beginning to take over.

The rising cases have prompted a warning from health chiefs in the West Midlands that Covid has not gone away. Despite the fact cases are rising again, the new strains have not led to significant rise in hospital admissions or deaths.

But Katie Spence, deputy director for the UK Health Security Agency in the West Midlands, urged people to remain “vigilant”.

She said: “We are fortunate that so far the rise in cases has not led to a significant increase in hospital admissions or deaths and this is down to the efficacy of the vaccine and the incredible efforts of people across the country getting vaccinated.”

She added: “Remember we can all play our part.

“Stay at home if you have any respiratory symptoms or a fever and limit contact with others until you are feeling better, particularly if they are likely to be at greater risk if they contract Covid.

“Face coverings and hand washing still remain important in reducing transmission, consider wearing a face covering in crowded, enclosed spaces and washing your hands thoroughly and often, especially before and after getting on public transport or getting in from work, shops or the pub.

“Meeting others outside is much safer than indoors as the fresh air helps to blow the Covid particles away.

“So, make the most of the warm weather over the summer and meet family and friends outside.

“Or if you meet indoors, let the fresh air in by opening doors and windows.

“Let’s enjoy the summer and our regained freedoms but keep in mind that Covid hasn’t gone away and we all need to do our bit to live safely.”

The removal of free testing and requirements to self-isolate if positive mean it’s now more difficult to be certain of how much of the virus is spreading among the population.

Dr Phil Gould, virus expert at Coventry University, told the Post he did not believe the two strains were cause for the public to be overly concerned, and that he did not feel there was any reason to return to mandatory mask wearing in shops and on public transport.