Ops fear as Covid cases rise by 43% in one week
COVID cases have surged to 1.4 million after a 43% rise in just a week.
Experts blame the more infectious Omicron variants, BA4 and BA5.
Hospitals have warned they may have to stop some routine ops if the increase continues.
Random testing suggests cases are up from 989,800 the previous week.
The latest figure is the highest since the start of May but way below the 4.9 million high in March.
Saffron Cordery of NHS Providers said: “Hospitals are closely monitoring the small but concerning uptick in cases.
“If admissions go up dramatically because of new variants, the NHS may have to take its foot off the recovery accelerator to once again look after people with Covid.”
In England, around one in 50 are thought to have the virus– up from one in 70 a week ago.
In Wales, the ratio is one in 45, up from one in 75.
Scotland appears worst hit with one in 30 affected, up from one in 40. In Northern Ireland it’s one in 45, up from one in 65.