‘Stay at home’ warning as ‘tripledemic’ fears grow after spike in new XEC Covid strain and deadly kids’ virus --[Reported by Umva mag]

BRITS have been warned to stay home if they have symptoms of a cold as a new more contagious Covid strain spreads across the UK. First detected in Germany in June, XEC has now been reported in several countries – and makes up one in 10 Covid cases in England and Wales. Getty Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, from the UK Health Security Agency, said: ” If you are showing symptoms of flu or Covid-19 such as a high temperature, cough, and feeling tired and achy, try to limit your contact with others, especially those who are vulnerable.” Previous research suggests the new bug, which has since spread to 27 countries, is not likely to be as deadly as some of its predecessors but could be more contagious. “Current information doesn’t suggest we should be more concerned about this variant but we are monitoring this closely,” Dr Jamie added. It comes as experts fear Brits may face a ‘tripledemic’ this winter, as the NHS rolls out a mass vaccine drive. Meanwhile, the latest data from the UKHSA shows Covid-19 hospital admissions in England are continuing to rise. The admission rate for patients testing positive for Covid-19 stood at 4.5 per 100,000 people in the week to October 6, up from 3.7 a week earlier. It is the fourth weekly rise in a row. A year ago, admissions stood at the higher rate of 6.2 per 100,000 people, before falling in subsequent weeks – then peaking at 5.2 over Christmas. During the first winter of the pandemic in 2020/21, rates climbed as high as 36.5 per 100,000. Dr Jamie warned of the triple threat, of Covid, flu and RSV, which could hit this winter. “Covid-19 is continuing to circulate, with a slight increase in hospitalisations over the past two weeks,” he said. “As winter approaches, we expect flu and RSV to increasingly circulate too, so if you’re eligible to get vaccinated against the three main winter threats – Covid-19, flu and RSV – now is the time to take them up and get winter strong.” All adults aged 65 and over are able to receive both the latest Covid-19 booster vaccination and this year’s flu jab, along with residents in older adult care homes and people with underlying health conditions aged six months to 64 years. Both vaccinations are also being offered to frontline health and social care staff, with employees in older adult care homes eligible for the Covid-19 jab. The hospital admission rate in England for people with flu stood at 0.6 per 100,000 in the most recent week, compared with 0.1 this time last year. Flu admissions last winter peaked at 7.5 per 100,000 people in late January. What are the symptoms of XEC Covid? Symptoms are thought to be the same cold or flu-like ones that came with previous variants. This includes: A high temperature Aches Tiredness A cough or sore throat Trouble sleeping A runny nose Most people feel better within a few weeks of Covid but it can take longer to recover. How can I stay protected? Covid-19 spreads very easily through close contact with people who have the virus. So if you or your child are at increased risk from Covid try and stay away from people with symptoms until they feel better. It’s important to wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser regularly throughout the day. Try to avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean. You should get vaccinated if you are eligible. People qualifying for a free booster vaccine include: Adults aged 65 years and over Those living in a care home for older adults Those over the age of six months in a clinical risk group Some front-line NHS, care home and social care workers The NHS is also offering for the first time a vaccination against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common cause of coughs and colds, which can be dangerous to older people and young children. The jab is available to people aged 75 to 79 as well as pregnant women from 28 weeks, to protect their child. Dr Conall Watson, of the UKHSA, said: “We are starting to see the expected seasonal rise in RSV, a common lung virus which can cause pneumonia and infant bronchiolitis. “RSV lung infections like bronchiolitis are a major cause of babies needing to visit A&E or be admitted to hospital each winter. “The RSV vaccine for pregnant mums is an important step in keeping babies well through winter. “If your baby has a cold that is getting worse, or it is causing unusual breathing or problems feeding, call NHS 111 or contact your GP practice. As a parent trust your judgement and if your baby seems seriously unwell go to A&E or call 999.”

Oct 11, 2024 - 09:39

‘Stay at home’ warning as ‘tripledemic’ fears grow after spike in new XEC Covid strain and deadly kids’ virus --[Reported by Umva mag]

BRITS have been warned to stay home if they have symptoms of a cold as a new more contagious Covid strain spreads across the UK.

First detected in Germany in June, XEC has now been reported in several countries – and makes up one in 10 Covid cases in England and Wales.

a computer generated image of a virus with red and blue spikes

an illustration of a woman showing the new covid symptoms

Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, from the UK Health Security Agency, said: ” If you are showing symptoms of flu or Covid-19 such as a high temperature, cough, and feeling tired and achy, try to limit your contact with others, especially those who are vulnerable.”

Previous research suggests the new bug, which has since spread to 27 countries, is not likely to be as deadly as some of its predecessors but could be more contagious.

“Current information doesn’t suggest we should be more concerned about this variant but we are monitoring this closely,” Dr Jamie added.

It comes as experts fear Brits may face a ‘tripledemic’ this winter, as the NHS rolls out a mass vaccine drive.

Meanwhile, the latest data from the UKHSA shows Covid-19 hospital admissions in England are continuing to rise.

The admission rate for patients testing positive for Covid-19 stood at 4.5 per 100,000 people in the week to October 6, up from 3.7 a week earlier.

It is the fourth weekly rise in a row.

A year ago, admissions stood at the higher rate of 6.2 per 100,000 people, before falling in subsequent weeks – then peaking at 5.2 over Christmas.

During the first winter of the pandemic in 2020/21, rates climbed as high as 36.5 per 100,000.

Dr Jamie warned of the triple threat, of Covid, flu and RSV, which could hit this winter.

“Covid-19 is continuing to circulate, with a slight increase in hospitalisations over the past two weeks,” he said.

“As winter approaches, we expect flu and RSV to increasingly circulate too, so if you’re eligible to get vaccinated against the three main winter threats – Covid-19, flu and RSV – now is the time to take them up and get winter strong.”

All adults aged 65 and over are able to receive both the latest Covid-19 booster vaccination and this year’s flu jab, along with residents in older adult care homes and people with underlying health conditions aged six months to 64 years.

Both vaccinations are also being offered to frontline health and social care staff, with employees in older adult care homes eligible for the Covid-19 jab.

The hospital admission rate in England for people with flu stood at 0.6 per 100,000 in the most recent week, compared with 0.1 this time last year.

Flu admissions last winter peaked at 7.5 per 100,000 people in late January.

What are the symptoms of XEC Covid?

Symptoms are thought to be the same cold or flu-like ones that came with previous variants.

This includes:

A high temperature
Aches
Tiredness
A cough or sore throat
Trouble sleeping
A runny nose

Most people feel better within a few weeks of Covid but it can take longer to recover.

How can I stay protected?

Covid-19 spreads very easily through close contact with people who have the virus.

So if you or your child are at increased risk from Covid try and stay away from people with symptoms until they feel better.

It’s important to wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser regularly throughout the day.

Try to avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.

You should get vaccinated if you are eligible.

People qualifying for a free booster vaccine include:

Adults aged 65 years and over
Those living in a care home for older adults
Those over the age of six months in a clinical risk group
Some front-line NHS, care home and social care workers

The NHS is also offering for the first time a vaccination against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common cause of coughs and colds, which can be dangerous to older people and young children.

The jab is available to people aged 75 to 79 as well as pregnant women from 28 weeks, to protect their child.

Dr Conall Watson, of the UKHSA, said: “We are starting to see the expected seasonal rise in RSV, a common lung virus which can cause pneumonia and infant bronchiolitis.

“RSV lung infections like bronchiolitis are a major cause of babies needing to visit A&E or be admitted to hospital each winter.

“The RSV vaccine for pregnant mums is an important step in keeping babies well through winter.

“If your baby has a cold that is getting worse, or it is causing unusual breathing or problems feeding, call NHS 111 or contact your GP practice. As a parent trust your judgement and if your baby seems seriously unwell go to A&E or call 999.”

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