The sharp increase is likely to be caused by increases in cases compatible with the original Omicron BA.1 variant and the newer BA.4 and BA.5 variants, the National Statistical Office (ONS) said. A total of 989,800 people in private households were estimated to have contracted the virus last week – up from 953,900 last week. This is the first time that total infections have been rising every week since the end of March, when the number reached a record 4.9 million at the peak of the Omicron BA.2 wave. Infections are on the rise in all four nations All four nations have seen an increase in infections, although the ONS describes the trend in Scotland and Wales as “uncertain”. The ONS tweeted on Friday that it was estimated that one in 70 people (excluding hospitals, nursing homes or public spaces) in England had COVID by June 2 this year – equivalent to 797,500. Data from the COVID-19 Infection Survey found that one in 40 (124,100) in Scotland was more likely to have the virus last week – up from 105,900 or one in 50. In Wales, one in 75 in Wales is estimated to have come out positive, the equivalent of 40,500 – a slight increase from 39,600. Infections in Northern Ireland have risen for the second week in a row to 27,700 people or one in 65 – from 24,300 to one in 75. “In all four UK countries, the percentage of people tested positive for Covid-19 compatible with variants BA.1, BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron increased in the week ended June 2, 2022,” the ONS said. . Positive cases have increased in people aged 35 to 49 – with early signs of an increase in 12-year-olds ranging in age from 24. The percentage of positive people decreased to people aged 50 to 69 years and over 70 years in the fortnight before June 2. Omicron BA.1 is the original variant of Omicron that saw infections increase in the UK in December and early January of this year. Newer variants could become dominant Newer variants, BA.4 and BA.5, have recently been classified as “concern variants” by the United Kingdom Health Insurance Agency (UKHSA). The scientific analysis found that the strains are likely to have a “growth advantage” over BA.2, which remains the dominant strain. Initial research shows that variants BA.4 and BA.5 have a degree of “immune escape” – meaning that the immune system can no longer recognize or fight the virus. This is likely to contribute to their dominance over BA.2, the UKHSA said.
