The number of people with Covid in England and Scotland rose in the weeks before Christmas.
According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) a total of 1.4 million people in private households in the UK were likely to test positive for coronavirus in the week to December 9.
This was up from 1.1 million in late November. However it is still below the two million weekly infections seen in early October.
The ONS data suggests coronavirus levels in early December were likely to be highest in Scotland, where around one in 40 is estimated to have had the virus in early December, or 130,900 people, compared with one in 60 in late November.
In England, one in 45 – 1.2 million people – were likely to have Covid-19 earlier this month, up from one in 60 at the end of last month.
In Wales and Northern Ireland, the ONS described the short-term trend as “uncertain”
The ONS estimates give a snapshot of what was happening in the UK at the start of December, when coronavirus was starting to become more prevalent among the population.
Data also shows the number of people in England, Scotland and Wales in hospital with Covid is also on an upwards trend.
The number of people in hospital in England testing positive for Covid-19 stood at 8,643 on December 21, up 29% week-on-week and the highest total since late October.
Sarah Crofts, ONS deputy director for infection survey analysis, said: “Today’s data show that Covid-19 infections have risen for the fourth consecutive week in England, with cases also continuing to rise in Scotland.
“Over half of English regions saw an increase, while it’s a mixed picture for different ages.
“Infections have increased among most adults under 70, while secondary school-age children experienced a decrease in infections.
“We will continue to monitor the data closely over the coming weeks.”
However unlike 2020 and 2021 Covid is not the main driver of sickness and hospitalisations this winter. There has also been sharp rise in flu cases.
An average of 1,939 people with flu were in hospital in England each day last week, up 67% on 1,162 the previous week.
There has also been a jump in the number of flu patients in critical care beds, with the daily average standing at 149 last week, up 72% from 87.
At the equivalent point last December, the NHS had only two flu patients a day in critical care and 32 in general beds.
Dr Mary Ramsay, director of public health programmes at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), confirmed there has been a rise in hospital admissions “for both flu and Covid-19 as people continue to mix indoors this winter”, adding it was “important to avoid contact with other people if you are unwell, in order to help stop infections spreading over the Christmas and new year period”.
Dr Susan Hopkins, UKHSA chief medical adviser, said flu admissions have “increased dramatically” among over-75s, while levels for children under five remain high.
“NHS services are already under pressure, so it’s more important than ever to get protected with the flu vaccine and help keep yourself out of hospital,” she added.
“We can all take actions to stop flu and other infections spreading. If you feel unwell try to stay home, and if you have to go out – wear a face covering in enclosed spaces.”
The ONS infection survey is the most reliable measure of the prevalence of coronavirus and is based on a sample of swab tests from households across the UK.
There is a lag in the reporting of the data due to the time it takes for the survey to be compiled, however.
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