On average in England there has been a post-holiday rise in the number of COVID infections and related hospitalisations attributed to social gatherings and the colder weather bringing people together in enclosed spaces.
https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/search?postcode=TN317ES
The World Health Organization is warning that a new omicron subvariant known as XBB.1.5 is the most transmissible strain to date. It had the ability to evade immunity provided by prior vaccination and infection. UK experts say that it remains to be seen how much XBB.1.5 may be contributing to the recent rise in hospitalisations.
The UKHSA has warned that both flu and Covid are currently “circulating at raised levels”, which is likely to increase in the coming weeks.
In Rye at the Tilling Green Centre we are pressing on with Covid booster vaccinations, but now just one day per week.
@ryepfizer
Health experts are encouraging the elderly and those with specific vulnerabilities to make sure they take up the offer of both Covid and flu vaccines.
To mask or not?
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advises that those feeling unwell should “stay at home ” and when leaving the house in order to minimise the spread of illness “wear a face covering”.
Regardless of individual views on face coverings, there is little doubt that their use restricts the exhalation and inhalation of droplets, which many studies have found are the main source of Covid infections.