The Government has urged some Brits to mask up as the ‘American Covid’ variant spreads across the country. The warning comes as COVID-19 rates in the UK continues to fluctuate. The XFG variant, also known as ‘American Covid’, has been circulating across the UK and other countries for about a year. However, data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that COVID-19 positive test rates rose to around 7% in September, with hospital admission rates increasing by approximately 50% over the same period. The increase in hospitalisations rising in line with overall increase in COVID-19 circulatio n, suggest there is a general rise in COVID-19 activity.
Therefore, the UKHSA has offered some guidance on what Brits should do if they have symptoms of any sort of respiratory infection, such as Covid. If you have a high temperature or do not not feel well enough to go to work or carry out normal activites, then you should avoid contact with vulnerable people and stay at home if possible.
For those unable to, the most important thing to do is try and minimise the chances of passing the infection on to others. The agency advises that those with symptoms wear a well-fitting face covering mask with multiple layers or a surgicial face mask.
It is also advised to avoid crowded place, take any exercise outdoors in places where you will not have close contact with other people, and practice proper hygiene including, covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, washing your hands frequently with soap and water, or use hand sanitiser after coughing, sneezing, and blowing your nose and before you eat or handle food; avoid touching your hands.
The UKHSA suspects that the current rise has is partly as a result of more people staying indoors as we move into colder and wetter weather. This enables the spread of respiratory viruses . Additionally, it has been around a year since the last significant COVID-19 wave, meaning immunity from vaccination and previous infection may be waning in parts of the population, making people more susceptible.
The COVID-19 vaccination programme has started, with people aged 75 and over, those with weakened immune systems, and those living in care homes for the elderly. Anyone who falls into these groups is strongly encouraged to take up the vaccine, as it provides protection against severe illness, the UKHSA says.
