The infectious diseases watchdog has reported a continued increase in Covid-19 cases over the last three months, with one death recorded last week, reports Breaking News.
According to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), data up to Friday, August 16th showed there were 587 reported cases in the previous week. Of these, 238 individuals were hospitalised, two required admission to Intensive Care Units (ICU), and one person died.
Between January 1st and early June, weekly case numbers remained between under 100 and 200. However, figures have steadily risen from June through mid-August, nearing 600 cases per week, reports Breaking News.
People aged 65 and older accounted for the largest share of cases last week—almost 300—followed by those aged 45 to 64, and then the 15 to 24 age group.
ICU admissions have remained consistently low from January to August, with deaths staying in single digits, reports Breaking News.
Most Covid-19 outbreaks in healthcare settings were reported in nursing homes, followed by hospitals and residential facilities.
Due to a significant reduction in testing since the pandemic, official Covid-19 statistics are widely believed to underestimate the actual spread of the virus, reports Breaking News.
The rise in case numbers is considered normal, as the virus typically sees two seasonal peaks—one in winter and another during summer.
The XFG Covid-19 variant made up 66% of all cases in the past five weeks. NB.1.8.1 accounted for 17%, followed by LP.8.1. Other variants detected included XEC, XBB.1.5-like, BA.2.86+R346T, BA.2.86+F456L, and the recombinant form BA.2.86.
Up to August 3rd, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported a total of 56,174 Covid-19 cases globally, reports Breaking News.
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