Hospital admissions for Covid in Northern Ireland surge by 50% due to ‘American Covid’
Hospital admissions for Covid in Northern Ireland have surged by over 50% since the Start of September – with ‘American Covid’ being blamed.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says the latest XFG variant, sometimes referred to as Stratus or American Covid, has been circulating for a year and was first detected in the US. It is the most common strain currently in the UK.
Some people are finding it causes a hoarse voice or particularly painful sore throat, sometimes referred to as ‘razor-blade throat’.
Detection rose to around 7% of the UK population in September with hospital admission rates increasing by approximately 50% over the same period, it said.
Increased admission rates are consistent across England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Europe and the US, it added.
Dr Alan Stout, BMA Northern Ireland Council chair, told the News Letter: “We are hearing some reports of increased admissions with the new covid variant," he said. "There have been peaks of Covid since the end of the pandemic, so another spike is not new.
“As the weather gets worse and more people spend time inside we do generally see a spread of infections.”
He urged people to follow basic hygiene guidance, take a test if you feel unwell and if you have a respiratory infection to avoid socialising.
One tradesman, 47, told the News Letter he currently has 'flu', with aches across his whole body, heavy sweats and sleeping much of the time.
A franchised car salesman, 46, told this paper said he currently has 'a bug' which reminds them of Covid - low energy, lethargy, headaches, loss of appetite and can't smell or taste food.
An older male politician also told the News Letter they were forced to take a day off work recently - which they never do - with extreme flu like symptoms.
None of them have been tested for Covid.
In the first week of September, 17 people were admitted to NI hospitals with Covid. Admissions then fluctuated at around 30 people per week until they surged to 41 people in the week beginning 12 October - the latest figures available. The general rate of people fighting the virus in their homes across Northern Ireland will obviously be much higher.
Fatality rates where Covid is mentioned on death certificates appear to be quite low - about nine NI deaths since the start of August.
The UKHSA says that for most people, Covid is not as severe as during the early years of the pandemic - but warned it is still causing severe illness, hospitalisations, and deaths – particularly among people with a weakened immune system and those aged 75 and over.
Rachel Spiers, Senior Commissioning Lead for Immunisations with the Public Health Agency, said: “As time passes since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s understandable to want to forget about it. However, the disease is still with us, which is why we offer free vaccination to those most at risk from it.”
You are eligible if you are 75 and over, a resident in a care home or aged six months to 74 years and immunosuppressed.
Vaccinations for Covid and flu are available from GP surgeries, health trusts and community pharmacies, she added.