The number of people admitted to London’s hospital with covid has reached a peak, caused by the spread of the new, XEC variant.
Data published by the UK Health Security Agency shows that the hospital admission rate for new covid cases stood at 3.3% in the capital in the week up to the end of September.
It is a rise from the 3.1% reported the week before, and is the highest weekly average since July.
The XEC variant now accounts for around 1 in 10 cases, with experts predicting that it is likely to become the dominant variant this winter.
NHS London is urging everyone that is qualified to receive a free vaccination to book an appointment with their GP or a local pharmacy that is participating in the jab scheme.
Health experts believe XEC has some new mutation that might help it to spread this autumn. The health agency said that current evidence does “not suggest that we should be more concerned” about the variant, but the UKHSA said that it is “monitoring it closely”.
Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, UKHSA consultant epidemiologist, said: “Covid-19 is continuing to circulate, with a slight increase in hospitalisations over the past two weeks.
“As winter approaches, we expect flu and RSV [respiratory syncytial virus] to increasingly circulate too, so if you’re eligible to get vaccinated against the three main winter threats – covid-19, flu and RSV – now is the time to take them up and get winter-strong.
“We understand people may be concerned about new variants. Our surveillance shows that where covid cases are sequenced, around 1-in-10 are the XEC lineage.
“Current information doesn’t suggest we should be more concerned about this variant, but we are monitoring this closely.
“The most important thing to do is to get your vaccination as soon as possible if you’re eligible.”
Read more: NHS urges Londoners to get vaccinated against winter viruses
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