COVID-19 infections increased for the first time in two months in the UK. The reason for this increase is believed to be an omicron variant, as in the previous wave. However, it now includes the original Omicron BA.1 version, as well the newer variants BA.4 and BA.5, According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
In total, it is estimated that a total of 989,800 people were infected with the virus last weekCompared to 953,900 in the previous week. It is the first time that the total number of infections has risen from week to week since the end of March when the number reached a record level 4.9 million infected.
All four UK countries have seen an increase in infections, although the Office for National Statistics describes the trend in Scotland and Wales as “uncertain”.
Covid in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales
In Northern Ireland, 1 in 65 people have Covid, compared to 1 in 75 the week before. In Scotland, the number is now one in 40, up from one in 50 the week before. Meanwhile, in Wales, the number is now one in 75.
“Across all four UK countries, the percentage of people who tested positive for Covid-19 compatible with Omicron variants BA.1, BA.4 and BA.5 increased in the week ending 2 June 2022,” the Office for National Statistics said,
The omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5 were recently classified by the UK Health Security Agency as ‘variables of concern’, after analysis revealed that both could have a ‘growth advantage’ over BA.2.
