Picture supply, Getty ImagesImage caption, There was a small rise within the variety of Covid circumstances in EnglandArticle informationAuthor, Aurelia FosterRole, Well being reporter, BBC News3 hours agoThere is a few speak of a “summer season Covid wave” in the intervening time. All of us appear to know somebody who has had it these days, or a buddy who has been off sick. However have circumstances actually gone up and are there any new variants we ought to be frightened about? What else do we all know proper now?Is there a spike in infections?Presumably, however it’s tough to inform.We do know there was a really small improve within the variety of individuals being admitted to hospital with Covid.The quantity went as much as 3.31 admissions per 100,000 within the week to 16 June, in contrast with 2.67 per 100,000 within the earlier week.The biggest group of individuals hospitalised with Covid have been these aged 85 and over.When it comes to how many individuals have Covid and keep at residence, it’s tough to say.We not gather nationwide knowledge in the way in which we used to, as far much less testing takes place now.Which means many circumstances of Covid should not being recorded.The info we do have relies on laboratory assessments taken throughout the nation, principally swabs taken from individuals within the healthcare system.Based on this knowledge, about one in each 25,000 individuals had Covid on 26 June.This may occasionally sound so much however it’s a tiny quantity in contrast with what we noticed firstly of the pandemic. In March 2020, it was one in 13.Nevertheless, charges of Covid go up and down all year long, with out essentially changing into a trigger for concern.Prof Paul Hunter, an epidemiology knowledgeable from the College of East Anglia, advised the BBC he didn’t imagine the present Covid charges have been regarding.“I feel we’re in all probability seeing about as a lot an infection this yr as we have been seeing final yr – a bit of bit much less, however not vastly much less.”He believes that typically, we’re seeing far fewer deaths and much fewer hospitalisations from Covid than final yr.Is there a brand new Covid variant?Amongst them is the dominant JN1 variant and the KP2 variant. They account for a lot of present Covid circumstances in England. The KP3 variant, which has pushed an increase in circumstances within the US, has additionally been recognized within the UK in small numbers.The UK Well being Safety Company (UKHSA) mentioned it wanted “extra knowledge” on the brand new variants to grasp how extreme and transmissible they could be.The company, which is liable for public well being, additionally mentioned it was “unimaginable” to inform at this stage whether or not these variants have been behind the small rise in hospital admissions.Because it does with all new strains, the UKHSA mentioned it could “proceed to watch these variants” within the UK and internationally and would collect extra data on how effectively the vaccines shield individuals towards them.However the company mentioned there was no present change to public well being recommendation.It’s regular for a virus to vary and mutate and the UKHSA says the healthcare system continues to be “attending to grips” with the ebb and movement of circumstances.Prof Hunter mentioned Covid was now a part of life and shouldn’t be as alarming because it as soon as was. He mentioned: “We’re all of us going to get repeated Covid infections from births by to loss of life.”Usually what we have seen is that during the last three years, 4 years, the severity of sickness related to Covid has gone down so much.”In the end, it should grow to be one other explanation for the widespread chilly and, for many individuals, that is what it’s now.”He added: “To be sincere, you’ll be able to’t actually keep away from it as a result of it is so widespread.”Have Covid signs modified?The official listing of Covid signs has not modified, based on the UKHSA.Excessive temperature or shiveringNew, steady coughLoss or change to your sense of scent or tasteShortness of breathFeeling drained or exhaustedAching bodyHeadacheSore throatBlocked or runny noseLoss of appetiteDiarrhoeaFeeling sick or being sickWhat are the principles round Covid now?There are not any authorized restrictions requiring individuals to self-isolate if they’ve Covid. You additionally don’t must take a lateral movement check and there’s no requirement to put on masks.Nevertheless, authorities recommendation is to attempt to keep at residence and keep away from contact with different individuals for 5 days after testing optimistic.Folks also needs to keep away from assembly people who find themselves extra prone to fall significantly sick in the event that they have been to catch Covid, reminiscent of aged individuals or these with weakened immune programs.“In case you are displaying signs of Covid-19 or flu, assist shield others by staying at residence and avoiding contact with different individuals, particularly those that are extra susceptible,” the UKHSA’s guide epidemiologist Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal mentioned.Picture supply, Getty ImagesImage caption, Booster Covid vaccines are solely out there for some teams of peopleCan you continue to get a Covid vaccine?The vaccine programme has been scaled again because the preliminary rollouts early within the pandemic. Now, solely sure individuals are entitled to jabs below seasonal booster programmes.Aged 75 or overPeople with a weakened immune systemAdults who stay in care homesThe newest knowledge confirmed 4 million individuals – 59.6% of these eligible – had been vaccinated below the scheme since April, together with two-thirds of care residence residents.Extra on this story