Dr Ranj Singh gave an update to BBC Morning Live viewers(Image: BBC)
A BBC doctor has given an update on so-called ‘American Covid’ – the prevalent XFG variant which is sweeping the UK causing an increase in hospitalisations this season – and said there are specific symptoms to watch out for. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) monthly figures show in October a total of 8,518 people contracted Covid, a 40 per cent increase on September which saw 5,201 cases overall.
A total of 1,847 Covid-19 cases were identified in hospital settings in the seven days up to 27 October, decreasing from 2,151 cases in the previous week, according to the latest UKHSA data.
Although weekly cases have declined, the number of deaths recorded in the week to October 16 increased by 25 per cent to 69 from 55 the previous week.
Appearing on BBC Morning Live this week Dr Ranj Singh said: “Many people will have heard of so-called American COVID. It’s being used to describe the XFG variant, which is a Omicron descendant. No evidence at the moment that it’s any more serious than other Omicron descendants. COVID, it’s it’s the SARS KV2 virus. Respiratory spread again much like other viruses.”
He said infections were ‘mild to moderate’ for most people but warned it could be severe in particular groups, especially the vulnerable.
The UKHSA said: “XFG – sometimes referred to in the media as the Stratus variant – remains the most common current COVID-19 variant. XFG has also been referred to as ‘American Covid’ in some media coverage.
“The name reflects where the strain was first sequenced and detected, rather than necessarily where it originated.”
Dr Singh reminded people of three key symptoms which could indicate people have Covid rather than other seasonal illnesses. He said: “Remember for this um the loss of smell and taste. And also the gastrointestinal symptoms are quite predominant in COVID.”
For preventing American Covid, Dr Singh said people should consider masks: “Prevention again we’ll talk about ventilation really important, hygiene is really important. Masks in high-risk situations, especially if you’re around very very vulnerable people and again COVID vaccination is being offered to certain high-risk groups.”
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data shows that COVID-19 positive test rates rose to around 7% in September, with hospital admission rates increasing by approximately 50% over the same period. UKHSA said increases have been observed consistently across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as across Europe and the United States, ‘indicating this is not a localised trend’.
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It added: “Current data does not indicate that these variants lead to more severe illness than other variants in circulation. UKHSA monitors a range of surveillance systems, including GP appointments, A&E attendances and hospitalisations, alongside genomic sequencing, to track how variants are behaving.
“As increases in hospitalisations are rising in line with overall increases in COVID-19 circulation – rather than rising sharply on their own – this suggests a general increase in COVID-19 activity rather than a variant causing more severe disease.”
In terms of explaining the increase the UKHSA said: “There are likely to be several factors behind the current rise. As we move into winter, colder and wetter weather means people spend more time indoors, which enables the spread of respiratory viruses. It has also been roughly a year since the last significant COVID-19 wave, so immunity from vaccination and previous infection may be waning in parts of the population, making people more susceptible.”
UKHSA says if you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as COVID-19, and you have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to go to work or carry out normal activities, you should avoid contact with vulnerable people and stay at home if possible. For those of us who absolutely can't stay at home, the guidance remains unchanged, and will reduce the chance of passing on your infection to others:
