Britons urged to wear masks and avoid elderly if sick as Covid hospitalisations, deaths rise

Australia has dumped isolation rules but worrying new figures in one country have led to a return to mask-wearing.

New data shows Covid deaths are starting to increase again in the UK, with healths chiefs warning people to stay away from elderly relatives.

With Covid-19 patient levels in England at their highest since the end of July, those eligible are being urged to come forward for their vaccines.

“Here are early indications that deaths with Covid-19 have also started to rise,” Dr Mary Ramsay, Director of Public Health Programmes at the UK Health Security Agency, said.

Leaves on the floor during the Trees For Life Covid-19 Memorial service at Westminster Abbey in London. Picture: Getty Images

“While this is concerning, it is too early to say whether these are deaths due to Covid-19 and it is reassuring that at this stage there is no overall excess mortality.

“If you are unwell or have symptoms of a respiratory infection, it is particularly important to avoid contact with elderly people or those who are more likely to have severe disease because of their ongoing health conditions.

“Wearing a face covering will also help stop respiratory infections spreading.”

The rising deaths in the UK come as the Australian government will scrap isolation rules from Friday.

The decision means Australians who test positive to Covid will no longer have to isolate for five days.

Instead, isolation is only required while symptoms are presenting, meaning people who test positive can still go to work, the supermarket and other indoor areas.

Chief medical officer, Paul Kelly said as restrictions are wound back peaks in Covid cases can be expected in Australia.

“It does not in any way suggest that the pandemic is finished,” he said.

“We will almost certainly see future peaks of the virus into the future, as we have seen earlier in this year.

Data from the Government’s Weekly Flu and Covid report states that deaths in the UK have increased in the last week.

The North East has the highest amount of hospital admissions this week in our new #COVID19 surveillance report.

Find out more:https://t.co/vQiAVblsS2 pic.twitter.com/CDnuhrmpmv

— UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) October 13, 2022

The data shows that the number of people testing positive has risen from 11.7 per 100,000, to 12.1 per cent in the last week.

Hospital admissions also increased from 10.65 per 100,000 to 12.60, while rates of admissions were highest in the North East, with 15.84 per 100,000 of the population.

A total of 10,608 people with coronavirus were in hospital as of 8am on October 12 – this is up 10 per cent from 9631 a week earlier and is the highest figure since July 29.

Since the Omicron wave took hold in the UK last year, the majority of people who have tested positive are experiencing common cold-like signs.

The National Covid Memorial Wall in London, England. Picture: Getty Images

This strain has been proven to be milder than those that have come before it such as Delta and Alpha.

The NHS data also showed that rates have dipped slightly in recent days, with all figures remaining well below the levels reached in all waves.

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said the increase in patients with Covid-19 was causing “continued pressure” on the health service, along with a rise in the most serious ambulance call-outs and delays in discharging patients into community and social care.

“As we prepare for a difficult winter ahead, it is vital that people protect themselves by coming forward for Covid and flu vaccinations if they are eligible as soon as they can – with bookings opening on Friday to everyone aged 50 and over,” he said.