The has issued a 10-day warning in a bid to reduce the spread of infection amid a rise in cases. According to the latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Covid cases in England rose by 17.8 percent in one week while deaths increased by 27.3 percent.
In the week up to October 9 there were a total of 3,496 Covid cases - 529 more than the seven days prior. There were also 163 deaths (up by 35) and 2,622 hospital admissions (up by 149).
Although there are no longer any mandatory rules about self-isolation if you have Covid, the NHS still advises avoiding contact with others if becoming ill. The UK's health body warns that COVID-19 spreads "very easily through close contact with people who have the virus".
It explains: "When someone with COVID-19 breathes, speaks, coughs or sneezes, they release small droplets containing the virus. You can catch it by breathing in these droplets, or by touching surfaces covered in them and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
"You are more likely to catch it indoors and in crowded places."
The NHS added that you can still be infectious for "up to 10 days". You can also still catch or spread COVID-19 if you:
Therefore, if you test positive for Covid, the NHS says you should:
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive, there are things you can do to help you avoid passing it on to other people, including those you live with:
This comes as a new variant is now thought to account for one in 10 Covid cases in the UK.
The XEC variant was first discovered in Germany and has since been found in 27 countries across Europe, Asia, and North America.
The global case count exceeds 600, including 82 confirmed instances within the UK.
It is thought to be highly transmissible due to a number of mutations it carries with experts believing it could become the dominant strain.
SymptomsSymptoms of Covid can include:
Booster jabs will be available until December 20 this year. They will be offered to those deemed most vulnerable to Covid, which include:
The NHS will contact eligible patients directly, but they can also book their own appointments now via the NHS App, GPs, pharmacies, drop-in clinics, or by calling 119. Anyone also entitled to the flu jab, will be offered this at the same time.