Covid-19 hospital admissions in the UK have risen by nearly 50 percent in a single week, driven by the XFG strain, according to data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported by dailymail.com.
Hospital Admissions Jump Across London and England
Recent UKHSA statistics indicate that the proportion of hospital tests returning positive for Covid-19 has increased from 5.9 percent to 7 percent, as reported by dailymail.com. In London, admissions have surged by nearly 80 percent over a seven-day period. Among individuals aged 85 and older—identified as the most vulnerable demographic—admissions rose from 7.08 to 12.43 per 100,000 residents.
Dr Matthew Siggins, a lecturer in immunity and infection biology at the University of Surrey, noted that weekly hospital admissions across England moved from 0.81 to 1.20 per 100,000, describing the current trajectory as an increase from a low level that is not unexpected at this time of year (dailymail.com).
The Spread of the XFG Strain Known as Stratus
The current rise in infections is primarily driven by the XFG strain, colloquially referred to as “Stratus” or “American Covid.” First identified in January 2025, the strain has spread across both the United Kingdom and the United States. In addition to standard symptoms like coughing and fever, some clinicians have observed gastrointestinal issues in patients infected with this strain.
General practitioner Dr Renée Hoenderkamp stated that her recent patient lists reflect a noticeable shift toward individuals presenting with sore throats, headaches, runny noses, and fatigue. According to Dr Hoenderkamp, the presentation is very flu-like, and while many experience manageable symptoms, others report being significantly incapacitated by the illness (dailymail.com).
Professor Emma Wall, a clinical professor of infectious diseases at Queen Mary University of London, explained that individual responses to the virus vary widely. Some people experience asymptomatic infections or mild illness due to effective T-cell responses, while others experience a broader inflammatory reaction that causes severe fatigue and body aches (dailymail.com).
NHS Advises Staying Home After Positive Covid Tests
The NHS recommends that individuals experiencing Covid-19 symptoms accompanied by a high temperature should attempt to stay at home and limit contact with others until they feel well enough to resume normal activities. Those who test positive are advised to stay home for five days following the test and to avoid contact with vulnerable individuals with weakened immune systems for ten days.
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