COVID rates begin to decline in the UK

As reported by BBC News, COVID infections are reported to have peaked and are now on the way down in

According to figures by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), infections are dropping by more than half a million in a week. Approximately 3.2m people had the virus in the week up to 20 July, compared to 3.8m the week before.

Hospital cases are also decreasing.

In England, the number of people being admitted to hospital with COVID was 16.3% per 100,000 people in the seven days to July 24, an 18.2% decrease from the previous week.

The latest ONS stats for the week ending 20 July, report:

• One in 20 in England had COVID – down from one in 17 the week before
• One in 19 in Wales had COVID – down from one in 17
• One in 16 in Northern Ireland had COVID – up from one in 20 (although experts say the trend is uncertain)
• One in 19 in Scotland had COVID – down from one in 15

The data is collated by testing thousands of people in UK households, with or without symptoms.

Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, from the UK Health Security Agency, said: “We are now seeing decreases in COVID case rates and hospitalisations. Whilst this is encouraging, COVID has not gone away and we really want to see further declines in the coming weeks and months.

“People aged 75 and over remain at particular risk of severe disease if they are not up to date with their vaccinations”.

Sarah Crofts, from the ONS, commentedc: “Our most recent data suggest that we may now be over the peak of the latest wave of infections across the UK, although rates still remain among the highest seen during the course of the pandemic.

“We have seen welcome decreases among most parts of the UK and in all age groups. With summer holidays starting and more people travelling, we will continue to closely monitor the data.”