UK Covid cases rising among those aged 55 and over

[Northerner]

Covid cases appear to be rising in older people as increased socialising, waning immunity and a more transmissible version of the Omicron variant threaten to fuel a resurgence of the virus.

Tests on nearly 100,000 swabs from homes across England reveal that, while infections have fallen overall since the January peak, one in 35 people tested positive between 8 February and 1 March, with cases either level or rising in those aged 55 and over.

Scientists on Imperial College’s React-1 study said the R value – the average number of people an infected person passes the virus to – remained below 1 for those aged 54 and under, meaning cases were in decline. But for those aged 55 and over, R stood at 1.04.

The suspected uptick has raised concerns as older people are more prone to severe Covid and have had more time for their immunity to wane, as many had their booster vaccines several months ago.

The findings come as the latest government figures showed a sharp 46% rise in new recorded UK cases week on week – to 346,059 over the past week – and a 12% rise in hospitalisations to 8,950.

UK Covid cases rising among those aged 55 and over

Imperial College study finds R value higher for older people, raising concerns about waning immunity

www.theguardian.com

It would appear that ignoring it doesn't make it go away

 

[Sally W]

Ive read this too@Northerner. Having got covid 3 weeks ago I’m still feeling poorly. Whilst now testing negative it’s hit me hard and I’m in that over 55s group. In a town with population of 100,000 we have 6200+ cases and rising considerably. I can’t understand the reluctance to wear masks in a crowded environment & wish more would realise we’re not over it yet.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Postie knocked the door yesterday as had a parcel for me and said stand clear I have just tested positive for Covid. Not wearing a mask either which I thought was a bit off.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

Postie knocked the door yesterday as had a parcel for me and said stand clear I have just tested positive for Covid. Not wearing a mask either which I thought was a bit off.

Yes, I'm fine with people not strictly isolating, but making some effort would be polite.

 

[Northerner]

Covid news seems to have been pushed aside by the war in Ukraine, as the TV news bulletins in particular no longer seem inclined to present the daily figures. I also understand that the Government is planning to stop issuing the numbers anyway from 1st April. So is this what Living With Covid looks like, I wonder?

Seeing all those thousands of people crammed together on a daily basis fleeing the country, it does make me wonder whether Covid might be an issue for them. Obviously, it's a secondary consideration when you are being bombed out of your home I do wish the news media, particularly TV weren't quite so exclusive in their coverage, there are many considerations domestically too, with not only Covid possibly on the rise again, but also thousands of already struggling families about to be impoverished further, possibly to unsustainable levels It seems unlikely now that the Tories will choose to remove Johnson, even if he is fined for Partygate, despite the fact that his government continue to handle nigh on everything badly And even if Covid does begin to become a much bigger problem here, I would bet that they will NOT reintroduce any measures to mitigate and suppress it It's a mess

 

[Loobyloo]

Postie knocked the door yesterday as had a parcel for me and said stand clear I have just tested positive for Covid. Not wearing a mask either which I thought was a bit off.

I am surprised he is working. I understood its no longer law to isolate but thought the Government still advised not to go to work and avoid contact with other people. Have i misunderstood or is the Government site not up to date with its info? I am over 55 and have Covid myself and would feel awful if i gave to someone else. I havent really had more than a head cold for 3 days and feeling better now, although avoiding people til i am negative. You never know you could pass on to someone very vulnerable who could suffer a lot more.

 

[Northerner]

All the graphs are on the rise - cases up over 50% and hospitalisations up 17% on previous week My local area has been above the national average for weeks now My main concern has not being that it might kill me as I have faith in the vaccinations, but long Covid

 

[Northerner]

Postie knocked the door yesterday as had a parcel for me and said stand clear I have just tested positive for Covid. Not wearing a mask either which I thought was a bit off.

Yes, at the very least he could have worn a mask, since the purpose is to protect others and he is in a job which involves a lot of interaction with the public, many of whom could be vulnerable

 

[Sally W]

Cases going up here, too - almost 5,000 out of a population of 170,000 in the borough, so around 1 in 35. I will wear a mask in crowded places like supermarkets but most of the people I see in them don't, including a lot of seniors like me.

Love your Avatar, by the way. My wife is a huge Peanuts fan and collects Peanuts Memorabilia. She has so much of it that half of it's packed away in our loft.

Martin

The same Martin. You never know who you’re going to infect- my partner’s was a case of a cold, me much more so, I try and protect others but see little evidence of that in general public these days. I wouldnt have left house if we’ll enough, despite what govt say. I’m self employed too so not working has left a hole in finances.

(Re Peanuts - I’m a huge fan and love to see all that Peanuts memorabilia)

 

[Bruce Stephens]

I understood its no longer law to isolate but thought the Government still advised not to go to work and avoid contact with other people.

I believe that's the advice, but doing that depends a lot on employers, and I don't think the government has given any instructions to them. Given that Omicron seems to infect people so readily, I can see why it would be challenging to have (say) 5% of people delivering post off work for a while even though they're asymptomatic. (I still think they ought to at least wear a mask.)

(If I test positive then work doesn't want me in the office, but we're a company that works fine with everyone at home so we're a bit unusual.)

 

[Loobyloo]

Another thing I've noted is that places like our library, my dentist and our surgery are still displaying signs saying don't enter if you have any of the original 3 symptoms, even though those aren't the symptoms people are having any more. The top symptoms being reported now are similar to a cold or flu.

You are so right Martin. I have covid and none of the symptoms on the government checklist. Pretty bad they can't even keep their website up to date with symptoms of new variants. The symptoms experienced from the new variants were known months ago so not like a new thing.

 

[Bloden]

Yes, at the very least he could have worn a mask, since the purpose is to protect others and he is in a job which involves a lot of interaction with the public, many of whom could be vulnerable

I agree. What a numptie.
My Welsh tutor just emailed this afternoon to say he’s had a positive LFT result - so we’re on Zoom tomorrow instead of in the classroom. I’m so glad he’s taking it seriously.

Hope you’re feeling better soon @Sally W.

 

[Sally W]

Hi Bloden! Yes it’s good to see some folk being considerate.

Thanks -it’s just long covid is what I really don’t want to get

 

[Sally W]

You are so right Martin. I have covid and none of the symptoms on the government checklist. Pretty bad they can't even keep their website up to date with symptoms of new variants. The symptoms experienced from the new variants were known months ago so not like a new thing.

You can report in daily to Zoe app - who do have up to date list of symptoms

 

[Amity Island]

Covid cases appear to be rising in older people as increased socialising, waning immunity and a more transmissible version of the Omicron variant threaten to fuel a resurgence of the virus.

Tests on nearly 100,000 swabs from homes across England reveal that, while infections have fallen overall since the January peak, one in 35 people tested positive between 8 February and 1 March, with cases either level or rising in those aged 55 and over.

Scientists on Imperial College’s React-1 study said the R value – the average number of people an infected person passes the virus to – remained below 1 for those aged 54 and under, meaning cases were in decline. But for those aged 55 and over, R stood at 1.04.

The suspected uptick has raised concerns as older people are more prone to severe Covid and have had more time for their immunity to wane, as many had their booster vaccines several months ago.

The findings come as the latest government figures showed a sharp 46% rise in new recorded UK cases week on week – to 346,059 over the past week – and a 12% rise in hospitalisations to 8,950.

UK Covid cases rising among those aged 55 and over

Imperial College study finds R value higher for older people, raising concerns about waning immunity

www.theguardian.com

It would appear that ignoring it doesn't make it go away

According to the weekly covid surveillance reports, these numbers of cases, hospitalisation and deaths are expected for a highly effective vaccine. See here in the footnote.

"1. In the context of very high vaccine coverage in the population, even with a highly effective vaccine, it is expected that a large proportion of cases, hospitalisations and deaths would occur in vaccinated individuals."

You can also see a comparative between (per 100,000) vaccinated and not vaccinated in the table below.

 

[grovesy]

You can report in daily to Zoe app - who do have up to date list of symptoms

Zoe app are reporting they are have some of their goverment funding removed!

 

[Sally W]

Zoe app are reporting they are have some of their goverment funding removed!

Yes I saw that in my email. The hope is with canvassing to Dr Harries they’ll get it reinstated but I believe they’re keeping going for now.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

You can also see a comparative between (per 100,000) vaccinated and not vaccinated in the table below.

The problem, as you know, is NIMS. This letter (from last year) explains, https://osr.statisticsauthority.gov...ies-covid-19-vaccine-surveillance-statistics/

Their change seems to be to add a tiny footnote which is obviously not sufficient. These per 100,000 people figures just aren't meaningful. (There are alternatives using population estimates based on ONS data which are thought to be better. None are perfect. And especially for the highly vaccinated groups, uncertainty in the unvaccinated population size makes the rates hard to estimate.)

 

[Amity Island]

The problem, as you know, is NIMS. This letter (from last year) explains, https://osr.statisticsauthority.gov...ies-covid-19-vaccine-surveillance-statistics/

Their change seems to be to add a tiny footnote which is obviously not sufficient. These per 100,000 people figures just aren't meaningful. (There are alternatives using population estimates based on ONS data which are thought to be better. None are perfect. And especially for the highly vaccinated groups, uncertainty in the unvaccinated population size makes the rates hard to estimate.)

It's their data not mine.

 

[grovesy]

Yes I saw that in my email. The hope is with canvassing to Dr Harries they’ll get it reinstated but I believe they’re keeping going for now.

I don't hold out much hope on that, I have little faith in her.