In the UK, officials from the National Statistics Agency (ONS) said early signs of a possible increase in the number of people testing positive for Covid-19 in the UK and Northern Ireland were seen.
Reports indicate that this small increase is likely due to the BA.4 and BA.5 variants of Omicron.
Research on the subject indicates that these variants may spread somewhat more easily than “older” Omicron variants.
According to the latest estimates, around 990,000 people across the UK have been infected with Covid. This equates to 1.5 percent of the population (roughly one in 65 people).
ONS data covers the last week ending June 2nd.
Covid-19 cases are increasing in parts of the United Kingdom, which consists of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, while the overall trend in Wales and Scotland is uncertain.
To estimate the prevalence of the virus, the ONS randomly tests thousands of people in UK households, with or without symptoms, and publishes the results.
Since the end of free testing to the public in England and Scotland, the agency has provided the most accurate picture of Covid-19.
In Wales and Northern Ireland, free testing continues until the end of June.
‘A mixed picture’
Sarah Crofts from ONS spoke about the latest data:
“Today’s data, with small increases in the UK and Northern Ireland, show a mixed picture for infection rates across the UK, possibly due to increasing trends in the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants.
“Omicron BA.2 remains the most common variant of Covid-19 and shows a downward trend in the vast majority of the UK.”
According to ONS estimates as of 2 June:
One in about 70 people in the UK,
One in about 75 people in Wales,
About one in 65 people in Northern Ireland,
- About one in 40 people in Scotland have contracted Covid.