BREAKING NEWS Covid alert: Catchy Nimbus variant DOUBLES in just one month, as total infections reach highest level this year
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported that 8 per cent of Covid tests analysed at the start of June were positive for the new 'Nimbus' strain. This is up from just 4 per cent in mid-May.
Nimbus, known scientifically as N.B.1.8.1, is thought to be the most contagious variant of the virus yet with experts warning it could drive a wave of new cases this summer.
Other data collected by the agency shows the total number of tests coming back positive for any type of Covid has increased to 6.8 per cent as of June 15, the latest available data.
This is up from 5.6 per cent last month and represents the highest figure recorded so far this year.
Both figures are likely to be an underestimate of how far Nimbus and Covid in general is spreading given how testing has been massively reduced from the height of the pandemic.
In its weekly report UKHSA laso said there had also been a slight increase in hospital admissions for Covid to just over 1.5 admissions per 100,000 people.
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