Current Covid wave: What doctors and virus experts say about the American strain sweeping Britain

By the Editorial Team · Friday, October 2, 2026

Covid-19 infections are rising again in the UK, with hospital admissions increasing nearly 50 percent nationwide and particularly sharply in London, driven by the XFG variant. Although cases and symptoms fluctuate, ongoing immunity from vaccination and prior infection helps keep severe illness and deaths relatively low, while experts warn of potential healthcare pressure from simultaneous respiratory viruses this winter.

After a period of relative quiet, Covid-19 infections are again rising in the United Kingdom, prompting renewed attention from health experts and the public alike. Recent data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) indicate that Covid-related hospital admissions increased by nearly 50 percent nationally over the past week, with London experiencing an even sharper surge of approximately 80 percent. Among individuals aged over 85, hospital admission rates have climbed from 7.08 to 12.43 per 100,000, underscoring the vulnerability of older populations.

Despite this uptick, experts emphasize that the current wave remains far less severe than previous peaks of the pandemic. Weekly hospital admissions stand at 1.20 per 100,000, a figure still considered baseline and substantially lower than levels observed during the early stages of the crisis. Deaths linked to Covid have also remained relatively low, with seven registered fatalities in England for the week ending August 28, compared to as many as 61 per week earlier in the year.

The strain fueling the latest rise is identified as XFG, colloquially referred to as “Stratus” or “American Covid.” First detected in January 2025, this variant is prevalent both in the UK and the United States. Clinicians report that symptoms mirror those commonly associated with prior Covid variants, including coughing, fever, and fatigue, but with a notable increase in gastrointestinal issues.

General practitioner Dr. Renée Hoenderkamp of London has observed a shift in patient presentations over recent weeks, with more individuals reporting sore throats, headaches, runny noses, and tiredness. While these symptoms overlap considerably with those of seasonal viruses such as influenza, some patients have experienced more intense illness. One middle-aged mother from southwest London described being incapacitated for several days with persistent fever and body aches, while her teenage daughter endured an extended illness marked by respiratory and eye infections.

Professor Emma Wall, an infectious disease specialist at Queen Mary University of London, highlighted the variability in symptom severity among individuals. She explained that differences in immune responses, particularly the effectiveness of T-cell activity, likely influence whether a person remains asymptomatic or experiences significant illness.

The prospects of a "tripledemic," where Covid combines with other respiratory viruses to strain healthcare resources, remain a concern as winter approaches, mirroring challenges faced in 2024. However, experts maintain that existing immunity—whether from prior infection or vaccination—continues to offer substantial protection against severe disease, even as reinfections occur.

Public health advice remains grounded in common sense: those with high fevers or severe symptoms should isolate and seek medical care, while individuals with milder or cold-like symptoms can generally continue normal activities. Dr. Hoenderkamp urged a pragmatic approach to managing respiratory illnesses, cautioning against overly stringent measures that could disrupt everyday life. She also questioned the ongoing efficacy of mask-wearing in community settings, describing it as providing limited protection against Covid transmission.

As the situation evolves, health authorities and clinicians continue to monitor case numbers and hospital admissions closely, balancing vigilance with the recognition that Covid has largely transitioned into an endemic phase characterized by less severe, more manageable illness.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.