20 September 2023 , 09:57
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Covid-19 cases are soaring across the UK as children head back to school - with health experts now warning that we have entered another wave.
Positive tests for the virus in people admitted to hospital have now reached 4.6 per 100,000 people, the highest rate since April.
You can now track the latest data in your area with our interactive map.
The rise in infections comes as concern grows over the emerging BA.2.86 variant, which has mutated from the Omicron strain.
The latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that as of 4 September 2023, 34 confirmed cases of BA.2.86 had been identified in England. Five were hospitalised, though no deaths due to COVID-19 have been reported among these cases.
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A large outbreak in a care home in Norfolk is responsible for a significant number of cases of the BA.2.86 variant, which has spread rapidly throughout the world. Another variant being closely monitored by WHO is 'Pirola', which already has more than 30 different mutations.
Speaking on the release of the latest figures, Dr Renu Bindra, Incident Director at UKHSA said: "While BA.2.86 has a significant number of mutations to the viral genome compared to other currently circulating COVID-19 variants, the data so far is too limited to draw firm conclusions about the impact this will have on the transmissibility, severity or immune escape properties of the virus.
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"UKHSA scientists are working with international partners to culture the samples and analyse the evidence as it becomes available. However, it is likely to be some time before we have enough data to make a confident assessment. Specialists from UKHSA have been working with Norfolk County Council to offer infection control advice and support following a confirmed outbreak of BA.2.86 in a care home.
"It is clear that there is some degree of widespread community transmission, both in the UK and globally, and we are working to ascertain the full extent of this. In the meantime, it remains vital that all those eligible come forward to receive their autumn vaccine as soon as it is offered to them." Millions of people are now eligible for the autumn Covid-19 vaccine, after the rollout was brought forward by Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the UKHSA following assessments of the new BA.2.86 variant.