Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Aug 21, 2025 3 hours ago
Medical News: Sharp increase in hospital positivity rates
Fresh concerns are spreading across the United Kingdom as new COVID-19 cases among hospital patients have risen sharply in just two weeks. According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the proportion of patients with respiratory symptoms testing positive for COVID-19 increased from 5.8 percent on July 26 to 7.6 percent on August 10. That marks a worrying 31 percent jump in only 15 days. This
Medical News report highlights how such a rise is often an early signal of an incoming wave of infections.
COVID-19 Hospitalizations Rising Sharply Across the United Kingdom
Why the numbers matter
The so-called “hospital positivity rate” refers to the percentage of symptomatic hospital patients who test positive for the virus. Although it does not represent the wider public directly, scientists still view it as a reliable indicator of broader community trends. Historically, sudden increases in hospital positivity have aligned with growing infection levels nationwide. With immunity from both vaccines and past infections fading, and with a new highly contagious COVID-19 variant known as XPG or Stratus spreading, experts are warning that the United Kingdom could be on the verge of another wave.
Experts raise alarms over new risks
Health specialists caution that even though the positivity rate of 7.6 percent is lower than the extreme levels seen in earlier pandemic years, the sudden spike is alarming. In January, the rate was only 2.2 percent. For comparison, it reached 16.6 percent in July last year and 14.6 percent last October. Experts fear that as schools reopen, people return to offices, and the weather turns cooler, infections could rise more steeply. They also worry about limited access to free antivirals this autumn, which may leave many people more vulnerable.
Comparing trends with other nations
Epidemiologists note that the United States is already experiencing a “small wave” of new infections. Whether the United Kingdom will follow the same path is not yet certain, but public health officials warn it remains a real possibility. Waves are now smaller and flatter than in the early years of COVID, but they still put pressure on hospitals, especially when combined with seasonal flu and other respiratory viruses.
What comes next
Scientists emphasize that while the rise is concerning, it is not yet at crisis levels. However, they stress that the virus is still very much in circulation and can spread rapidly under the right conditions. The situation remains fluid, and monitoring over the coming weeks will be crucial. People are being urged to continue taking basic precautions such as staying home when sick, improving ventilation indoors, and protecting vulnerable individuals.
Final thoughts
Although the current rise in hospital positivity may appear modest compared to past peaks, it serves as a warning signal. The combination of wa
ning immunity, new variants like Stratus, and limited vaccine access means the public cannot afford to become complacent. Even a smaller wave could translate into many preventable hospitalizations and severe cases. The latest data shows that COVID-19 remains unpredictable, and society must continue balancing normal life with vigilance.
The latest updates on the UKHSA COVID-19 Dashboard can be found here:
https://ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/respiratory-viruses/covid-19
For the latest COVID-19 News, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
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