UK hospitalization rates have passed their winter peaks and older people are driving the rise

Covid-19 hospitalization rates in the United Kingdom have passed their peak earlier this year and are the highest since January 2021. The new numbers show.

Admission for the elderly is Continue to drive growthDuring the second wave of the virus in the first few weeks of last year, record rates for all age groups above 65 were finally seen.

In contrast, the rates of children and young adults are still well below the levels reached in early 2022.

According to the UK Health Surveillance Agency, the UK Covid-19 hospitalization rate for the week ending April 3 was 20.5 per 100,000.

This is the 5th consecutive weekly increase, which means that the total admission fee is running at a higher rate than it is now. Original Omicron wave peak The beginning of January of this year (19.9). This rate is still somewhat below the all-time high of 36 per 100,000 in the first week of January 2021.

The steady increase in recent weeks driven by the Omicron BA.2 variant is consistent with the increase in NHS staff absenteeism. Many hospitals are having a hard time dealing with it..

According to the latest figures released Thursday, UK hospitals have the highest number of staff not sick due to the virus, averaging 28,500 people a day and occupying 94% of beds.

Admission is the highest among people over the age of 85, with a current percentage of 204 per 100,000, increasing from 191.9 weekly.

However, the number of inpatients with severe illness in Covid-19 remains low. According to the latest government statistics, about 361 patients are currently on ventilator beds in UK hospitals. It is a little far from the level reached in November last year (1,036) and well below the initial total of 2021 (4,077).

Another data released Thursday shows that nearly three in five (58%) of UK patients who test positive for Covid-19 are being treated primarily for something else. Is shown.

The proportion of patients who are “infected” rather than “infected” with the coronavirus has steadily increased from about 25% at the end of last year.

However, all patients who test positive for Covid-19 need to be treated separately from others in the hospital, and NHS staff who are already trying to clear the record untreated portion of routine treatment Add to the pressure you face. Approximately 20,409 patients have coronavirus in UK hospitals.

Miriam Deakin, Director of Policy and Strategy for the NHS Provider, said:

“A warning report issued by hospitals and ambulance services on Wednesday highlights how busy trust continues across the country, despite the departure from the traditionally busy winter months.

“Ambulance services are progressing at a rapid pace, with more than 60 minutes of delivery delays increasing this week. This is due to the lengthening of ambulance lines outside the A & E department, which prevents vehicles from returning quickly to the community. Means that.

“On the other hand, the length of hospital stay for people has also increased on the 7th, 14th and 21st indicators, which is significantly longer than the same period last year.

“Delayed discharge remains a serious concern and represents real pressure across the medical and care system. The combination of all these factors shows how the NHS is getting hot.”

Stephen Powis, NHS Medical Director, said:

“Despite sustained demand, staff continue to focus on addressing the Covid-19 backlog and deploying the NHS Spring Booster Program. Use the Covid Jab. If you need NHS support. Please use the NHS111 online service. “

More than a million people have received spring boosters in just two weeks since the latest phase of the NHS Covid-19 vaccination program began, officials said Thursday.

On the other hand, another figure released by the National Bureau of Statistics is More than 1.7 million say they are suffering from a long Covid – 200,000 increase in one month.