Mapped: The Covid variant wave as cases treble in one area and scientists raise alarm

Scientists have raised the alarm over a new Covid variant driving up hospital admissions across the UK - as our map shows rates of the virus have more than trebled in Salford.

The city had the highest rate of infections in Greater Manchester in the week ending June 19. There were 11.45 infections for every 100,000 people living in Salford.

That figure has rocketed since the previous week when there were just 3.51 cases per 100,000. That was also the 11th highest rate in England and nearly double the rate in Trafford (6.37 per 100,000), the area of Greater Manchester with the next highest rate of Covid infections.

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The majority of Covid cases are now made up of a new group of COVID-19 variants, known collectively as FLiRT. Scientists are concerned that one variant named KP.3, which emerged in early April, is driving up hospital admissions across the UK.

New figures from the UKHSA show hospital admissions rose by 24pc in the week to Sunday, from a rate of 2.67 people per 100,000 to 3.31 per 100,000.

The highest hospital admission rate for confirmed COVID-19 continues to be in those aged over 85, increasing to 34.70 per 100,000 following a short interval of decreases. However, increases also occurred for those aged between 65 and 74 years, those aged between 75 and 84 years, and most of the younger age groups.

You can see the rates where you live using our interactive map below.

It is thought that live music and football could be fuelling a summer wave of Covid as people gather to watch Euro 2024 and festivals like Glastonbury.

Dr Mariyam Malik, an NHS and private GP at Pall Mall Medical, said coronavirus can spread rapidly over the summer months.

She said: “Increased travel and big events such as festivals often result in crowded settings where the virus can spread more easily, and there are no longer any legal restrictions like wearing masks and social distancing.”

The diminishing immunity of the general population has also been considered a reason for the spread of the variant, and a top scientist has said that a summer wave of Covid could be on the horizon.

Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at Warwick University, told the i: “This is a wake-up call. The virus hasn’t gone away and is certainly not a seasonal infection.” The virologist also warned that Covid hasn’t gone away and said it’s “certainly not a season infection.”

Whilst the recorded infections are lower than the previous spring, winter, and autumn, the UKHSA figures show the proportion of positive test results among people suspected of having Covid rose by 19pc in a week, from 8.4pc to 10pc.

Professor Steve Griffin, of Leeds University, said: “Another wave [of Covid] is building.” He labelled the rise in hospitalisations worrying, especially as the uptake for the spring booster for those who are vulnerable was lower than in 2023. He added: “There is a considerable difference between the current vaccines and circulating viruses."

Alarms are also ringing in the US. Since the beginning of June, KP.3 has overtaken KP.2 and now accounts for 25pc of COVID-19 cases in the US, although its parent is snapping at its heels with 22.5pc of cases.

Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, Consultant Epidemiologist for Immunisation at UKHSA said: “We are seeing an increase in COVID-19 across all indicators, including hospitalisations. Those eligible only have until the 30 June 2024 to take up the offer of a vaccine, which helps boosts your protection against serious illness.

"So, make sure you book your vaccine as soon as possible, either online at nhs.uk/get-vaccine or call 119 if you don’t have access to the internet. If you are 75 years or older, reside in a care home, or have a weakened immune system, you are eligible for your COVID-19 vaccine.

“If you are showing symptoms of COVID-19 or flu, help protect others by staying at home and avoiding contact with other people, especially those who are more vulnerable. If you do need to leave home, consider wearing a mask.”