Covid hospitalisations have surged across Britain at an “alarming” rate as a new variant of the virus emerged, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned. UKHSA figures showed the admission rate for patients testing positive for Covid XEC stood at 4.5 per 100,000 people in the week to October 6 – up from 3.7 a week earlier.

A new strain of Covid emerging in the UK is spreading as cases increase at a high rate, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said. Called XEC, the strain is a combination of the KS.1.1 and KP.3.3 variants.

Households are bracing themselves for a triple threat this winter as the new XEC variant of Covid-19 cases spike, flu jabs hit a low uptake, and RSV infections rise. These three illnesses share similar early symptoms,

The new XEC variant of Covid-19 is spreading across the UK, while cases of respiratory syncytial virus or RSV are also on the rise as we head into flu season

Doctors have issued a warning that the new XEC variant of Covid-19 presents symptoms in a specific order, as Brits grapple with a triple-threat this winter. The rise in cases coincides with low flu jab uptake and an increase in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections.

Health chiefs are urging people to isolate at home if they show one of four key symptoms of Covid-19. The warning comes as Covid continues to circulate in the UK, with hospital admissions still on the rise.

A new strain of Covid may produce symptoms in a specific order, researchers warn as UK hospitalisations surge. XEC, first identified in Germany in June, is fast becoming the dominant variant in the UK.