Covid infection rates have increased in the UK for the first time since the middle of July, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
are based on random tests on people in households across the UK whether or not they have symptoms.
There were increases in London, the West Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber and north-east England, while rates continued to decline in the South East. The data marks the first increase in UK infections since the middle of July although rates are still well below spikes driven by the original Omicron variant earlier this year and two related offshoots, known as BA.4 and BA.5, in the summer.
In total 4,015 patients were admitted in the week ending 19 September, up 17% from 3,434 in the previous week.
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