The NHS faces being overwhelmed by a summer wave of super-strength Covid cases too powerful for existing vaccines, boffs are warning.
Scientists say the looming crisis is “building” amid a sudden and disturbingly high spike in hospital admissions for sufferers of the virus’ latest mutations. They fear existing booster vaccines may be useless against the new rampaging ‘FLiRT’ variants of the disease as they are more advanced than original Covid strains.
Professor Steve Griffin, from Leeds University, warned: “This is clearly early days, but it certainly looks as though yet another Covid wave is building. If the rise in hospitalisations continues, this is obviously worrying.
READ MORE: TikTok sleuth finds key clue to missing Jay Slater’s location as ‘mystery lady’ is flown in to help
Click for more of the latest news from across the world from the Daily Star.
“Although we’ve just had a spring booster campaign for vulnerable populations, the uptake was lower than in 2023.
(Image: Getty Images)
“There is a considerable difference between the current vaccines and circulating viruses.”
Latest figures show a spike in Covid hospital admissions from 2.67 people per 100,000 to 3.31 per 100,000.
Tests also show around one in every 25,000 people had Covid on June 26.
There was also a 29% surge in positive cases of the virus in the week to June 22.
(Image: Getty Images)
The rises come with soaring cases of so-called FLiRT variants of Covid, named after the locations of the mutations the variants share on the virus’ spike protein – and their highly contagious nature.
Their main forms are known among scientists as KP2, KP3 and J1.
Together they accounted for 40% of all Covid cases in April.
Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, consultant epidemiologist for immunisation at the UK Health Security Agency, said it is seeing an increase in Covid “across all indicators, including hospitalisations.”
Experts fear existing vaccines may not provide the same level of protection against the new FLiRT variants as they are several mutations away from those that initially spread.
Join the Daily Star’s WhatsApp for the sexiest headlines, showbiz gossip and lots more
The Daily Star is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join us!
Through the app, we’ll send you the sassiest showbiz stories, some naught headline and a seismic smattering of aliens…along with the latest breaking news of course.
To join our community, all you have to do to join is click on this link, select ‘Join Chat’ and you’re in!
No one will be able to see who has sign up and no one can send messages except for the Daily Star team. We also treat our community members to competitions, special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Around 4.1 million of the seven million eligible for a spring Covid booster took up the offer, which ended on Sunday.
It means 40% won’t get the extra protection despite being deemed the most vulnerable.
Professor Paul Hunter, an epidemiology expert from the University of East Anglia, said the depressing reality is Covid is now going to be part of everyday life.
He added: “We are all of us going to get repeated Covid infections from birth through to death.
“To be honest, you can’t really avoid it because it’s so common.”
The government’s latest advice has gone back to a five-day isolation period for anyone who tests positive for Covid.
Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal urged: “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.”
For the latest news stories from Daily Star sign up for our newsletter.