Covid hospital admissions are increasing across the UK. (Image: Getty)
A Covid variant dubbed “American Covid” is spreading in the UK as hospital admissions rise rapidly. New figures suggest the virus is making an autumn return, with admissions increasing by nearly 50% in the space of a week.
UK Health Security Agency data shows that the share of hospital Covid tests producing a positive result rose from 5.9% to 7%. London has seen a particularly steep increase, with Covid-related admissions up by almost 80% in seven days. For people aged over 85, the rate rose from 7.08 to 12.43 admissions per 100,000.
The variant currently responsible for most infections is XFG, also known as Stratus and widely nicknamed “American Covid”. First identified in January 2025, it has since circulated in both Britain and the United States. Reported symptoms are broadly familiar, including a cough, fever, sore throat, headache, runny nose and tiredness. Some doctors have also seen gastrointestinal symptoms in people infected with the newer strain.
The latest Covid variant is spreading across the UK. (Image: Getty)
Dr Matthew Siggins, a lecturer in immunity and infection biology at the University of Surrey, said the increase was “not unexpected at this time of year”.
He said weekly Covid hospital admissions in England had risen from 0.81 to 1.20 per 100,000 people, while emphasising that the overall level remained within the baseline range.
London GP Dr Renee Hoenderkamp has also noticed a shift in the symptoms being seen by patients at her practice.
“In the past ten days to three weeks in general practice my lists have definitely changed to people with these symptoms,” she told the Daily Mail.
She said the illness often felt “very flu-like” and that most patients were likely to develop symptoms that could be managed at home.
Some people, however, have experienced a more difficult illness, including extreme tiredness, high temperatures, painful muscle aches and symptoms that last for an extended period.
Although infections and hospital admissions are rising, health experts have underlined that the current wave is far removed from the most severe stages of the pandemic.
The latest UKHSA figures recorded seven deaths involving Covid in England during the week ending August 28, compared with six in the previous week. That figure remains well below the 61 deaths reported in a single week in mid-January earlier this year.
Dr Hoenderkamp said generally healthy people should have little cause for concern. She advised anyone with a high temperature or feeling particularly unwell to remain at home, following the same approach they would take with flu.
Experts say protection built through earlier infections and Covid vaccinations is also helping to reduce the likelihood of severe illness.
Dr Siggins said most people continued to have “substantial immunity”, although he cautioned that protection against becoming infected may weaken over time.
Professor Emma Wall, a clinical professor of infectious diseases at Queen Mary University of London, said the majority of people had already developed some immunity to newer Covid variants.
She nevertheless warned that repeated Covid infections may raise the risk of Long Covid, noting that some patients have developed the condition after a fourth or fifth infection.
Researchers are also monitoring the prospect of several seasonal viruses spreading simultaneously during the winter months.
Hospitals experienced a significant rise in flu, Covid, RSV and norovirus in December 2024, creating substantial pressure on NHS services and capacity.
Professor Wall said surveillance remained important as Covid continued to evolve alongside traditional winter viruses.
“We remain under surveillance,” she said. “That helps us work out who needs to be vaccinated and with which vaccine.”
