Covid-19 infections are increasing across the UK, with one strain becoming more widespread as the country moves into the colder months.
Respiratory viruses often spread more easily as temperatures fall, and there are already clear signs that Covid is circulating. The latest figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), published today, October 8, show that the proportion of positive Covid tests among hospital patients rose from 7.9% to 9.1% in the week ending October 4, 2026. Weekly hospital admissions also climbed to 2.04 per 100,000 people, up from 1.75 per 100,000 the week before.
By October 4, 2026, hospitals had recorded 1,638 Covid-19 cases, compared with 1,328 in the previous week. The highest positivity rate was among people aged 85 and over, increasing to 13.1% in the week ending October 4 from 10.4% on the previous Sunday.
Among positive Covid-19 samples sequenced between August 31, 2026 and September 13, 2025, 9.1% were identified as XFG. Also known as Stratus or the “American Covid” strain, the variant was first detected last January and has since spread internationally.
The World Health Organisation describes XFG as a combination of the LF.7 and LP.8.1.2 variants. It was designated a “variant under monitoring” on June 25, 2025.
According to the UKHSA, XFG is currently the most common Covid-19 variant. Existing Covid vaccines are expected to continue providing protection against it, and there is no evidence so far that XFG causes more severe illness or deaths than other variants in circulation.
The UKHSA said today, October 8: “UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data shows that COVID-19 positive test rates rose to around 7% in September, with hospital admission rates increasing by approximately 50% over the same period.
“The increases have been recorded consistently across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as elsewhere in Europe and in the United States. This indicates that the rise is not confined to a single local area.
“Current evidence does not suggest that these variants cause more severe illness than other variants currently circulating. The UKHSA continues to monitor GP appointments, A&E attendances, hospitalisations and genomic sequencing to assess how Covid variants are behaving.
“Because hospitalisations are increasing alongside overall Covid-19 circulation, rather than rising sharply in isolation, the pattern points to a broader increase in Covid-19 activity rather than a variant causing more severe disease.”
Covid levels remain low overall, but activity is rising, making it important to be aware of the symptoms. Most people recover within a few weeks, although symptoms can last longer for some individuals.
The NHS advises anyone with a high temperature or who feels too unwell to attend work or school to remain at home and avoid contact with other people. There are 12 symptoms associated with the American Covid XFG strain to watch for at present.
