The latest report from the Office of National Statistics shows a big increase in COVID-19 cases across the four nations of the UK, and particularly in Scotland.
There was an increase in the percentage of people testing positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, likely caused by infections compatible with Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5.
In Scotland, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 250,700 (95% credible interval: 218,900 to 284,400), equating to 4.76% of the population or around 1 in 20 people.
In England, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 1,360,600 (95% credible interval: 1,285,600 to 1,438,200), equating to 2.50% of the population or around 1 in 40 people.
In Wales, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 68,500 (95% credible interval: 53,300 to 85,900), equating to 2.25% of the population or around 1 in 45 people.
In Northern Ireland, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 59,900 (95% credible interval: 46,900 to 74,400), equating to 3.26% of the population or around 1 in 30 people.
The ONS figures are lower than data from the ZOE Covid app, however, which show nearly 3 million people have symptomatic Covid across the UK, with hotspots across Scotland and Cornwall.
Official Scotland government data lags well behind the ONS and ZOE figures. That’s typical of data issued by all four UK administrations, as they continue to pretend that Covid-19 is no longer an issue of public health importance. The latest information from Scotland’s devolved government shows just 1,605 people infected on the 19th June 2022:
FT journalist John Burns has other data from the ONS which paints a picture of just how dangerous mass-infection by Covid-19 in Britain is proving to be:
As of the start of May (latest data), roughly 3% of UK population said they had ongoing symptoms that could not be explained by another cause, and for two-thirds of them (2% of population), those symptoms mean their daily activities are now either somewhat or severely limited. pic.twitter.com/wmKQ9QocB5
Who would have imagined that, at the start of this pandemic, politicians worldwide would choose mass infection as a policy option, even after finding out that herd immunity against SARS-CoV-2 is unachievable?
🧵1 in 40 in England with COVID 1 in 20 in Scotland with COVID
No beds at my local hospital lastnight, I know because my mum needed one. There were NO ambulances. Zero. NONE available & she couldn't BREATHE! No beds. No infusion that she needed. It's not arrived today either.
