PTC Web Desk: Covid-19 cases have increased significantly in the US and UK over the last 24 hours. The rise is concerning, with many wondering if Covid-19 is making a comeback. According to reports, vaccinations have been sped up, and those at risk in the UK have been instructed to start wearing face masks. After a spike in cases in several regions of the country, the US has also reimposed restrictions.

Speaking to the media, experts stated that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) is closely monitoring the new Covid-19 variant known as LB.1. The CDC revealed that Covid cases are particularly high in the West, where viral levels have returned to where they were in February. Cases are also rising in the South. 

According to a report presented by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), nearly one out of every 25,000 British citizens was infected with Covid-19 on June 26, 2024. For experts, this is a staggering figure.

Covid-19 summer wave in US 

The summer wave in the US began weeks earlier than last year, according to data released by WastewaterSCAN, a nationwide sewage surveillance network led by Stanford University and Emory University. 

According to CNN, Dr Marlene Wolfe, assistant professor of environmental health at Emory and programme director for WastewaterSCAN, stated, "It remains to be seen if this will be a peak level for this surge. We are always trying to unpack what is potential seasonality with Covid and also what are the impacts of new variants that may be coming through that drive these surges that we see more regularly, more frequently than we do for influenza and RSV." 

Covid rise in UK

In the week ending June 16, the number of people admitted to the hospital with Covid increased to 3.31 per 100,000, up from 2.67 the previous week. 

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported that laboratory tests were conducted across the country, with the majority of them involving swabs taken from patients receiving healthcare. 

According to the Telegraph, a leading scientist believes Euro 2024 may have been to blame for the summer Covid wave. The "Flirt" variant, known as KP.3, is on the rise in several parts of the world, but confirmation has been difficult due to a lack of testing. 

Covid-19 variant KP.3 and LB.1

Last month, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the LB.1 variant accounts for 17.5% of new COVID cases. The CDC predicts that the new variant will soon overtake the KP.3 variant.

The CDC has, however, denied any new evidence that suggests the LB.1 variant is more severe than its ancestors. However, a study by Japanese scientists, which has yet to be peer-reviewed, suggests that one of LB.1's mutations could speed up its spread. This mutation is absent in the KP.3 and JN.1 variants.

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- PTC NEWS

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