Archive · 3 Oct 2026
UK COVID Hospital Admissions Rise Nearly 50% as Stratus Spreads
More people in the UK were admitted to hospital with COVID in the latest weekly figures.
The rate went from 0.81 to 1.20 admissions per 100,000 people.
That is nearly a 50% increase.
London had the biggest rise, at 79%.
The XFG variant, called Stratus, is spreading.
Experts say the number of admissions started from a low level.
They also say there is no sign that Stratus causes more severe illness.
The weekly UK COVID hospital admission rate rose from 0.81 to 1.20 per 100,000 people.
The increase was nearly 50% over one week, according to figures cited from the UK Health Security Agency.
London recorded the sharpest rise, at 79%.
The XFG variant, also known as Stratus, is spreading in the UK.
Health experts say admissions are rising from a low level and there is no sign Stratus causes more severe illness.
- Who
- People admitted to hospital with COVID in the UK; London saw the sharpest rise.
- What
- The weekly COVID hospital admission rate rose from 0.81 to 1.20 per 100,000 people.
- When
- Over one week; the article does not specify the dates.
- Where
- The United Kingdom, with the sharpest increase in London.
- Why
- The rise is occurring as the XFG (Stratus) variant spreads; the article does not establish it as the cause.
- UK weekly admission rate
- Rose from 0.81 to 1.20 per 100,000 people
- Reported weekly increase
- Nearly 50%
- London increase
- 79%, the sharpest rise reported
- Variant
- XFG, also known as Stratus
- Severity assessment
- Experts say there is no sign the variant is more severe
- Context
- Experts say the increase is from a low level
- Data source cited
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)