The Guardian reports a resurgence of COVID-19 cases is under way across the UK, with infections in the over-70s at a record high.
The high prevalence among older people has prompted unease, after reports this week that COVID-19 vaccine immunity declines steeply in care-home residents. It is six months since many people in this age group had their last vaccine dose.
“Older age groups, especially people who have been isolating for so long, are now quite vulnerable even if they have kept up to date with their vaccines,” said Paul Hunter, a professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia.
The increase in infections is being driven by the Omicron BA.2 variant. It transmits more readily than the original BA.1 strain but there is good cross-immunity between the two variants.
“It’s basically sweeping up everyone who didn’t get Omicron the first time around,” Hunter said. “It wouldn’t surprise me if it peaks before the end of March.”