Covid-19 cases up across the East as Omicron drives rise in infections
The UK Health Security Agency says the virus is still changing, with a new strain of Omicron now dominant in the UK
There's been a jump in the number of Covid-19 cases reported across the East of England in the past few weeks.
The UK Health Security Agency is putting the rise here down to a new variant of Omicron strain of the virus.
The Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants now account for around half of all new UK cases.
There hasn't been a rise in hospital admissions or deaths as vaccines remain effective against both new Omicron variants.
In the week to June 19 1,113 Covid-19 cases were reported in Suffolk, a 26% rise. In Norfolk there were 1,522 cases, a rise of almost 40%. In Essex 2,211 people tested positive - another rise of almost 40%.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the UK Health Security Agency said: "We’ve learned so much in the last two years but as we move to living with covid on a long-term basis, every one of us needs to remain vigilant, take precautions, and ensure that we’re up to date with our COVID-19 vaccinations.
"We need to continue to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe and vaccination is the best form of defence we have. It’s never too late to get vaccinated.
"Remember we can all play our part - stay at home if you have any respiratory symptoms or a fever and limit contact with others until you are feeling better, particularly if they are likely to be at greater risk if they contract COVID-19.
"Face coverings and hand washing still remain important in reducing transmission, consider wearing a face covering in crowded, enclosed spaces and washing your hands thoroughly and often, especially before and after getting on public transport or getting in from work, shops or the pub."
Vaccine uptake across the East remains high. In Norfolk and Suffolk 70% of people have had three doses, with over 80% having had two.
Essex slightly lags behind, with 65% having had a booster jab. Around 81% of people in the county have had two vaccines.