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In Britain, Covid cases increased sharply from 1,374 in August to 4,589 in September, marking a 230% rise. In London specifically, hospitalizations due to the virus jumped from 142 at the end of July to 289 by late August. The UKHSA attributes many recent infections to the XFG variant, also known as Stratus or "American Covid," which causes typical symptoms like sore throat, cough, and fever. Dr. Alex Allen from the UKHSA advises those testing positive for any strain to isolate for five days, while emphasizing that the winter vaccine is tailored to protect against this variant and its mutations.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-08,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In London, September saw a significant increase in COVID-19 cases, jumping 230% from August's figure of 1,374 to 4,589. Hospitalizations in the capital also sharply increased: from 142 patients at the end of July to 289 by the end of August. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warns that these numbers are likely underestimates due to limited testing for milder cases. Although current hospitalization rates remain well below January 2021's peak, when over 20,000 people were hospitalized across the UK, health officials are urging eligible individuals to get vaccinated ahead of winter months typically marked by rising case numbers. Many recent positive tests have been identified as a variant known as XFG or t.
Written for “Covid Variant XFG” on 2026-10-08,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
The data shows that 1,374 people in Britain contracted Covid in August - but in September, this jumped 230% to 4,589.
asserted
this → show → 4,589
The data is more concerning when focussing on the end of the month, with cases rising nationally by almost 30% in the seven days to September 23.
How much have Covid cases increased in London?
asserted
cases → focusse → London
Hospitalisations have also risen sharply in the capital.
asserted
Hospitalisations → rise → capital
The UKHSA data shows there were 142 Londoners in hospital with Covid at the end of July, but 289 hospitalised by the end of August, the most recent figures available.
asserted
data → show → August
The UKHSA figures come from NHS England’s reports from tests on patients who become very unwell with the virus, and as such not including those suffering from milder symptoms who have not been admitted to hospital or officially diagnosed.
asserted
who → come → hospital
While cases are still far below their peak in January 2021 when there were more than 20,000 people in hospital across the UK, officials are urging eligible people to get their Covid jabs ahead of the winter months when cases typically rise.
asserted
cases → be → months
Many of the positive tests have been found to be a variant of XFG, also known as the Stratus or “American Covid” strain.
asserted
Many → find → strain
The strain was first identified last January and has been in circulation in Europe and North America since the end of 2025.
asserted
strain → identify → 2025
Symptoms of the strain are similar to previous variants, causing a sore throat, cough, and fever.
asserted
Symptoms → cause → throat
This winter’s vaccine has been specifically designed to protect against the XFG strain and its variants.
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vaccine → design → strain
What have the experts said?
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experts → say → What
The NHS has advised those who think they have any Covid strain to avoid contact with other people for five days, or three days for those under 18.
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they → advise → 18
People who have a positive test should avoid meeting people with weakened immune systems for 10 days after the day they took the test.
asserted
they → have → test
Dr Alex Allen, Consultant Epidemiologist from the UKHSA, told BBC Radio London: “Over the last month or two we have seen increases in COVID activity, both in terms of case numbers and hospital admissions.
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we → tell → numbers
Read More
“COVID continues to circulate in the UK on a regular basis.
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COVID → read → basis
The last major peak was around a year ago, so this is roughly the time of year when we would expect activity to increase again.
“
asserted
activity → expect → year
As we enter winter, changes in weather and people spending more time indoors contribute to the spread of respiratory viruses.
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changes → enter → viruses
In addition, immunity gained from previous infections and vaccinations can wane over time.
asserted
immunity → gain → time
“Overall, the increases we’re seeing are broadly in line with what we would expect.”
asserted
we → see → what
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