Health

UK faces new Covid-19 surge amid rise of dominant XFG variant and seasonal flu threats

Friday, 24 October 2025 4:09AM UTC

As Covid-19 cases increase once more in the UK, the NHS warns of the rising prevalence of the XFG variant and seasonal flu, urging vaccinations and prompt medical attention to prevent healthcare system strain.

As Covid-19 cases rise once more in the UK, the NHS has issued urgent guidance advising individuals with certain symptoms to seek prompt medical attention either through an urgent GP appointment or by contacting NHS 111. This comes amid the increasing prevalence of the XFG variant, which is steadily becoming the dominant strain of the virus nationally.

Recent data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reveals a worrying trend: Covid-19 positivity rates climbed from 7.6% to 8.4% over the span of a week in late September, alongside a rise in hospital admissions from 2 to 2.73 per 100,000 people. Flu infections are also on the rise as the country heads into the colder months, creating increased pressure on healthcare services. In response, public health officials are encouraging vaccination campaigns to bolster immunity against Covid-19, flu, and RSV. According to Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, a Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, winter vaccines offer the best protection during this seasonal surge and eligible groups are urged to receive their jabs promptly.

The NHS highlights a broad spectrum of Covid-19 symptoms, which can range from blocked or runny nose, sore throat, and headache to more severe signs like shortness of breath, persistent high temperature, and new continuous cough. While many patients experience symptom improvement within weeks without medical intervention, the NHS specifically instructs individuals to seek urgent care if symptoms worsen or do not respond to treatment such as paracetamol, or if they exhibit additional warning signs including rash, loss of appetite, or prolonged high fever—particularly in young children where specific temperature thresholds prompt immediate concern.

For those uncertain about the severity of symptoms or how to proceed, the NHS 111 service remains a vital resource. Accessible by phone and online, NHS 111 provides tailored advice based on symptom assessments and can direct patients to appropriate levels of care ranging from self-management at home to urgent medical attention or emergency services if necessary. The system is designed to reduce unnecessary pressure on GPs and hospital A&E departments while ensuring timely care for those who need it most.

Government health guidelines reiterate preventive measures to curb viral transmission, including wearing face coverings in public spaces, especially indoors, practising regular hand hygiene, and responsibly disposing of used tissues. These simple acts can significantly slow the spread of respiratory illnesses during times of heightened viral circulation.

General practices across England are also encouraged to utilise established communication toolkits to manage patient inquiries effectively and maintain safety amid rising infection rates. This ensures efficient appointment handling, clear public messaging, and adherence to evolving public health protocols, supporting both patient care and infection control within healthcare settings.

As the nation faces a resurgence of Covid-19 combined with seasonal flu threats, the NHS’s call to remain vigilant, get vaccinated, and seek timely medical advice underscores the continuing challenges of public health management in the pandemic’s ongoing phase.

📌 Reference Map:

Paragraph 1 – ^[1] (Plymouth Herald)
Paragraph 2 – ^[1] (Plymouth Herald)
Paragraph 3 – ^[1] (Plymouth Herald), ^[6] (NHS UK)
Paragraph 4 – ^[2] (NHS UK), ^[3] (NHS 111), ^[4] (NHS Gloucestershire)
Paragraph 5 – ^[1] (Plymouth Herald), ^[6] (NHS UK)
Paragraph 6 – ^[5] (NHS England)

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/health/nhs-advice-urgent-gp-action-10594377 - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/when-to-use-111/ - The NHS 111 service provides urgent medical advice and assistance. It can direct individuals to the most appropriate care, such as emergency services, urgent treatment centres, or out-of-hours GP services. The service is accessible online and by phone, offering guidance on when to seek urgent medical help and how to access various healthcare services.
https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19 - NHS 111 online offers guidance for individuals experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. By answering questions about symptoms, users are directed to the appropriate care, whether it's self-care at home, contacting a GP, or seeking urgent medical attention. The service is available for those aged 5 and over, with additional support for children under 5 through the phone service.
https://www.nhsglos.nhs.uk/your-health-services/urgent-advice-and-care/ - NHS Gloucestershire provides urgent advice and care services, including guidance for COVID-19 symptoms. Individuals are advised to follow NHS UK guidelines and, if uncertain, to visit the NHS 111 website or call NHS 111 for assistance. The service emphasizes not visiting GP surgeries or hospitals in person if experiencing symptoms.
https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/documents/general-practice-communications-toolkit/ - The NHS England Coronavirus Communications Toolkit offers guidance for general practices on managing patient communications during the pandemic. It includes advice on handling appointments, patient inquiries, and ensuring safety measures are in place. The toolkit emphasizes the importance of clear communication and adherence to public health guidelines.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/covid-19/covid-19-symptoms-and-what-to-do/ - The NHS outlines COVID-19 symptoms and recommended actions. Symptoms include high temperature, continuous cough, loss of taste or smell, and others. Individuals are advised to stay at home, avoid contact with others, and seek medical advice if symptoms worsen or if they are at higher risk. The page provides detailed guidance on managing symptoms and when to seek urgent care.
https://www.gpathand.nhs.uk/when-is-the-right-time-to-see-your-nhs-gp-a-guide-to-knowing-when-to-seek-help/ - GP at Hand provides guidance on when to consult an NHS GP. It covers a range of health issues, from minor ailments to chronic conditions, and advises on recognising symptoms that require medical attention. The article also outlines when to call NHS 111 or go to 999, ensuring individuals seek appropriate care for their health concerns.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative presents recent data on Covid-19 positivity rates and hospital admissions, indicating a timely report. The mention of the XFG variant aligns with current discussions on emerging Covid-19 strains. However, the earliest known publication date of similar content is not specified, making it challenging to assess if this is entirely original. The report includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. Additionally, the narrative includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.

Quotes check

Score: 7

Notes: The report includes a quote from Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, a Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA. However, the earliest known usage of this quote is not specified, making it difficult to determine if it is original or reused. Without online matches, the quote is flagged as potentially original or exclusive content.

Source reliability

Score: 6

Notes: The narrative originates from the Plymouth Herald, a regional news outlet. While it provides detailed information, the lack of a clear publication date and the absence of corroboration from other reputable sources raise concerns about its reliability. The report includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.

Plausability check

Score: 7

Notes: The narrative discusses rising Covid-19 cases and the emergence of the XFG variant, which is plausible given current trends. However, the lack of corroboration from other reputable outlets and the absence of specific factual anchors (e.g., names, institutions, dates) reduce the score and flag the content as potentially synthetic. The report includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: The narrative presents timely information on rising Covid-19 cases and the XFG variant, with updated data and a quote from a health official. However, the lack of a clear publication date, absence of corroboration from other reputable sources, and potential recycling of older material raise concerns about its originality and reliability. The report includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.

Covid-19
UK health
XFG variant