Health

UK faces rising Covid and flu cases as experts warn of 'quademic' winter surge

Tuesday, 28 October 2025 5:07AM UTC

As Covid and flu infections spike across the UK amid hospital strains, health officials urge households to stock up on remedies and stay vigilant with vaccinations and hygiene measures to combat a potentially severe winter 'quademic'.

As respiratory illnesses continue to circulate across the UK, health experts are urging households to prepare by stocking up on essential items to manage symptoms and reduce the spread of infection. With Covid-19 infections currently at “medium levels” and hospital admissions rising sharply, public health officials are emphasising the importance of readiness as colder weather drives people indoors, creating conditions for viruses to spread more easily.

A GP and spokesperson for Olbas, Dr Roger Henderson, has advised that families should make sure they have basics like paracetamol or ibuprofen, tissues, lozenges, cough syrup, natural decongestants, rehydration salts, and a thermometer to hand. Alongside these remedies, he stresses the importance of hygiene supplies such as hand soap, hand gel, and masks for when someone becomes ill. Good ventilation in the home—such as keeping windows open for short periods or using air filters—is also recommended to reduce airborne transmission risks. Planning ahead to secure groceries and medicines in case of illness-related isolation is another prudent step.

The NHS continues to strongly encourage eligible individuals to get vaccinated against both Covid and flu, highlighting that it takes around two weeks to build up full protection after vaccination. In addition to vaccination, Dr Henderson recommends simple preventive behaviours including regular handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, wearing masks in crowded indoor settings for extra protection, and staying home when feeling unwell. He emphasises that these combined measures can significantly cut the spread of colds, flu, and Covid.

The latest UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data identifies the dominant Covid variant as XFG, known as Stratus, which is associated with a shifting symptom profile. While many now experience cold-like symptoms, some also report fever or chills, persistent cough, shortness of breath, tiredness, body aches, headache, sore throat, and nasal congestion. Notably, a “razor-blade throat” sensation, marked by a particularly painful or hoarse throat, has emerged as a symptom connected with recent variants.

The rise in Covid cases has been noteworthy throughout October 2025. Recent government surveillance reports indicate hospital admissions in England reached 4.65 per 100,000 people during week 40, a sharp increase from previous weeks, with the West Midlands and the elderly population (aged 85+) experiencing the highest rates. ICU and high-dependency unit admissions also climbed, particularly in the North East region. This surge aligns with reports of record daily infection numbers, surpassing 88,000 new cases in a single day, driven by highly transmissible Omicron subvariants including Stratus and Nimbus.

NHS leaders have voiced serious concerns about the strain on hospital services, with admissions hitting unprecedented daily levels. Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation, highlighted a 40% rise in daily Covid hospitalisations over one week and called for public vigilance and uptake of vaccinations to help alleviate pressures on the healthcare system.

Although some recent data suggest a provisional decline in hospital admissions in late October, these figures are subject to revision and must be interpreted cautiously, especially considering delays between hospital admission and escalation to intensive care.

Alongside Covid, flu infections are also increasing, particularly among younger adults, raising fears of what some health analysts have termed a “quademic”—the simultaneous impacts of Covid and flu epidemics this winter—posing compounded risks to public health.

The situation underscores the need for individuals and families to take simple yet effective steps to protect themselves and their communities by maintaining good hygiene, ensuring vaccinations are up to date, and keeping essential medicines and supplies available for managing symptoms at home.

📌 Reference Map:

Paragraph 1 – ^[1] (MyLondon)
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Paragraph 5 – ^[2] (UK Health Security Agency), ^[3] (London Daily), ^[4] (World Socialist Web Site)
Paragraph 6 – ^[5] (London Daily), ^[7] (The British Eye)
Paragraph 7 – ^[6] (UK Health Security Agency), ^[7] (The British Eye)

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.mylondon.news/news/health/10-crucial-items-households-should-32758974 - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-reports-2025-to-2026-season/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-report-9-october-2025-week-41 - The UK Health Security Agency's report from 9 October 2025 indicates that COVID-19 hospital admissions in England increased to 4.65 per 100,000 people in week 40, up from 3.41 in the previous week. The highest rates were observed in the West Midlands region and among individuals aged 85 and over. ICU or HDU admissions also rose to 0.14 per 100,000, with the North East region experiencing the highest rates. These trends highlight a significant rise in COVID-19 hospitalisations across England during this period.
https://londondaily.com/uk-covid-19-cases-hit-record-high-for-second-day - On 22 October 2025, the UK reported 88,376 new COVID-19 infections, marking the highest daily total since the pandemic began. This surge is attributed to the fast-spreading Omicron variant, with concerns that even if it proves milder, it could still lead to increased hospital admissions. The Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty, warned that daily hospitalisations could reach new peaks due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/10/06/khse-o06.html - An article from the World Socialist Web Site dated 6 October 2025 discusses a new spike in COVID-19 infections in the UK, driven by Omicron subvariants 'Stratus' and 'Nimbus'. The UK Health Security Agency reported a slight increase in COVID-19 activity heading into October, with lab test positivity rising from 7.6% to 8.4% in mid-September. The article highlights the challenges in accurately gauging the true spread of infection due to limited testing and surveillance.
https://londondaily.com/nhs-leaders-alarmed-by-rise-in-hospital-admissions-as-covid-cases-hit-record - On 27 October 2025, NHS leaders expressed concern over a significant rise in COVID-19 hospital admissions, with 1,171 people admitted in a 24-hour period, setting a new daily record. The Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation, Matthew Taylor, noted a 40% increase in daily hospital admissions in England over the past week, urging the public to exercise caution and accept vaccination invitations to mitigate the impact on the NHS.
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-reports-2025-to-2026-season/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-report-23-october-2025-week-43 - The UK Health Security Agency's report from 23 October 2025 indicates that COVID-19 hospital admissions in England decreased to 3.43 per 100,000 people in week 42, down from 4.22 in the previous week. However, the report notes that these figures are provisional and subject to retrospective updates, and that ICU or HDU admission rates may be affected by lags from admission to hospital to an ICU or HDU ward.
https://www.thebritisheye.com/2025/10/surge-in-covid-flu-infections-spar/ - An article from The British Eye dated 13 October 2025 reports a surge in COVID-19 and flu infections in the UK, with health experts warning of a potential 'quademic' this winter. The UK Health Security Agency confirmed that flu infections are increasing, particularly among young adults, and that COVID-19 hospital admissions have risen, with the Stratus variant being the most prevalent lineage in recent COVID-19 samples.

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 current health advice regarding respiratory illnesses in the UK, with references to recent data up to October 2025. The earliest known publication date of similar content is October 1, 2025, from NHS North West, advising the public to stay well and use services wisely as autumn triggers illness surge. ([england.nhs.uk](https://www.england.nhs.uk/north-west/2025/10/01/nhs-north-west-urges-public-to-stay-well-and-use-services-wisely-as-autumn-triggers-illness-surge/?utm_source=openai)) The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No significant discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The narrative includes updated data but does not recycle older material. No republishing across low-quality sites or clickbait networks was identified. No earlier versions show different figures, dates, or quotes. No similar content appeared more than 7 days earlier. The update may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.

Quotes check

Score: 9

Notes: The narrative includes direct quotes from Dr. Roger Henderson, a GP and spokesperson for Olbas. The earliest known usage of these quotes is from the original report dated October 28, 2025. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, indicating potentially original or exclusive content. No variations in quote wording were found.

Source reliability

Score: 7

Notes: The narrative originates from MyLondon, a regional news outlet. While it is a known publication, it is not as widely recognised as national outlets like the BBC or Reuters. The report cites reputable organisations such as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS North West, lending credibility to the information. However, the reliance on a single source for some information may raise questions about the breadth of coverage.

Plausability check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative aligns with current health advisories regarding respiratory illnesses in the UK, with references to recent data up to October 2025. The advice to stock up on essential items is consistent with recommendations from health authorities. The inclusion of specific symptoms associated with the XFG variant (Stratus) is plausible, as the UKHSA has reported on emerging Covid variants and their symptom profiles. The rise in hospital admissions and ICU cases is supported by data from the UKHSA. The term "quademic" is used in other contexts to describe simultaneous epidemics, making its use here plausible. No significant inconsistencies or implausible claims were identified.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative provides current and relevant health advice regarding respiratory illnesses in the UK, supported by reputable sources and consistent with recent data. The use of direct quotes from Dr. Roger Henderson adds credibility, and no significant issues were identified in the freshness, originality, or plausibility of the content.

Public health
Covid-19
Flu