Call for everyone to get jab after American Covid sees 28 deaths in UK in a week

A pharmacist is urging people to get vaccinated and stem the spread of a new infectious strain of the Covid virus which has emerged in the UK after outbreaks in the US. Cases of XFG - dubbed the Stratus or “American Covid” strain, are rising - as 950 Covid hospital admissions were reported in England in August, rising to 4,939 in September, a near five-fold rise.

Most recent figures have also reported 28 Covid deaths in England in the latest week - up nine on the week before. XFG and its sub-lineages now account for almost half of sequenced samples in the latest UKHSA data.

The UKHSA says there has been a 34.6% increase in Covid cases week on week, but just 59.3% of people have accepted their Covid booster jab.

Experts say symptoms remain broadly similar to previous Covid variants, although some people infected with newer variants have reported hoarseness and a particularly painful sore throat. Wendy Lee, deputy superintendent at Well Pharmacy, is urging people to take action before they become unwell by checking their eligibility for a Covid vaccination as cases continue to rise.

Care home residents, elderly patients aged 75 or older and immunosuppressed people are eligible for a free NHS covid jab from their local pharmacy, but Wendy is urging all Brits to get vaccinated. Wendy said: “While the Covid vaccine cannot guarantee that you won't catch the virus, it remains an important layer of protection against serious illness and hospitalisation.

“Protection against infection can be more limited and tends to wane over time, which is why eligible people should take up the latest vaccination when offered. With new variants continuing to emerge, keeping your vaccination up to date is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of becoming seriously unwell.”

The latest resurgence comes more than six years after millions of Brits were forced to stay indoors and work from home during the nationwide lockdowns of the global pandemic.

In the US, Covid case numbers are continuing to rise in 19 states, with New York, Washington Chicago and Boston all reporting an increase in infection numbers. Reported cases in England are also on the rise with a reported 28.6 percent increase in a week, reaching 1,364 in the seven days to 23 September 2026.

In Wales, as of September 27, there were 134 confirmed cases and 23 people in hospital, up from just one person the week previous. In Scotland, as of September 20, there were 197 confirmed cases and 70 hospital admissions. XFG variants are accounting for a substantial proportion of these sequenced COVID infections.

Wendy is advising people to be mindful of the signs and symptoms of XFG. Wendy said: “Covid is a respiratory infection like the cold and flu.