New Eris Covid variant is fast-spreading across the UK, find out how badly your town is affected

As the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the new Eris strain of Covid a ‘variant of interest’, British health authorities fear another pandemic ahead of the fast-approaching colder time of the year.

They have revealed the main symptoms of the disease and although the risk of the new pandemic is still assessed as low, too little is known about the new Eris strain and it could still drive a higher number of cases than other variants.

Official government data shows that the Lower Tier Local Authorities (LTLA) in England have recorded the most Covid infections lately.

These are the towns that have been most impacted, find out how the matters stand where you live.

UK towns most affected by new Eris Covid variant

Data shows that South Hams has the highest Covid case rate per 100,000 people in the whole of England. There have been a total of 19 confirmed infections there between July 22 to July 29, 2023.

In Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the number of confirmed Covid cases stands at 71, making it the place with the highest number of recorded incidents in England.

This is the full list of the towns most impacted by the disease:

1. Cornwall and Isles of Scilly - 71 total cases
2. Wiltshire - 58 total cases
3. Stockport - 46 total cases
4. Sefton - 33 total cases
5. Salford - 31 total cases
6. Trafford - 28 total cases
7. South Somerset - 25 total cases
8. North Somerset - 24 total cases
9. Knowsley - 20 total cases

While the number of people testing positive for Covid in England has shot up by 27.8% and there has been a spike in hospital admissions related to the disease in the last week of July, there was no increase in deaths.

The government data shows that the number of patients admitted in England has risen by 40.7%.

Read more:

⋙ Covid-19: Is the new Eris variant dangerous?

⋙ Covid-19: WHO confirms Eris strain as a 'variant of interest' and it could cause the next wave

Is Eris more infectious than other variants?

Eris, scientifically known as EG.5.1, is related to Omicron.

The WHO stated:

While EG.5.1 has shown increased prevalence, growth advantage, and immune escape properties, there have been no reported changes in disease severity to date.

Dr Meera Chand, the deputy director of UKHSA (UK's Health Security Agency) commented:

Vaccination remains our best defence against future COVID-19 waves.

So it is still as important as ever that people come to take up all the doses for which they are eligible as soon as possible.

According to the NHS, if you are at increased risk of getting seriously ill from Covid-19, you will be contacted for a seasonal COVID-19 vaccine in autumn 2023.

A jab will give you good protection from becoming seriously ill or needing to go to hospital if you catch it.

Keep in mind that from autumn, Covid boosters will no longer be offered to healthy people aged 50 to 64.

Read more:

⋙ Covid-19: As Eris variant is on the rise, doctors reveal the main symptoms to watch for

⋙ New Covid-19 'Eris' variant is spreading amongst Brits, here is how worried you should be

Sources used:

- Express: 'The UK towns with the most Covid cases as new variant Eris becomes dominant'