Covid infections rising again across UK - ONS

Covid infections are increasing across the UK with around one in 25 people infected, according to the latest estimates from the Office for National Statistics.

In Scotland, 300,000 people - one in 18 - have coronavirus - the highest level recorded during the pandemic.

A sub-variant of Omicron, called BA.2, is now thought to be the most common strain in most of the UK.

The ONS says it's too early to say what's behind the rise in cases.

The ONS infection survey, which tests thousands of people randomly in households across the UK, estimates that 2.6 million people would have tested positive in the week ending 5 March - up from 2.4 million the previous week.

There were also rises across the four UK nations:

Older age groups are now experiencing rising levels of infection with 2.9% of over-70s testing positive in England - the highest level since mid-January.

An extra vaccine booster is being offered this spring to people over 75, care-home residents and the most vulnerable over-12s to top up their protection.

These groups will be invited to have a jab six months after their most recent vaccination.

NHS England says the rollout will begin in April - with the exception of small numbers of extremely vulnerable people, who will be invited in late March - with no plans to bring it forward.

In Scotland, additional booster doses started being given to the most vulnerable this week.

The number of people with Covid in Scottish hospitals is at its highest level for 13 months. There were 1,636 patients in hospital on Wednesday, which is higher than the peak during the Omicron wave in January.

Health boards said that while far fewer people needed intensive care, the large numbers of Covid patients were affecting availability of beds and other services.

After falling steadily since January, official data shows hospital admissions have also been going up gradually in the rest of the UK - with England showing the most obvious rise since the end of February. In Wales, admissions are staying relatively stable.

Nearly 12,000 people are in UK hospitals with a positive test for Covid but data suggests most of those patients are being treated for something else rather than Covid-19 itself.