A map has revealed the worst-hit regions for Covid-19 in the UK amid fears of a fourth wave kicking off in august.
New figures from the ZOE Health Study show there are around 176,090 new cases across the nation - a sharp rise of 72% compared to last month.
In total, 2,116,791 Brits are estimated to currently have symptomatic Covid.
Derbyshire topped the list of regions for the highest number of active cases at 50,655, according to the health project's app, followed by Leeds at 45,138 and Glasgow City at 44,831.
Other areas that come within the top ten include Essex, Cambridgeshire, Worcestershire, Manchester, Hertfordshire, Kirklees in West Yorkshire and Lancashire.
Scroll down to the list below for a full breakdown of the UK's Covid hotspots.
The figures come as fears are raised among the medical community over the approaching colder weather pushing up the number of infections.
The most common symptom is still a sore throat, which affects two thirds of positive cases, but fever and loss of smell are now much rarer, affecting less than one in six.
Hospital admissions have jumped by almost double in a week, with a total of 7,024 people with coronavirus in hospital as of 8am on September 28, according to NHS England.
The number is half the 14,000 in mid-July at the peak of the wave of infections caused by the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of the virus.
And recent data from the ZOE Health Study suggests an average of one in 32 people in the UK were likely to have symptomatic Covid-19 at the start of this week.
Professor Tim Spector, scientific co-founder of ZOE, said: “It’s clear from ZOE Health Study data that we’re now seeing an autumn wave of Covid-19, combined with increases in hospital admissions.
"We are already at rates last seen in the June wave.
"With rates on the rise, especially in the vulnerable elderly age groups, the impact on hospitalisations could be higher.
"However, the youngest age group are showing possible early signs of case numbers slowing.
"Children tend to be a leader of infection trends, so if this continues next week it is possible that the Covid wave might not be as bad as previously predicted."
Earlier this week, the UK Health Safety Authority (UKHSA) urged the 30million people eligible for a free flu and Covid booster to take it up to avoid overpowering the NHS.
Prof Spector added: "We are likely to be hit with a combination of viruses.
"With the increase in colds and rhinovirus, as well as Covid-19, and the likelihood of a major seasonal flu epidemic, it’s especially important to keep vulnerable people properly protected.
"I advise everyone eligible to get the latest autumn Covid-19 booster as well as the flu jab to provide protection from serious illness and hospitalisation, and to avoid poorly ventilated areas without FFP mask protection."
Experts are particularly concerned about the spread of the flu virus this winter, as fewer people have built up the necessary immunity to the disease after a few winters of socialising less due to the pandemic.
The NHS has updated its guidance to suggest that all over-50s be offered a further dose of the Covid-19 booster and a flu vaccine this autumn, as they are among those most at risk.
Dr Susan Hopkins, chief medical advisor at UKHSA, said: “Flu and Covid-19 are unpredictable but there are strong indications we could be facing the threat of widely circulating flu, lower levels of natural immunity due to less exposure over the last three winters and an increase in Covid-19 circulating with lots of variants that can evade the immune response.
“This combination poses a serious risk to our health, particularly those in high-risk groups.
"The H3N2 flu strain can cause particularly severe illness.
"If you are elderly or vulnerable because of other conditions you are at greater risk, so getting the flu jab is a sensible, potentially life-saving thing to do."
In the year 2017/2018, 22,000 people died of influenza in England, which represented the highest death toll in recent years. Nearly 2,000 of those who died of the disease were aged 60 and over.
Those eligible for a Covid booster and a flu vaccine this year also include unpaid carers, residents of older adult care homes, health and social care staff and household contacts of people with weakened immune systems.
Charity director of Age UK Caroline Abrahams said: "Speaking as someone who has already had the double jab, because my GP surgery was in the vanguard, my advice to older people is please do take up the offer of the Covid-19 booster and a flu jab when it comes your way.
"Millions of older people took the opportunity of having the spring booster, so we are urging everyone to do the same this autumn.
"It's perfectly safe to have them together, and often more convenient too - I chose to do it that way so I wouldn't have to go back. However, you are offered the choice of having them singly or together when you attend.
"So, whenever you are called for vaccination please do accept - you'll be doing yourself some good and helping to protect everyone else you come into contact with too."
Image:
Getty Images)Where are the UK's Covid hotspots?
Top 10 areas for highest number of people with Covid around the UK, according to estimated number of active cases:
Top 10 areas for highest number of people with Covid around the UK, according to estimated number of active cases per million people:
