Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 1 February 2026

Articles in Covid-19

Covid remains stable at lower levels. Covid risk falls to Moderate at 1 in 497. Flu levels elevated, but falling fast.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 1 February 2026

February 3, 2026February 3, 2026 Ben Clark

Covid infection levels in England have remained stable at historically lower levels in the last week. Reported influenza (flu) levels continue to fall fast, but have not yet returned to baseline levels.

The Palace of Westminster seen from Westminster Bridge against a blue evening sky. In the foreground are coloured motion blurs of moving traffic

BuDS’ View On Using The Parliament Act To Salvage The Assisted Suicide Bill

January 30, 2026January 30, 2026 Ben Clark

BuDS roundly condemns the unprecedented and extraordinary threat to use the Parliament Act to bypass the House of Lords and force the Assisted Dying/Suicide Bill through Parliament. Such important legislation must not be railroaded in this way. We call on Kim Leadbeater MP and Lord Falconer, the sponsors of this Bill, to abandon this outrageous and unworkable idea.

BuDS also condemns the underhand methods used to bring this Bill before Parliament and prevent a proper national debate about the difficult and sensitive issue of assisted dying/suicide.

We call on politicians of all parties to recognise this Bill has reached the end of its life, and to step back so that a careful and well-informed national conversation about assisted dying/suicide can take place in the future.

A woman wearing a white shirt and grey jacket talks to a woman wearing white, who's back is facing the camera. In the background is a medical bed set against a light yellow wall.

Health Information versus Medical Advice

January 22, 2026January 22, 2026 Ben Clark

Health Information

BuDS Disability Service provides general non-personalised Health Information and Advice, that is to say general information and advice about health and health-related issues, including public health and health education information and advice.

We do this by publishing information on our websites and on social media platforms for the public to read. We use only reputable academic and official sources and take great care to ensure that we provide accurate information and advice. We also take care to present information in an accessible way, so everyone can understand it. We welcome feedback about all our publications, and you can give it using the form below.

Covid stabilises at lower levels. Covid risk Moderately High at 1 in 446. Flu levels higher, but falling fast.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 18 January 2026

January 20, 2026January 20, 2026 Ben Clark

Some good news: Covid infection levels in England have stabilised at historically lower levels, but are slowly edging up. Reported influenza (flu) levels continue to fall fast and, though flu is currently still at higher levels, the winter wave seen in December is now coming to an end.

Covid levels remain historically lower. Covid risk remains Moderately High. Data uncertain due to holiday period.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 04 January 2026

January 7, 2026January 7, 2026 Ben Clark

Covid infection levels in England seem to have remained at historically lower levels over the last week. Reported influenza (flu) levels have also remained at high levels in the last week. These are tentative conclusions, as the data may be incomplete.

A BuDS event volunteer holding a cup of coffee and talking to an Asian male. A historic building is visible in the background. This image has been digitally edited for clarity.

BuDS Annual Meeting 2025

January 3, 2026February 2, 2026 Ben Clark

The BuDS Annual General Meeting for 2025 was held online using Microsoft Teams on 24 January 2026 at 1:30pm.

No significant rise in Covid levels. Covid risk remains Moderately High. Data uncertain due to holiday period.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 28 December 2025

December 31, 2025December 31, 2025 Ben Clark

While data issues make the picture uncertain, Covid infection levels in England do not seem to have significantly increased since 14 December, and they may have fallen. For the present, we are maintaining our Covid risk level at Moderately High.

Reported influenza (flu) levels have also fallen significantly, although again there are data issues.

Covid levels rise significantly. Covid risk approaches High. New B.A.3.2 variant spreading fast.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 14 December 2025

December 16, 2025December 16, 2025 Ben Clark

Worryingly, Covid infection levels in England have risen significantly in the last week. We are once again advising strict precautions against catching Covid in all but the lowest risk venues. Around 1 in every 242 people in England were infected as of 14 December, and the risk level is now approaching High.

At the same time, influenza (flu) levels have continued to climb.

Covid levels slightly higher. Covid risk edges up to Moderately High. Flu levels high and still climbing fast.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 07 December 2025

December 10, 2025December 10, 2025 Ben Clark

Covid infection levels in England rose slightly last week, after falling previously to their lowest level since 2021. With around 1 in every 386 people in England infected as of 7 December, we have reverted to a Moderately High risk level.

Covid risk lowest since 2021 Covid falls again to 1 in 499 – Moderate risk. Flu levels still high, and climbing fast.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 30 November 2025

December 3, 2025December 3, 2025 Ben Clark

More good news about Covid this week, as infection levels in England fall slightly. For the first time since 2021, we have lowered the risk level to Moderate, as around 1 in every 499 people in England were infected as of 30 November.

Influenza (flu) cases continue to sharply increase, and it is clear that the flu season this year will be as bad as it was last year. Remember, the same precautions we recommend for Covid will keep you safe from flu. It is not too late to get vaccinated against flu, and we strongly recommend that you do so if you haven’t already.