Covid levels in England stabilise. Risk level remains Moderately Low at 1 in 1120. Full precautions needed in higher risk places.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 23 August 2026

Covid infection levels in England have stabilised after recent increases. Infection levels remain historically lower, with 1 in every 1120 people in England now infected as of 23 August. The BuDS overall risk level remains Moderately Low.

Other respiratory viruses, including flu, remain at low levels but are rising as we move into the autumn. Precautions against catching Covid remain sensible and proportionate in some indoor areas, but levels are still sufficiently low for them not to be needed in all indoor places.

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Covid levels in England continue to rise. Risk level remains Moderately Low at 1 in 1120. Precautions advice upgraded again.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 16 August 2026

Covid infection levels in England continue to rise, according to the latest data, and we have once again upgraded our advice about the precautions that are appropriate in different places in response to the greater infection risk.  

That said, infection levels remain historically lower, with 1 in every 1120 people in England now infected as of 16 August. The BuDS overall risk level remains Moderately Low but is likely to rise to Moderate soon. Other respiratory viruses, including flu, remain at low levels but are also showing signs of a rise. It remains sensible and proportionate to take more precautions in some places now, but there is no need for alarm.  

This update replaces the one issued on 19 August. That update included data only to 9 August, but this one uses the latest data to 16 August. Hopefully the NHS will resume its normal cycle of weekly data reporting as the holiday season ends.

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Covid levels continue to rise in England. Risk level remains Moderately Low at 1 in 1338. Precautions advice significantly upgraded.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 9 August 2026

Covid infection levels in England continue to rise as the summer lull comes to an end. We have significantly upgraded our advice about the precautions that are appropriate in different places in response to this.

That said, infection levels remain historically lower, with 1 in every 1338 people in England now infected as of 9 August. The BuDS Covid infection risk level remains Moderately Low and other respiratory viruses remain at low levels. It is sensible and proportionate to take more precautions in some places now, but there is no need for alarm.  

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Risk level remains Low at 1 in 2427. No significant increase in Covid levels. Precautions still needed in highest risk places.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 26 July 2026

Covid infection levels in England have again very slightly increased, but this bump is not significant in terms of the infection risk. The BuDS Covid infection risk level remains Low, with 1 in every 2427 people in England now infected as of 26 July. Other respiratory viruses are also at very low levels, but again there has been a very slight rise.

No Sign of a Covid Wave in England

Covid infection levels in England have bumped a little higher over the last few weeks. We continue to feel that these increases mark the end of a trough of exceptionally low levels. We do not think the data yet shows a substantive rise in Covid infection levels in England, and we see no sign of a Covid wave in any of the available data.

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Risk level remains Low at 1 in 2564. Slight but not significant increases in Covid levels. Advice around precautions unchanged.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 19 July 2026

Covid infection levels in England have again slightly increased, but the risk remains historically low. The BuDS Covid infection risk level remains Low, with 1 in every 2564 people in England now infected as of 19 July. Other respiratory viruses are also at very low levels, but again there has been a very slight rise.

No Sign of a Covid Wave in England

Covid infection levels in England have bumped a little higher over the last three weeks. However, that increase followed a period of historically very low levels. BuDS’ view remains that England has come to the end of a trough of exceptionally low levels. We do not think the data yet shows a substantive rise in Covid infection levels in England.

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Risk level remains Low at 1 in 2758. The summer lull in Covid risk continues. No sign of any Covid wave in England.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 12 July 2026

Covid infection levels in England have again bumped very slightly higher but remain historically very low. The Covid infection risk level remains Low, with 1 in every 2758 people in England now infected as of 12 July.  Other respiratory viruses are also at very low levels.

This week’s risk assessment is a little later than normal due to holiday absences. We will return to our normal schedule in week commencing 20 July.

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A graphic of a mercury thermometer showing 50 degrees Celsius, on a background of orange clouds. On the right hand side is text reading "Warning: Dangerously High Temperatures This Week. Take it seriously and stay cool. More Information Below". In the bottom right hand corner is the blue and yellow circular BuDS logo, and text below it reading "Registered Charity No: 1102511"

Extreme Weather Warning: July 2026

The Met Office and NHS have warned that temperatures across England will be dangerously high both during the day and at night over the next week. This is a genuine health risk for many people, and we urge you to take it seriously.

A heat wave can affect anyone, but the following groups are most vulnerable:

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