Covid cases and hospital admissions at 'highest level in months' in UK
October 7, 2022, 7:30 pm

Covid cases and hospital admissions at 'highest level in months' in UK

Covid-19-Covid test/Pixabay

UK officials said that Covid infections and hospital admissions in the country are at their highest level in months. They warned people feeling unwell to stay away from vulnerable friends and family.

The Office for National Statistics said, data suggests about 1.3 million people, roughly one in 50, had the virus in the week up to September 26.

The number was up from 1.1 million in the previous week, The National reported.

Officials said there had been a “marked increase” in the number of cases among people over the age of 70 in England.

The estimates are based on random tests on people across the UK.

Sarah Crofts, ONS deputy director for the Covid-19 infection survey, said: "Infections have continued to increase in England, reaching levels last seen in mid-August.

UK officials said that Covid infections and hospital admissions in the country are at their highest level in months. They warned people feeling unwell to stay away from vulnerable friends and family (File photo: Pixabay)

"The rest of the UK is a mixed picture, with uncertain trends in Wales and Scotland and a recent increase in Northern Ireland.

"Amongst the over-70s there has been a marked increase in infections in England this week, a trend which we will closely monitor as the winter months progress."

The number of new cases represents the highest UK-wide total since the week to August 16.

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But it is still some way below the 3.8 million weekly infections in early July, at the peak of the wave caused by the Omicron BA.4/BA.5 subvariants of the virus.

In London, the number of beds occupied by Covid patients has risen to its highest figure in six weeks.

NHS England said that in total, 1,228 beds were occupied by people with the virus as of October 5, representing a rise of 23 per cent in a week.

Covid admissions across the UK stood at 10.8 per 100,000 people, which was up 7.5 per cent in the previous week.

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Admissions are currently highest among people aged 85 and over.

About two thirds of people with Covid are being treated for something else.

Dr Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at the UK Health Security Agency, said cases and hospital admission rates were at their "highest level in months". She said the recent increases were concerning.

With outbreaks on the rise, she asked people to help protect the most vulnerable.

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"If you are unwell, it is particularly important to avoid contact with elderly people or those who are more likely to have severe disease because of their ongoing health conditions.

She said: "If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, wearing a face covering will also help stop infections spreading."

The UK Health Security Agency said on Thursday (Oct 6), the number of outbreaks rose by 61 per cent, while the hospital admission rate also soared, climbing 45 per cent to 10.83 per 100,000 population.

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Officials said that hospital admissions were highest in the south-west of England, after increasing by 250 per cent since September.

Dr Hopkins urged residents to ensure they were up-to-date on their vaccinations and avoid contact with at-risk people if feeling ill.

Source: thenational

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.