More than 8,000 people in hospital with Covid in UK

Figure highest for almost six months leading to fears of resurgence in virus' ability to cause serious illness

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More than 8,000 people in the UK were in hospital with Covid on Wednesday - the highest figure for nearly six months - leading to fears of a resurgence in the virus' ability to cause serious illness and death among the population.

In countries with high rates of vaccination, such as the UK, fewer people are predicted to become ill enough to require hospital treatment, even if infection rates remain high. But the latest figures show the highest number of patients on wards since 10 March.