One in 50 people have Covid, almost 10,000 are in hospital - who is eligible for a booster jab?

Experts are warning not to delay getting the Covid-19 booster vaccine as new strains of the virus sweep the country. One in 50 people have coronavirus and almost 10,000 patients are in hospital with the disease, according to the latest figures published by the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

As coronavirus sees an uptick, more than 400,000 people have been identified as being at risk and could become 'seriously ill', say NHS chiefs.

The at-risk group, along with adults over the age of 65, are being invited to book their Covid-19 booster jab this week. People who have already received their invite, including those who are most vulnerable to serious illness from Covid-19 because they are either aged 65 and over, have suppressed immune systems, are pregnant, have a learning disability or another health issue, are being reminded to book in as soon as possible by the NHS. READ MORE:More than half a million people now on NHS waiting lists in Greater Manchester The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that around one in 50 people in England had Covid in the week ending September 26 – up by a quarter – with more than 9,500 patients in hospital with Covid-19.

Dr Linda Charles-Ozuzu, the Senior Responsible Officer for the Covid-19 Vaccination Programme in the North West, said: “As we prepare for a challenging winter with Covid-19 and flu infections, it is crucial everyone eligible is vaccinated to protect themselves and those around them from becoming seriously ill. “Thanks to the hard work of NHS staff, partners and volunteers, we’ve delivered more than 800,000 autumn booster vaccines in the first few weeks, which is a great start, and we’re keen to keep up the momentum and see more people