Covid and the autumn booster drive in Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire

Luton and Milton Keynes ICB chief medical director Dr Sarah Whiteman said the number of Covid cases were rising locally

Hospitals are once again bracing themselves for a spike in flu and Covid-19 admissions over the winter period.

People in vulnerable groups are being urged to accept a booster vaccine and staff at Milton Keynes University Hospital are already receiving their jab.

How are these health professionals feeling about a slight spike in the latest Covid variant?

How many Covid cases are in Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire?

Dr Hameed Alshakaty received his booster jab on Monday at Milton Keynes University Hospital

It is much harder to gauge Covid cases compared with during the height of the pandemic since the NHS withdrew its test and trace service in 2022.

However, the NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board is aware of 40 cases reported over the last two weeks.

ICB chief medical director Dr Sarah Whiteman told the BBC: "Informally, I can say we are definitely hearing of more cases and our local hospitals are seeing more."

She said calls to NHS 111 about Covid were increasing.

Meanwhile, Milton Keynes hospital had 14 inpatients testing positive and between 25 and 30 staff members on sick leave with Covid.

What are the Covid symptoms now?

The national spike in hospital admissions has been linked to the emergence of the BA.2.86 off-spin of the Omicron variant.

Dr Whiteman said symptoms being reported included a headache, fatigue, a cough, sore throat and a runny nose.

Who needs a Covid booster vaccine?

The jab is available free on the NHS for:

• People aged over 65

• People aged six months to 64 in a clinical risk group

• Frontline health and social care workers

• Some people aged 12 to 64 who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression

• Some people aged 16 to 64 years who are carers

Nick Beason, the chief pharmacy technician at the hospital, said: "It's quite worrying as we head towards winter that it could be on the rise again so the important thing is for people to get their vaccine done.

"Think about the wider community, your family and our patients."

What are the side effects of the Covid booster jab?

Nick Beason, chief pharmacy technician at Milton Keynes University Hospital, said people should consider the "wider community"

Dr Hameed Alshakaty, a medical consultant who looks after Covid patients, said mild joint pain and a mild fever was typical.

"After two days it will be all right and that's when it gives protection of about one year, which is very good," said Dr Alshakaty.

The NHS says a sore arm from the injection, a headache, tiredness and feeling or being sick are also reported.

How concerned is the hospital about Covid?

Dr Hameed Alshakaty said he contracted Covid in 2020 and 2021, but had not since receiving his first vaccine

Dr Whiteman said: "We're very open minded as to the severity and possible severity of this particular strain and future strains because we just don't know what's going to happen."

Hospital chief executive Joe Harrison added: "The weather is very clearly helping us - the weather is warm outside; people are staying outside; playing outside; and therefore we're not seeing as many patients as we might expect at this time."

What is Milton Keynes University Hospital doing to prepare for Covid and the flu season?

Hospital chief executive Joe Harrison said strike action by doctors had increased pressure on services

"We have made some good plans for winter," said Dr Whiteman.

She said technology would be increasingly used to help discharge patients quickly and keep them out of hospital, and that pandemic hygiene measures would be encouraged.

• Listen: Hospital chief executive Joe Harrison on Covid and the flu season

Mr Harrison said industrial action taken by junior doctors and consultants had increased the backlog of planned surgery.

He added: "Our main concern here is making sure that we look after both those patients that need their emergency care when they come to the emergency department and also those who have planned operations."