What is the ‘quad-demic’ – and how can you protect yourself?
Four illnesses are circulating in the UK this winter, in what has been dubbed the “quad-demic”.
Over a year since the official end of the COVID-19 pandemic, the virus is still prominent, with the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) monitoring its activity levels weekly.
The governmental department also monitors levels of flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and norovirus, which all peak at different times during the season.
It is these four that make up the “quad-demic”, which one NHS doctor said can affect everyone – including the “fit and healthy”.
What is the ‘quad-demic’?
The term “quad-demic” refers to the “four very common viral illnesses that circulate every winter in different peaks,” Dr David Lloyd, an NHS GP told Sky News Breakfast.
The risk and complication rate of people catching all four of these illnesses at once heightens at this time of the year, hence the term, he added.
It comes as weekly figures released by the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) on Thursday showed an increase of flu, RSV and norovirus.
COVID-19 was the only one where levels remained stable, but this could change week-on-week.
Data showed that RSV – which is a common cause of coughs and colds – was circulating at “medium levels”, with “increases seen in most age groups”. Hospital admissions and A&E visits caused by RSV also increased.
Flu – or influenza – activity levels increased, with a weekly mean positivity rate of 6.5%, while norovirus increased across all age groups, with adults aged 65 or over particularly affected, according to the UKHSA.
It said reports of the winter vomiting bug between 4-17 November were “almost double” the average of the past five seasons for the same two-week period.
Dr Lloyd explained that illness in winter happens more frequently because people spend more time in their houses together and socialising over Christmas.
“This is peak time so even if you are fit and healthy, your chances of catching all of these illnesses if quite high,” he said.
How can you protect yourself?
“Vaccines work against the quad-demic,” Dr Lloyd emphasised.
In fact, by getting vaccinated you halve your risk of catching any of the four illnesses, he said.
The NHS provides vaccinations against three of the four illnesses; flu, COVID-19 and, as of September this year, RSV.
The new RSV vaccine was developed as the illness can prove to be extremely dangerous for young babies and older people, especially those with heart or lung conditions, according to the NHS.
The health service said the vaccine would be a “game changer” and could typically prevent 5,000 infant hospitalisations and 2,500 adult hospitalisations.
Dr Lloyd says vaccines ‘work against the quad-demic’. Pic: iStock
Analysis of the latest NHS vaccination data showed 335 vaccinations were given for COVID, flu and RSV per minute on average from 30 September to 17 November.
This works out at around 3.4 million vaccinations a week.
In total, nearly 25 million vaccinations have been delivered for the three illnesses since rollout began in September.
Dr Lloyd added that getting only one vaccination could help protect people from other illnesses due to what is known as viral interference.
“If you have had a vaccine against one of these diseases, it is triggering your body to produce non-specific chemicals that fight viruses in general. So by having one vaccine, you are protecting yourself against others as well,” he said.
“These illnesses all occur in different peaks, so it makes sense to get the flu vaccine because that’s the one that comes earliest, that will increase your chances of being protected against the quadruple, the triple, the double and the single infection.”
How to stop the spread if you are ill?
As with any spread of germs, it is best to wash your hands with soap and water and avoid close contact with others if you are ill, the NHS advises.
If you have diarrhoea or vomiting, the NHS says not to return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped.
Dr Lloyd added that although mask wearing has “gone out of fashion”, wearing a face covering will also help prevent the spread.
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“We [the NHS] gear ourselves up for dealing with these illnesses every year and I think it is going to be tough,” he said.
“But if we all do the things that we are meant to do, which is get vaccinated and be sensible, I think we will all come through.”
The NHS advises asking for an urgent GP appointment or getting help by calling 111 if you are worried about your or a relative’s symptoms.
If symptoms become more serious, it is advised to call 999 or go to A&E.
Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan Tate have been charged with rape and other offences in the UK.
Andrew Tate, 38, faces 10 charges, including rape, actual bodily harm, human trafficking and controlling prostitution for gain, relating to three women.
His brother Tristan Tate, 36, faces 11 charges relating to one woman – including rape, actual bodily harm and human trafficking.
The charges were authorised in January 2024, but full details have only been released now.
Bedfordshire Police issued an international arrest warrant for the brothers over allegations, which they “unequivocally deny”, said to have occurred between 2012 and 2015.
The Tate brothers are facing separate allegations of trafficking minors, sexual intercourse with a minor and money laundering in Romania.
They are also accused of human trafficking and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women in a different case, which has been sent back to prosecutors.
They are due to be extradited to the UK following the conclusion of proceedings in Romania.
Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan outside a Bucharest court in January. File pic: Inquam Photos/Octav Ganea via Reuters
A Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we have authorised charges against Andrew and Tristan Tate for offences including rape, human trafficking, controlling prostitution and actual bodily harm against three women.
“These charging decisions followed receipt of a file of evidence from Bedfordshire Police.
“A European Arrest Warrant was issued in England in 2024, and as a result the Romanian courts ordered the extradition to the UK of Andrew and Tristan Tate.”
The spokesperson added: “However, the domestic criminal matters in Romania must be settled first.
“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds everyone that criminal proceedings are active, and the defendants have the right to a fair trial.
“It is extremely important that there be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
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Representatives for Andrew Tate have been contacted by Sky News for comment.
Lawyer Matt Jury, of McCue Jury & Partners, representing several alleged British victims of Andrew Tate, said: “We welcome the clarity from the Crown Prosecution Service that our authorities are working to ensure the Tates face justice here in the UK – they cannot be allowed to escape extradition.
“At the same time, we ask once more that CPS admit its mistake in failing to prosecute Tate when he lived in the UK and finally charge him for the rape and assault of the other three women, our clients, who originally filed criminal complaints against him as long ago as 2014 but were failed by the system.
“They deserve justice, too.”
The allegations were subject to a police investigation, which was closed in 2019.
Merseyside Police has been given more time to question a 53-year-old man arrested over the Liverpool parade collision.
The suspect is being held on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and drug driving after a car was driven into a crowd at Liverpool FC’s victory parade on Monday.
Police have said the extra time they have been given to question the suspect runs into Thursday.
The force believes the vehicle which struck pedestrians on Water Street had followed an ambulance crew that was attending to someone suffering a heart attack, after a road block was temporarily lifted.
Earlier, new footage emerged showing a car being driven into the crowd as panicked fans watched in horror and tried to avoid being hit.
The CCTV footage showed supporters attempting to move out of the way as the vehicle ploughed into supporters.
Cries could be heard from the crowd – before police and members of the public chased after the car.
In an update on Wednesday, Merseyside Police said it was in contact with 79 people who were injured in the crash – an increase on the 65 people who were confirmed injured in the force’s previous update.
Seven people remain in hospital in a stable condition following the collision, the force added.
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Moment car drives into crowds in Liverpool
Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson said: “I’m pleased to say that the number of people in hospital is reducing as they continue to recover from the awful incident.
“We continue to support those still receiving treatment and as part of our ongoing enquiries we are identifying more people who were injured.
“I want to reassure the public of Merseyside that detectives are making significant progress as we seek to establish the full circumstances that led to what happened.”
Water Street where the collision happened has reopened. Pic: Reuters
Pic: Reuters
DS Wilson said that “extensive CCTV enquiries” were being carried out across Liverpool to “establish the movements of the car, a Ford Galaxy, before the incident took place”.
She added: “We have already had an incredible response from many of those who were there on the day, and I thank them for their co-operation with our investigation.
“I would encourage anyone who has not yet contacted police who may have information on this incident to do so.
“An extensive investigation into the precise circumstances of the incident is ongoing, and we continue to ask people not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding the incident and refrain from sharing distressing content online.”
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Emergency service on Water Street after the collision. Pic: Reuters
It comes after Water Street was reopened to vehicles and pedestrians on Wednesday after the police cordon was lifted.
Street cleaning teams worked overnight to clear the road, which had been littered with bottles, cans and football scarves and flags.
One remaining Liverpool flag was removed from the top of a set of traffic lights by a worker wearing hi-vis.
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On Tuesday night, Liverpool manager Arne Slot decided not to attend the League Managers Association’s annual awards ceremony “in solidarity with those affected by the incident on Monday”.
Meanwhile, speaking at an awards ceremony on Tuesday, former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said the collision on Water Street “showed the two faces of life”.
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Klopp sends ‘thoughts and prayers’ to victims
He said: “The most beautiful face for a long, long time: the parade was incredible, the mood was incredible and from one second to another everything changed and we learned again there are more serious things in the world than football.
“Thoughts and prayers go to the injured people and their families as well.
“It should have been one of the greatest days in the history of the city, after a long, long time, because we didn’t have the opportunity to do it last time. I don’t know how and why it happened but we know what happened and that’s very bad.”
The heartbroken mother of a Scottish teenager who vanished three weeks ago has told Sky News she fears he could have been “picked up in a car”.
Cole Cooper, 19, was last seen by an old school friend on Wednesday 7 May in the village of Longcroft near Falkirk.
Prior to that, he was captured on CCTV a few days earlier after leaving a house party in the area.
His mum, Wendy Stewart, 42, allowed Sky News into her home as she revealed the pain her family is enduring.
Cole’s mother Wendy Stewart (L) and his aunt Aimee Tennie
Wiping away tears, Ms Stewart said: “I don’t know what’s happened. He has not been seen. Is it a possibility he has been picked up by a car?
“I don’t want to start speculating but I just want answers. Somebody please come and tell us.”
She added: “It’s total heartache. It’s just so surreal. Is this actually happening? I have been wanting to wake up and it’s just been a big nightmare.”
Pic: Police Scotland
Cole’s family say the joinery apprentice recently started up his own fencing and decking business, which was thriving.
His aunt Aimee Tennie who has arranged community searches and erected missing posters, has said he is a popular young man who enjoys karaoke.
The 32-year-old told Sky News: “He is well liked. He is well respected. He is a lovely boy. If he is out there, we want you to come home.
“We want answers. We miss you. We love you.”
Pic: Police Scotland
Pic: Family handout
Police Scotland said more than 220 properties have been visited and more than 1,000 hours of CCTV footage collected as part of the force’s efforts to find the teenager.
Specialist resources from across the country have been mobilised to help, including the police helicopter and drones from the air support unit, as well as officers from the dive and marine unit.
Ms Stewart said she would not lose hope of finding her son.
She said: “I am still praying that we get the outcome that we want which is Cole to come back home with us and to make more happy memories.”
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Cole was reported missing on Friday 9 May.
Police said he was earlier captured on CCTV in the Longcroft area at about 6am on Sunday 4 May.
The last confirmed sighting was at 8.45pm on the A803 at its intersection with Cumbernauld Road, Longcroft, on Wednesday 7 May.
Police Scotland said an incident and welfare support unit will remain in the area while extensive searches and door-to-door enquiries continue.
An online portal has also been set up to allow members of the public to submit information directly to the investigating officers.
Cole – who has links to the Denny, Cumbernauld and Paisley areas – has been described as around 5ft 10in, of medium build, with short brown hair.
He was last seen wearing a black puffer-style jacket with black jogging bottoms.
Chief Inspector Alex Hatrick said there was “a lot of work going on behind the scenes” to find the teenager.
He added: “While this may not be as visible, please be assured we are working tirelessly to find Cole.”
Speaking to Sky News, the police chief said there had been no evidence of criminality.
“This is very much a missing person enquiry,” he added.
“There’s no information to suggest that Cole’s come to any harm at this time. Our focus is very much on tracing Cole safe and well.”
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