Covid-19: What We Know Five Years On

“What do we know about the Covid‑19 virus five years on?” from The Guardian (7th August 2025) by Rachel Hall – available by clicking here.

Key Takeaways

• Enduring Prevalence

  Five years after the pandemic began, COVID-19 remains widespread—not a benign seasonal sniffle. In the UK, official data indicates a 28% week-on-week decline in cases, but true infection rates are likely underreported as most people no longer test routinely  .

• Not Just a Winter Virus

  Contrary to expectations, COVID-19 does not follow classic seasonality. It spreads in both summer and winter, driven by rapid viral evolution—far quicker than flu—and not constrained by small environmental shifts  .

• Current Variants & Immunity

  Omicron subvariants remain dominant. The latest, NB.1.8.1, is more contagious, though vaccines still offer significant protection. Overall symptom severity has reduced, likely thanks to immunity from prior infection and vaccination  .

• Vaccinations Still Matter

  Vaccines remain important—especially for people at higher risk (such as those over 75 or immunocompromised)—but uptake has declined. Experts highlight Long Covid risks and recurrent reinfections among younger adults, who may endure multiple disruptive episodes annually.

• Lingering Health Questions

  Even after five years, COVID-19’s long-term impacts remain uncertain. Evidence suggests post-infection vulnerability to other illnesses and potential lingering effects on cardiovascular and cognitive health  . As research continues, many crucial questions still await answers.

Overall, while collective immunity has reshaped how societies manage COVID-19, the virus remains a potent and evolving threat—not yet relegated to the realm of common colds or minor seasonal ailments.