Warning as new Covid strains set to sweep through UK

Health officials have issued fresh warnings ahead of a potential winter peak in Covid cases. It comes as two new coronavirus ^[1] strains are set to sweep through the UK.

Brits have been urged to “remain vigilant” over the latest Covid strains as doctors identify a new descendant of the Pirola variant known as JN.1. The new strain has been found across the UK, US, Iceland, Portugal and Spain. Experts have warned it is also spreading rapidly through France.

The second is an Omicron spin-off called HV.1 which is said to be “more transmissible” and immune evasive. It is already the dominant strain in the US. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are “still learning” about JN.1 and are investigating how it carries mutations that could help it avoid being picked up by the immune system

Dr Chris Papadopoulos, Principal Lecturer in Public Health at the University of Bedfordshire, said people need to look out for the symptoms for both strains. He explained that those who have contracted the HV.1 strain may experience fever, coughing, tiredness, nasal congestion or a runny nose.

READ:NHS worker demands answers after blaming constant pain on Covid booster ^[2] | Christine White has been off work for 10 months

READ: Newcastle in England’s top 10 for covid cases | Rate per 100,000 is over double the national average^[3]

Dr Papadopoulos added that the JN.1 also has the same indicators but those infected with the strain might also endure headaches and diarrhoea, reports the Mirror.^[4] “There’s no evidence yet of new or unique symptoms linked to these variants,” he said. “It’s essential for everyone, especially those at higher risk, to be observant of the symptoms we are aware of.”

According to the NHS, if you experience a high temperature or do not feel well enough to go to work, school, childcare, or do normal activities, you should attempt to stay at home until you perk up and get plenty of rest. For people deemed high risk, rapid lateral flow tests should be kept at home.

Full list of symptoms of the new coronavirus strains:

JN.1:

Fever
Coughing
Tiredness
Nasal congestion
Runny nose
Diarrhoea
Headaches

HV.1:

Fever
Coughing
Tiredness
Nasal congestion
Runny nose

References

^{^} coronavirus (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^{^} NHS worker demands answers after blaming constant pain on Covid booster (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^{^} Newcastle in England’s top 10 for covid cases (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^{^} Mirror. (www.mirror.co.uk)
^{^} Sign up to our main daily newsletter here and get all the latest news straight to your inbox for FREE (data.reachplc.com)