Omicron: GP explains ‘overwhelming’ science behind vaccines
Health bodies have issued a warning as data shows a new Covid variant has been spreading quickly across the UK.
The EG.1.5 strain, which has mutated from Omicron, now accounts for 14.6 percent of all coronavirus cases in the region.
This makes it the second most prevalent form of Covid currently, despite only being classified as a variant in the UK on July 31.
The latest data shows it already makes up one in every seven new cases of COVID-19.
This is up from the week beginning July 10, when one in nine cases were linked to EG.5.1 – also known as Eris.
READ MORE Doctor shares most common Covid symptoms as UK sees cases rise
Experts at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have been closely monitoring the strain since it arrived in the UK, following reports of it spreading throughout Asia.
It is thought the rise of the strain in the UK could account for the recent rise in overall Covid cases and hospitalisations.
This week, COVID-19 accounted for 5.4 percent of 4,396 respiratory cases, Sky News reported.
In the week prior the disease was responsible for 3.7 percent of 4,403 respiratory cases.
Figures from the UKHSA also showed the hospital admission rate for Covid was 1.97 per 100,000 of the population, up from 1.17 per 100,000 in the previous reporting period.
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The latest data also shows the COVID-19 hospital admission rate was 1.97 per 100,000 population, an increase from 1.17 per 100,000 in the previous UKHSA report.
In an update, Doctor Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at the UKHSA, said: “We have also seen a small rise in hospital admission rates in most age groups, particularly among the elderly.
“Overall levels of admission still remain extremely low and we are not currently seeing a similar increase in ICU admissions.
“We will continue to monitor these rates closely.”
The XBB.1.16 variant, known as Arcturus – is still currently the most dominant strain, UKHSA figures show, accounting for 39.4 percent of all cases.
Scientists at the World Health Organisation (WHO) officially started tracking the EG.5.1 variant a few weeks ago.
At a virtual press conference on July 19, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: “WHO continues to advise people at high risk to wear a mask in crowded places, to get boosters when recommended, and to ensure adequate ventilation indoors.
“And we urge governments to maintain and not dismantle the systems they built for COVID-19.”
Symptoms of Eris
No official reports have stated any symptoms specific to the Eris strain as of yet.
The Times of India has noted “no major change” in symptoms compared to earlier waves, however, it reported health officials in affected countries are encouraging people to take a Covid test “immediately” after experiencing symptoms such as headache, fever and runny nose.
And news outlets in Thailand, where the strain has been prevalent, are reporting “predominantly mild symptoms”.
Eris is a strain of Omicron. According to the ZOE Health Study, which has been tracking Covid symptoms in the UK, the five most common symptoms of Omicron are:
- Runny nose
- Headache
- Fatigue (mild or severe)
- Sneezing
- Sore throat.
If you think you have Covid or test positive for the disease the NHS recommends staying home and avoiding contact with others.
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