New Covid symptom strikes as wave hits UK

A new surge in Covid-19 infections in the UK is being driven by inadequate testing and the rise of a little-known new symptom.

The most common Covid symptoms plaguing Brits have changed, experts have warned.

It comes as a spike in cases has led some experts to warn the UK is on the brink of a “devastating” new wave over the northern hemisphere winter.

Covid-19 infections in the UK have risen 72 per cent since last month, according to the latest figures by the ZOE app, as reported by The Sun.

There are currently an estimated 176,090 new daily symptomatic cases in the UK, while the Office for National Statistics Infection Survey suggests around one million people are currently infected.

And where once a fever and loss of taste or smell were early warning signs of the virus, the symptom tracking app has revealed the most common symptoms have changed.

Now, a sore throat is the most common sign of Covid.

Stream the latest news on Covid-19 with Flash. 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer ends October 31, 2022 >

The Omicron strain has been found to be milder than previous strains.

Professor Tim Spector, co-founder of the Covid ZOE app, which monitors people’s symptoms in the UK, told The Independent many people are still using the government guidelines about symptoms “which are wrong”.

“At the moment, Covid starts in two-thirds of people with a sore throat.

“Fever and loss of smell are really rare now – so many old people may not think they’ve got Covid.

“They’d say it’s a cold and not be tested,” he said.

Prof Spector also said early data showed new subvariants of Omicron were becoming immune-evasive and could cause the UK “real problems” as winter approaches with the National Health Service (NHS) “already on its knees”.

The Office for National Statistics Infection Survey suggests around one million Brits are currently infected. Picture: Lhr Airports Limited/AFP

University of Warwick virologist Professor Lawrence Young also said that two Omicron subvariants – BA.2.75.2 derived from BA.2, and BQ1.1 derived from BA.5 – were showing signs of being able to escape the immune system.

However, studies have found the Omicron strain is milder than others that came before it.

“What we’re finding is the virus is evolving around the immunity that’s been built up through vaccines and countless infections people have had,” Prof Young said.

He also warned that the downscaling of Covid testing means the UK is “blind” to the behaviour of new potential variants of concern.

Since April 2022, most people in England have to pay around £2 ($A3.50) for a test to see if they have the virus.

“We’ve really taken our eye off the ball with Covid tests,” he said.

“We can only detect variants or know what’s coming by doing sequencing from PCR testing, and that’s not going on anywhere near the extent it was a year ago.”

The expert urged people to get their booster jabs, noting that the new updated “bivalent” vaccine boosters tackle multiple variants – which is “key to preventing a devastating wave”.

Covid-19 infections in the UK have risen 72 per cent since last month. Picture: Justin Tallis/AFP

Meanwhile, the Government has also called for millions of Brits to get Covid and flu vaccines before a winter “twindemic” virus surge.

The UK Health Security Agency said more than 30 million people are eligible for one or both jabs.

NHS director of vaccinations and screening Steve Russell said: “The vaccine is still our best protection against this difficult virus and with the number of patients in hospital with Covid-19 on the rise once again.

“I urge anyone eligible for the autumn booster to book their latest dose without delay through the NHS website or by calling 119, and help protect yourself and your loved ones this winter.”

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission