Omicron: GP explains ‘overwhelming’ science behind vaccines
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Omicron XE is a recombinant strain of coronavirus, meaning it is a mutant hybrid of previous versions. The latest variant to be detected by the World Health Organisation (WHO) is a combination of two previous versions of the Omicron variant – BA.1 and BA.2.
According to reports, the new variant is 10 percent more transmissible than the BA.2 subvariant, which is already the most contagious.
Currently, XE only accounts for a small number of cases, however, scientists have warned it could become the dominant strain in the near future due to its high transmissibility.
The latest report from the WHO, issued on March 31, 2022, states: “The XE recombinant (BA.1-BA.2), was first detected in the UK on January 19 and less than 600 sequences have been reported and confirmed since.
“Early-day estimates indicate a community growth rate advantage of 10 percent as compared to BA.2, however, this finding requires further confirmation.”
However, the global health body noted there were “significant differences in transmission and disease characteristics, including severity”.
So, what symptoms should people look out for?
As the new strain is still under close monitoring, not much is known about it.
The WHO report states: “WHO continues to closely monitor and assess the public health risk associated with recombinant variants, alongside other SARS-CoV-2 variants, and will provide updates as further evidence becomes available.”
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However, given that it is a mutation of two strains of Omicron, many of the symptoms are likely to be similar.
Speaking previously about Omicron BA.2, Dr Erica Johnson, an internal medicine physician at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore who chairs the Infectious Disease Board of the American Board of Internal Medicine, said the variant’s symptoms were “really similar to the original omicron variant”.
The primary symptoms of a mild BA.1 and BA.2 infection are a cough, fever, fatigue and possible loss of taste or smell.
Some patients also noted a runny nose, gastrointestinal issues, headache and a skin rash.
Many of the symptoms of omicron, and likely of the new XE variant, are a lot like a common cold.
Therefore, many people may mistake a Covid infection for a cold.
Free lateral flow and PCR tests are now no longer free in the UK, so unless people want to fork out for a test, many people may remain in the dark about what their symptoms are.
A number of pharmacies across the UK are now selling lateral flows for those who are concerned.
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Lloyds Pharmacy, for example, is selling single tests for £1.89 or a pack of five for £9.29.
The chain is also offering a range of PCR and lateral flow in-store and at-home testing services starting from £12.99.
Boots is also offering lateral flow test kits at a cost of £2 for one test or £9.80 for a pack of five.
From today, Tesco Pharmacy has also confirmed it will be seeing lateral flow test kits in 1,500 stores across the UK, with prices starting at £2.
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