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The latest version raising alarms is an emerging subvariant of Omicron called BA.2. Neither have currently been designated as variants of concern. There have been recent reports of people who experience symptoms like those of viral meningitis, an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord membranes. Its very likely that we will find more cases over the coming days as we are seeing in other countries globally and as we increase case detection through focused contact tracing. Over 40% of hospital admissions were in London. Download the data.xlsx. UKHSAs most recent variant technical briefing includes examination of a number of recombinant variants which have been identified in the UK, as well as updated epidemiological and genomic analysis of Omicron BA.2. Work is underway to identify any links to travel. In this analysis, the risk of hospitalisation is lower for Omicron cases with symptomatic or asymptomatic infection after 2 and 3 doses of vaccine, with an 81% (95% confidence interval 77 to 85%) reduction in the risk of hospitalisation after 3 doses compared to unvaccinated Omicron cases. The assessment suggests that Omicron is displaying a significant growth advantage over Delta, meaning that it is likely to outcompete Delta in the UK and become the dominant variant. Our data shows that getting the booster vaccine is more effective against this variant than 2 doses alone. Vaccination is critical to help us bolster our defences against this new variant please get your first, second or booster jab without delay. Check benefits and financial support you can get, Find out about the Energy Bills Support Scheme, National flu and COVID-19 surveillance report, higher risk of becoming seriously ill from respiratory infections, including COVID-19, this data should be interpreted with caution, This assessment is based on analysis of UK data, data on Omicron cases is published regularly here, Six cases of the SARS-CoV-2 variant known as B.1.1.529, Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern: variant risk assessments, Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 variants: technical briefings, Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for local government, let fresh air in if meeting others indoors, wear a face covering or a face mask, particularly if you are in crowded and enclosed spaces. While growth rates can be overestimated in early analyses of a new variant, the apparent growth advantage is currently substantial. The total number of confirmed cases in England is now 5. It is one for the scientists to watch, rather than for the public to be alarmed about at this stage. Please come forward to receive your booster as soon as possible. Francois Balloux, Professor of Computational Systems Biology and director of the UCL Genetics Institute, said that BA.1 and BA.2 "can be considered as two epidemiologically largely equivalent sub-lineages of Omicron". Two major BA.2 variant symptoms include dizziness and fatigue, as I wrote for the Deseret News. Thats why its critical that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets a PCR test immediately. The BA.2 subvariant has been referred to as stealth Omicron because it contains genetic mutations that can make it harder to distinguish from the . Our continued genomic surveillance allows us to further investigate variants that are growing within the UK. Where individuals are identified as being a possible or probable case of Omicron, their close contacts will be contacted and advised they are required to isolate for 10 days, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated or received a negative COVID-19 test result. While there is a suggestion that this wanes slightly after 15 weeks, protection in this age group remains high at over 85%. The latest Omicron SARS-CoV-2 subvariant, which scientists have labeled BA.2.12.1, is on track to become the most virulent strain in the United States currently. As set out last week, the effectiveness of all vaccines against symptomatic infection continues to be lower in all periods against Omicron compared to Delta. Runny nose/congestion. Lower back pain. Omicron BA.2 lacks the genetic deletion on the spike protein which produces S-gene target failure (SGTF) in some polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, which has been used as a proxy for Omicron cases previously. As viruses mutate often and at random, it is not unusual for small numbers of cases to arise featuring new sets of mutations. The first sequences were submitted from the Philippines, and most samples have been uploaded from Denmark (6,411). ; BA.5 sometimes gives rise to more marked symptomssometimes with digestive symptoms . The risk assessment also suggests that Omicron displays a reduction in protection offered by having had a previous infection or vaccination. Spector shared a list of symptom prevalence from people who had tested positive for COVID, most of whom were estimated to have caught BA.2, he said. Trends in SGTF over and time are however affected by the coverage of laboratories contributing to this surveillance data. Vaccination is critical to help us bolster our defences against this new variant please get your first, second or booster jab without delay. Working alongside Cambridge University MRC Biostatistics unit, UKHSA analysed 528,176 Omicron cases and 573,012 Delta cases between 22 November and 26 December to assess the risk of hospitalisation in England after testing positive for Omicron. This matches a recent study led by Oxford University and the Office for National Statistics (ONS), using data from the COVID-19 Infection Survey produced by the latter. For some more vulnerable a third dose is available. This is not an unusual occurrence and several recombinant SARS-CoV-2 variants have been identified over the course of the pandemic. There is currently insufficient evidence to draw conclusions about growth advantage or other properties of this variant. It is testament to the diligence and scientific expertise of my colleagues at UKHSA, and the genomic sequencing capacity developed through the pandemic, that this new variant has been identified and analysed so quickly. The Omicron variant of Covid-19 includes the lineages BA.1, BA.2, BA.3 and B.1.1.529. Dont include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details. XBB.1.5 remains at very low prevalence in the UK, so estimates of growth are highly uncertain. Hospital admissions are increasing, and we cannot risk the NHS being overwhelmed. Analyses of sequenced SGTF samples has indicated that until mid-November, more than 99% of these were Delta cases. The most common omicron-related symptoms are: Cough. Please take up this offer as soon as you are eligible to protect yourself, your families and your communities. UKHSA has also this week published further vaccine effectiveness data against hospitalisation following a booster dose. 8 Research published in April 2022 in The Lancet also found. These early findings should be interpreted with caution as transmission data and dynamics can fluctuate, meaning that early findings can change quickly when new variants are identified. Although there was a rapid increase in SARS-CoV-2 infections in care homes during December 2021 in line with case rises in the community, there has not been an associated increase in hospital admissions. Xi Jinping is unveiling a new deputy - why it matters, Bakhmut attacks still being repelled, says Ukraine, Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore dies at 61, The children left behind in Cuba's mass exodus, Snow, Fire and Lights: Photos of the Week. Both are variants in the Omicron family. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 99% of viral DNA submitted to the global GISAID database as of 25 January were identified as this sub-variant. You can change your cookie settings at any time. "It's important to know and recognize all of the. Protection against hospitalisation from vaccines is good against the Omicron variant. There is evidence that protection against symptomatic disease wanes after the second dose of vaccine, and then improves after the booster. Currently there are 18 UK samples in GISAID, out of a global total of 1,086; 639 samples have been uploaded from Singapore, and it is thought that XBB may be a factor in the recent spike in cases there. Until we have this evidence, we must exercise the highest level of caution in drawing conclusions about any significant risks to peoples health. In addition, UKHSA has published data which shows the detection of cases exhibiting S-gene target failure (SGTF) in recent weeks across the country. It remains vital that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets aPCRtest immediately. We have also learnt that BA.2 has a slightly higher secondary attack rate than BA.1 in households. There will be no other categorisation of variants, including no variant under investigation (VUI) category. These groups have been prioritised for booster doses since the start of the rollout in September to increase their protection. They are our best defence and we have turbocharged our rollout programme inviting 7 million more people over the age of 40 to get their booster jab so even more people get protection from this disease. It contains epidemiological data and updated analysis of COVID-19 variants currently circulating in the UK. [92] Reactions [ edit] Vaccine producers [ edit] What are the symptoms of BA.2? This is more promising data which reinforces just how important vaccines are. The five most common symptoms of Omicron are: runny nose;. As prevalence increases, its more important than ever that we all remain alert, take precautions, and ensure that were up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations, which remain our best form of defence against the virus. A preliminary assessment by UKHSA did not find a difference in vaccine effectiveness, although it said there was no data yet available on severity. In a subgroup analysis of 4,800 people who were triple-vaccinated and infected with an omicron variant, the authors found that people with BA.2 were 64 percent more likely than BA.1-infected . Even if a smaller proportion of these individuals require hospitalisation, these are still large numbers of people requiring hospital care and pressures on the NHS will increase. After 2 doses, vaccine effectiveness was 9% and 13% respectively for BA.1 and BA.2, after 25+ weeks. Since the middle of February, this growth rate has settled at approximately 75% higher than other circulating Omicron lineages in England. Those are pretty similar to what people experience with a cold or other seasonal viruses. It showed that the AstraZeneca and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines provided much lower levels of protection against symptomatic infection compared to the protection that they provide against Delta. No cases have been identified in the UK. Vaccination remains our best defence against future COVID-19 waves, so it is still as important as ever that people come take up all the doses for which they are eligible as soon as possible. Among those who had received 2 doses of Pfizer or Moderna, effectiveness dropped from around 65 to 70% down to around 10% by 20 weeks after the seconddose. This is still a very small number of cases but is being investigated carefully to understand whether it is related to travel, any other variant or whether there is evidence of spread of Omicron beginning in the community. If you develop any symptoms, isolate immediately and get a PCR test. The risk of catching or passing on COVID-19 is greatest when someone who is infected is physically close to, or sharing an enclosed or poorly ventilated space with, other people. Six cases of the SARS-CoV-2 variant known as B.1.1.529 have also been identified in Scotland, with 4 cases in the Lanarkshire area and 2 in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area. UKHSA has updated its stay at home guidance and non-household contacts guidance to reflect changes to self-isolation requirements for contacts of people who have been identified as a suspected or confirmed case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. SUMMARY : The basics of the Omicron sub-variant, the BA.5, which is currently the majority in France: BA.5 is more contagious than BA.2 (January wave), which was itself more contagious than BA.1 and even more than Delta (variant 2021). A runny nose, gastrointestinal issues, headache and a skin rash are other common signs and symptoms. A total 637 cases of XE a recombinant of Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 have been confirmed in the UK so far. An individual with Omicron is estimated to be between 31 and 45% less likely to attend A&E compared to Delta, and 50 to 70% less likely to be admitted to hospital. It has been designated a "variant under investigation" by British health authorities, meaning they are keeping a close watch on it, but are not overly concerned by it. B.1.1.529 has a large number of mutations in the gene coding for the spike protein, and also in other parts of the viral genome. It is vital that everyone over the age of 40 who is eligible for a booster jab comes forward as soon as possible to get increased protection against this new variant. According to the COVID Symptom Study, the five most common symptoms are the same: Runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing and sore throat. There will be a coprimary endpoint : Neutralizing antibody titers against the SARS-CoV-2 variant of most prominent public health interest according to pandemic evolution (among D614G, B.1.351, Omicron sub-variants BA.4-5, BQ1.1 and XBB or another recent variant) and against one of the variant targeted by the vaccines. We should all continue to test regularly with LFDs [lateral flow devices] and take a PCR [polymerase chain reaction] test if symptoms develop.". An ad blocker has likely prevented this video content from loading. There is currently no evidence of community transmission within the UK. This data shows that protection against severe illness from COVID-19 remains at over 90% in those aged 65 and over up to 14 weeks after a booster dose. Congestion. According to Baric, Omicron is the first SARS-CoV-2 variant to evolve in the context of mounting immunity in the populationthe result of vaccines and prior infection with other forms of the . The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has released variant technical briefing 50. We have now identified cases in the East Midlands, East of England, London, North East, North West, South East, South West and West Midlands. Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Advisor at UKHSA, said: This latest set of analysis once again demonstrates that a booster dose of the vaccine provides you with significant protection against hospitalisation from Omicron. This new UKHSA data on Omicron is promising while 2 doses of the vaccine arent enough, we know boosters offer significant protection against the variant and early evidence suggests this strain may be less severe than Delta. We continue to urge everyone who is eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine and booster. Fatigue. A separate UK study also found higher transmissibility for BA.2 compared to BA.1. Currently, the Omicron variant has BA.1, BA.2, BA.3, and B.1.1.529 sub-variants, of which the BA.1 was dominant a few months before, and scientists have recently warned about the BA.2 sub-variant . In its early days, the variant caused an alarming spike in COVID-19 cases in South Africathey went from 300 a day in mid-November 2021 to 3,000 a day at the end of that month. Infection rate corrected to one million infections a day. The designation was made on the basis that this sub-lineage has become increasingly common in the UK in recent months, and there is some early evidence that it may have an increased growth rate in the UK compared to Delta. What is the stealth omicron, or BA.2, variant? According to Denmark's Statens Serum Institut (SSI), BA.2 infections rose to account for about half of the country's reported Covid cases in January. We should all continue to test regularly with LFDs and take a PCR test if symptoms develop. People suffering From the Omicron BA2 variant said they had fever and body Aches. UKHSA will continue to designate new variants, and these will receive a variant number (in the format V-date-number). So far there is not enough evidence to draw conclusions about transmissibility, severity or vaccine effectiveness. Analysis by the UKHSA suggests it could be substantial, although there is a risk of over-estimating growth advantage in the early stages. Experts say BA.2 symptoms don't seem to be all that distinct from original Omicron (BA.1) or the immediately preceding Delta variant. We have now identified cases in the East Midlands, East of England, London, South East and North West. BA.2, also coined as the "stealth" variant, is a relative of Omicron's original variant, BA.1, which tore through the Australian community over Christmas and the New Year period. BA.2 is believed to be far more contagious than the earlier Omicron strain, and was blamed for a fresh surge in Denmark. There is insufficient data to make any assessment of protection against severe disease, or to assess the severity of illness caused by Omicron. Wed like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. In the most recent week of data (specimen dates from 30 November 2021 reported as of 6 December), the number of cases with SGTF has increased to 705. UKHSAs latest analysis suggests that Omicron BA.5 is growing 35.1% faster than Omicron BA.2, while Omicron BA.4 is growing approximately 19.1% faster. UKHSA analysis shows that the risk of hospital admission for an identified case with Omicron is reduced compared to a case of Delta. Well be undertaking further analysis to investigate the small rise in the number of children admitted to hospital but currently coronavirus (COVID-19) poses a very low health risk to children and infants. There are thought to be subtle differences in the symptoms that BA. Dr Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Advisor for UKHSA, said: Ongoing variant analysis is an important part of our pandemic response. Night sweats Scratchy throat Dry cough Mild muscle aches In data published by the UKHSA on January 14, they found that NHS test and trace data revealed a loss of smell or taste was reported less. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. While in the UK, the individual was in Westminster, London. 2023 BBC. New sub-lineages within Delta continue to be identified. Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at UKHSA, said: The latest set of analysis is in keeping with the encouraging signs we have already seen. To date, there have been 426 cases of Omicron BA.2 confirmed by Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), with the earliest dated 6 December 2021. Consider wearing a face covering when in crowded places. Whilst there are insufficient data to quantify either vaccine effectiveness or risk of reinfection in the UK exactly, the observed growth, case distribution and early analyses in both South Africa and the UK are consistent with some loss of immune protection against infection. BA.2.75.2 as a new variant but singled it out as an . These are potentially biologically significant mutations which may change the behaviour of the virus with regards to immune escape, transmissibility or susceptibility to treatments, but this has not been proven. The most affected local authorities are West Northamptonshire, where there are 49 confirmed cases and 68 SGTF, and Manchester, where there are 7 confirmed cases and 61 SGTF. Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at UKHSA, said: These early estimates should be treated with caution but they indicate that a few months after the second jab, there is a greater risk of catching the Omicron variant compared to Delta strain. The full document and underlying data is available on GOV.UK. The population rate of people becoming infected with Omicron after having previously contracted COVID-19 has increased sharply. And now, dizziness and fatigue are beginning to emerge as potential symptoms of the new sub-strain of Omicron, along with the original Covid symptoms. As of 20 December,132individuals with confirmed Omicron have been admitted to or transferred from emergency departments. Now more countries, particularly in Asia and Europe, are reporting an increase in cases driven by BA.2. XD has not been identified in the UK to date, though 49 cases have been reported to global databases, the majority of these are in France. We will continue to closely analyse all available biological, epidemiological and genomic evidence for any SARS-CoV-2 variant in the UK or internationally. However, vaccinated people are still less likely to get infected than unvaccinated individuals, and they are also less likely to pass it on. Of these, XD and XF are recombinants of Delta and Omicron BA.1, while XE is a recombinant of Omicron BA.1 and BA.2. This particular recombinant, XE, has shown a variable growth rate and we cannot yet confirm whether it has a true growth advantage. 2. The worst symptom is a "throat on fire," said University of California, San Francisco's Dr. Peter Chin-Hong. Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive ofUKHSA, said: We are continuing our efforts to understand the effect of this variant on transmissibility, severe disease, mortality, antibody response and vaccine efficacy. UKHSA designated variant B.1.1.529 as a variant under investigation (VUI) on Thursday 25 November. The highly transmissible Omicron variant now accounts for half of the world's infections. The Delta variant sub-lineage known as Delta AY.4.2 was designated a variant under investigation (VUI) by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on 20 October 2021 and has been given the official name VUI-21OCT-01. More evidence is needed to know whether this is due to changes in the virus behaviour or to epidemiological conditions. Dr Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at UKHSA, said: Hospitalisations always lag a few weeks behind infections, therefore it isnt surprising that we have started to see people being admitted to hospital with the Omicron variant. According to the ZOE study - conducted across Omicron and Delta waves for comparison - there are five key symptoms of the Omicron variant. Increased case detection through focused contact tracing has led to more cases of the Omicron variant being identified and confirmed, as we have seen in other countries globally. The total number of confirmed cases in England is now 29. Aside from all of the usual COVID symptoms, like a dry cough, a scratchy throat, fatigue, and muscle aches, the Stealth variant is thought to cause a few other distinct issues. In the last week, VUI-21OCT-01 accounted for approximately 6% of all Delta cases. We continue to monitor all recombinants closely, routinely through our world-leading genomic surveillance and sequencing capability. Following the change in Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advice yesterday, a booster dose for everyone over 18 years is now recommended at a minimum of 3 months from your last primary course jab. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has identified 2 further cases of COVID-19 with mutations consistent with B.1.1.529 in England, in addition to the previous 3 confirmed cases of the SARS-CoV-2 variant known as B.1.1.529 on 27 and 28 November. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published its latest COVID-19 variant technical briefing. There are small numbers of cases in the UK and this designation is intended to allow investigation into the specific properties of this variant. Its critical that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets a PCR test immediately. This will include analysing live samples of the new variant in our laboratories to investigate properties such as response to current vaccines. However, it remains too early to draw any definitive conclusions on hospital severity, and the increased transmissibility of Omicron and the rising cases in the over 60s population in England means it remains highly likely that there will be significant pressure on the NHS in coming weeks. The same happened with Omicron, which includes the lineages BA.1, BA.2, BA.3 and B.1.1.529. Added breakdown of cases by local authority to latest update. We now know that BA.2 has an increased growth rate which can be seen in all regions in England. Current guidance from NHS England is that the main symptoms of Covid continue to be a high temperature, a new continuous cough, a loss or change to your sense. The following are the symptoms of this subvariant: The most common symptom is a sore throat that causes dryness, itching, and pain in the throat Low-grade fever Runny nose Sneezing Mild to moderate fatigue Headache The best way that you can protect yourself is to come forward for your first 2 doses of vaccine, or your booster jab and do everything you can to stop onward transmission of the infection. As we learn to live safely with COVID-19, there are actions we can all take to help reduce the risk of catching COVID-19 and passing it on to others. While BA.2 appears to be more transmissible than previous variants, there is no data yet to suggest that it is any more severe. Everyone should complete a primary course as soon as possible for most this will be a first and second dose. This is consistent with analysis published yesterday by Imperial College London and the University of Edinburgh. As always, the booster vaccine remains the best protection against infection. Please take up this offer as soon as you are eligible to protect yourself, your families and your communities. As of May 2022, BA.2.12.1 was spreading in the US and two new subvariants of Omicron named BA.4 and BA.5, first detected in January 2022, spread in South Africa. The new strain has several key mutations, with the most important of those occurring in the spike protein that studs the outside of the virus. Dr Meera Chand, UKHSA Director of Clinical an Emerging Infection, said: We continue to monitor the emergence of new variants and give them variant designations if they are sufficiently distinct to warrant separate epidemiological and laboratory assessment.