Omicron cases have been detected in the UK and the symptoms differ from Delta and other previous strains
There are three signs of the Omicron coronavirus variant to look out for that are different from other strains, according to health experts.
More than 40 cases of the ‘variant of concern’ have now been detected in the UK
A new study also suggests the Omicron variant, which has genetic mutations that far exceed the number on any previous variant, has “substantial” ability to cause reinfection in people who have previously had Covid-19.
Scientists are racing to work out if the new variant, first discovered in southern Africa, spreads faster, circumvents vaccines or causes worse side affects.
According to the ZOE Covid symptom study app, people who test positive for coronavirus most commonly report a headache, runny nose, sore throat and sneezing.
Dr Angelique Coetzee, chair of the South African Medical Association, said the main symptoms of Omicron to look out for are fatigue, body aches and a headache.
She described one “very interesting case” of a six-year-old girl who had “a temperature and a very high pulse rate”.
A World Health Organization (WHO) official has told the Reuters news agency that most people are not getting seriously ill, although it could still be the case.
Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, a top WHO adviser, said: “In terms of the severity profile, we have seen reports of cases with Omicron that go from mild disease all the way to severe disease.
“There is some indication that some of the patients are presenting with mild disease, but again it is early days. We do have a surveillance bias right now in terms of the cases that are being detected.
“There is also a suggestion of increased hospitalisations across South Africa, but that could be the sheer fact that we have more cases.
“If you have more cases you will have more hospitalisations.”
Meanwhile, a health director in Botswana said 16 out of 19 people infected had no symptoms, while the other three had “very, very mild” illness.