'As the virus spreads, it may change and become harder to stop'
A new Covid variant, FLiRT, is causing alarm as it rapidly spreads across the UK, with cases skyrocketing.
The UK has been grappling with the JN. 1 sub variations circulating. The UKHSA reports that KP. 2, among others, is one such variant identified in Britain.Christina Pagel, Professor at University College London, stated: "I think we are the start of a Covid wave driven by the FLiRT variants which are quite likely to be at about 50 per cent of total infections now."
There's also a stark warning from them that reads: "As the virus spreads, it may change and become harder to stop." For those concerned, symptom recognition of these FLiRT variants can be difficult as they bear such a close resemblance to typical flu symptoms. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, emphasised the importance of seeking antiviral treatments to the Washington Post: "The key thing to remember is that if you are a high-risk person, these types of variants pose an infection risk," and added, "And if you have risk factors for severe disease, it's important for you to be up to date on vaccines and to have plans to procure Paxlovid if you become sick.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Latest full list of Covid symptoms as new FLiRT variants hits the UKAccording to the UK Health Security Agency there has been a sharp increase in Covid cases week on week
Read more »
Full list of Covid symptoms to know as new FLiRT variants hit UKExperts fear the strains have become dominant following a rise in cases.
Read more »
What to Know About the ‘FLiRT’ Variants of COVID-19A COVID-19 test and a mask are displayed at a home in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 5, 2024.
Read more »
Why the new FLiRT group of variants is expected to bring a new wave of CovidScientists are divided on how big an effect the new variants will have following four months of the lowest infection levels seen for three years
Read more »
Covid on the rise again as new FLiRT variants become dominant strainNew subvariants, known individually as KP.2 and KP.3 have seen their share of UK infections double in a fortnight
Read more »
There's a new set of COVID variants called FLiRT: what you need to knowThe virus behind COVID has mutated again, this time producing variants nicknamed FLiRT, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported.
Read more »