The new Covid variant - officially called Covid BA.2.86 - has caught scientists' attention because of a high number of mutations
New cases of the Pirola coronavirus variant have been confirmed in the UK and the highly mutated strain has also been found in wastewater.
Although Covid-19 cases in the UK have started to rise in recent weeks, there’s no indication that Pirola is spreading quickly and taking over, let alone being more deadly than previous variants. Covid-19 hospital admissions in England are running at their highest rate for three months, in the latest sign the virus could be becoming more prevalent – though the figures remain well below levels seen earlier this year.Admissions stood at 3.
The UKHSA has published a risk assessment on Pirola, citing in particular its “high number of mutations”. At the time, August 18, it was present in four countries, but has since spread to at least nine countries and is likely to be present elsewhere. In the UK there were previously two known cases, one in England and one in Scotland, but since then another has been also announced in England - with reports suggesting a fourth in Scotland too.
Due to the little early data, it is difficult to know much about the exact nature of Pirola, but as a precaution, the flu and Covid autumn vaccine programmes have been brought forward and will now start on September 11.
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.
Four 'Pirola' Covid key symptoms you shouldn't ignore of fast-spreading variantMedical experts say there are a few important signs you should keep an eye out for.
Read more »
New highly-mutated COVID variant ‘bears watching,' Boston doctors sayA new and rare COVID variant that is just starting to be seen here in the U.S. “bears watching” because of how many mutations it has, according to two top Boston doctors. So far, the new BA.2.86 strain, nicknamed “Pirola,” has not shown any increased transmissability, but it might be able to bypass immunity from the COVID-19 vaccine or a recent…
Read more »