Its critical that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets a PCR test immediately. The breakdown of cases by local authority is: The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has identified 9 further cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) with mutations consistent with B.1.1.529 in England, in addition to the previous 13 confirmed cases of the SARS-CoV-2 variant known as B.1.1.529. Omicron BA2 symptoms include taste loss. The study also showed evidence to suggest that the BA.2 sub-variant is better able to evade vaccines. There can be several reasons for growth advantage, but in the case of BA.4 and BA.5, laboratory data suggests a degree of immune escape which is likely to contribute. It is never too late to come forward for your first dose and its vital that everyone comes forward to get boosted now as we head into the new year. It contains epidemiological data and updated analysis of COVID-19 variants currently circulating in the UK. UKHSAs new analysis examines 3 recombinants, known as XF, XE, and XD. As we cautiously return to Plan A, I encourage you to give yourself and your loved ones the best protection possible and Get Boosted Now. Hospital admissions are increasing, and we cannot risk the NHS being overwhelmed. When combined with VE against symptomatic disease, the reduced risk of hospitalisation climbed to 92% 2 to 4 weeks after a third dose of the vaccine, down to 83% after 10 weeks or more. Our data also show that 17.5 per cent of people aged 75 years and over have not had a vaccine within the past six months, putting them more at risk of severe disease. A further case has been identified in Scotland, bringing the total to 10. 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. The BA.2 subvariant of Omicron, or the "stealth" variant, has been outcompeting the previously dominant BA.1 subvariant in several countries. XBB.1.5 remains at very low prevalence in the UK, so estimates of growth are highly uncertain. Omicron sublineages BQ.1 and XBB have been given UKHSA variant designations to facilitate continued studies. There is still uncertainty around the significance of the changes to the viral genome, and further analyses will now be undertaken. [92] Reactions [ edit] Vaccine producers [ edit] What are the most common symptoms of Omicron BA.2? UKHSA Chief Executive, Jenny Harries said: I want to thank everyone who has been working globally and locally to help us act incredibly quickly in response to the Omicron variant. Fatigue. A preliminary assessment by UKHSA did not find a difference in vaccine effectiveness, although it said there was no data yet available on severity. Delta and Omicron Cases are being eclipsed by BA2 Variant rapidly. Lower back pain. Updated analysisshows theadditional incremental benefit from each vaccine exposureincluding for boosters, even in those who have had prior infection. Studies of contacts show that Omicron is transmitting more effectively than Delta. Although hospitalisations and deaths remain low, cases are still high in some areas and some age groups so its important that we continue to act cautiously as restrictions are lifted. The most important thing everyone can do now is to get any vaccine dose that you are eligible for it is by far the most effective action you can take to protect yourself, your families and your communities. UKHSAis carrying out targeted testing at locations where the positive cases were likely to be infectious. As of January 10 2022, 53 sequences of the BA.2 sub-lineage of Omicron had been identified in the United Kingdom. Initial data suggests that LFDs are as likely to detect Omicron as other variants including Delta, which has been the dominant variant in the UK from May to December 2021. 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. Data for the devolved administrations will follow in due course. Overall numbers of ICU admissions have decreased over time, but where data was available admissions with Omicron have increased from 9% to more than 50% in the most recent week. Omicron continues to grow faster than Delta, with an increased risk of transmission, particularly in contacts outside of the household. Our continued genomic surveillance allows us to detect them and assess whether they are significant. Thanks to very high levels of vaccine coverage we already have a robust wall of defence against COVID-19 as new variants emerge. The data so far suggests an increase in overall reinfection rates, alongside an increase in first infections. 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. Fourteen people are reported to have died within 28 days of an Omicron diagnosis, ranging in age from 52 to 96 years old. Following the first 2 confirmed cases of the SARS-CoV-2 variant known as B.1.1.529 on 27 November, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has identified one further case of COVID-19 with mutations consistent with B.1.1.529 in the UK. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published analyses of Omicron sub-lineage BA.2. Thanks to the expertise of scientists at UKHSA and partner organisations, were able to respond quickly to new variations of the virus. This is not an unusual occurrence and several recombinant SARS-CoV-2 variants have been identified over the course of the pandemic. Vaccination is critical to help us bolster our defences against becoming severely ill from this new variant please get your first, second, third or booster jab without delay. Updated Jan. 27, 2023 The omicron subvariant of COVID-19, BA.5, became one of the dominant strains of the virus in the fall of 2022 in the U.S. At that time, it was the most easily spread strain to date and is able to evade immunity from COVID infection and vaccination. The vaccination status was unknown for 6 people, while 8 had received a single dose. Overall, the original Omicron lineage, BA.1, is dominant in the UK and the proportion of BA.2 cases is currently low. The individuals who have tested positive and their contacts are all isolating. UKHSA encourage everyone to continue to follow the most up-to date guidance. Data continues to show COVID-19 poses a very low health risk to children and infants. There are thought to be subtle differences in the symptoms that BA. 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. UKHSA has also published analyses related to the original Omicron strain BA.1. This is early-stage analysis and we continue to monitor the data hour by hour. These people are spread around the country and are a mix of age ranges between 18 to 85 years the majority had received 2 doses of vaccination. There are small numbers of cases in the UK and this designation is intended to allow investigation into the specific properties of this variant. Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at UKHSA, said: The latest set of analysis is in keeping with the encouraging signs we have already seen. Scientists in the UK and abroad are closely monitoring BA.2, a sub-variant of Omicron. 2 or Stealth Omicron causes. SGTF is not a 100% accurate test for Omicron and results are regularly evaluated against sequencing to ensure they are interpreted correctly. Apart from dizziness and fatigue, some other signs of BA.2 Omicron Variants include: Fever and body aches Loss of taste Nausea or Vomiting Abdominal pain Fever Extreme fatigue Coughing Sore throat Muscular fatigue Elevated heart rate Breathless in severe cases readmore End of Story A detrimental change in biological properties (changes in transmissibility, severity or immune evasion) compared to the current dominant variant. 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. Vaccination is critical to help us bolster our defences against this new variant please get your first, second, third or booster jab without delay. As always, the booster vaccine remains the best protection against infection. There are no confirmed cases in Northern Ireland. 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. The individuals that have tested positive and their contacts are all isolating. Currently, approximately half of all tests conducted in the UK are able to detect SGTF. Follow the latest self-isolation rules if you develop symptoms wear a mask where required to do so, take regular LFD tests and observe good hand hygiene. UKHSA scientists are urging anyone who has not had all the vaccines they are eligible for to make sure that they get them as soon as possible. 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. Since the middle of February, this growth rate has settled at approximately 75% higher than other circulating Omicron lineages in England. It remains vital that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets aPCRtest immediately. Headache. Where individualsare suspected or confirmed to have theOmicron variantas the result of testing, their close contacts will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace, required to self-isolate and asked to take aPCRtest,regardless of whether they have been vaccinated. This is very encouraging. BA.2 has an increased growth rate compared to BA.1 in all regions of England where there are enough cases to assess it. Both are variants in the Omicron family. Runny or congested nose Feeling fatigued Headache New, continuous cough Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Muscle or body aches New loss of a sense of taste or smell Sore throat Nausea or vomiting Diarrhoea They advise that if you develop one or more of these symptoms you should take a Covid test as soon as possible. BA.2 continues to demonstrate a substantial growth advantage. UKHSA Chief Medical Advisor, Dr Susan Hopkins said: It is increasingly evident that Omicron is highly infectious and there is emerging laboratory and early clinical evidence to suggest that both vaccine-acquired and naturally acquired immunity against infection is reduced for this variant. The latest number of COVID-19 cases with mutations consistent with B.1.1.529 in England are published on UKHSAs social media channels. The risk assessment also suggests that Omicron displays a reduction in protection offered by having had a previous infection or vaccination. Get vaccinated and, for those eligible, come forward for your third or booster dose as appropriate as soon as you are called. The percentage of people to have received a booster dose will also already be higher in older age groups and those with underlying health conditions due to prioritisation of the rollout so far. Other countries that have uploaded more than 100 samples are India (530), Sweden (181), and Singapore (127). 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 . This sub-lineage, which was designated by Pangolin on 6 December 2021, does not have the spike gene deletion at 69-70 that causes S-gene target failure (SGTF), which has previously been used as a proxy to detect cases of Omicron. The UK has been hard-hit by a further spike in Covid-19 cases in recent weeks, with infections being driven by a sub-lineage of the Omicron variant known as BA.2 or "Stealth Omicron". The odds of reporting long COVID symptoms four to eight weeks after a first COVID-19 infection were 21.8% higher after an infection compatible with Omicron BA.2 than Omicron BA.1 among adults who were triple-vaccinated when infected; this was after adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics and time since last COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccination is critical to help us bolster our defences against this new variant so please get your first, second, third or booster jab as soon as you are eligible to protect yourself, your families and your communities. BA.1 accounts for most of the cases. It includes a complete list of studies planned and already under way into the emerging variant. 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. The population rate of people becoming infected with Omicron after having previously contracted COVID-19 has increased sharply. And even if it does become the dominant version of Omicron, it may not actually alter the trajectory of the pandemic in countries that have seen a big wave of BA.1. A preliminary assessment did not find evidence of a difference in vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic disease for BA.2 compared to BA.1. Experts say BA.2 has extensive mutations and is about 40 percent more infectious than the original Omicron variant. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. The risk assessment conducted by UKHSA together with academic partners found that CH.1.1 and XBB.1.5 are currently the variants most likely to take over from BQ.1 as the next dominant variant in the UK, unless further novel variants arise. Wed like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. BA.2 Omicron Subvariant Can Damage Your Lungs, Cause More Severe Disease Than You Can Expect: Study BA.2 Omicron Subvariant Can Damage Your Lungs, Cause More Severe Disease Than You Can. UKHSA will continue to monitor the situation closely as a matter of routine, as we do all data relating to SARS-CoV-2 variants both in the UK and internationally. 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. UKHSA continues to examine all available data relating to SARS-CoV-2 variants in the UK and abroad. 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. 2023 BBC. 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. A total 637 cases of XE a recombinant of Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 have been confirmed in the UK so far. moderate COVID-19 symptoms who are at high risk of . Vaccine efficacy analysis continues to show lower effectiveness for symptomatic Omicron disease. They also say that Omicron symptoms are typically mild, and herd immunity is at . This is more promising data which reinforces just how important vaccines are. 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. Because of a quirk in how it shows up in test results, we can see the numbers of suspected BA.2 doubled in the week up to 24 January. The UKHSAs COVID-19 variant technical briefing 43, published today, includes epidemiological analysis that shows that Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 now make up more than half of new COVID-19 cases in England, accounting for approximately 22% and 39% of cases, respectively. The total number of confirmed cases in England is now 5. It is projected that if current trends continue unchanged, the UK will exceed one million infections a day by the end of this month. Based on the CDC's genomic surveillance, the BA.2 or stealth Omicron subvariant is responsible for most new SARS-CoV-2 infections in the U.S. BA.2 is a subvariant of the original SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529), along with BA.1.1 and BA.3. Under the new system, the variant of concern (VOC) label will be assigned to variants which are currently emerging or circulating, and which the following characteristics can be confirmed or predicted: 1. Hospital cases are also rising, but vaccines are still helping to stop many severe. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has released variant technical briefing 50. The sub-variant of Omicron has been detected in 57 countries now, the WHO says. 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. No cases have been identified in the UK. Omicron BA.4 and Omicron BA.5 were designated as variants of concern on 18 May on the basis of an apparent growth advantage over the previously-dominant Omicron BA.2 variant. A further 3 cases have been identified in Scotland, bringing the total to 13. 1. 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. Neither BQ.1 nor XBB have been designated as variants of concern and UKHSA is monitoring the situation closely, as always. One individual diagnosed in hospital has sadly died. Its critical that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets aPCRtest immediately. The guidance on vaccination is changing to help all of us bolster our defences in the face of this new variant. UKHSAreleases weekly updates on the number of confirmed new cases of variants of concern and variants under investigation identified in the UK. Currently, no experimental data has been reported about BA.2 and BA.3. Thats why its critical that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets a PCR test immediately. Data by variant related to intensive care unit admissions is presented and an analysis into the effect of the recent surge of Omicron cases in care homes is also available in the latest technical briefing. Since then, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has classified two subvariants, BA.1.1 and BA.2. A separate UK study also found higher transmissibility for BA.2 compared to BA.1. 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. 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. As of 20 December,132individuals with confirmed Omicron have been admitted to or transferred from emergency departments. Please wear face coverings in line with government guidance, let in fresh air when mixing indoors and wash your hands regularly. It is critical that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets a PCR test immediately. In the UK, 38 cases of XF have been identified, though none have been seen since mid February. The five most common symptoms of Omicron are: runny nose;. Analysis shows that protection against symptomatic disease 2 to 4 weeks after a booster dose ranges from around 65% to 75%, dropping to 55% to 65% at 5 to 9 weeks and 45% to 50% 10 weeks or more following the booster dose. Many people who have Omicron say it feels like a common cold, and here are the 8 early warning signs you need to look out for. 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 . 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. 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. However, UKHSA scientists say there is no room to be complacent. We have also learnt that BA.2 has a slightly higher secondary attack rate than BA.1 in households. Anewrisk assessment for OmicronVOC-21NOV-01 (B.1.1.529)has also been published and is available here. Please take up this offer as soon as you are eligible to protect yourself, your families and your communities. As of 2 May 2022, 21 confirmed cases of Omicron BA.4 and 19 confirmed cases of Omicron BA.5 have been detected in England. Booster jabs are protecting people against infection and severe disease so I urge you to play your part in our national mission and get boosted now. They could be strangers (for example people you sit next to on public transport) or people you may have regular contact with (for example friends and work colleagues). Nine cases have also been identified in Scotland, with 5 cases in the Lanarkshire area and 4 in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area. 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. There will be no other categorisation of variants, including no variant under investigation (VUI) category. With the original version of the omicron variant, which swept across the U.S. at a dizzying speed last winter, the loss of taste and smell was not as common as with the earlier alpha and delta variants. Yet fears of another Omicron wave in the United States may be. You can change your cookie settings at any time. There are simple things you can do in your daily life that will help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections and protect those at highest risk. To date, there have been 426 cases of Omicron BA.2 confirmed by Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), with the earliest dated 6 December 2021. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has identified 7 further cases of COVID-19 with mutations consistent with B.1.1.529 in England, in addition to the previous 22 confirmed cases of the SARS-CoV-2 variant known as B.1.1.529. We have now identified cases in the East Midlands, East of England, London, South East and North West. It is already the dominant variant in several states and likely drove the country's recent third wave of infections. For example, there are still a small number of cases of other variants, such as Alpha, in the UK which would also result in S-gene dropout or there is a lower amount of virus present in the sample where S-gene dropout cannot be confirmed. Everyone should complete a primary course as soon as possible for most this will be a first and second dose. We are continuing to monitor the data closely. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has identified 75 further cases of COVID-19 with mutations consistent with B.1.1.529 in England, in addition to the previous 29 confirmed cases of the SARS-CoV-2 variant known as B.1.1.529. Everybody who is contacted or has symptoms should take aPCRtest as soon as possible, even if they have received a positive COVID-19PCRtest within the last 90 days. The first sequences were submitted from the Philippines, and most samples have been uploaded from Denmark (6,411). 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. The same happened with Omicron, which includes the lineages BA.1, BA.2, BA.3 and B.1.1.529. While specific symptoms to BA.2 are not yet available, the NHS lists the main symptoms for Covid-19 as: a high temperature a new, continuous cough a. "Looking at other countries where BA.2 is now overtaking, we're not seeing any higher bumps in hospitalisation than expected," the WHO's Dr Boris Pavlin says. According to the COVID Symptom Study, the five most common symptoms are the same: Runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing and sore throat. This particular recombinant, XE, has shown a variable growth rate and we cannot yet confirm whether it has a true growth advantage. The most common omicron-related symptoms are: Cough. Continue to exercise caution. 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. A major ailment is not to be expected for the age group 20-50 years. There is currently no evidence of community transmission within the UK. The Delta variant, for example, comprises 200 different sub-variants. Neither have currently been designated as variants of concern.
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