When the reduced risk of hospitalisation was combined with vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic disease, the vaccine effectiveness against hospitalisation was estimated as 52% after one dose, 72% 2 to 24 weeks after dose 2, 52% 25+ weeks after dose 2 and 88% 2 weeks after a booster dose. The increasing prevalence of Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 is likely to be a factor in the recent increase in cases seen in the UK and elsewhere, though there is currently no evidence that Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 cause more severe illness than previous variants. 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 As with any other coronavirus (COVID-19) variant, the vast majority do not confer any advantage to the virus and die out relatively quickly. Previous variants of concern which no longer meet the criteria will be redesignated. We will continue to closely analyse all available biological, epidemiological and genomic evidence for any SARS-CoV-2 variant in the UK or internationally. While growth rates can be overestimated in early analyses of a new variant, the apparent growth advantage is currently substantial. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. As part of UKHSAs routine genomic surveillance, approximately 15 to 20% of all positive PCR tests are also sent for sequencing. It is one for the scientists to watch, rather than for the public to be alarmed about at this stage. Data on this wont be available for several weeks. UKHSA is constantly monitoring the situation and working to understand the implications for public health. Twoto4 weeks after a booster dose, vaccine effectiveness ranged from around 65 to 75%, dropping to 55 to 70% at 5 to 9 weeks and 40 to 50% from 10+ weeks after the booster. 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". There is insufficient data to make any assessment of protection against severe disease, or to assess the severity of illness caused by Omicron. 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. UKHSA is monitoring this closely. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has announced the emerging SARS-CoV-2 variant known as B.1.1.529 as a variant under investigation (VUI). Available data are limited at this early stage, but it remains likely that the cases identified so far are a result of a number of separate introductions into the country. Neutralisation studies are currently being undertaken at the University of Oxford. This edition includes an update on the current circulating lineages, including several cases of Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 which have been detected in the UK. ROCHESTER, Minn. The World Health Organization designated COVID-19 variant B.1.1.529, named omicron, a "variant of concern" on Nov. 26, 2021, and the first confirmed case in the U.S. was on Dec. 1, 2021. A further 3 cases have been identified in Scotland, bringing the total to 13. One case is located in Camden, London, and one case is located in Wandsworth, London. However, confidence levels for severity indicators for children are low because further analysis is required to compare the risk of hospitalisation between Omicron and Delta, and to assess the clinical nature of illness in children. None of these cases are known to have been hospitalised or died. A major ailment is not to be expected for the age group 20-50 years. Read about our approach to external linking. This will include analysing live samples of the new variant in our laboratories to investigate properties including its response to current vaccines. The latest UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) COVID-19 variant technical briefing, published today, includes updated epidemiological analysis which indicates that Omicron BA.5 has, as expected, become the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant in the UK. BQ.1 (V-22OCT-01) is a BA.5 sub-lineage which has been designated on the basis of rapid growth. However, cases of the variant continue to rise at an extraordinary rate already surpassing the record daily number in the pandemic. 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. Following the change in JCVI advice today, a booster dose for everyone over 18 years is now recommended and will be available at a minimum of 3 months from your last primary course jab. The Delta variant, for example, comprises 200 different sub-variants. We urge these people in particular to get up-to-date. As viruses mutate into new variants, they sometimes split or branch off into sub-lineages. Hospital cases are also rising, but vaccines are still helping to stop many severe. It contains updated analysis on Omicron hospitalisation risk, vaccine efficacy against symptomatic disease from Omicron, and the COVID-19 reinfection rate. All 3 subvariants have spike protein mutations of L452 and elude immunity from prior BA1 infection. There were very limited numbers of BA.2 in this study and no inferences can be made regarding BA.2. Where individuals are identified as being a possible or probable case, their close contacts will be contacted and advised to isolate for 10 days and to take a test. Neither have currently been designated as variants of concern. A total 637 cases of XE a recombinant of Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 have been confirmed in the UK so far. UKHSA has performed an initial laboratory evaluation of the current lateral flow devices (LFDs) for COVID-19 in current use in the UK. However, any stay in hospital for a child is too long if youre a parent and its important we all take precautions to avoid the spread of infection. Recent studies suggest that BA.2 has a. . The most commonly-reported symptoms with the original Omicron variant were cough, fatigue, headache, congestion, and runny nose. The analysis included very small numbers of cases as only a few people in the UK currently have this variant, meaning this data should be interpreted with caution until more cases have been studied. 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. Dr Meera Chand, Director of Clinical and Emerging Infection at UKHSA, said: It is not unexpected to see new variants of SARS-CoV-2 emerge. 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. Thats why its critical that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets a PCR test immediately.. The omicron variant of the coronavirus was first detected in late 2021. Thats why its critical that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets a PCR test immediately. The individuals that have tested positive are not connected to each other and are not linked to the previously confirmed cases. Thanks to the expertise of scientists at UKHSA and partner organisations, were able to respond quickly to new variations of the virus. Two major BA.2 variant symptoms include dizziness and fatigue, as I wrote for the Deseret News. What are the most common symptoms of Omicron BA.2? This increased to 63% for BA.1 and 70% for BA.2 at 2 weeks following a third vaccine. 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. 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. The analysis shows that coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the UK are primarily made up of BQ.1 and its sublineages, consistent with the UKHSA risk assessment published in October. 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. Dr Meera Chand, Director of Clinical and Emerging Infections, UKHSA, said: Through our genomic surveillance we continue to see evolution of variants in the Omicron family. 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. Our advanced sequencing capabilities enable us to find variants and take rapid action to limit onward spread. The technical briefing also includes early analysis of vaccine effectiveness against the Omicron variant compared to Delta. Protection against hospitalisation from vaccines is good against the Omicron variant. However, it should serve as objective evidence that this pandemic is not over. It is the best defence we have against this highly transmissible new variant. 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. 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. Experts in Kolkata say that BA.2 symptoms are mostly associated with abdomen and stomach instead of cough or shortness of breath. 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. They also say that Omicron symptoms are typically mild, and herd immunity is at . If you have any symptoms, take a test. These include a high temperature, a new. 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 . 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 individuals that have tested positive and their contacts are all isolating. ; The incubation time (time to onset of symptoms) is a bit shorter: 3 days. We continue to monitor all recombinants closely, routinely through our world-leading genomic surveillance and sequencing capability. However, UKHSA scientists say there is no room to be complacent. More evidence is needed to know whether this is due to changes in the virus behaviour or to epidemiological conditions. But at that point the sub-variant still appeared to account for less than one in 20 cases. Overall, data shows significant reductions in neutralisation against several of the newly emergent variants (BA.2.75.2, BA.2.3.20 and BJ.1), compared to BA.2, BA.4 and the dominant BA.5. 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. The total number of confirmed cases in England is now 5. 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. All age groups are affected, including the 75s and over, who are due a spring booster jab to top up protection. As viruses mutate often and at random, it is not unusual for small numbers of cases to arise featuring new sets of mutations. 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. Those mutations are shared with the original omicron, but BA.2 also has . There is currently insufficient evidence to draw conclusions about growth advantage or other properties of this variant. According to the COVID Symptom Study, the five most common symptoms are the same: Runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing and sore throat. 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. Yet fears of another Omicron wave in the United States may be. Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of UKHSA, said: We are continuing our efforts to understand the effect of this variant on transmissibility, severe disease, mortality, antibody response and vaccine efficacy. The full document and underlying data is available on GOV.UK. There is evidence that protection against symptomatic disease wanes after the second dose of vaccine, and then improves after the booster. This particular recombinant, XE, has shown a variable growth rate and we cannot yet confirm whether it has a true growth advantage. UKHSA is monitoring the situation closely, in partnership with scientific and public health organisations across the world. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has released a new variant technical briefing detailing updated analysis of epidemiological and genomic data relating to SARS-CoV-2 variants currently circulating in the UK, including the XBB.1.5 variant which has been increasing in the US in recent months. Added breakdown of cases by local authority to latest update. 34 Subsequent studies that were performed in periods when a mix of BA.1, BA.2, BA.4, and BA.5 viruses circulated have reported low effectiveness of a second booster against . In the age group of 20-50 years, significant severity is not expected. It is projected that if current trends continue unchanged, the UK will exceed one million infections a day by the end of this month. A NEW Covid-19 Omicron sub-variant is spreading across Ireland and is the most infectious strain yet. 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. Earlier COVID-19 variants affected the lung tissue more and had a higher likelihood of causing pneumonia and other severe outcomes. 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. Wear a mask in crowded places, including public transport and shops, to ensure we all help break the chains of transmission and slow the spread of this new variant. 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. As always, the booster vaccine remains the best protection against infection. These changes will take effect as of 1 April 2022 and will be reflected in full in future technical briefings. If the growth rate and doubling time continue at the rate we have seen in the last 2 weeks, we expect to see at least 50% of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases to be caused by Omicron variant in the next 2 to 4 weeks. We have now identified cases in the East Midlands, East of England, London, South East and North West. UKHSA is carrying out targeted testing at locations where the positive cases were likely to be infectious. One individual diagnosed in hospital has sadly died. Dr Meera Chand, Director of Clinical and Emerging Infections at UKHSA, said: The reclassification of these variants as variants of concern reflects emerging evidence on the growth of BA.4 and BA.5 internationally and in the UK. We have now identified cases in the East Midlands, East of England, London, North East, North West, South East, South West and West Midlands. This includes analysing live samples of the new variant in our laboratories to investigate properties such as response to current vaccines. Overall, the original Omicron lineage, BA.1, is dominant in the UK and the proportion of BA.2 cases is currently low. We have started to see cases where there are no links to travel, suggesting that we have a small amount of community transmission. Please make sure you follow all the available guidance. The proportion of test results displaying SGTF has been very low in recent months but an increase has been observed in the past week. It is important that everyone ensures that they are up to date with vaccinations offered as they remain our best form of defence against severe illness. Data and analysis will be released in due course through our regular surveillance reporting. Due to the early nature of the findings, all estimates are subject to significant uncertainty and are subject to change. 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. Both are variants in the Omicron family. 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 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. 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. A thirddose was associated with a 68% (95% confidence interval 52 to 82%) reduced risk of hospitalisation when compared to similar unvaccinated individuals. Omicron has branched into three lineages, explains Thomas Russo, M.D., professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York: BA.1, BA.2, and BA.3. UKHSAreleases weekly updates on the number of confirmed new cases of variants of concern and variants under investigation identified in the UK. Thats why its critical that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets a PCR test immediately. Those are pretty similar to what people experience with a cold or other seasonal viruses. The data so far suggests an increase in overall reinfection rates, alongside an increase in first infections. There are indications of a small rise in children admitted to hospital, but these early signals need further investigations before we can draw any conclusions about whether Omicron causes more severe illness in children. Vaccine effectiveness against severe disease from Omicron is not yet known but is expected to be significantly higher than protection against symptomatic disease. Our data shows that getting the booster vaccine is more effective against this variant than 2 doses alone. Nine cases have also been identified in Scotland, with 5 cases in the Lanarkshire area and 4 in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area. A runny nose, gastrointestinal. 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. As of 17 May, 115 cases of BA.4 and 80 cases of BA.5 have been confirmed in England and the latest UKHSA variant technical briefing has been published today. This is very encouraging. A booster dose was associated with a 74% reduced risk of hospitalisation in the first 2 to 4 weeks after vaccination, with the figure dropping to 66% 10 weeks or more after this dose. What are the symptoms of BA.2? 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. 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. This analysis is not an assessment of hospital severity, which will take further time to assess. BA.2 is found to be able to alarmingly reinfect patients originally infected by Omicron BA.1. The individuals who have tested positive and their contacts have been asked to self-isolate. There is currently no evidence of community transmission within the UK. Until we have this evidence, we must exercise the highest level of caution in drawing conclusions about any significant risks to peoples health. We are particularly grateful to health protection specialists and the government of South Africa for early sharing of local information on the omicron variant in an exemplary way to support global health security. Studies have also shown that Omicron infects and multiplies in the upper airways 70 times faster than the previous Delta variant. It is 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. Updated analysisshows theadditional incremental benefit from each vaccine exposureincluding for boosters, even in those who have had prior infection. Data continues to show COVID-19 poses a very low health risk to children and infants. How are Covid rules changing across UK schools? Studiesof households and contactshave found that there is a higher risk of transmission to contacts from an Omicron case, when compared to Delta. It remains vital that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets aPCRtest immediately. 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. If you have symptoms take a PCR test and isolate at home until you receive a negative result. Of symptomatic cases, loss of smell and taste was found to be more common in people who tested positive for Delta than those who had Omicron. Studies of contacts show that Omicron is transmitting more effectively than Delta. In a lot of ways, it's a bad cold, a lot of respiratory symptoms, stuffy nose, coughing, body aches and fatigue," said Dr. Dennis Cunningham, the system medical director of infection control and. Its critical that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets a PCR test immediately. BA.2.75.2 as a new variant but singled it out as an . Of those with Omicron, 9.5% have had COVID-19 before, which is likely to be a substantial underestimate of the proportion of reinfections, as many prior infections will have been asymptomatic and not picked up by the analysis. Studies in the UK reveal (where stealth Omicron is already spreading at a high rate) that people infected with the sub-variant show gut-related . Vaccination is critical to help us bolster our defences against this new variant please get your first, second or booster jab without delay.