UKHSA is carrying out targeted testing at locations where the positive cases were likely to be infectious. There is currently no evidence of community transmission within the UK. BA2 Variant is overtaking Delta and Omicron Cases at rapid speed. This analysis shows you are up to 8 times more likely to end up in hospital as a result of COVID-19 if you are unvaccinated. 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. 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. The population rate of people becoming infected with Omicron after having previously contracted COVID-19 has increased sharply. BA.2 Symptoms Not That Different From Omicron, Delta. UKHSA has updated its stay at home guidance and non-household contacts guidance to reflect changes to self-isolation requirements for contacts of people who have been identified as a suspected or confirmed case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Even if a smaller proportion of these individuals require hospitalisation, these are still large numbers of people requiring hospital care and pressures on the NHS will increase. Covid BA.2 Omicron variant: The key symptoms to look out for Technical Briefing 34 contains further analysis on symptom comparison on Omicron and Delta. Getty Images BA.2 was. As viruses mutate often and at random, it is not unusual for small numbers of cases to arise featuring new sets of mutations. New studies are being undertaken to assess this further. The vaccination status was unknown for 6 people, while 8 had received a single dose. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published variant technical briefing 37. 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. There is currently insufficient evidence to draw conclusions about growth advantage or other properties of this variant. The individuals that have tested positive are not connected to each other and are not linked to the previously confirmed cases. BA.2 has an increased growth rate compared to BA.1 in all regions of England where there are enough cases to assess it. 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. There is now high confidence that the Omicron variant causes low severity of disease in adults. This suggests that, as immunity begins to wane, these newly emerging BA.2 variants may fuel future waves of SARS-CoV-2 infection. What Are the Symptoms of Omicron BA.5? - Verywell Health 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. This is more promising data which reinforces just how important vaccines are. The variant technical briefing also includes updated analysis on Omicron BA.2, currently the dominant variant in the UK. 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 team at ZOE, a study that tracks symptoms . New Omicron BA.2 variant symptoms - What we know so far - Yahoo Life UK We should all continue to test regularly with LFDs and take a PCR test if symptoms develop. 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. The individual tested positive after travel to the UK and is linked to travel to Southern Africa. In the age group of 20-50 years, significant severity is not expected. Our data shows that getting the booster vaccine is more effective against this variant than 2 doses alone. What are the different symptoms doctors are seeing with omicron BA.2 These are potentially biologically significant mutations which may change the behaviour of the virus with regards to vaccines, treatments and transmissibility. Experts say BA.2 has extensive mutations and is about 40 percent more infectious than the original Omicron variant. Please take up this offer as soon as you are eligible to protect yourself, your families and your communities. 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. It is not unexpected to see new lineages and continued investigation is a normal part of the surveillance of an infectious disease. Two variants, CH.1.1 and XBB.1.5, appear to have a growth advantage in the UK. People suffering From the Omicron BA2 variant said they had fever and body Aches. 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. However, one must note, these are only early stage symptoms. There were very limited numbers of BA.2 in this study and no inferences can be made regarding BA.2. For some more vulnerable a third dose is available. Here is what we know about it. B.1.1.529 has a large number of mutations in the gene coding for the spike protein, and also in other parts of the viral genome. The total number of confirmed cases in England is now 104. Both are variants in the Omicron family. There is no data to suggest that BA.2 leads to more severe disease than previous Omicron sub-variants. The Top Symptoms of the BA.2 Variant, According to Doctors - Parade Due to the early nature of the findings, all estimates are subject to significant uncertainty and are subject to change. Work from home if you are able to, wear a mask indoors around other people, and ventilate indoor spaces well. Omicron BA.2.75, the variant derived from the BA.2 lineage which was identified internationally earlier this month, has now been categorised as a separate variant and given the designation V-22JUL-01. Ongoing analysis by UKHSA has found no evidence that infection with Omicron BA.2 results in a greater risk of hospitalisation, compared to Omicron BA.1. They say its possible that the virus has now changed its pattern and is affecting the stomach. A recombinant variant occurs when an individual becomes infected with 2 or more variants at the same time, resulting in a mixing of their genetic material within the patients body. Both have links to travel to Southern Africa. We have now identified cases in the East Midlands, East of England, London and North West. As of 24 January 2022, 1,072 genomically confirmed cases of BA.2 have been identified in England and all assessments remain preliminary whilst case numbers are relatively low. What is the stealth omicron, or BA.2, variant? Please make sure to wear a mask in line with government guidance, including on public transport and in shops, to help break the chains of transmission and slow the spread of this new variant. UKHSA are continuing to monitor data on the BA.2 sub-lineage closely. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published a new variant technical briefing containing an updated Omicron risk assessment, alongside analysis on vaccine efficacy, sub-lineages and symptoms. We are working as fast as possible to gather more evidence about any impact the new variant may have on severity of disease or vaccine effectiveness. 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. UKHSAs most recent variant technical briefing can be found on GOV.UK. 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 focussed contact tracing. Omicron Sub-Variant BA.2: Symptoms, Differences, And Chances Of UKHSA, in partnership with scientific bodies across the globe, is constantly monitoring the status of SARS-CoV-2 variants as they emerge and develop worldwide. Thats why its critical that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets a PCR test immediately.. 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. No cases have been identified in the UK. Evidence continues to show that Omicron is transmitting more rapidly than the dominant Delta variant. UKHSA designated variant B.1.1.529 as a variant under investigation (VUI) on Thursday 25 November. How are Covid rules changing across UK schools? The BA.2 subvariant of Omicron, or the "stealth" variant, has been outcompeting the previously dominant BA.1 subvariant in several countries. This will include analysing live samples of the new variant in our laboratories to investigate properties such as response to current vaccines. UKHSAis carrying out targeted testing at locations where the positive cases were likely to be infectious. UKHSA has performed an initial laboratory evaluation of the current lateral flow devices (LFDs) for COVID-19 in current use in the UK. 3 Common Omicron BA.2.12.1 COVID-19 Subvariant Symptoms - Good Housekeeping UKHSA continues to examine all available data relating to SARS-CoV-2 variants in the UK and abroad. There are thought to be subtle differences in the symptoms that BA. These include a high temperature, a new. Thats why its critical that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets aPCRtest immediately. What we know is that it is certainly growing as a proportion of overall cases in the UK. Since then, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has classified two subvariants, BA.1.1 and BA.2. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published a new variant technical briefing containing updated analysis on Omicron hospitalisation risk and vaccine efficacy against symptomatic disease and hospitalisation. Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at UKHSA, said: The latest set of analysis is in keeping with the encouraging signs we have already seen. 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. What are the symptoms of BA.2? If you have any symptoms of a respiratory infection, and a high temperature or feel unwell, try to stay at home or away from others especially those who are elderly or vulnerable. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. 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. Those are pretty similar to what people experience with a cold or other seasonal viruses. "The symptoms of the Omicron variant, which includes the BA.2 lineage, and the Delta variant, are similar," says Dr. Erica Johnson, MD, the chair of the Infectious Disease Board of the . UKHSA is constantly monitoring the situation and working to understand the implications for public health. Thats why its so important that everybody, everywhere, takes simple steps to protect themselves from infection. UKHSA is carrying out targeted testing at locations where the positive cases were likely to be infectious. Data on this wont be available for several weeks. It is critical that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets a PCR test immediately. What We Know about Omicron's BA.2 Variant So Far Two-thirds with Omicron say they had Covid before. This new mutation dubbed BA.2.75 is concerning scientists because it appears to spread fast, bypassing the protection offered by COVID-19 vaccines and immunity from previous infection, the Associated Press reported Monday. . Analysis from routine contact tracing data indicates that transmission is likely to be higher among contacts of BA.2 cases in households (13.4%) than those for contacts of other Omicron cases(10.3%) in the period 27 December 2021 to 11 January 2022. UKHSAis acting to get scientific information available as quickly as possible in order to inform the right balance of interventions to prevent transmission and protect lives. 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. 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. The designation was made on the basis that this sub-lineage has become increasingly common in the UK in recent months, and there is some early evidence that it may have an increased growth rate in the UK compared to Delta. It is projected that if current trends continue unchanged, the UK will exceed one million infections a day by the end of this month. 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. Trends in SGTF over and time are however affected by the coverage of laboratories contributing to this surveillance data. 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. According to the CDC, the Omicron variant spreads more easily than the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and the Delta variant. 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. This will include analysing live samples of the new variant in our laboratories to investigate properties including its response to current vaccines. Health and Social Care Secretary, Sajid Javid, said: We are learning to live with this virus and thanks to our world-leading surveillance system we can rapidly detect and carefully monitor any genetic changes to COVID-19. The earliest of these has a specimen date of 19 January 2022. Latest updates on SARS-CoV-2 variants detected in the UK. We should all continue to test regularly with LFDs [lateral flow devices] and take a PCR [polymerase chain reaction] test if symptoms develop.". 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. BA.2: A more contagious version of the Omicron variant has been As of 30 November 2021, there are 22 confirmed cases of Omicron (B.1.1.529), identified through sequencing or genotyping in England.
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