The XFG variant, known as Stratus, is currently the most prevalent strain in the UK.
Brits have been issued a five-day Covid warning to help prevent the spread of illness. The most recent data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) indicates that coronavirus cases are rising in hospitals across England.
Experts also noted that the XFG variant, otherwise known as Stratus, is currently the most dominant strain. In previous weeks, the NB.1.8. 1 variant, known as Nimbus, had also been circulating extensively.
In an update, the UKHSA warned that these strains may cause a hoarse voice or “particularly painful” sore throat alongside other typical Covid symptoms. While there are no longer any Government-imposed rules about what to do if you have Covid, the NHS has a series of recommendations if you test positive.
Five-day warning
On its website the NHS states that “most” people do not need to take a COVID-19 rapid lateral flow test if they have symptoms. However, if you choose to do a test and the result is positive you should stick to its five-day rule.
The NHS said: “Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for five days after the day you took your test if you are 18 years old or over.” It also advised that you:
Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for three days after the day the test was taken if you or your child is under 18 years old – children and young people tend to be infectious for less time than adults
Avoid meeting people who are more likely to get seriously ill from infections, such as people with a weakened immune system, for 10 days after the day you took your test
Symptoms
According to the NHS, COVID-19 symptoms can include:
- A high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- A new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
- A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling tired or exhausted
- An aching body
- A headache
- A sore throat
- A blocked or runny nose
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhoea
- Feeling sick or being sick
“The symptoms are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu,” the NHS says. “Most people feel better within a few weeks, but it can take longer to recover.
“For some people, it can be a more serious illness and their symptoms can last longer.”
To help ease symptoms, the NHS says you should:
- Get lots of rest
- Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration (your pee should be light yellow or clear)
- Take paracetamol or ibuprofen if you feel uncomfortable
- Try having a teaspoon of honey if you have a cough – do not give honey to babies under 12 months
- Try turning the heating down or opening a window to help with breathlessness
- Breathe slowly in through your nose and out through your mouth, with your lips together like you’re gently blowing out a candle
- Sit upright in a chair to help with breathlessness
- Relax your shoulders, so you’re not hunched to help with breathlessness
- Lean forward slightly – support yourself by putting your hands on your knees or on something stable like a chair to help with breathlessness
- Not lie on your back if you have a cough – lie on your side or sit upright instead
- Not use a fan to cool your room as it may spread the virus
- Try not to panic if you’re feeling breathless – this can make it worse
For more information, visit the NHS website here.