Health experts have issued ‘stay at home’ advice and officials said in countries where it is rampant a big increase in serious infections has happened
Top health officials have said people should ‘stay indoors’ if they feel they have Covid symptoms after a new strain was detected in the UK.
Worryingly, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) highlighted that in other countries where the new ‘Nimbus’ variant is widespread, it has led to a big rise in hospitalisations.
In a new blog the UKHSA said the fresh NB.1.8.1 variant spread, is being monitored by the World Health Organisation.
Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, the Deputy Director at UKHSA, said: “NB.1.8.1 has been detected in small numbers in the UK to date, but international data suggests that it is growing as a proportion of all Covid-19 cases.”
“Based on the available information so far however, there is no evidence to suggest that this variant causes more severe disease than previous variants, or that the vaccines in current use will be less effective against it.”
The UKHSA added: “NB.1.8.1 has been detected in small numbers in the UK to date, and international data suggests that it is growing as a proportion of all COVID-19 cases. Although cases and hospitalisations are increasing in some countries where NB.1.8.1 is widespread, current data does not indicate that this variant leads to more severe illness than other variants in circulation.
“The most important thing to do is to get your vaccination when it is due if you’re eligible. It’s normal for viruses to mutate and change, and as more data becomes available on this variant we’ll have a better understanding of how it interacts with our immune systems and how to optimise our protection, as well as actions we can take to keep the most vulnerable safe and live our lives as normally as possible.”
With the rise of the Nimbus variant, the UKHSA has issued advice on what people should do if they catch it – including wearing a mask if they go out.
They stated: “If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as COVID-19, and you have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to go to work or carry out normal activities, you should avoid contact with vulnerable people and stay at home if possible.”
The UKHSA further advised that if a person leaves their home while they have symptoms of a respiratory infection, and you have a high temperature or feel unwell, they should “avoid close contact with anyone who you know is at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell, especially those whose immune system means that they are at higher risk of serious illness, despite vaccination.”
UKHSA advice on reducing chance of passing on infection to others:
- Wear a well-fitting face covering made with multiple layers or a surgical face mask
- Avoid crowded places such as public transport, large social gatherings, or anywhere that is enclosed or poorly ventilated
- Taking any exercise outdoors in places where you will not have close contact with other people
- Covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser after coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose and before you eat or handle food; avoid touching your face.
For more information and advice, click here.
Symptoms include:
- severe sore throat
- fatigue
- mild cough
- fever
- muscle aches
- congestion