Wear a mask in crowded spaces and, when meeting people indoors, open windows and doors to ventilate the room. While growth rates can be overestimated in early analyses of a new variant, the apparent growth advantage is currently substantial. BA.2 is believed to be far more contagious than the earlier Omicron strain, and was blamed for a fresh surge in Denmark. But it is worth noting that Denmark has seen similar trends in terms of hospital admissions and intensive care as the UK has, suggesting BA.2 does not mark a sea-change in severity. Positive tests with sufficient virus detected from people arriving in the UK are sent for confirmation through Whole Genome Sequencing, regardless of the presence or absence of SGTF. The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) said the BA.2 sub-lineage was already prevalent in samples it received at the end of January. Its critical that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets aPCRtest immediately. We should all continue to test regularly with LFDs [lateral flow devices] and take a PCR [polymerase chain reaction] test if symptoms develop.". A second BTN162b2 booster was previously found to be 52% and 72% effective in preventing Omicron BA.1 infection and hospitalization, respectively, in adults 60 years. Face coverings in crowded indoor spaces and hand washing will help to reduce transmission of infection and are especially important if you have any respiratory symptoms. 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. UKHSAs most recent variant technical briefing includes examination of a number of recombinant variants which have been identified in the UK, as well as updated epidemiological and genomic analysis of Omicron BA.2. As part of UKHSAs routine genomic surveillance, approximately 15 to 20% of all positive PCR tests are also sent for sequencing. Early data shows that young children who are hospitalised experience mild illness and are discharged after short stays in hospital. As I previously reported, omicron subvariants have a shorter incubation period, which is why the symptoms may appear earlier. This paper can be found as a pre-print, and the data is referred to in the latest vaccine surveillance report. 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. The individuals and their households have been told to self-isolate. Two-thirds with Omicron say they had Covid before. This new UKHSA data on Omicron is promising while 2 doses of the vaccine arent enough, we know boosters offer significant protection against the variant and early evidence suggests this strain may be less severe than Delta. Read about our approach to external linking. You have rejected additional cookies. One case is located in Camden, London, and one case is located in Wandsworth, London. 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 Until the week beginning 23 November 2021, the weekly count of cases with SGTF was routinely less than 150, making up less than 0.1% of all cases. 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. AstraZeneca was the main vaccine used early in the programme in care homes and among those in clinical risk groups. This will include analysing live samples of the new variant in our laboratories to investigate properties such as response to current vaccines. This will include analysing live samples of the new variant in our laboratories to investigate properties such as response to current vaccines. Evidence continues to show that Omicron is transmitting more rapidly than the dominant Delta variant. 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. Cases have been confirmed through whole genome sequencing in all 9 regions of England. Our data shows that LFD tests are similarly able to detect COVID-19 in individuals who have been exposed to Omicron as in those exposed to previous variants. Genomes have now been uploaded from South Africa, Botswana and Hong Kong but the extent of spread is not yet determined. 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). While evidence is still emerging, so far it does not appear this variant causes more severe disease or renders the vaccines currently deployed any less effective. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has released variant technical briefing 50. The BA.2 variant is a sibling of the BA.1, which swept across the country over Christmas. Studies have also shown that Omicron infects and multiplies in the upper airways 70 times faster than the previous Delta variant. We have now identified cases in the East Midlands, East of England, London, North East, North West, South East, South West and West Midlands. 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. 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. XBB.1.5 remains at very low prevalence in the UK, so estimates of growth are highly uncertain. According to Boden-Albala said, those symptoms may include the following: Fever Chills Fatigue Cough Body aches Shortness of breath Sore throat Additionally, some people may report upper. The new strain has several key mutations, with the most important of those occurring in the spike protein that studs the outside of the virus. There is insufficient data to make any assessment of protection against severe disease, or to assess the severity of illness caused by Omicron. 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. The most commonly-reported symptoms with the original Omicron variant were cough, fatigue, headache, congestion, and runny nose. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. A major ailment is not to be expected for the age group 20-50 years. There are also hybrid strains, such as XE, which is a combination of BA.1 and BA.2 By Alex Finnis 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. A study of 8,500 households and 18,000 individuals conducted by Denmark's SSI found that BA.2 was "substantially" more transmissible than BA.1. Latest updates on SARS-CoV-2 variants detected in the UK. Congestion. 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. Everyone over 18 is now able to walk into a vaccine centre, so do not hesitate to get yours. UKHSA is 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. 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. Thats why its critical that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets a PCR test immediately. Due to the early nature of the findings, all estimates are subject to significant uncertainty and are subject to change. What is the stealth omicron, or BA.2, variant? While BA.1 and BA.2 are similar, they are 20 mutations apart. As is routine for any new variants under investigation, UKHSAis carrying out laboratory and epidemiological investigations to better understand the properties of this variant. Data for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is not included in the UKHSA Technical Briefing. 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. Data continues to show COVID-19 poses a very low health risk to children and infants. Over 40% of hospital admissions were in London. A separate UK study also found higher transmissibility for BA.2 compared to BA.1. The most affected local authorities are West Northamptonshire, where there are 49 confirmed cases and 68 SGTF, and Manchester, where there are 7 confirmed cases and 61 SGTF. This is more promising data which reinforces just how important vaccines are. We have now identified cases in the East Midlands, East of England, London, South East and North West. The B.1.1.529variant includes a large number of spike protein mutations as well as mutations in other parts of the viral genome. 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. Prior infection is 44% effective at preventing future infection, increasing to 71% with 3 doses of the vaccine. Working from home where possible, consistently wearing masks in crowded or enclosed spaces, washing your hands regularly and isolating and getting tested if you feel unwell are also vitally important in reducing the impact of COVID-19 this winter. A NEW Covid-19 Omicron sub-variant is spreading across Ireland and is the most infectious strain yet. Omicron BA.2 Variant Severity 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. 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. The symptoms of omicron BA.2.75 are mostly flu-like and may last more than 4-5 days. The early observations for 2 doses of AstraZeneca are particularly likely to be unreliable as they are based on small numbers and are likely to reflect an older population and a population with more co-morbidities than those given the Pfizer vaccine. Currently, no experimental data has been reported about BA.2 and BA.3. 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. This increased to 63% for BA.1 and 70% for BA.2 at 2 weeks following a third vaccine. Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: This data is yet more evidence that vaccines remain our best line of defence against COVID-19. The individuals that have tested positive and their contacts are all isolating. BA.2 infections in Germany are also growing faster than BA.1 and Delta, according to Dr Meera Chand, Covid-19 director at the UKHSA. 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. The team at ZOE, a study that tracks symptoms . UKHSA is carrying out targeted testing at locations where the positive cases were likely to be infectious. Infection rate corrected to one million infections a day. People infected with Omicron are also less likely to experience fever or loss of taste and smell. UKHSA designated variant B.1.1.529 as a variant under investigation (VUI) on Thursday 25 November. A growth rate potentially compatible with the eventual replacement of the current dominant variant. More recent data on Omicron cases is published regularly here. 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. A BA2 variant's symptoms are similar to those of Omicron. 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. It is one for the scientists to watch, rather than for the public to be alarmed about at this stage. At the moment there is much that is not yet clear. Protection against hospitalisation from vaccines is good against the Omicron variant. 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. It contains epidemiological data and updated analysis of COVID-19 variants currently circulating in the UK. Take a vaccine to protect yourself against COVID-19. No cases have been identified in the UK. The World Health Organization has been monitoring SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes Covid-19) since January 2020, during which time the variant Omicron has been identified, which is technically known as BA.1 or B.1.1.529.The WHO is now monitoring a sub-variant of Omicron, known as BA.2, which has been described as "stealth Omicron," because it has genetic mutations that potentially make it . The BA.2 subvariant of the COVID-19 virus is now the dominant coronavirus strain in the world, and while health officials are saying the subvariant acts like the original omicron version of the . The risk of catching or passing on COVID-19 is greatest when someone who is infected is physically close to, or sharing an enclosed or poorly ventilated space with, other people. BA.2 is estimated to account for approximately 93.7% of cases in England, with the highest prevalence in the South East (96.4%) and the lowest in the East Midlands (91.1%). 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. While on one hand, this statement gives a ray of hope that BA.2 sub variant of Omicron which was thought to be severe is mild as the BA.1 subvariant is, but on the other hand with the report of . The v It is therefore absolutely critical that we all do everything that we can to help break the chains of transmission and slow the spread of this new variant. UKHSA continues to monitor and study variants of SARS-CoV-2 closely and is working with academic partners to rapidly assess the significance of the lineages BA.4 and BA.5. BA.2 variant symptoms: Spokane Regional Health District Health Officer Francisco Velazquez told KREM 2 News that the BA.2 variant of the omicron variant has some unique symptoms, too. What are the symptoms of BA.2? These include a high temperature, a new. 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. Both are variants in the Omicron family. 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. This analysis is preliminary and highly uncertain because of the small numbers of Omicron cases currently in hospital, inability to effectively measure all previous infections and the limited spread of Omicron into older age groups. Omicron continues to grow faster than Delta, with an increased risk of transmission, particularly in contacts outside of the household. Thats why its critical that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets aPCRtest immediately. In severe cases, the SpO2 Level may also decrease. Vaccination is critical to help us bolster our defences against this new variant please get your first, second or booster jab without delay. The COVID Omicron sub-variant BA.2, informally dubbed the "Stealth Omicron" variant, is able to reinfect people who have already had Omicron, a new study suggests. 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. However, it should serve as objective evidence that this pandemic is not over. As viruses mutate into new variants, they sometimes split or branch off into sub-lineages. As is routine for any new variants under investigation,UKHSAis carrying out laboratory and epidemiological investigations to better understand the characteristics of this variant. 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. 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 . Well send you a link to a feedback form. These groups have been prioritised for booster doses since the start of the rollout in September to increase their protection. Omicron has a deletion atposition69/70of the spike proteinwhich allows it to be tracked through S gene target failure(SGTF)in some PCR tests. 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. Please make sure you follow all the available guidance. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published a new variant technical briefing describing ongoing work on the Omicron variant. We use some essential cookies to make this website work. UKHSA has also published analyses related to the original Omicron strain BA.1. An important question is whether BA.2 or BA.3 will become a new dominating "variant of concern". Two variants, CH.1.1 and XBB.1.5, appear to have a growth advantage in the UK. Although there was a rapid increase in SARS-CoV-2 infections in care homes during December 2021 in line with case rises in the community, there has not been an associated increase in hospital admissions. 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. The technical briefing also includes early analysis of vaccine effectiveness against the Omicron variant compared to Delta. Delta and Omicron Cases are being eclipsed by BA2 Variant rapidly. There is further data showing that effectiveness against symptomatic disease is significantly lower compared to the Delta variant, and wanes more quickly. According to the CDC, the Omicron variant spreads more easily than the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and the Delta variant. Studies have already shown that this virus travels to different parts of the body, therefore gut-related issues are. There is currently insufficient evidence to draw conclusions about growth advantage or other properties of 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. 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. Added breakdown of cases by local authority to latest update. "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. 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. Its critical that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets a PCR test immediately. UKHSAs new analysis examines 3 recombinants, known as XF, XE, and XD. The same happened with Omicron, which includes the lineages BA.1, BA.2, BA.3 and B.1.1.529. Fourteen people are reported to have died within 28 days of an Omicron diagnosis, ranging in age from 52 to 96 years old. A preliminary assessment did not find evidence of a difference in vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic disease for BA.2 compared to BA.1. Dr Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Advisor for UKHSA, said: Ongoing variant analysis is an important part of our pandemic response. So far, there is insufficient evidence to determine whether BA.2 causes more severe illness than Omicron BA.1, but data is limited and UKHSA continues to investigate. The latest Omicron SARS-CoV-2 subvariant, which scientists have labeled BA.2.12.1, is on track to become the most virulent strain in the United States currently. UKHSA has also released a variant risk assessment for Omicron BA.4 and BA.5, summarising the emerging epidemiology and laboratory evidence. It includes a complete list of studies planned and already under way into the emerging variant. It has since swept the globe, eventually vanquishing other variants including delta. Continue to exercise caution. 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. 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.