A warning has been issued as a new strain of Covid becomes the most dominant this summer, coinciding with a 20% increase in deaths according to recent data. The UK has seen a significant rise in cases, with high street retailer Superdrug noting a substantial surge in the sale of testing kits.
The UK, previously grappling with the FLiRT variant, is now facing the newer KP. 3 strain which has become the most common type in the USA, as per data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Currently, KP. 3 accounts for 25% of COVID-19 cases in the US, and its presence is increasing in the UK. Although detected in smaller numbers in the UK, hospital admissions have risen to 3.31 per 100,000 people as of the week ending 29 June, up from 2.67 per 100,000 the previous week.
- Read more: Greece Covid warning for Brits as new variant taking hold in hospitals - symptoms to spot
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The total number of cases detected (despite widespread testing not being conducted) were 3,557 in the week ending June 29. In the seven days leading up to July 12, there were 197 deaths where the individual had tested positive for Covid, marking a 20% increase, reports the Mirror.
There were 2,797 patients admitted to hospital in the seven days leading up to June 28. Other European countries, including Greece, have also reported an increase in cases, leading to the imposition of mask-wearing rules following a rise in hospitalisations.
KP. 3 belongs to a group of COVID-19 variants known as the FLiRT variants. FLiRT stands for F lineage recombinant type and those infected are reported to exhibit these symptoms:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhoea
Superdrug has reported a staggering 319% increase in sales of Covid lateral flow tests and a 297% rise in purchases of cold and flu relief sachets, indicating a significant uptick in illnesses across the UK this Summer. The retailer also noted a sharp increase in sales of vitamins known to support the immune system, with Vitamin D sales up by 116% and Zinc by 58%.
Health professionals continue to stress that vaccination remains the most effective defence against severe illness. The NHS advises those with symptoms such as a high temperature or general malaise to stay home and avoid contact with others, whether it's skipping work, school, or daily activities.
The importance of vaccinations is underscored for preventing serious health complications and hospitalisations due to flu and COVID-19, especially for individuals over 75, those with compromised immune systems, and older adult care home residents, who are all encouraged to receive their spring booster shots.
Commenting on the emergence of a new variant, Professor Steve Griffin from Leeds University said: "This is clearly early days, but it certainly looks as though yet another Covid wave is building."
He shared his concerns, stating: "If the rise in hospitalisations continues, this is obviously worrying. Although we've just had a spring booster campaign for vulnerable populations, the uptake was lower than in 2023, and there is a considerable difference between the current vaccines and circulating viruses."
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