The individuals who have tested positive and their contacts are all isolating. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. In addition, UKHSA has published data which shows the detection of cases exhibiting S-gene target failure (SGTF) in recent weeks across the country. A further 3 cases have been identified in Scotland, bringing the total to 13. The total number of confirmed cases in England is now 5. We have now identified cases in the East Midlands, East of England, London, South East and North West. Technical Briefing 34 contains further analysis on symptom comparison on Omicron and Delta. This paper can be found as a pre-print, and the data is referred to in the latest vaccine surveillance report. UKHSA are continuing to monitor data on the BA.2 sub-lineage closely. It contains epidemiological data and updated analysis of COVID-19 variants currently circulating in the UK. The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) said the BA.2 sub-lineage was already prevalent in samples it received at the end of January. As viruses mutate often and at random, it is not unusual for small numbers of cases to arise featuring new sets of mutations. Whilst there are insufficient data to quantify either vaccine effectiveness or risk of reinfection in the UK exactly, the observed growth, case distribution and early analyses in both South Africa and the UK are consistent with some loss of immune protection against infection. Typical meningitis symptoms include neck stiffness or pain, numbness, tingling, and sensitivity to light. Thanks to very high levels of vaccine coverage we already have a robust wall of defence against COVID-19 as new variants emerge. UKHSA analysis shows that the risk of hospital admission for an identified case with Omicron is reduced compared to a case of Delta. A major ailment is not to be expected for the age group 20-50 years. Dr Meera Chand, Director of Clinical and Emerging Infections at UKHSA, said: The reclassification of these variants as variants of concern reflects emerging evidence on the growth of BA.4 and BA.5 internationally and in the UK. The Delta variant sub-lineage known as Delta AY.4.2 was designated a variant under investigation (VUI) by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on 20 October 2021 and has been given the official name VUI-21OCT-01. This analysis excludes individuals with confirmed previous COVID-19 infection. This designation means that data relating to BA.2.75 will now be reported separately from other BA.2 cases. Please wear face coverings in line with government guidance, let in fresh air when mixing indoors and wash your hands regularly. There are also hybrid strains, such as XE, which is a combination of BA.1 and BA.2 By Alex Finnis The Omicron variant of Covid-19 includes the lineages BA.1, BA.2, BA.3 and B.1.1.529. Currently there are 18 UK samples in GISAID, out of a global total of 1,086; 639 samples have been uploaded from Singapore, and it is thought that XBB may be a factor in the recent spike in cases there. Dr Meera Chand, Director of Clinical and Emerging Infections, UKHSA, said: Through our genomic surveillance we continue to see evolution of variants in the Omicron family. Further studies are underway in the UK and abroad. It has since swept the globe, eventually vanquishing other variants including delta. Please take up this offer as soon as you are eligible to protect yourself, your families and your communities. You can change your cookie settings at any time. Both have links to travel to Southern Africa. UKHSA Chief Medical Advisor, Dr Susan Hopkins said: It is increasingly evident that Omicron is highly infectious and there is emerging laboratory and early clinical evidence to suggest that both vaccine-acquired and naturally acquired immunity against infection is reduced for this variant. 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. 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. 1. 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. We expect the vaccines to show higher protection against the serious complications of COVID-19, so if you havent yet had your first 2 doses please book an appointment straight away. So how worried should we be about this emerging variant? Top of the list with a prevalence of 80. Data continues to show COVID-19 poses a very low health risk to children and infants. 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. 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. 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. This suggests that BA.5 is likely to become the dominant COVID-19 variant in the UK. XBB.1.5 remains at very low prevalence in the UK, so estimates of growth are highly uncertain. Our findings suggest the current wave of Omicron infections is unlikely to lead to a major surge in severe disease in care home populations with high levels of vaccine coverage and/or natural immunity. 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. Omicron BA.4 and Omicron BA.5 were designated as variants of concern on 18 May on the basis of an apparent growth advantage over the previously-dominant Omicron BA.2 variant. But the latest data suggests this extra protection starts to wane more rapidly, being about 15 to 25% lower from 10 weeks after the booster dose. Since the middle of February, this growth rate has settled at approximately 75% higher than other circulating Omicron lineages in England. Read about our approach to external linking. The technical briefing also includes early analysis of vaccine effectiveness against the Omicron variant compared to Delta. Please take up this offer as soon as you are eligible to protect yourself, your families and your communities. The majority of these cases are located in London and the South East. Vaccination is critical to help us bolster our defences against this new variant so please get your first, second, third or booster jab as soon as you are eligible to protect yourself, your families and your communities. A further 16 cases have been identified in Scotland, bringing the total in Scotland to 29. The individuals that have tested positive and their contacts are all isolating. You will not always know whether someone you come into contact with is at higher risk of becoming seriously ill from respiratory infections, including COVID-19. Analyses of sequenced SGTF samples has indicated that until mid-November, more than 99% of these were Delta cases. Currently, the Omicron variant has BA.1, BA.2, BA.3, and B.1.1.529 sub-variants, of which the BA.1 was dominant a few months before, and scientists have recently warned about the BA.2 sub-variant . Nine cases have also been identified in Scotland, with 5 cases in the Lanarkshire area and 4 in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area. The latest number of COVID-19 cases with mutations consistent with B.1.1.529 in England are published on UKHSAs social media channels. As we learn to live safely with COVID-19, there are actions we can all take to help reduce the risk of catching COVID-19 and passing it on to others. We have now identified cases in the East Midlands, East of England, London, South East and North West. Omicron continues to grow faster than Delta, with an increased risk of transmission, particularly in contacts outside of the household. Work is underway to identify any links to travel to Southern Africa. An individual with Omicron is estimated to be between 31 and 45% less likely to attend A&E compared to Delta, and 50 to 70% less likely to be admitted to hospital. 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 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. The data so far suggests an increase in overall reinfection rates, alongside an increase in first infections. 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. UKHSAreleases weekly updates on the number of confirmed new cases of variants of concern and variants under investigation identified in the UK. Its 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. Increased case detection through focused contact tracing has led to more cases of the Omicron variant being identified and confirmed, as we have seen in other countries globally. 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. BA.2 has an increased growth rate compared to BA.1 in all regions of England where there are enough cases to assess it. moderate COVID-19 symptoms who are at high risk of . As I previously reported, omicron subvariants have a shorter incubation period, which is why the symptoms may appear earlier. There is currently no data on the severity of BA.2. 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. 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. Take a vaccine to protect yourself against COVID-19. BA.2 continues to demonstrate a substantial growth advantage. What we know is that it is certainly growing as a proportion of overall cases in the UK. One case is located in Camden, London, and one case is located in Wandsworth, London. SUMMARY : The basics of the Omicron sub-variant, the BA.5, which is currently the majority in France: BA.5 is more contagious than BA.2 (January wave), which was itself more contagious than BA.1 and even more than Delta (variant 2021). Our exceptional vaccine rollout means the number of people severely affected by COVID-19 is low, and the UKs innovation and research has discovered life-saving treatments for those most at risk from COVID-19. BA.1 accounts for most of the 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. March 31, 2022. Those mutations are shared with the original omicron, but BA.2 also has . In England, the infection rate increased in those aged 25 years to 49 years and those aged 70 years and over in the week ending 21 February 2023. 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. Neither have been designated as variants of concern by UKHSA. The latest variant technical briefing suggests that Omicron continues to grow rapidly in all regions of England as measured by confirmed cases and S gene target failure (SGTF). In a subgroup analysis of 4,800 people who were triple-vaccinated and infected with an omicron variant, the authors found that people with BA.2 were 64 percent more likely than BA.1-infected . Read about our approach to external linking. 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. Vaccination is critical to help us bolster our defences against this new variant please get your first, second, third or booster jab without delay. UKHSA Chief Executive, Jenny Harries said: I want to thank everyone who has been working globally and locally to help us act incredibly quickly in response to the Omicron variant. However, confidence levels for severity indicators for children are low because further analysis is required to compare the risk of hospitalisation between Omicron and Delta, and to assess the clinical nature of illness in children. 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. Experts say BA.2 has extensive mutations and is about 40 percent more infectious than the original Omicron variant. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published the latest variant technical briefing. 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 two most reported symptom of patients infected by the Stealth Omicron variant is -dizziness and fatigue. India is another country where BA.2 is rapidly replacing the Delta and Omicron BA.1 variant, according to molecular biologist Bijaya Dhakal. Our data also show that 17.5 per cent of people aged 75 years and over have not had a vaccine within the past six months, putting them more at risk of severe disease. Stay at home if you have any respiratory symptoms or a fever and limit contact with others until you are feeling better, particularly if they are likely to be at greater risk if they contract COVID-19. A total 637 cases of XE a recombinant of Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 have been confirmed in the UK so far. Headache. A further case has been identified in Scotland, bringing the total to 10. These are potentially biologically significant mutations which may change the behaviour of the virus with regards to vaccines, treatments and transmissibility. This increased to 63% for BA.1 and 70% for BA.2 at 2 weeks following a third vaccine. 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. 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. Work is underway to identify any links to travel to Southern Africa. 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. ROCHESTER, Minn. The World Health Organization designated COVID-19 variant B.1.1.529, named omicron, a "variant of concern" on Nov. 26, 2021, and the first confirmed case in the U.S. was on Dec. 1, 2021. 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. 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. According to the COVID Symptom Study, the five most common symptoms are the same: Runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing and sore throat. 2. 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. A number of Omicron variants are currently circulating in England, many of which have acquired mutations which may produce a degree of immune escape. The omicron variant of the coronavirus was first detected in late 2021. 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 data suggests this risk is significantly reduced following a booster vaccine, so I urge everyone to take up their booster when eligible. 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). As with any other coronavirus (COVID-19) variant, the vast majority do not confer any advantage to the virus and die out relatively quickly. Its critical that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets aPCRtest immediately. BA.2 attacking abdomen instead of lungs. There are thought to be subtle differences in the symptoms that BA. This sub-lineage, which was designated by Pangolin on 6 December 2021, does not have the spike gene deletion at 69-70 that causes S-gene target failure (SGTF), which has previously been used as a proxy to detect cases of Omicron. The individuals and their households have been told to self-isolate. Studies have also shown that Omicron infects and multiplies in the upper airways 70 times faster than the previous Delta variant. 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. Getting your booster jab remains the most effective way of protecting yourself and others from infection and severe disease. "It's important to know and recognize all of the. Studiesof households and contactshave found that there is a higher risk of transmission to contacts from an Omicron case, when compared to Delta. 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. No cases have been identified in the UK. 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. 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. We have seen a rise in hospital admissions in line with community infections but vaccinations are continuing to keep ICU admissions and deaths at low levels. There are no confirmed cases in Northern Ireland. As of 18 July 2022, there were 24 cases of BA.2.75 in the UK. 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. As with previous variants, experts believe vaccines will continue to be highly effective against severe illness, hospitalisation, and death. Omicron BA.2 lacks the genetic deletion on the spike protein which produces S-gene target failure (SGTF) in some polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, which has been used as a proxy for Omicron cases previously. UKHSA has performed an initial laboratory evaluation of the current lateral flow devices (LFDs) for COVID-19 in current use in the UK. The data once again shows that coming forward for your jab, particularly your third dose, is the best way of protecting yourself and others against infection and severe disease. 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. There is still uncertainty around the significance of the changes to the viral genome, and further analyses will now be undertaken. Vaccination remains our best defence against future COVID-19 waves, so it is still as important as ever that people come take up all the doses for which they are eligible as soon as possible.