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 . Data continues to show COVID-19 poses a very low health risk to children and infants. This is very encouraging. There are also hybrid strains, such as XE, which is a combination of BA.1 and BA.2 By Alex Finnis Studies of contacts show that Omicron is transmitting more effectively than Delta. There are differences in the populations that have received different vaccines. This includes analysing live samples of the new variant in our laboratories to investigate properties such as response to current vaccines. Getting your booster jab remains the most effective way of protecting yourself and others from infection and severe disease. The individual tested positive after travel to the UK and is linked to travel to Southern Africa. When combined with VE against symptomatic disease, the reduced risk of hospitalisation climbed to 92% 2 to 4 weeks after a third dose of the vaccine, down to 83% after 10 weeks or more. The Omicron BA.2 subvariant is fast becoming the dominant strain of COVID-19, with symptoms similar to previous strains of the virus. One dose of any vaccine was associated with a 35% reduced risk of hospitalisation among symptomatic cases with the Omicron variant, 2 doses with a 67% reduction up to 24 weeks after the seconddose and a 51% reduced risk 25 or more weeks after the seconddose. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published variant technical briefing 37. Of those patients admitted to hospital,17had received a booster vaccine, 74 people had 2 doses and 27 people were not vaccinated. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published the latest Variant Technical Briefing. Many people who have Omicron say it feels like a common cold, and here are the 8 early warning signs you need to look out for. The most important thing everyone can do now is to get any vaccine dose that you are eligible for it is by far the most effective action you can take to protect yourself, your families and your communities. 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. However, UKHSA scientists say there is no room to be complacent. One study has suggested that it may be difficult to identify this variant . While BA.1 and BA.2 are similar, they are 20 mutations apart. UKHSA is carrying out targeted testing at locations where the positive cases were likely to be infectious. Please take up this offer as soon as you are invited to protect yourself, your families and your communities. Work is underway to identify any links to travel. These are some of the symptoms that you should be looking out for: High temperature. The first sequences were submitted from the Philippines, and most samples have been uploaded from Denmark (6,411). Please take up this offer as soon as you are eligible to protect yourself, your families and your communities. Follow the latest self-isolation rules if you develop symptoms wear a mask where required to do so, take regular LFD tests and observe good hand hygiene. However, a small change may be enough to cause a difference in the virus properties in some circumstances. As I previously reported, omicron subvariants have a shorter incubation period, which is why the symptoms may appear earlier. These are potentially biologically significant mutations which may change the behaviour of the virus with regards to immune escape, transmissibility or susceptibility to treatments, but this has not been proven. XD has not been identified in the UK to date, though 49 cases have been reported to global databases, the majority of these are in France. So far, there have been 717 V-22OCT-01 sequences uploaded from the UK to the international GISAID database. This matches a recent study led by Oxford University and the Office for National Statistics (ONS), using data from the COVID-19 Infection Survey produced by the latter. This will include analysing live samples of the new variant in our laboratories to investigate properties such as response to current vaccines. Its critical that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets aPCRtest immediately. This analysis found that the risk of presentation to emergency care or hospital admission with Omicron (testing for symptomatic or asymptomatic infection) was approximately half of that for Delta, while the risk of hospital admission alone with Omicron was approximately one-third of that for Delta. Analysis by the UKHSA suggests it could be substantial, although there is a risk of over-estimating growth advantage in the early stages. A runny nose, gastrointestinal issues, headache and a skin rash are other common signs and symptoms. This is early-stage analysis and we continue to monitor the data hour by hour. Omicron has a deletion atposition69/70of the spike proteinwhich allows it to be tracked through S gene target failure(SGTF)in some PCR tests. The individuals that have tested positive and their contacts are all isolating. 2. You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time. UKHSAs latest National flu and COVID-19 surveillance report indicates that the increase in COVID-19 case rates and hospitalisations continues to show signs of slowing. Now more countries, particularly in Asia and Europe, are reporting an increase in cases driven by BA.2. There is further data showing that effectiveness against symptomatic disease is significantly lower compared to the Delta variant, and wanes more quickly. So, like the original omicron strain (BA.1), the primary symptoms of a mild BA.2 infection are a cough, fever, fatigue and possible loss of taste or smell. 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 . They say its possible that the virus has now changed its pattern and is affecting the stomach. The most commonly-reported symptoms with the original Omicron variant were cough, fatigue, headache, congestion, and runny nose. The B.1.1.529variant includes a large number of spike protein mutations as well as mutations in other parts of the viral genome. But the preliminary assessment found no evidence that vaccines would be any less effective against symptomatic disease for either sub-variant. As is routine for any new variants under investigation, UKHSAis carrying out laboratory and epidemiological investigations to better understand the properties of this variant. The highly transmissible Omicron variant now accounts for half of the world's infections. One case is located in Camden, London, and one case is located in Wandsworth, London. As prevalence increases, its more important than ever that we all remain alert, take precautions, and ensure that were up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations, which remain our best form of defence against the virus. The public health advice is the same for all current variants. All 3 subvariants have spike protein mutations of L452 and elude immunity from prior BA1 infection. This will include analysing live samples of the new variant in our laboratories to investigate properties including its response to current vaccines. UKHSA analysis shows that the risk of hospital admission for an identified case with Omicron is reduced compared to a case of Delta. UKHSA is monitoring the situation closely, in partnership with scientific and public health organisations across the world. BA2 Variant is overtaking Delta and Omicron Cases at rapid speed. UKHSAs most recent variant technical briefing can be found on GOV.UK. This new mutation dubbed BA.2.75 is concerning scientists because it appears to spread fast, bypassing the protection offered by COVID-19 vaccines and immunity from previous infection, the Associated Press reported Monday. 2 or Stealth Omicron causes. Data for the devolved administrations will follow in due course. 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. 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. Dr Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Advisor for UKHSA, said: Ongoing variant analysis is an important part of our pandemic response. A further 16 cases have been identified in Scotland, bringing the total in Scotland to 29. Both have links to travel to Southern Africa. Updated Jan. 27, 2023 The omicron subvariant of COVID-19, BA.5, became one of the dominant strains of the virus in the fall of 2022 in the U.S. At that time, it was the most easily spread strain to date and is able to evade immunity from COVID infection and vaccination. The majority of these cases are located in London and the South East. 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). The most common omicron-related symptoms are: Cough. Neither BQ.1 nor XBB have been designated as variants of concern and UKHSA is monitoring the situation closely, as always. 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. Inthe SIREN study, a large cohort of healthcare workers are tested regularly by PCR to detect asymptomatic infection in addition to normal testing practices for symptomatic infection. It has been designated a "variant under investigation" by British health authorities, meaning they are keeping a close watch on it, but are not overly concerned by it. BA.2 is believed to be far more contagious than the earlier Omicron strain, and was blamed for a fresh surge in Denmark. However, one must note, these are only early stage symptoms. Two-thirds with Omicron say they had Covid before. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has identified 8 further cases of COVID-19 with mutations consistent with B.1.1.529 in England, in addition to the previous 5 confirmed cases of the SARS-CoV-2 variant known as B.1.1.529. These are potentially biologically significant mutations which may change the behaviour of the virus with regards to vaccines, treatments and transmissibility. If you develop any symptoms, isolate immediately and get a PCR test. There is currently no data on the severity of BA.2. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 99% of viral DNA submitted to the global GISAID database as of 25 January were identified as this sub-variant. We will continue to monitor this situation closely and recommend appropriate public health measures if needed. As of 17 May, 115 cases of BA.4 and 80 cases of BA.5 have been confirmed in England and the latest UKHSA variant technical briefing has been published today. B.1.1.529 has a large number of mutations in the gene coding for the spike protein, and also in other parts of the viral genome. UKHSA are continuing to monitor data on the BA.2 sub-lineage closely. In severe cases, the SpO2 Level may also decrease. A growth rate potentially compatible with the eventual replacement of the current dominant variant. 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. Working alongside Cambridge University MRC Biostatistics unit, UKHSA analysed 528,176 Omicron cases and 573,012 Delta cases between 22 November and 26 December to assess the risk of hospitalisation in England after testing positive for Omicron. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has identified 75 further cases of COVID-19 with mutations consistent with B.1.1.529 in England, in addition to the previous 29 confirmed cases of the SARS-CoV-2 variant known as B.1.1.529. The total number of confirmed cases in England is now 29. At the moment there is much that is not yet clear. The newest COVID variant taking the world by storm is Omicron's stealthy sub-variant BA.2, and it seems to have brought on a new barrage of gastrointestinal symptoms with it. 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. As always, the booster vaccine remains the best protection against infection. New sub-lineages within Delta continue to be identified. Our data shows that getting the booster vaccine is more effective against this variant than 2 doses alone. Both are variants in the Omicron family. 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. BA.2, also coined as the "stealth" variant, is a relative of Omicron's original variant, BA.1, which tore through the Australian community over Christmas and the New Year period. 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. As of January 10 2022, 53 sequences of the BA.2 sub-lineage of Omicron had been identified in the United Kingdom. The UK has been hard-hit by a further spike in Covid-19 cases in recent weeks, with infections being driven by a sub-lineage of the Omicron variant known as BA.2 or "Stealth Omicron". Among those who had received 2 doses of Pfizer or Moderna, effectiveness dropped from around 65 to 70% down to around 10% by 20 weeks after the seconddose. And in England, more than 1,000 confirmed cases of BA.2 have been identified, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). Of these, XD and XF are recombinants of Delta and Omicron BA.1, while XE is a recombinant of Omicron BA.1 and BA.2. None of the cases to date is known to have been hospitalised or died. The vaccination status was unknown for 6 people, while 8 had received a single dose. More evidence is needed to know whether this is due to changes in the virus behaviour or to epidemiological conditions. Can Nigeria's election result be overturned? Anewrisk assessment for OmicronVOC-21NOV-01 (B.1.1.529)has also been published and is available here.

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