As coronavirus infections rates begin to increase across the UK, including all boroughs in Greater Manchester, many people are reporting symptoms not commonly associated with the virus. The NHS states there are three main symptoms of coronavirus that people should look out for; a high temperature, a new and continuous cough and loss or change to your sense of smell or taste. But, some of the most recent commonly reported symptoms are more indicative of a common cold or flu than coronavirus.
The ZOE COVID study which independently collects and examines coronavirus data has stated that the five most common symptoms reported don't include any of those listed on the NHS. In fact, it has stated that a loss of smell and taste has become much less common, ranking 17 in the most reported symptoms.
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According to ZOE, the top 5 most reported symptoms of Covid are:
- Runny nose
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
Findings were confirmed by analyzing data from a small group of contributors who had been informed by the government that their positive PCR results were suspected or confirmed Omicron infections. ZOE also helped to previously identify over 20 mostly mild cold-like symptoms in those infected with Covid.
Changes in symptoms could also be linked to the emergence of the new Deltacron variant which is currently being monitored by health chiefs. But, according to the NHS, Deltacron symptoms so far seem to be the same as the regular Covid symptoms reported during the pandemic.
Despite this, not enough research has been done on the new variant to categorise the symptoms it causes as well as its severity. Soumya Swaminathan, the chief scientist at the World Health Organization, tweeted on Tuesday: “We have known that recombinant events can occur, in humans or animals, with multiple circulating variants of #SarsCoV2.
"Need to wait for experiments to determine the properties of this virus. Importance of sequencing, analytics and rapid data sharing as we deal with this pandemic.”
Coronavirus rates have continued to rise in England, Wales and Scotland, according to data from the ONS.
In England, around one in 20 people in private households are estimated to have had the virus in the week to March 12, or 2.7 million people – up from one in 25, or 2.1 million people, in the week to March 5. In Greater Manchester, cases are still on the rise in all ten boroughs - despite the overall rate being below the national average.
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