Most of the world has got back to their pre-pandemic lives, with many of us seeing Covid-19 as - if not quite a thing of the past, at least something to stop worrying about.
However, experts have now warned over a worrying rise in infections among Brits, caused mainly by two new Omicron sub-variants.
The BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants which were found in South Africa in January and February 2022, are considered the grandchildren of the Omicron variant that spread across the UK towards the end of 2021.
With one-in-21 Brits believed to be infected by the new strain, experts are worry that the country may already in the middle of its fifth Covid wave.
Here's what you need to know about the symptoms of the new Covid variants and current NHS guidelines if you test positive.
Omicron sub-variant symptoms
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control labelled BA.4 and BA.5 as 'variants of concern' in mid-May, though these sub-variants seem to be causing fewer deaths and hospitalisations like original Omicron.
There is "currently no evidence" that the two variants are causing more serious illness than the previous variants, according to UKHSA.
Symptoms of the new sub-variants are:
Some of these symptoms overlap with symptoms of the Alpha variant. However, people with the Alpha variant are likely to experience other symptoms like shortness of breath and a loss of taste or smell as well.
There hasn't been anything to suggest that these sub-variants are presenting with any new symptoms.
Are the new Covid sub-variants more infectious?
The BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants have three mutations to their spike proteins, which helps them retrain the virus' ability to attack the lungs.
These variants are believed to be more serious than Omicron but not as transmissible.
Though these are strains of Omicron, studies are showing that BA.4 and BA.5 are more similar to the Alpha and Delta variants, which were less infectious but more dangerous.
What to do if you test positive for Covid
According to the NHS site, if you test positive for Covid, you can pass on the virus to other people for up to 10 days from when your infection starts.
Most people will no longer be infectious to others after five days. However, if you test positive you should:
- try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for five days
- avoiding meeting people at higher risk from Covid-19 for 10 days, even if they’ve had a vaccine
You can go back to your normal activities if you:
- feel well enough to do so
- do not have a high temperature
You can find separate guidance for children and young people aged 18 or under on GOV.UK.
