The Omicron variant of Covid-19 continues to mutate. In his latest YouTube video, Professor Tim Spector, of the ZOE Covid Study app, gave the latest on two new subvariants of Omicron - BA.4 and BA.5.
According to Prof Spector, the UK is not yet seeing "worrying levels" of the variants but he warned: "We are keeping an eye on this because South Africa - where Omicron was first picked up - is seeing BA.4 and BA.5 increasing quite fast". Meanwhile, he said loss of smell and tinnitus - also known as ear ringing - are symptoms to take "really seriously", although the former was more associated with previous strains.
"It suggests another part of the body is being affected, something internal, more close to the brain," he said. The alert comes after Prof Spector and his team carried out a survey to assess the prevalence of tinnitus in people infected with Covid, reports the Express.
Tinnitus is when people experience ringing or other noises in one or both of their ears. Despite being "something we haven't heard much about, it turns out that 19% or one in five of you did have ear problems because of Covid", he said.
According to the ZOE lead, of the 14,500 people who took part in the survey, 5,000 tested positive for Covid and ear ringing. Participants said the symptom "comes and goes and can be mild to moderate for weeks or months".
Prof Spector admitted he did get it but it "disappeared quickly in me". People are advised to contact their GP if they have tinnitus regularly or constantly.
