Another new Covid variant, dubbed KP. 3 is sweeping across the country this summer. The new bug is part of the JN sub lineage and is said to come under the umbrella of FLiRT which is an unofficial name made up from the mutations in its genetic makeup.
According to Lancashire Live “KP. 3 burst onto the scene at the tail end of 2023 and has since been responsible for about 60% of England’s cases earlier this year, according to UKHSA figures. While there’s no solid evidence yet to suggest KP. 3 packs a nastier punch than previous strains, its swift circulation has sparked worries that our immunity from vaccines or past infections might be slipping.”
There has been a 24 per cent increase in hospital admissions in the week ending 30th June.
CDC Spokesperson, Rosa Norman, has confirmed that the symptoms associated with KP. 3 are identical to those from JN.1, including fever or chills.
In Birmingham Live people complained of suffering with Covid like symptoms. One person said: “Fever was my first notable symptom on June 1 this year,” while another said: “Had Covid last week, and I had a fever for five days straight”, while a third person disclosed that it was the first they had had a fever due to Covid.
The symptoms reported include the following:
- Cough.
- Sore throat.
- Congestion or runny nose.
- Headache.
- Muscle aches.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Fatigue.
- New loss of taste or smell.
- “Brain fog” (feeling less wakeful and aware).
- Gastrointestinal symptoms (upset stomach, mild diarrhoea, vomiting).
NHS Advice
The NHS advises that individuals should avoid contact with others and stay at home if they or their children have symptoms and either:
- Have a high temperature.
- Do not feel well enough to go to work, school, childcare, or carry out normal activities.
Latest coronavirus symptoms in 2024
According to the NHS the following are the most common symptoms of Covid:
- a high temperature or shivering/chills
- a new continuous cough
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
- shortness of breath
- fatigue or exhaustion
- aching body
- a headache
- sore throat
- blocked or runny nose
- loss of appetite
- diarrhoea
- feeling sick or being sick
What are the signs of long Covid?
According to the NHS the most common symptoms of long Covid are:
- extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- feeling short of breath
- loss of smell
- muscle aches
Other long Covid symptoms
- problems with your memory and concentration (“brain fog”)
- chest pain or tightness
- difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
- heart palpitations
- dizziness
- pins and needles
- joint pain
- depression and anxiety
- tinnitus, earaches
- feeling sick, diarrhoea, stomach aches, loss of appetite
- a high temperature, cough, headaches, sore throat, changes to sense of smell or taste
- rashes
Lancashire Live noted:
“Vaccinations are crucial in preventing severe illness and hospitalisation from both flu and Covid-19. This is particularly important for over-75s, those with weakened immune systems, and residents in care homes for older adults, who are being urged to get their spring booster shots.
“Although the current infection rates are significantly lower than the peak of the spring wave seen just under a month ago and the high levels recorded last autumn and winter recent UKHSA data indicates an increase of 19 per cent in the proportion of positive test results among suspected Covid cases, rising from 8.4 to 10 per cent in a week.”
