Covid FLiRT variant identified in UK, with sick people urged to 'stay at home if possible'

A new variant of Covid has been reported in the UK, and the government is suggesting that people with symptoms stay at home if possible. The KP.2 FLiRT variant has been identified in the UK and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says it is continuing to monitor the situation.

In a new blog post, the UKHSA said: “It is normal for viruses to mutate and change, and more broadly we are still trying to understand how the healthcare system responds to the ebb and flow of seasonal cases. As more data becomes available on this variant, we will better understand how it interacts with our immune systems and how we can optimise our protection and the measures we can take to keep the most vulnerable safe and allow them to live our lives as normally as possible.”

The most recent UK data shows that 2,815 cases of Covid-19 were reported last week, an increase of 33%. In the last week, according to available data, between 7 and 14 June, 146 deaths were recorded, an increase of 5%.

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According to the UKHSA, the latest mutation of the virus could make it less transmissible or cause a milder reaction. They are currently working on building up a stock of the new variant so they can begin testing.

The UKHSA blog, updated in July, advises that people who are ill should take precautions. It states: “If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as COVID-19, and have a high temperature or are unwell enough to go to work or carry out normal activities, you should avoid contact with vulnerable people and stay at home if possible.”

Complete list of Covid symptoms

The UKHSA's latest list of Covid symptoms remains unchanged despite the apparent rise in the new variant.

• High temperature or chills
• New and continuous cough
• Loss or change in your sense of smell or taste
• Shortness of breath
• Feeling tired or exhausted
• Painful body
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea
• To feel sick or to be sick

Current Covid Guidelines

If you have symptoms and need to leave home, the current advice is to avoid close contact with anyone who could become seriously ill from infection.

The government says the following measures will reduce the risk of passing the infection on to others.

• wear a well-fitting, multi-layered face mask or surgical mask
• avoid crowded places such as public transport, large social gatherings or any enclosed or poorly ventilated areas
• exercising outdoors in places where you will not have close contact with other people
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing; Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer after coughing, sneezing, and blowing your nose and before eating or handling food; Avoid touching your face