Covid: UK variant less associated with loss of taste and smell
ONS survey finds people infected with new coronavirus variant more likely to report other symptoms
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.People infected with the new variant of coronavirus that first emerged in the UK are less likely to report a loss of taste or smell, but more likely to report “classic” symptoms, such as coughing, sore throat or fatigue, a survey has found.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the symptom of impaired taste and smell in those with Covid-19 was “significantly less common” in people who tested positive for the new variant compared with those who had other variants.
However, there was no evidence of any difference in symptoms related to shortness of breath or headaches, according to the provisional data published in the organisation’s infection survey.
The data also indicated that people infected with the new variant were more likely to report having symptoms. These were self-reported and not professionally diagnosed, and cover the period between 15 November and 16 January.
The ONS’s regular Covid-19 infection survey collects data from people in private households in England.
It comes after prime minister Boris Johnson announced last week that the new variant spreading across the UK is more transmissible and potentially more deadly compared with previous versions of the virus.
It was first detected in the southeast of England in September and is thought to have been responsible for the rapid surge in coronavirus cases in the region and across the country.
Lawrence Young, virologist and professor of molecular oncology at the University of Warwick, said the mutations in the virus could “influence the symptoms associated with infection”.
“This variant is more transmissible and infected individuals appear to have higher virus loads which means they produce more virus. This could result in more widespread infection within the body, perhaps accounting for more coughs, muscle pain and tiredness,” said Prof Young.
“The virus has 23 changes compared to the original Wuhan virus. Some of these changes in different parts of the virus could affect the body’s immune response and also influence the range of symptoms associated with infection.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments