10 most common current Covid symptoms as new variant spreads
Most common current symptoms of Covid-19 revealed
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.Fears have been raised as new offshoots of the highly-transmissible Omicron variant have caused cases to surge in countries around the world.
Omicron relatives XBB and XBB.1.5 have been reported in several nations, including the UK, leading British health officials to urge the take-up of Covid vaccines and other protections against the virus.
Earlier this month, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advised Britons to stay at home when feeling unwell or wear face coverings when going outside in a bid to stem the risk of a new Covid wave.
The UKHSA then warned that Covid and flu are currently “circulating at high levels”, which is likely to continue rising in the coming weeks.
The XBB.1.5 Covid variant is thought to be behind at least 4 per cent of infections currently being sequenced. In October 2022, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said there was early evidence to suggest that XBB has a higher reinfection risk, compared to other circulating Omicron subvariants.
Tim Spector, professor of genetic epidemiology at King’s College London and founder of the Covid Zoe app, warned that the new Omicron descendent could be the new variant “to watch out for .. in 2023.”
As Covid continues to circulate at pace in the UK, analysis from the ZOE project, seen by The Independent, reveals that in the 30 days up to 3rd January 2023, sore throats were the most common symptom reported by its contributors.
The ZOE app allows infected people to report their symptoms via an app while allegedly suffering from the virus in the interest of attaining a better understanding of Covid and its evolution. The data submitted is then analysed by King’s College London, which tracks infections across the UK and identifies who is most at risk.
Here are the top 10 symptoms reported in the past month:
- Sore throat – 57.3 per cent
- Blocked nose – 57.8 per cent
- Runny nose – 55.5 per cent
- Sneezing – 52 per cent)
- Cough with no phlegm – 50.7 per cent
- Headaches – 49.6 per cent
- Cough with phlegm – 47.3 per cent
- Hoarse voice – 41.4 per cent
- Muscle pain – 24.7 per cent
- Altered smell – 22.32 per cent
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