Symptom that hits 'three times in 24 hours' could be Covid - as Nimbus variant DOUBLES in just one month and infections reach highest level this year
A new or persistent cough striking in a particular time frame could be a sign you have the new Covid variant sweeping through the UK.
It comes as experts fear a hyper virulent new strain of the virus, dubbed 'Nimbus', could drive a wave of cases this summer.
Official data, published yesterday, show the proportion of Covid tests testing positive for Nimbus has doubled in less than a month, jumping to eight per cent.
While there are no signs the new strain causes more severe illness or death than other strains, experts warn there are signs its far more contagious.
The rise of Nimbus, known scientifically as N.B.1.8.1, comes as scientists warn that many people's immunity from previous infections and Covid jabs has faded.
Symptoms of Nimbus are thought to be very similar to previous Covid variants.
These include a new or persistent cough, such as three coughing episodes in 24 hours or coughing a lot for more than an hour according to the NHS.
The health service warns that having a high temperature, when you feel hot to touch on your chest or back, or shivering chills are also strong indicators.
Other classic symptoms include a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, a sore throat, and shortness of breath.
Fatigue, a runny nose, body aches, headaches, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, vomiting and nausea are also potential signs you have the virus.
Whilst the new Nimbus variant is thought to have similar symptoms to other strains, a doctor recently warned it can cause 'razor blade sore throat'.
This can feel like a sharp, stabbing pain while swallowing, often in the back of the throat, said to Dr Naveed Asif, a GP at The London General Practice.
Other potential symptoms linked to the strain are redness in the back of the mouth and swollen glands.
'However, symptoms can vary widely so vigilance is key', Dr Asif told Manchester Evening News.
Other data, published by The UK Health Security Agency, show the proportion of people testing positive for the virus in general is on the rise.
The number of Covid tests returning positive for any form of the virus has increased to 6.8 per cent as of June 15, the latest available data.
This is up from 5.6 per cent last month and represents the highest figure recorded so far this year.
NHS guidance says patients with Covid symptoms should self-isolate, while those who test positive should stay home for five days—but these are not legal requirements.
Lab studies have suggested Nimbus is better at infecting human cells and dodging the immune system, making it highly infectious.
Earlier this month, the World Health Organisation revealed the new strain now accounts for 10.7 per cent of Covid infections worldwide, compared to just 2.5 per cent in May.
In Britain, the latest UKHSA data reveals there have been 947 hospital admissions for Covid in the week up to May 31—a slight increase of 9.4 per cent.
Infection with the virus can still be deadly, especially for more vulnerable groups.
The latest data shows the virus was recorded as factor in the deaths of 68 people in England in the week up to June 6.
Other UKHSA data, showed that only 59 per cent of Britons in England aged over 75 had taken up the offer of a Covid vaccine.
Uptake fell to just one in four among under 75s with compromised immune systems, who are also eligible for the jab on the NHS.
NHS England's spring Covid vaccine drive is drawing to an end with the system closing for bookings earlier this week.
Vaccine companies are reported to be in the midst of updating their shots to fit the 'Nimbus' strain.
Moderna said late last month that its updated mNEXSPIKE shot will be available by the fall.
Nimbus first originated from China, where it has been linked to a rise in cases and A&E visits.
The variant has taken off in the US where data suggests it now makes up over a third of Covid cases, making it the second-most common variant.
Nimbus as a name, for the variant, was coined by Canadian evolutionary biologist T Ryan Gregory, the mind behind many popular Covid strain names.
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