New Covid variant alert with 'unusual' symptoms as doctors issue warning
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Health officials have issued a stark warning about a new strain of coronavirus, which comes with unusual symptoms, following a surge in cases.
Irish residents are being urged to self-isolate for two days if they display any signs of Covid, as the new variant is also causing gastrointestinal problems. The variant, known as NB. 1.8.1, has already been identified in the UK, US and Australia.
Experts have emphasised that while previous strains have been associated with flu-like symptoms, NB. 1.8.1 can cause gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and heartburn, reports the Mirror.
Patients who experience bloating, constipation and abdominal pain could also find themselves diagnosed with Covid-19.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has added the variant to its official watch list and suggested that it is more transmissible than other strains.
However, there isn't any evidence to suggest that it causes more severe illnesses.
According to WHO, the strain first appeared in January and by late April it was responsible for around 10.7% of global infections, up from just 2.5% a month earlier.
The strain has seen a rapid rise in Ireland in recent weeks.
According to data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), the proportion of sequenced Covid samples linked to NB. 1.8.1 jumped from 3.7% to 27.3% in the last five weeks, reports Dublin Live.
The new Covid variant NB. 1.8.1, already dominant in regions of Asia like China and Hong Kong, has been detected in holiday hotspots including Thailand, Egypt, and the Maldives. Dr Lara Herrero, Research Leader in Virology at Griffith University, highlighted the symptoms: "Common symptoms [of NB.1.8.1] include sore throat, fatigue, fever, mild cough, muscle aches and nasal congestion. Gastrointestinal symptoms may also occur in some cases."
With unseasonal cold symptoms or stomach issues possibly indicating Covid, Irish health authorities advise those feeling ill to stay home until they're symptom-free for 48 hours and to steer clear of high-risk individuals.
Current public health advice in Ireland stresses the importance of self-isolation if exhibiting any signs of Covid, with particular attention given to keeping away from vulnerable individuals until you've been clear of majority or all symptoms for two days.
Covid symptoms to look out for
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Daily Record
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You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The inquest earlier evidence both from the psychiatric consultants - employed by the Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust - who were responsible for Rev'd Capt Watson's care in hospital and in the community. Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust joint medical director Dr Michael Wright also gave evidence as to the issues experienced at work. Dr Wright said: "It's of immense concern to me and many others that a member of staff - one of our members of staff most valued by others - clearly at times did not feel that way. We have all reflected as to whether we did all we could to make her feel valued and [to show her] quite how important she was to our organisation. Procedures and processes were followed but does that mean there isn't anything we can learn from this? Absolutely not." He agreed that Revd Capt Watson was a "huge miss" and said work was ongoing to embed an NHS England "toolkit" designed to prevent NHS staff from dying due to suicide. The inquest had heard how her "exceptionally high standards" may have put herself under significant strain, while psychiatrists also referred to her experience of trauma during the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic. 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Rev'd Capt Watson's death last autumn saw huge numbers of tributes - including from the senior Church of England Bishop of Newcastle and Northumberland. Right Reverend Dr Helen-Ann Hartley and the Right Reverend Mark Wroe. They said: "It is with a profound sense of sadness and grief that we received the news about Katie, and our first thoughts are with her partner Emily and their children and all who knew and loved Katie. "From her much valued work as a hospital chaplain, which reached beyond the bounds of the North East, to her many colleagues from her past career, and the sporting and running communities she was a part of, to all of us here in the Diocese of Newcastle, we mourn her death with a deep feeling of loss."
