In light of the recent COVID-19 outbreak in China, it is accurate to say that the pandemic is not over yet. The rest of the world continues to battle new emerging coronavirus variants that are not only fast-spreading, but also have the ability to evade natural and vaccine-induced immunity. Currently, the XBB.1.5, nicknamed as Kraken, is said to be a dominant strain of the coronavirus, with the World Health Organization (WHO), referring to it as the most transmissible variant so far.
Two COVID variants likely to
'take over' UK
While the US Centres for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced that 43 percent of all
COVID cases in the US were the XBB.1.5 in the week beginning January 8, the UK
Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed that the same strain is likely to
'take over' the UK.
Not just that, as per the health body, along with XBB.1.5, CH.1.1 will replace the BQ.1 variant as the most dominant.
In a statement, the UKHSA said, “The analysis shows that coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the UK are primarily made up of BQ.1 and its sublineages, consistent with the UKHSA risk assessment published in October.
“Two variants, CH.1.1 and
XBB.1.5, appear to have a growth advantage in the UK.
“Both are variants in the Omicron family.
“XBB.1.5 remains at very low
prevalence in the UK, so estimates of growth are highly uncertain.
“The risk assessment conducted by UKHSA together with academic partners found that CH.1.1 and XBB.1.5 are currently the variants most likely to take over from BQ.1 as the next dominant variant in the UK, unless further novel variants arise.”
Also read: Omicron XBB.1.5 variant: Top COVID symptoms seen in infections caused by the 'most transmissible variant'
Vaccinated people more at risk
of XBB.1.5 variant
In a recent report, it was revealed that the Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 may be more likely to infect people who have been vaccinated or already had COVID-19.
"Omicron subvariant
XBB.1.5 now accounts for 73% of all sequenced COVID-19 cases in NYC. XBB.1.5 is
the most transmissible form of COVID-19 that we know of to date and may be more
likely to infect people who have been vaccinated or already had COVID-19,"
read a tweet by the official account of the NYC Department of Health and Mental
Hygiene.
However, the health experts
continue to urge people to get vaccinated.
Besides vaccines, following a
COVID-appropriate behavior is still key in curbing the spread of the virus.
Wearing a well-fitted mask, maintaining social distance, avoiding crowds and following proper hand hygiene are some of the essential measures you can take.
Vigilance is extremely crucial, especially because the vulnerable in the society continue to be at huge risk of severe illnesses.
Role of vaccination
COVID-19 vaccines have remained a debatable subject. While doctors and medical experts have hailed the available jabs for preventing severe coronavirus illness, many question the effectiveness of the vaccine shots.
Although breakthrough infections are still prevalent, experts continue to encourage people to take the jabs so as to reduce the risk of hospitalization and death.
"We do not know yet whether XBB.1.5 may cause more severe disease. Getting the COVID-19 vaccine — including the updated booster — is still the best way to protect yourself from hospitalization and death from COVID-19, including from these new variants," reads the tweet by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Know your symptoms
Anyone can be prone to COVID-19
illness. If you have got infected, you must take necessary steps to avoid
spreading it further. First and foremost, recognize the symptoms. According to
the UK Zoe Health Study app, the most common COVID symptoms include:
- Runny nose
- Headache
- Fatigue (mild or severe)
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
In case you develop these symptoms, do not make the mistake of socializing with others. Regardless of whether or not you have COVID, isolate yourself. Best to take a COVID test and wait until the results read 'negative'.
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