The Omicron variant of Covid-19 includes the lineages BA.1, BA.2, BA.3 and B.1.1.529. These are potentially biologically significant mutations which may change the behaviour of the virus with regards to immune escape, transmissibility or susceptibility to treatments, but this has not been proven. UKHSA has also released a variant risk assessment for Omicron BA.4 and BA.5, summarising the emerging epidemiology and laboratory evidence. Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at UKHSA, said: The latest set of analysis is in keeping with the encouraging signs we have already seen. One dose of any vaccine was associated with a 35% reduced risk of hospitalisation among symptomatic cases with the Omicron variant, 2 doses with a 67% reduction up to 24 weeks after the seconddose and a 51% reduced risk 25 or more weeks after the seconddose. The rapid spread of Omicron BA.2: What studies say - Medical News Today The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published a new variant technical briefing containing an updated Omicron risk assessment, alongside analysis on vaccine efficacy, sub-lineages and symptoms. Of these, XD and XF are recombinants of Delta and Omicron BA.1, while XE is a recombinant of Omicron BA.1 and BA.2. The designation was made on the basis of increasing numbers of BA.2 sequences identified both domestically and internationally. Typical meningitis symptoms include neck stiffness or pain, numbness, tingling, and sensitivity to light. It is not unexpected to see new lineages and continued investigation is a normal part of the surveillance of an infectious disease. UKHSA analysis shows that the risk of hospital admission for an identified case with Omicron is reduced compared to a case of Delta. In addition, UKHSA has published data which shows the detection of cases exhibiting S-gene target failure (SGTF) in recent weeks across the country. XBB.1.5 remains at very low prevalence in the UK, so estimates of growth are highly uncertain. Dr Meera Chand, UKHSA Director of Clinical an Emerging Infection, said: We continue to monitor the emergence of new variants and give them variant designations if they are sufficiently distinct to warrant separate epidemiological and laboratory assessment. More investigation is required to fully determine the extent of these mutations impact. Omicron and its Subvariants: A Guide to What We Know Well be undertaking further analysis to investigate the small rise in the number of children admitted to hospital but currently coronavirus (COVID-19) poses a very low health risk to children and infants. The analysis looked at 581 people with confirmed Omicron. Our findings suggest the current wave of Omicron infections is unlikely to lead to a major surge in severe disease in care home populations with high levels of vaccine coverage and/or natural immunity. However, it should serve as objective evidence that this pandemic is not over. However, a small change may be enough to cause a difference in the virus properties in some circumstances. Analysis from routine contact tracing data indicates that transmission is likely to be higher among contacts of BA.2 cases in households (13.4%) than those for contacts of other Omicron cases(10.3%) in the period 27 December 2021 to 11 January 2022. It is important that everyone ensures that they are up to date with vaccinations offered as they remain our best form of defence against severe illness. Whilst the impact of these variants is uncertain, the variant classification system aims to identify potential risk as early as possible. This analysis is not an assessment of hospital severity, which will take further time to assess. Omicron BA.2 Variant: 5 New Symptoms That Indicates You Are Infected UKHSA continues to examine all available data relating to SARS-CoV-2 variants in the UK and abroad. UKHSAs most recent variant technical briefing includes examination of a number of recombinant variants which have been identified in the UK, as well as updated epidemiological and genomic analysis of Omicron BA.2. Overall, data shows significant reductions in neutralisation against several of the newly emergent variants (BA.2.75.2, BA.2.3.20 and BJ.1), compared to BA.2, BA.4 and the dominant BA.5. So, like the original omicron strain (BA.1), the primary symptoms of a mild BA.2 infection are a cough, fever, fatigue and possible loss of taste or smell. Delta and Omicron Cases are being eclipsed by BA2 Variant rapidly. BA.2, also known as "stealth omicron," is considered a subvariant of omicron. BA.1 accounts for most of the cases. The early observations for 2 doses of AstraZeneca are particularly likely to be unreliable as they are based on small numbers and are likely to reflect an older population and a population with more co-morbidities than those given the Pfizer vaccine. This will include analysing live samples of the new variant in our laboratories to investigate properties such as response to current vaccines. For example, there are still a small number of cases of other variants, such as Alpha, in the UK which would also result in S-gene dropout or there is a lower amount of virus present in the sample where S-gene dropout cannot be confirmed. UKHSA, in partnership with scientific bodies across the globe, is constantly monitoring the status of SARS-CoV-2 variants as they emerge and develop worldwide. The study also showed evidence to suggest that the BA.2 sub-variant is better able to evade vaccines. While prevalence remains high, make sure to wear your mask in indoor settings and take a lateral flow test before meeting others. Thats why its critical that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets a PCR test immediately. The updated risk assessment includes indicators for infection severity in both adults and children. UKHSA is gathering scientific information as quickly as possible in order to inform the right balance of interventions to prevent transmission and protect lives. COVID & Gut Health: Why Are Omicron, BA.2 Causing More - TheQuint In England, the infection rate increased in those aged 25 years to 49 years and those aged 70 years and over in the week ending 21 February 2023. It is one for the scientists to watch, rather than for the public to be alarmed about at this stage. What Are the Symptoms of the COVID BA. 2 Variant? Your Questions Ba.2 Omicron Variant Symptoms - SymptomsTalk.net Although hospitalisations and deaths remain low, cases are still high in some areas and some age groups so its important that we continue to act cautiously as restrictions are lifted. That's because there could be cross-immunity - an infection with BA.1 could offer some protection against BA.2. This paper can be found as a pre-print, and the data is referred to in the latest vaccine surveillance report. Dr Chand said: "So far, there is insufficient evidence to determine whether BA.2 causes more severe illness than Omicron BA.1. Following the first 2 confirmed cases of the SARS-CoV-2 variant known as B.1.1.529 on 27 November, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has identified one further case of COVID-19 with mutations consistent with B.1.1.529 in the UK. Our data shows that LFD tests are similarly able to detect COVID-19 in individuals who have been exposed to Omicron as in those exposed to previous variants. There is insufficient data to make any assessment of protection against severe disease, or to assess the severity of illness caused by Omicron. BA.2 is believed to be far more contagious than the earlier Omicron strain, and was blamed for a fresh surge in Denmark. Currently there are 18 UK samples in GISAID, out of a global total of 1,086; 639 samples have been uploaded from Singapore, and it is thought that XBB may be a factor in the recent spike in cases there. Increased case detection through focused contact tracing has led to more cases of the Omicron variant being identified and confirmed, as we have seen in other countries globally. They also say that Omicron symptoms are typically mild, and herd immunity is at . With the original version of the omicron variant, which swept across the U.S. at a dizzying speed last winter, the loss of taste and smell was not as common as with the earlier alpha and delta variants. It is not clear where BA.2 originated, but it was first detected in the Philippines in November. It includes a complete list of studies planned and already under way into the emerging variant. Fast-spreading new Covid stealth Omicron BA.2 variant and symptoms As of 17 May, 115 cases of BA.4 and 80 cases of BA.5 have been confirmed in England and the latest UKHSA variant technical briefing has been published today. In severe cases, the SpO2 Level may also decrease. Dr Meera Chand, COVID-19 Incident Director at UKHSA, said: It is the nature of viruses to evolve and mutate, so its to be expected that we will continue to see new variants emerge as the pandemic goes on. Omicron sublineages BQ.1 and XBB have been given UKHSA variant designations to facilitate continued studies. This suggests that BA.5 is likely to become the dominant COVID-19 variant in the UK. UKHSA scientists are urging anyone who has not had all the vaccines they are eligible for to make sure that they get them as soon as possible. Those aged 18 to 39 should wait to be called. The BA.2 variant is a sibling of the BA.1, which swept across the country over Christmas. Of those with Omicron, 9.5% have had COVID-19 before, which is likely to be a substantial underestimate of the proportion of reinfections, as many prior infections will have been asymptomatic and not picked up by the analysis. Everyone over 18 is now able to walk into a vaccine centre, so do not hesitate to get yours. Data continues to show COVID-19 poses a very low health risk to children and infants. A growth rate potentially compatible with the eventual replacement of the current dominant variant. So far there is not enough evidence to draw conclusions about transmissibility, severity or vaccine effectiveness. Hospital admissions are increasing, and we cannot risk the NHS being overwhelmed. If you have any symptoms of a respiratory infection, and a high temperature or feel unwell, try to stay at home or away from others especially those who are elderly or vulnerable. Covid: Rise in UK infections driven by BA.2 Omicron variant Night sweats Scratchy throat Dry cough Mild muscle aches In data published by the UKHSA on January 14, they found that NHS test and trace data revealed a loss of smell or taste was reported less. Latest updates on SARS-CoV-2 variants detected in the UK. Cases have been confirmed through whole genome sequencing in all 9 regions of England. The total number of confirmed cases in England is now 5. Its critical that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms isolates and gets aPCRtest immediately. Experts say BA.2 symptoms don't seem to be all that distinct from original Omicron (BA.1) or the immediately preceding Delta variant. But at that point the sub-variant still appeared to account for less than one in 20 cases. People infected with Omicron are also less likely to experience fever or loss of taste and smell. BA.3 shares most of its mutations with BA.1 and BA.2 except for one. Immunogenicity and Reactogenicity of the Beta-variant Recombinant The percentage of people to have received a booster dose will also already be higher in older age groups and those with underlying health conditions due to prioritisation of the rollout so far. These include a high temperature, a new. Previous variants of concern which no longer meet the criteria will be redesignated. Apart from dizziness and fatigue, some other signs of BA.2 Omicron Variants include: Fever and body aches Loss of taste Nausea or Vomiting Abdominal pain Fever Extreme fatigue Coughing Sore throat Muscular fatigue Elevated heart rate Breathless in severe cases readmore End of Story BA.2 is found to be able to alarmingly reinfect patients originally infected by Omicron BA.1. BA.2, a SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant, Explained - Health The B.1.1.529variant includes a large number of spike protein mutations as well as mutations in other parts of the viral genome. Early data shows that young children who are hospitalised experience mild illness and are discharged after short stays in hospital. Twoto4 weeks after a booster dose, vaccine effectiveness ranged from around 65 to 75%, dropping to 55 to 70% at 5 to 9 weeks and 40 to 50% from 10+ weeks after the booster.