August 17th 2024.
Public health officials are constantly reminding us about the importance of booster jabs and testing in order to curb the spread of Covid-19. It seems like almost everyone knows someone who has recently experienced Covid symptoms, and we can attribute this to the emergence of the FLiRT variants.
Symptoms such as sore throats, headaches, persistent coughs, and fatigue are not how anyone wants to spend their summer. Unfortunately, the UK has been hit with a wave of new cases driven by these FLiRT variants, which are named after the letters in their mutations. For weeks, the number of positive cases has been on the rise, until a decrease was finally seen in late July.
According to the UK Health Security Agency, there was a 27% drop in cases in the week leading up to August 8. However, there was also an 11% increase in deaths that same week, with 193 recorded. The number of hospital admissions has also decreased by 14%, with 2695 admissions in the week leading up to July 29, as reported by the agency.
The FLiRT family of Covid variants is currently one of the most prominent strains. Health experts have linked the earlier surge in cases during the summer to the KP.3 variant, which belongs to the FLiRT family along with KP.2 and KP.1.1. The KP.3 variant is a subvariant of the highly contagious Omicron strain, and along with other variants, it accounts for more than 69% of cases in the US.
Experts are warning that these new variants are becoming more adept at spreading. According to NHS GP Dr. Mariyam Malik, the FLiRT family of viruses has spike proteins that are better at evading our immune defenses, making them slightly more infectious. This includes protection from vaccines and previous Covid infections, making reinfection a possibility. Dr. Malik also noted that the LB.1 variant has mutations that help it spread and may weaken the protection offered by previous immunity.
So what are the symptoms of these new FLiRT variants? They include fever or chills, cough, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, headache, muscle aches, difficulty breathing, fatigue, new loss of taste or smell, "brain fog," and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Dr. Malik also pointed out that with the easing of legal restrictions, such as social distancing and mask mandates, the virus is now more likely to spread. This is a warning that is echoed by others in the medical field. Virologist Professor Lawrence Young from Warwick University stated that the recent surge in cases is a wake-up call, as the virus has not disappeared and is not a seasonal infection.
He explained that a combination of new, more infectious variants and waning immunity is likely contributing to the increase in cases. However, he hopes that this will not lead to a major wave of infections, but it is important to remain vigilant. Vaccinations still offer protection, especially against more severe symptoms, and those who are reinfected tend to experience milder symptoms.
For those wondering where they can get a Covid test, it is no longer possible to order free rapid lateral flow or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests from the NHS online. These tests can still be purchased at shops and pharmacies, including online. They may be a bit harder to come by these days, but they are still available for purchase. People with underlying health conditions or those who work in healthcare or hospices may be able to get free lateral flow tests from a pharmacy.
The UKHSA also announced that vulnerable and older individuals will soon be offered the "Autumn booster" vaccine. The NHS will contact eligible individuals to confirm details. The agency states that getting the Covid vaccine this fall will provide protection against serious illness during the winter months.
As for the latest Covid isolation rules, there are currently no restrictions in place in the UK in 2024. However, the government still advises people to stay at home if they test positive for Covid. This article was originally published on July 9, 2024.
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