New Covid variant: Unusual symptom after UK hospitalisations jump 30 per cent

Scientists have raised the alarm over a new Covid variant that is driving up hospital admissions across the UK.

The variant KP.3 emerged in early April and belongs to a new group of COVID-19 variants, known collectively as FLiRT. The variant's names was inspired by the mutations in the genetic code of the variant. They are a spin-off from JN.1 - a variant that could transmit efficiently through an additional one or two mutations. As of April 2024, three strings of the FLiRT variant have been responsible for 40 per cent of all Covid cases in the UK, these variants are KP.1.1, KP.3 and KP.2, according to the UK Health Security Agency data.

KP.2 is thought to have driven a wave of infections in May before passing the baton to P.3, which has almost doubled UK infections to 44 per cent in less than two weeks. KP.2’s share has declined to 22 per cent. Hospital admissions rose by 24 per cent in the week to Sunday, from 2.67 people per 100,000 to 3.31 per 100,000, according to new figures from the UKHSA.

Patient Transport Services of South Central Ambulance Services move an elderly non-COVID-19 patient from hospital to a care home

The highest hospital admission rate for confirmed COVID-19 continues to be in those aged over 85 years, increasing to 34.70 per 100,000 following a short interval of decreases. However increases also occurred for those aged between 65 and 74 years, in those aged between 75 and 84 years, and most of the younger age groups.

The diminishing immunity of the general population has been considered a reason for the spread of the variant, and a top scientist told i, that a summer wave of Covid could be on the horizon. Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at Warwick University, told i: “This is a wake-up call. The virus hasn’t gone away and is certainly not a seasonal infection.” The virologist also warned that Covid hasn’t gone away and said it’s “certainly not a season infection.”

Whilst the recorded infections are lower than the previous spring, winter, and autumn, the UKHSA figures show the proportion of positive test results among people suspected of having Covid rose by 19 per cent in a week, from 8.4 to 10 per cent. Professor Steve Griffin, of Leeds University, said: “Another wave [of Covid] is building.” He labelled the rise in hospitalisations worrying, especially as the uptake for the spring booster for those who are vulnerable was lower than in 2023. He added: “There is a considerable difference between the current vaccines and circulating viruses."

Alarms are also ringing in the US, since the beginning of June, KP.3 has overtaken KP.2 and now accounts for 25 per cent of COVID-19 cases in the US, although its parent is snapping at its heels with 22.5 per cent of cases.

The NHS website says you should stay at home if you show symptoms of COVID this includes having a fever, change of smell, coughing, fatigue, nausea or committing or shortness of breath, you can find out more here.