Experts Warn New Variant COVID-19: The Top Symptoms Currently Seen In 73% of People Fully Vaccinated

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Fears over the omicron variant of the coronavirus have spread across the globe within days of its discovery, sending stocks tumbling, prompting travel restrictions and drawing international attention to an uptick in cases in South Africa.

The international reaction is happening weeks faster than the sluggish response to the delta variant. By the time delta was named a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organization in May 2021, it had already spread in India for months and had been seeded across the globe.

In contrast, omicron was first reported to the WHO on Tuesday as COVID-19 cases in South Africa spiked to thousands per day. By Friday, it had been named and labeled a “variant of concern,” the most serious type.

With omicron’s high number of mutations, experts warn that the top symptoms currently seen in 73% of people fully vaccinated.

EARLY data published to the ZOE COVID Study suggests overall Covid cases may have peaked for 2021 but daily cases in high-risk groups are still increasing. In his most recent video, professor Tim Spector, lead scientist on the ZOE COVID Study app, highlighted the top symptom of COVID-19 currently seen in those fully vaccinated.

The latest incidence figures published to the ZOE COVID Study, which has been logging positive cases, ignites hope that the UK is over the worst of the pandemic this year. Last week saw a daily decline of 4.7 percent on the week earlier, from 92,953 to 88,592. In the double vaccinated population cases continue to rise slightly, however.

Speaking in his latest video, professor Tim Spector, lead scientist on the ZOE COVID Study app, highlighted the top symptom of coronavirus currently seen in the fully vaccinated.

According to prof Spector, a runny nose is the top symptom currently seen in fully vaccinated, with 73 percent of people testing positive for symptomatic Covid displaying this symptom.

Other common symptoms include sneezing, sore throat and persistent cough.

It is estimated there are currently 27,980 new daily symptomatic cases in the fully vaccinated in the UK, up from 26927 cases last week.

Commenting on the general decline of cases, prof Spector said: “It’s great that we’re finally seeing cases start to come down, and hopefully we’re over the last great peak of COVID in 2021.

“This is driven in large part by declining cases in children who have been on half term holidays and by high rates of previous infection, but we’re hopeful that the trend will continue.

“It’s still worrying that cases in the older, more vulnerable age group are increasing, but as the booster programme continues to roll out we’re likely to see this come down as well.

“As the temperatures drop and winter comes we’re still seeing far too much COVID in the community leading to high Long COVID and hospitalisation rates compared to other countries in Western Europe. With high rates of other viral respiratory illnesses too (although no flu yet), there is no room for complacency.”

He continued: “The high rates of cases are levelling off in most UK regions, with Scotland remaining low and Wales the high extremes. Ireland has higher vaccination rates than the UK, but lifted its restrictions and has seen cases rise.

“While restrictions, masks and vaccine uptake in children are factors, it’s clear that there’s no single solution to bringing rates down permanently. We’ve seen that a combination of population safety precautions and vaccines works best, and so the third booster vaccine, coupled with mask wearing and distancing in high risk areas, is our way out.”

Although it is still possible to contract COVID-19 post-vaccination, its worst effects are generally mitigated.

A recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) demonstrates the effectiveness of the vaccines.

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