UK urges testing and isolation as Covid cases rise with new variants

Health officials and pharmacists are urging people in the UK to take precautions as Covid infections and hospital admissions climb and two newer variants now make up a growing share of cases. Government and public health agency data covering late September show a recent rise in positive tests and hospitalisations, and experts are recommending testing, self-isolation when symptomatic, and vaccination for those eligible.

The UK Health Security Agency reported the proportion of positive tests rose from 7.6 percent to 8.4 percent in a week, while hospitalisations increased from 2.00 to 2.73 per 100,000 people. Sequencing data for the week to September 21 indicate that the XFG variant, known as Stratus, accounts for about one third of infections and NB.1.8.1, known as Nimbus, makes up more than 10 percent of cases.

Pharmacists and public health advisers say the new variants are associated with a slightly different symptom profile in some patients, with frequent reports of a hoarse voice and a severe, sore throat described by some as a razor blade sensation. Classic Covid symptoms such as a high temperature, new continuous cough and changes to taste or smell remain common.