A new strain of Covid, known as the KP. 3 variant, is becoming increasingly prevalent this summer, coinciding with a 20% rise in deaths according to the latest data. The UK has seen a significant increase in cases, with high street retailer Superdrug reporting a surge in the sale of testing kits.
Previously, the UK was grappling with the FLiRT variant, but now the KP. 3 strain, which has become the most dominant type in the USA, is making its presence felt on our shores. This information comes from data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Currently, the KP. 3 variant accounts for 25% of Covid-19 cases in the US and its prevalence is also rising in the UK. Although the numbers are smaller here, hospital admissions have increased to 3.31 per 100,000 people for the week ending 29 June, up from 2.67 per 100,000 the previous week.
The total number of detected cases (despite widespread testing not being carried out) stood at 3,557 in the week ending June 29. In the seven days leading up to July 12, there were 197 deaths where the person had tested positive for Covid, marking a 20% increase. During the same period, 2,797 patients were admitted to hospital with Covid.
Other European countries, including Greece, have also reported an uptick in cases, leading to the imposition of mask-wearing rules following an increase in hospitalisations. The KP.3 type belongs to a group of Covid-19 variants known as the FLiRT variants.
FLiRT stands for F lineage recombinant type, and those infected with it are reported to exhibit symptoms such as fever or chills. These are the key symptoms:
Fever or chills Cough Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Fatigue Muscle or body aches Headache New loss of taste or smell Sore throat Congestion or runny nose Nausea or vomiting DiarrhoeaCough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhoea are all symptoms to watch out for as Superdrug reports a staggering 319% increase in sales of Covid lateral flow tests. Additionally, the retailer has seen a 297% rise in purchases of cold and flu relief sachets, indicating a spike in summer sickness across the UK.
Sales of immunity-boosting vitamins have also surged, with Vitamin D up by 116% and Zinc by 58%.
Medical professionals emphasise that vaccination remains the most effective protection against severe illness, with the NHS advising those with symptoms such as high temperature or general malaise to stay home and avoid contact with others. Vaccinations are particularly vital for the over-75s, individuals with compromised immune systems, and care home residents, who are encouraged to get their spring booster shots.
Commenting on the emergence of a new variant, Professor Steve Griffin from Leeds University warned: "This is clearly early days, but it certainly looks as though yet another Covid wave is building."
He further commented: "If the rise in hospitalisations continues, this is obviously worrying. Although we've just had a spring booster campaign for vulnerable populations, the uptake was lower than in 2023, and there is a considerable difference between the current vaccines and circulating viruses."