Covid variant

New Covid Variants FLiRT and KP.3 Spark Hospitalisation Surge in the UK

Hospital admissions in the UK rise as new Covid variants FLiRT and KP.3 cause concerns. Experts issue warnings about the increasing cases and unusual symptoms.

The UK is facing a concerning surge in Covid hospitalisations attributed to the emergence of new variants. The FLiRT group, a collection of Covid variants, and the KP.3 subvariant of the Omicron strain are causing a spike in cases. Hospital admissions have increased by 24% in the last week alone, raising alarms among scientists and healthcare officials. The KP.3 variant, part of the FLiRT group, has been linked to a 30% rise in UK Covid cases within a short period.

Experts have issued a warning about the rise of the summer Covid variant KP.3, which is driving up hospital admissions across the UK. This new strain is responsible for nearly doubling UK Covid cases to 44% in less than two weeks, indicating its high transmissibility. The unusual symptoms associated with the KP.3 variant have raised concerns among health authorities, further emphasizing the need for vigilance and preventive measures.

Health officials are calling the surge in hospitalisations a 'wake-up call' as the KP.3 variant accounts for a third of admissions. The FLiRT group, to which KP.3 belongs, poses a significant challenge to containment efforts due to its increased contagiousness. With the FLiRT variants spreading rapidly, the UK Health Security Agency has highlighted the urgent need for monitoring and control measures to curb the rising cases.

In a related development, scientists have identified six key symptoms associated with the new Covid variants, including FLiRT and KP.3. These symptoms serve as crucial indicators for early detection and prompt medical intervention. As the variants continue to evolve, understanding their unique characteristics is essential for effective management and containment strategies.