New Covid symptoms as GP says it is 'wiping people out' and cases soar

There has been a 31.5% rise in Covid cases week on week, according to the UKHSA

A GP has explained the symptoms of the newest strain of Covid saying they are different from those caused by earlier variants and are leaving people 'wiped out'. The XEC variant of Covid has rapidly become dominant having spread to hundreds of countries around the world.

GP Dr Helen Wall said the symptoms caused by the new variant are more flu-like, with 'heavier symptoms'. Dr Wall, who is the clinical director of population health in Greater Manchester, told the M.E.N. that GPs are seeing a rise in illnesses as the new variant spreads.

She said: "We do see generally a rise in respiratory infections this time of year. There is another Covid variant on the scene which is expected to become the most dominant, and is becoming more prevalent like all the variants before it.

"We don’t completely know if it makes it more or less transmissible, I suspect more because they always are. But we don’t know what the situation is.”

There has been a 31.5% rise in Covid cases week on week, according to the UKHSA. There were 89 Covid deaths in the most recent week and 1,465 people admitted to hospital with Covid.

XEC is a recombinant variant, which happens when two existing strains combine. This can happen if an individual contracts both strains simultaneously.

XEC is formed from the KP.3.3 and KS. 1.1 strains, with genetic links to omicron - a variant initially spotted in South Africa in 2021 known for its high contagion levels and reduced severity compared to earlier SARS-CoV-2 strains.

But, some experts fear that "XEC appears to have a growth advantage and is spreading faster than other circulating variants, suggesting it will become the dominant variant globally in the next few months".

Dr Wall feels that more recent coronavirus cases are more flu-like in terms of symptoms and when compared to past variants. She said: "We could well be seeing the new Covid variant in practice.

“At the moment, it seems to be a bit more flu-like than previous iterations of Covid, with a high temperature, a cough, aching body, headache. Some of the symptoms in the past were more cough and cold symptoms, but at the moment, Covid does seem to be wiping people out.

“But whether that’s Covid is really difficult to say because a lot of the symptoms blur together with other illnesses that are prevalent at this time of year. Whether it’s Covid versus flu is hard to separate. People who have the flu tend to be extremely unwell. Sometimes, people say they’ve got the flu but have actually got a bad cold.

“Generally, if you’ve got true flu, you’re bed bound. With Covid, you might actually be quite well. You might be coughing and having other symptoms, but able to go about your business – and you might be unintentionally spreading it to people who are vulnerable.”

She is urging people to get vaccinated against what the NHS has dubbed the "tripledemic" of winter illnesses. This year, the NHS is offering the new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, as well as Covid and flu jabs.

Dr Wall said: “Three vaccines is a lot, and some people might think it’s just another thing to worry about, or get the new RSV jab but then not get the Covid and flu jabs too. The difficulty is that people are working, there’s a cost-of-living crisis – people don’t want to be off work to get a vaccine or if they’re feeling a little unwell because of any side effects. But I’d encourage people to keep in mind the bigger picture.

“Most vaccine side effects go within a few hours to 24 hours, around half of the people who get a vaccine won’t get side effects at all. If you get any of these illnesses, you’ll be off work for much longer.

“If you’ve been deemed eligible for these vaccines, it’s because we think you’re going to be very ill if you get these and end up in hospital. It’s about keeping that in perspective, you don’t want to look back and wish you’d had the jabs.”

Appointments opened last week for those eligible for vaccines, including older people, care home residents and people with health conditions, with jabs set to be given from Thursday October 3. Some 11 million people have been invited to come forward for protection, NHS England said.

The latest roll-out comes after health officials raised concerns about a fall in the uptake of the flu vaccine after it emerged the illness had caused at least 18,000 deaths in the last two years. According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) there was a drop in people having the jab across all eligible groups in England last year.

A little over four in 10 (41.4%) people in clinical risk groups were vaccinated last winter compared with 49.1% in the previous year, while the number of pregnant women jabbed fell to 32.1% from 35% and uptake among two and three-year-olds was around 44%, down from 42.3% and 45.1% respectively.

Steve Russell, national director for vaccinations and screening at NHS England, said: “With new figures showing thousands of deaths associated with Covid and flu in recent years, it is clear that the threat of winter viruses is all too real, and it is vital that anyone eligible takes up the offer to get vaccinated.

“There are many slots still available with GP practices, pharmacies and other NHS teams offering quick and easy appointments, so if you have not booked yet then please do using the NHS website, NHS App, or by calling 119 – it could keep you out of hospital this winter.”

Children and pregnant women started getting vaccinated against flu on September 1. Last month, a new vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was also rolled out for the first time in the UK, with pregnant women and adults aged 75-79 invited to book.

Mr Russell added: “With the risk of a ‘tripledemic’ of winter viruses – Covid, flu and RSV – if you are pregnant or aged 75 to 79, it is also so important that you join those who have protected themselves against RSV in the last month to boost your or your child’s protection against a very nasty illness.”

Julie Yates, deputy director of immunisation programmes at the UKHSA, said: “Every year we’re seeing many of those at greater risk of getting seriously ill from winter viruses not getting their vaccines, with many thousands ending up in hospital and far too many tragically dying.

“Some of these ‘missing million’ may not realise they are more vulnerable, but if you are invited for a flu, RSV or Covid-19 jab then it is because you are at greater risk.

“Those with certain long-term health conditions, pregnant women, young infants and older people will be among those eligible for some or all of these life-saving vaccines.

“So if invited don’t delay, get the vaccines. And if you’re unsure if you’re eligible or have any concerns please do speak with your GP surgery or local pharmacist.”