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Omicron

A new Covid variant dubbed “the kraken” could become the dominant in the UK (Composite: Kim Mogg)

‘Kraken’ Covid variant could become dominant in UK, experts warn

(Composite: Mark Hall / NationalWorld)
(Composite: Mark Hall / NationalWorld)

Top Covid symptoms as UK infections hit highest level since summer

The XBB.1.5 variant is a mutated version of Omicron XBB (Image: Kim Mogg)
The XBB.1.5 variant is a mutated version of Omicron XBB (Image: Kim Mogg)

New Covid Omicron variant is ‘most transmissible yet’, WHO warns

People are being urged to stay at home if they have flu-like symptoms this Christmas (Photo: Getty Images)
People are being urged to stay at home if they have flu-like symptoms this Christmas (Photo: Getty Images)

Key symptoms of a cold, flu and Covid - and how to tell them apart

A lateral flow test result is interpreted by the two letters on the device (Photo: Shutterstock)
A lateral flow test result is interpreted by the two letters on the device (Photo: Shutterstock)

What it means if Covid lateral flow test result shows a faint red line

Flu vaccine uptake is comparable to the previous winter
Flu vaccine uptake is comparable to the previous winter

Exclusive: flu cases 13-times higher than previous year

A mix of Omicron variants have been driving the latest wave of infections (Composite: Mark Hall / NationalWorld)
A mix of Omicron variants have been driving the latest wave of infections (Composite: Mark Hall / NationalWorld)

‘Main indicator’ of Covid that shouldn’t be mistaken for a cold

BQ.X is currently being monitored in the UK
BQ.X is currently being monitored in the UK

Covid BQ.X Omicron variant and symptoms - explained

BQ.X, BA.2.75.2 and BF.7 are currently the most concerning variants
BQ.X, BA.2.75.2 and BF.7 are currently the most concerning variants

What is Covid variant BF.7? New strain of Omicron in UK - explained

BA.2.75.2 is a sub-lineage of BA.2.75
BA.2.75.2 is a sub-lineage of BA.2.75

Covid Omicron subvariant BA.2.75.2 and its symptoms - explained

A second ‘bivalent’ Covid jab has been approved for use in the UK for those aged 12 and over
A second ‘bivalent’ Covid jab has been approved for use in the UK for those aged 12 and over

New bivalent Covid jab approved in UK - will it be used as booster?

There will be a number of vaccines used in the Covid autumn booster rollout
There will be a number of vaccines used in the Covid autumn booster rollout

List of Covid vaccines which will be used in autumn booster programme

The Omicron variant of Covid has a variety of symptoms
The Omicron variant of Covid has a variety of symptoms

How Omicron symptoms have changed over time - explained by an expert

People infected with Covid face increased risk of brain fog, dementia and psychosis up to two years after infection (Composite: Mark Hall / NationalWorld)
People infected with Covid face increased risk of brain fog, dementia and psychosis up to two years after infection (Composite: Mark Hall / NationalWorld)

Warning Covid patients at greater risk of brain fog two years later

A “next generation” Covid-19 booster jab which is the first to target two strains of the virus has been approved for use in adults in the UK.
A “next generation” Covid-19 booster jab which is the first to target two strains of the virus has been approved for use in adults in the UK.

UK becomes first nation to approve Covid jab which targets two strains

The booster jab will reduce your risk of becoming seriously unwell if you do catch Covid (Graphic: NationalWorld)
The booster jab will reduce your risk of becoming seriously unwell if you do catch Covid (Graphic: NationalWorld)

Can you test positive for Covid after booster jab?

Can you get Covid twice in a month? (Picture: NationalWorld)
Can you get Covid twice in a month? (Picture: NationalWorld)

Can you get Covid twice in one month? Coronavirus immunity explained

Covid can cause some unusual symptoms (Composite: Kim Mogg / JPIMedia)
Covid can cause some unusual symptoms (Composite: Kim Mogg / JPIMedia)

8 unusual symptoms of Covid infection that can last for weeks

It is possible to be infected with Covid more than once (Photo: Getty Images)
It is possible to be infected with Covid more than once (Photo: Getty Images)

How long Covid immunity can last - risks of reinfection explained

Professor Tim Sepctor has said it is best to assume you have Covid if you have cold-like symptoms (Composite: Mark Hall / NationalWorld)
Professor Tim Sepctor has said it is best to assume you have Covid if you have cold-like symptoms (Composite: Mark Hall / NationalWorld)

Two symptoms you should ‘assume’ are Covid - and not just a cold

The BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron variants are driving Covid infections in the UK (Composite: Mark Hall / NationalWorld)
The BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron variants are driving Covid infections in the UK (Composite: Mark Hall / NationalWorld)

9 Omicron symptoms affecting fully jabbed - early signs you’ve got it

Why Covid variants BA4 and BA5 are driving the UK’s new Omicron wave

Symptoms from Covid-19 infection typically last around five days (Photo: Shutterstock)
Symptoms from Covid-19 infection typically last around five days (Photo: Shutterstock)

How long Covid infection can last - and when you are most contagious

Covid Centaurus is a new sub-variant of Omicron (Composite: Mark Hall / NationalWorld)
Covid Centaurus is a new sub-variant of Omicron (Composite: Mark Hall / NationalWorld)

New highly contagious Covid ‘Centaurus’ variant found in UK

Covid infections in the UK have soared by almost 800,000 in a week (Composite: Mark Hall / NationalWorld)
Covid infections in the UK have soared by almost 800,000 in a week (Composite: Mark Hall / NationalWorld)

Top 10 Covid symptoms to look for as infections soar to new high

People with Covid can be contagious for up to 10 days after symptoms start (Photo: Getty Images)
People with Covid can be contagious for up to 10 days after symptoms start (Photo: Getty Images)

The days you are most contagious after testing positive for Covid

Covid infections have jumped by 18% in the UK (Photo: Getty Images)
Covid infections have jumped by 18% in the UK (Photo: Getty Images)

Covid cases up 18% as infections reach highest level since April

People who have tested positive for Omicron have reported getting skin rashes (Composite: Mark Hall / JPIMedia)
People who have tested positive for Omicron have reported getting skin rashes (Composite: Mark Hall / JPIMedia)

3 unusual symptoms of Omicron infection that show on your skin

Brits have been urged to wear face masks in crowded and enclosed spaces (Photo: Getty Images)
Brits have been urged to wear face masks in crowded and enclosed spaces (Photo: Getty Images)

Public urged to wear face masks as Covid wave ‘hasn’t peaked yet’

10 places where Covid is spreading fastest amid BA4 and BA5 wave

Prof Spector has warned that tinnitus and loss of smell are two symptoms that should be taken seriously (Composite: Mark Hall / National World)
Prof Spector has warned that tinnitus and loss of smell are two symptoms that should be taken seriously (Composite: Mark Hall / National World)

2 Covid symptoms to ‘take seriously’ that could cause long-term damage

Covid infections are continuing to rise in all four nations of the UK (Composite: Mark Hall / NationalWorld)
Covid infections are continuing to rise in all four nations of the UK (Composite: Mark Hall / NationalWorld)

Covid infections still rising across UK as experts warn of fifth wave

You should see a GP if you’re worried about symptoms four weeks or more after you had Covid-19
You should see a GP if you’re worried about symptoms four weeks or more after you had Covid-19

Does Omicron cause long Covid? Risk compared to other variants

Covid cases have begun surging once again in the UK, with the country fighting a fifth wave of infection. (Credit: Getty Images)
Covid cases have begun surging once again in the UK, with the country fighting a fifth wave of infection. (Credit: Getty Images)

UK battling fifth Covid wave as summer infections surge

Covid: 17 places where hospitalisations have doubled in a week

The BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron variants are thought to be fuelling infections in the UK (Composite: Mark Hall / NationalWorld)
The BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron variants are thought to be fuelling infections in the UK (Composite: Mark Hall / NationalWorld)

Symptoms of new Omicron subvariants as UK infections rise

People who have caught Omicron before will not necessarily have increased protection against reinfection (Photo: Getty Images)
People who have caught Omicron before will not necessarily have increased protection against reinfection (Photo: Getty Images)

Catching Omicron ‘doesn’t prevent reinfection’ or boost immunity

(Photo: Getty Images)
(Photo: Getty Images)

Is Test and Trace still used? Scam TestNTrace text messages explained

People who contract Omicron BA.2 are likely to suffer from more than five symptoms (Composite: Kim Mogg / NationalWorld)
People who contract Omicron BA.2 are likely to suffer from more than five symptoms (Composite: Kim Mogg / NationalWorld)

Omicron BA.2 causes ‘full package of symptoms’ even if they’re mild

(Photo: JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images)
(Photo: JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images)

North Korea: how will Covid cases affect population and missile tests?

Long Covid symptoms are estimated to be adversely affecting the day-to-day activities of 1.2 million people in the UK
Long Covid symptoms are estimated to be adversely affecting the day-to-day activities of 1.2 million people in the UK

Why are the double-jabbed with Omicron less likely to have long Covid?

The Omicron XE variant was first detected in the UK on 19 January (Composite: Kim Mogg / JPIMedia)
The Omicron XE variant was first detected in the UK on 19 January (Composite: Kim Mogg / JPIMedia)

Symptoms of new Omicron XE variant as hundreds of cases found in UK

The symptoms of Covid are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu
The symptoms of Covid are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu

The early Omicron symptoms which could signal that you have Covid

The World Health Organisation has warned the new XE Omicron variant could be more transmissible than Stealth Omicron
The World Health Organisation has warned the new XE Omicron variant could be more transmissible than Stealth Omicron

Omicron XE: areas with the most cases as UK count hits 1,300

(Composite: Kim Mogg / JPIMedia)
(Composite: Kim Mogg / JPIMedia)

13 Covid symptoms not to ignore as UK infections remain high

Omicron XJ was initially detected in Finland in March (Composite: Kim Mogg / JPIMedia)
Omicron XJ was initially detected in Finland in March (Composite: Kim Mogg / JPIMedia)

New Omicron hybrid XJ spreading as variant found in two more countries

(Graphic: Mark Hall / JPIMedia)
(Graphic: Mark Hall / JPIMedia)

9 common side effects to expect after ‘top up’ Covid booster jab

Professor Tim Spector said the NHS has listed symptoms of Covid in the wrong order (Composite: Kim Mogg / JPIMedia)
Professor Tim Spector said the NHS has listed symptoms of Covid in the wrong order (Composite: Kim Mogg / JPIMedia)

20 key signs of Covid as ZOE study warns NHS list has ‘order wrong’

A sore throat and hoarse voice are common of both the Omicron and Delta variants (Composite: Kim Mogg / JPIMedia)
A sore throat and hoarse voice are common of both the Omicron and Delta variants (Composite: Kim Mogg / JPIMedia)

Distinct differences in Covid symptoms to tell Omicron and Delta apart

Composite image
Composite image

The 10 areas of the UK with the highest Covid rates as BA2 wave peaks

The 16 areas of the UK where Covid cases are still rising

Covid case rates have reached their highest ever level in England (Composite: Kim Mogg / JPIMedia)
Covid case rates have reached their highest ever level in England (Composite: Kim Mogg / JPIMedia)

Covid case rates reach highest ever level in England experts warn

Nine new Covid symptoms have been added to the official NHS list (Composite: Mark Hall / JPIMedia)
Nine new Covid symptoms have been added to the official NHS list (Composite: Mark Hall / JPIMedia)

Nine new Covid symptoms to look for as NHS adds to official list

Free Covid testing will end for the general public in England from 1 April (Photo: Getty Images)
Free Covid testing will end for the general public in England from 1 April (Photo: Getty Images)

Cost of lateral flow and PCR kits as England to scrap free testing

Face masks are no longer legally required in shops or on public transport in Wales (Photo: Getty Images)
Face masks are no longer legally required in shops or on public transport in Wales (Photo: Getty Images)

Full list of Covid rules changing in Wales from today

BA.2 is the dominant strain of coronavirus across England
BA.2 is the dominant strain of coronavirus across England

Map shows areas with highest rates of BA2 ‘Stealth Omicron’ variant