First cases of Covid variant NB.1.8.1 detected in England as virus spreads across UK
Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent
Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.
New Covid variant cases discovered in England
- The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed the detection of 13 cases of the new Covid-19 variant NB.1.8.1 across England, with additional cases in other parts of the UK.
- The NB.1.8.1 variant, an Omicron subvariant, accounts for just over 10 per cent of global infections and has been designated a “variant under monitoring” by the World Health Organization.
- Symptoms of the NB.1.8.1 variant are similar to other Omicron subvariants, including fatigue, fever, muscle aches, and a sore throat.
- Health officials believe current Covid-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective against the NB.1.8.1 variant, protecting against severe illness.
- UKHSA deputy director Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam stated that there is no evidence suggesting the new variant causes more severe disease than previous variants.