A recent spike in confirmed Covid-19 cases across Ireland has been attributed to a rapidly spreading new variant that presents with subtle symptoms, potentially catching people off guard, reports The Mirror.
Over the last week, 477 new Covid cases were recorded nationwide — a significant increase of 175 cases compared to the 302 reported the previous week. Health officials have linked this surge partly to the XFG variant, also known as Stratus, which is quickly becoming more prevalent in Ireland.
Data from Ireland’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) shows a sharp increase in the proportion of cases associated with the XFG variant, rising from 16.3% two weeks ago to 40.9% this week — more than doubling in just 14 days, reports The Mirror.
The World Health Organization has classified the Stratus variant as a “variant under monitoring,” noting that while it may not lead to more serious illness, it appears to spread more easily than earlier strains.
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One of the more unusual early symptoms reported by doctors is a hoarse or raspy voice, which has sometimes appeared before the more typical signs of Covid. This early, easily overlooked symptom could result in people unknowingly transmitting the virus, reports The Mirror.
Dr. Kaywaan Khan, a GP on Harley Street and the Founder of Hannah London Clinic, told Cosmopolitan UK: “One of the most noticeable symptoms of the Stratus variant is hoarseness, which includes a scratchy or raspy voice.”
Ireland’s public health advice has not changed: anyone experiencing Covid symptoms should remain at home until at least 48 hours after symptoms have mostly or completely resolved. People are also urged to avoid close contact with others, particularly those who may be more vulnerable to the virus, reports The Mirror.
The HSE continues to advise the public to be vigilant for the broad range of symptoms associated with Covid, which include:
- fever (high temperature – 38C or above) – including having chills
- dry cough
- fatigue (tiredness)
- loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this could mean they’re completely gone or just different to normal
- nasal congestion (runny or blocked nose)
- conjunctivitis (also known as red eye or pink eye)
- sore throat
- headache
- muscle or joint pain (aches and pains)
- different types of skin rash
- nausea or vomiting
- diarrhoea
- chills
- dizziness
- shortness of breath or breathing difficulties
- loss of appetite
- confusion
- pain or pressure in the chest.
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