Public Health Wales has issued advice as two new Covid variants circulate
Public Health Wales has urged for all eligible people to continue to receive Covid-19 vaccinations after data released by them has shown two new variants sweep through Wales within the past five weeks.
This news comes after a variant named NB.1.8.1 made headlines more than five years after the initial outbreak of the virus that put the world on pause. The new strain now accounts for just over 10% of global infections with cases now confirmed in Northern Ireland and Wales. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here.
While there is no evidence that the new strain causes more severe symptoms, experts have said that it can infect cells more efficiently and can cause symptoms such as diarrhoea, constipation, and nausea.
Only four cases of the NB.1.8.1 have identified in Wales so it is not necessarily the variant anyone should worry about.
Data shows that variants XFB and XFG are the ones sweeping through our nation as confirmed cases of this strain have grown by 52.5% within a timeframe of 28 days.
Variants XFB and XFG made up 60% of all Covid-19 cases in Wales on May 19. Just five weeks earlier, on April 21, they accounted for only 7.5% of infections.
Healthcare professionals say this acts as a reminder that the virus has not gone away and that those considered vulnerable will continue to be seriously affected by these variants if necessary precautions are not taken.
Dr Christopher Williams, consultant epidemiologist for Public Health Wales, said: “The emergence of the XFB and XFG variants are a reminder that Covid-19 has not gone away and it is still important to take precautions if you develop symptoms such as fever, persistent cough, or loss of smell or taste, in particular to avoid spreading the virus to vulnerable people who can be severely affected.
“There is no evidence to suggest that these new variants are any more or less severe than other previous variants and the vaccine is effective against them.
“If you are in an eligible group and have received an invitation for a Covid vaccination please take it up as it remains the most effective way to avoid serious symptoms from Covid.”
