UK reports rapid spread of new COVID-19 variant

London: The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warned about a new rapidly spreading COVID-19 variant in the country.

According to the media, the variant scientifically known as EG.5.1 descends from the Omicron variant. The variant that now accounts for one in seven new cases has become the second most prevalent variant in the UK.

The media reports said that it was initially classified as a variant on July 31 and has been under close monitoring by the UKHSA.

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Meanwhile, the UKHSA reported increasing cases of the variant internationally, particularly in Asian regions. The data showed a steady rise in its prevalence, with rates increasing from one in nine cases in the week beginning July 10 to the current 14.6 per cent of cases.

The health officials have linked the spread of the EG.5.1 variant to the recent rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalisations in the country.

As per the media reports, the latest figures indicated a rise in COVID-19 rates with 5.4 per cent of 4,396 respiratory cases testing positive this week, compared to 3.7 per cent of 4,403 cases the previous week. Furthermore, the COVID-19 hospital admission rate has increased from 1.17 per 100,000 population to 1.97 per 100,000, as reported in the UKHSA report.

The Head of Immunization at the UKHSA Dr Mary Ramsay said: “Overall levels of admission still remain extremely low, and we are not currently seeing a similar increase in ICU admissions. However, we will continue to monitor these rates closely,”

The most dominant variant in the UK remains the Arcturus XBB.1.16, another descendant of the Omicron variant, comprising 39.4 per cent of all cases.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has also been closely tracking the EG.5.1 variant for just over two weeks. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged countries to remain vigilant and maintain their COVID-19 response systems. He emphasised the importance of vaccinations, boosters, mask-wearing in crowded places, and adequate indoor ventilation.