A new Covid variant known as Nimbus (NB.1.8.1) is spreading across the UK, causing a distinctive and painful throat symptom that doctors describe as a "razor blade sensation".
Hospital admissions related to Covid have increased by nearly 10 per cent, with 947 patients admitted in the week ending May 31, according to UK Health Security Agency data.
Cases have also risen by 6.9 per cent, reaching 1,211 in the week up to June 4. The World Health Organisation is closely monitoring the variant as it spreads globally, whilst health officials assess its impact on public health services.
Dr Naveed Asif, GP at The London General Practice, warned that this variant causes "a sharp stabbing pain when you swallow, often at the back of the throat".
There is no evidence to suggest that Nimbus causes more severe disease than previous variants
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The best remedies for this painful symptom are rest, fluids and painkillers.
Dr Mohamed Imran Lakhi told The Mirror: "People commonly report a severe sore throat, persistent fatigue, mild cough, fever, muscle aches, and nasal congestion.
"Some also experience digestive issues like nausea or diarrhoea, which isn't always typical with Covid variants."
The NHS recommends that people who suspect they have Covid remain at home to prevent further transmission.
Despite the rise in cases, health officials have provided reassurance about the variant's impact.
A WHO spokesman confirmed that "vaccines that are currently approved are also effective against this new variant".
They added: "Despite a concurrent increase in cases and hospitalisations in some countries where NB.1.8.1 is widespread, current data does not indicate that this variant leads to more severe illness than other variants in circulation."
For those experiencing persistent or worsening symptoms, the advice is to contact a GP or call 111.
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NB.1.8.1 has been detected in small numbers in the UK to date
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In cases of serious distress, such as breathing difficulties, people should call 999 immediately.
Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, one of the deputy directors at UKHSA, said: "You might have seen news or social media conversations about the Covid variant NB.1.8.1, which you might know as the 'Nimbus variant'."
She noted that although "NB.1.8.1 has been detected in small numbers in the UK to date", international data indicates "it is growing as a proportion of all Covid cases".
Dr Amirthalingam provided further reassurance: "Based on the available information so far however, there is no evidence to suggest that this variant causes more severe disease than previous variants, or that the vaccines in current use will be less effective against it."
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