Coronavirus: THIS COVID symptom is now more 'dominant' than fever or loss of smell and taste

While India sees 1,968 new COVID cases, the lowest daily tally since May, cases in the United Kingdom rise rapidly, hinting at a fresh wave of infections.

Experts warn against a "devastating" spike in COVID cases and have said that the UK is "blind" to new coronavirus waves. Recently, the Office for National Statistics revealed that infections have risen by 14% in a week. While the cause of the rising COVID cases in the UK is unknown, experts believe that the government's guidelines about symptoms are "wrong."

Professor Tim Spector, co-founder of the COVID ZOE app, told The Independent, "Many people are still using the government guidelines about symptoms which are wrong."

Earlier, symptoms like fever and loss of sense of smell and taste were some of the most common and tell-take signs of COVID-19. However, experts now believe that has changed...

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"At the moment, COVID starts in two-thirds of people with a sore throat. Fever and loss of smell are really rare now – so many old people may not think they’ve got COVID. They’d say it’s a cold and not be tested," Prof. Spector said.

His concerns originate from the early data that reveals new subvariants of Omicron are becoming immune-evasive, which could cause the UK “real problems” as winter approaches.

Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at the University of Warwick, agrees with Prof. Spector.

"What we’re finding is the virus is evolving around the immunity that’s been built up through vaccines and countless infections people have had," he said.

He adds saying, "The biggest concern we’re seeing is that in early data these variants are starting to cause a slight increase in infections. In a way, this was to be expected but it does demonstrate that we’re not out of the woods yet at all with this virus, sadly."

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According to the experts, the UK's plan against COVID is putting the country at risk.

Young said, "We’ve really taken our eye off the ball with COVID tests."

“We can only detect variants or know what’s coming by doing sequencing from PCR testing, and that’s not going on anywhere near the extent it was a year ago," he explains.

Young told The Independent, "People are going to get various infections over the winter but won’t know what they are because free tests aren’t available – it’s going to be a problem."

"Another angle is the economic pressure. If people do feel poorly they’re not likely to take time off work. You have a perfect storm here, really, of inadequate surveillance, people not coming forward for vaccination and the economic situation," he adds.

In light of the COVID situation in the UK, it is important that we in India continue to be vigilant and take all necessary measures to avoid another wave of infections.

Although the Omicron causes mild infections, it is important to protect those who are most vulnerable in society. Declining cases should not be a reason to be negligent. Wearing masks, maintaining social distance and getting your COVID vaccines are still of utmost importance.

While sore throat is said to be the most dominant COVID symptom in the UK, there are other symptoms one must look out for. These include:

- Fever

- Fatigue

- Cough

- Body aches and pains

- Blocked or runny nose

- Joint pain

- Gastrointestinal issues

Those with severe COVID infections can experience shortness of breath, chest pain and low blood oxygen levels. One must seek immediate medical supervision.

If you're young and healthy, you may be well-protected against severe COVID infections (although there's no guarantee). However, being responsible protects those who fall under the high risk groups including older adults, those with pre-existing health condition, people with a compromised immunity and more. In case you develop symptoms, maintain distance from the vulnerable and wear your masks at all times. Even if it is a flu or a common cold, it is as constagious as the COVID-19.