The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has provided an update on the latest Covid-19 variant, FLiRT KP.3, after a small spike in cases was recorded across the UK this summer.
The new FLiRT variant, KP.3, has been identified in “small numbers” so far. The UKHSA initially stated, “Data on KP.3 is limited, but to date, there is no evidence of a difference in severity compared to other variants currently circulating in the UK.”
The agency emphasized the need for more data to draw any conclusions about the variant’s transmissibility and severity. “It’s normal for viruses to mutate and change, and more widely we’re still getting to grips with how the healthcare system responds to the ebb and flow of seasonal cases,” the UKHSA added. As more data becomes available on this variant, we’ll have a better understanding of how it interacts with our immune systems and how to optimize our protection, as well as actions we can take to keep the most vulnerable safe and live our lives as normally as possible.
Spike in Covid-19 Cases
In a recent update, statistics show a 12.2% increase in Covid infections, with 3,230 cases recorded in England for the week ending June 26. During the same period, there were 143 deaths (a 2.1% decrease) and 1,567 hospitalizations (an 8.8% decrease) due to the virus.
Despite the rise in infections, the UKHSA reassured the public, stating, “UKHSA is continuing to monitor data relating to new variants both in the UK and internationally, assessing their severity and the ongoing effectiveness of vaccines. There is no change to the wider public health advice at this time.
Current Recommendations
If you become unwell and suspect it could be Covid-19, the UKHSA advises, “You should avoid contact with vulnerable people and stay at home if possible.” For those unable to stay at home, the UKHSA has a Living with COVID guide on their website that outlines preventive measures to avoid transmitting the virus to others.
UKHSA’s Actions Against New Variants
The UKHSA explained that genetic mutations “happen all the time” and that in the initial stages, it is difficult to determine whether these mutations will make the virus more transmissible or result in milder reactions. Scientists are working to develop vaccines that provide better protection against new variants.
In the early stages of a new variant, our scientists at the Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre (VDEC) are busy growing a stock of the variant in our high containment facilities, so that we can begin testing,” the UKHSA stated. At the same time, scientists in our COVID-19 Vaccine Unit work hand in glove with vaccine developers to get samples of new, as yet unlicensed, vaccines to assess whether they will give better protection against the virus.
The UKHSA continues to stress the importance of vaccinations for flu and COVID-19, as they help keep vulnerable people out of hospitals and reduce the pressure on the NHS.
