‘I’m a professor – three more new Covid variants have emerged’
Coronavirus: WHO share update on EG.5 COVID-19 variant
Dr Lopes, a lecturer in microbiology at Teeside University, said: “JN.2, JN.3, and JQ.1 have been detected both in the UK and worldwide.”
Belonging to the Pirola group, the emergence of these sub-variants might have caused concern in some people.
However, Dr Lopes assured: “The public health risk remains low, but a seasonal rise in cases is likely.”
For those concerned about the mutating Covid virus as the UK heads towards winter, Dr Lopes has a few recommendations.
Dr Lopes said: “If you are worried, there are a number of steps you can take.”
READ MORE… Three new Covid variants have surfaced – all you need to know about them
These include getting vaccinated, wearing masks, and performing lateral flow tests if you suspect Covid.
Mandatory Covid testing stopped a long time ago, but the diagnostic kit is still available to buy in pharmacies.
Dr Lopes said: “If the test results are positive, you should isolate and avoid crowded areas where possible.”
He added: “And observe good hygiene practices by washing your hands and avoiding touching your eyes and mouth.”
Don’t miss…
James Martin’s horrific ‘heart attack’ experience was a wake-up call[LATEST]
Could Sir David Attenborough’s dietary change lead to longevity[CELEB HEALTH]
Nurse’s first three symptoms of cancer which were mistaken for IBS[SYMPTOMS]
- Support fearless journalism
- Read The Daily Express online, advert free
- Get super-fast page loading
What about new Covid variants HV.1 and JN.1?
JN.1 is a close descendent of BA.2.86, with only one mutation, said Dr Lopes.
First discovered in Luxembourg, the Covid sub-variant “currently accounts less than 0.1 percent of infections”.
In the UK, there have only been 22 recorded cases of JN.1, but the mutation has also been picked up across Europe and the US.
“The JN.1 variant has specific mutations which help it to evade the human immune response,” said Dr Lopes.
As for HV.1, which evolved from Eris (EG.5) – a sub-variant of Omicron – the Covid strain is predominately found in America.
Dr Lopes said: “This variant does not seem to produce more severe disease than other circulating variants.
“And it doesn’t seem to evade immunity provided by Covid vaccines.”
Akin to the flu virus, Covid will continue to mutate but vaccines will continously be updated.
Source: Read Full Article