People infected with the new UK Covid variant less likely to lose sense of taste and smell
People infected with the new UK coronavirus variant were more likely to suffer common Covid symptoms, but less likely to lose their sense of taste and smell, figures suggest.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said loss of taste and smell was "significantly less common" in patients who tested positive for the new variant compared to those with other variants of Covid-19.
They are more likely to report "classic" symptoms of the virus, such as a cough and a fever.
The ONS also said other symptoms were more common in people testing positive for the new variant, with the largest differences for cough, sore throat, fatigue, myalgia and fever.
It added: "There is no evidence of difference in the gastrointestinal symptoms, shortness of breath or headaches."
The data also indicates people with the new variant were more likely to report having symptoms.
The provisional findings were published by the ONS based on the regular Covid-19 infection survey of people in private households in England.
Symptoms were self-reported and not professionally diagnosed, and cover the period November 15 to January 16.
The NHS currently lists the main symptoms of coronavirus as a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, and a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.
Loss or change of taste and smell were only added to the official symptoms list in May, after research showed two in three Covid-positive patients experienced such changes.
The new variant spreading across the UK is more transmissible than previous mutations of the virus, and scientists have said there is some data to suggest it may also be more deadly.
It was first detected in the south east of England in September, but started to cause concern in December when it was thought to be responsible for a rapid increase in Covid-19 cases in the region.
Prof Lawrence Young, Virologist and Professor of Molecular Oncology at the University of Warwick, said mutations in the UK could impact the symptoms patients experience.
“This variant is more transmissible and infected individuals appear to have higher virus loads which means they produce more virus,” Prof Young said.
“This could result in more widespread infection within the body perhaps accounting for more coughs, muscle pain and tiredness.”
Prof Young added that the variant has 23 changes compared to the original strain.
“Some of these changes in different parts of the virus could affect the body’s immune response and also influence the range of symptoms associated with infection,” he said.
The ONS infection survey also reported the percentage testing positive for Covid-19 has decreased in non-patient facing jobs in recent weeks, but increased for those in patient facing positions.
While the number of socially distanced and physical contacts that adults and school age children had with people outside their household decreased in January 2021. The contacts decreased as schools closed in lockdown, the ONS said.
