Coronavirus: 8 Symptoms Of The New Covid Strain, Are They Different From Older Variation?

The new variant has been mostly found across UK and according to the Union Health Ministry, the strain has not entered India yet.

A health worker collects a swab sample from a shopper for the Covid-19 coronavirus testing at a makeshift testing booth at a market area in New Delhi on December 19, 2020, as India surged past 10 million coronavirus cases. (Photo: AFP)

As the new Covid strain is spreading widely across the UK, India is reeling with fear and panic. The mutant Coronavirus strain has forced India to suspend flights from the UK till December 31st including the flights operated under Vande Bharat Mission. People being infected of the Coronavirus are now worried if they are positive for the new strain of the virus. While the designated labs are testing the samples of passengers who have returned from the UK, these are some symptoms of the new variant.

Symptoms of mutant coronavirus

It is too early to say with certainty if the new Covid strain will cause any symptoms different from that caused by the older variant. Apart from the regular symptoms of Covid which includes dry cough and mild fever, the following have also been associated with the new strain

• Continuous cough
• Chest pains, fever
• Loss of taste and smell
• Headache
• Tiredness
• Muscle Pain
• Diarrhoea
• Confusion

Is the new Covid strain more dangerous?

Based on the observations so far, the authorities believe that the new Covid strain is 70 per cent more infectious than the previous strains, which makes it more dangerous. One is more likely to catch the new virus than was the case with the older strains.

Researchers also say that the new variant may attack the immune system faster and more severely than previous strains.

Is it more difficult to diagnose?

So far there is not enough evidence to say that the new strain would be more difficult to diagnose. The treatment also remains similar to that in case of older strain and medical experts continue to rely on symptomatic treatment.

Will the vaccines work against the new Covid strain?

It is too early to determine the effectiveness of the vaccine on the new covid strain. Union Health Ministry has stated that the new strain has not been found in India yet but the organisations producing vaccines are researching this mutant virus.