Three things you can do to protect yourself from latest Covid variant Pirola

21 September 2023 , 21:29

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Brits who are eligible for a Covid booster have been urged to get it this autumn (Image: Getty Images)

Brits have been warned to watch out for symptoms of a new coronavirus strain that is spreading across the UK.

The highly mutated variant BA.2.86, known as Pirola, has so far caused 37 infections across the country, including an outbreak in a Norfolk care home. Medics said anyone who feels unwell and is unsure if they have Covid should stay at home if possible, and avoid contact with vulnerable people.

Dr Hana Patel, NHS GP & Medico-Legal Expert Witness, said there is "some degree of widespread community transmission" both in the UK and globally - and shared some tips to protect yourself from the disease. A common way to stay safe is wearing a face mask as it was recommended during the pandemic.

Three things you can do to protect yourself:

Wear a face mask
Get your Covid booster (if you're eligible)
Cover your mouth when you cough

The doctor told the Express: "Face coverings help by catching the small droplets we sometimes spread when we talk or cough. These can contain coronavirus and land on surfaces and other people.

"If you have Covid-19, even without any symptoms, and are not wearing a face covering the risk of spreading it to others nearby can be as high as 70 per cent. If you wear a face covering, the risk of spreading it drops significantly."

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Covid jabs can also cut the risk of catching and spreading the disease or getting seriously ill if you catch it. All adults aged 65 years and over are now being offered Covid autumn boosters - and should get the jab if they are eligible.

The booster is also being offered to residents in care homes, people aged six months to 64 years who are in a clinical risk group as well as social workers and pregnant women. People aged 12 to 64 who are household contacts of people with weakened immune systems and people aged 16 to 64 who are carers and staff working in care homes for older adults can also get the booster this autumn.

Last year, all people aged 50 and over were offered a booster, but the government's advisers on vaccines recommended that only those aged 65 and over should be automatically included this year.

Covering your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze could also help stop the spread of the virus. The UK Health and Security Agency says: "Put it in the bin after you have used it. Make sure you wash your hands straight away and use hand sanitiser. If you do not have a tissue, you can cough or sneeze into your elbow. Do not use your hand."

Dr Renu Bindra, Incident Director at UKHSA said that while Pirola has "a significant number of mutations", the data is still limited to draw conclusions on its impact. The doctor explained: "While BA.2.86 has a significant number of mutations to the viral genome compared to other currently circulating COVID-19 variants, the data so far is too limited to draw firm conclusions about the impact this will have on the transmissibility, severity or immune escape properties of the virus.

"UKHSA scientists are working with international partners to culture the samples and analyse the evidence as it becomes available. However, it is likely to be some time before we have enough data to make a confident assessment. Specialists from UKHSA have been working with Norfolk County Council to offer infection control advice and support following a confirmed outbreak of BA.2.86 in a care home.

"It is clear that there is some degree of widespread community transmission, both in the UK and globally, and we are working to ascertain the full extent of this. In the meantime, it remains vital that all those eligible come forward to receive their autumn vaccine as soon as it is offered to them."