New Covid Pirola strain - can it kill, symptoms and return to restrictions
For many of us life has returned to how it was before the pandemic. We can go to work, attend big events and fly abroad - even if we are feeling the cost of living squeeze. However, the horrible truth is that Covid is still prevalent in society and is a silent killer living among us. A Zoe Health study estimates there are currently 1.2million people in the UK who are infected with coronavirus, roughly one in 57 people.
The disease is constantly evolving and a new Covid variant has hit the UK, with cases of the Pirola Omicron rising across the country. As of September 17 there were 42 recorded cases of Pirola, scientifically called BA.2.86, and the virus has caused concern as it has 35 mutations, which makes it difficult to protect against. There have also been seven hospitalisations as a result, but how dangerous is the new and what should we do to protect from it? Here is what the experts have to say...
Recent stats reveal there are at least 42 cases of Pirola reported in the UK (Getty Images)Is Pirola dangerous?
Dr Hana Patel, an NHS GP and Medico-Legal Expert Witness, explains, “The research that's come out is saying that it's one to watch because people have been hospitalised from it and because it's got a new mutation which means that it's evading people's immune system, and making them unwell.”
Although there have only been seven hospital admissions so far, Hana says that these are likely those who are vulnerable. “It tends to be people who have other health related issues, so you know, pre existing lung problems, or heart issues, or a suppressed immune system where they're more likely to become unwell if they were to get COVID,” she says.
Professor Stephen Griffin, a leading virologist at Leeds University, also explains that due to lack of testing and the strain being in its infancy it is difficult to ascertain how serious Pirola can or will be. “It's not necessarily causing the big waves yet but it may be that in the future, it is the beginning of something else," he says. "We know it's definitely able to avoid antibodies in our blood, but we haven't seen it infect enough people yet to understand how serious it is. I think it's about being cautious and biding our time.”
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What are the symptoms of Pirola?
According to a ZOE health study the common symptoms of the Pirola are sneezing, sore throat, headache, runny nose and either mild or severe fatigue. The reported less common symptoms include eye irritation, rashes and even diarrhoea.
How should people protect against Pirola?
“People have asked me if they should go back to wearing masks or gloves and, for those who are really unwell, should they be isolating? I think it depends on the individual,” says Dr Patel. For people who are susceptible to becoming unwell due to the virus she also advises getting their flu vaccines, and covid vaccines when they are offered them. For those who are not immune compromised, they should still be cautious. “If you feel that you've got a cough or cold, be careful about spreading it. Sneeze into a tissue and throw it away, wash your hands often with soap and water. Just be careful when you're going into closed spaces where there are lots of other people around that might be coughing or be unwell because it can spread.”
People should be washing their hands more, and taking appropriate precautions (Getty Images/EyeEm)Professor Griffin adds, “if you are going into high risk situations - so poorly ventilated, crowded spaces - wear a filtering mask or get someone to open a window or make sure that where you are going has good ventilation. And of course,” he stresses. “If you're offered a vaccine, then definitely take it."
Will restrictions return as a result of the Pirola strain?
Dr Patel doesn’t think that this new strain will lead to lockdown-style measures, or restrictions. “We're not thinking it's going to be that bad, because that's not the advice that we've been given," she says. “but things can change.” "I'd like to think that we wouldn't need that if we put in place sensible mitigations, rather than restrictions," says says Professor Griffin. "This false binary between abject freedom and restrictions, I don't think we should think about it like that. We should make environments safe, we should improve ventilation, filter air and make sure people are vaccinated across the board, all those sorts of things that lessen the risks for everybody, including vulnerable people."
Experts say people should get vaccinated when allowed (AFP via Getty Images)Will there be a vaccine specifically for Pirola?
”The UK Health Security Agency is trying to get a stop, they're growing a stop against this variant, so we can get a vaccine for it, " says Dr Patel. If Pirola becomes the most prevalent strain in society, people will then be vaccinated against it in the future. She explains, "As you know, every of the flu, there's lots of different variants of the flu, and then the most prevalent one or the one that looks like it's gonna cause the most number of infections. That's the vaccine that you get. So that's how the covid vaccine also works."
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