CATCHING UP ON COVID-19
OK! UK|September 18, 2023
AS A NEW STRAIN OF CORONAVIRUS EMERGES IN THE UK, WE LOOK AT WHAT IT IS AND HOW WORRIED WE SHOULD BE
RHONA MERCER
CATCHING UP ON COVID-19

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, we’ve become accustomed to new variants of the virus emerging as it mutates and spreads. But last month, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed that the BA.2.86 – which has since been named Pirola – has made its way to the UK and NHS officials have labelled it the “most concerning variant” since Omicron.

Pirola was first detected in Denmark on 24 July and, as we went to press, cases had been recorded in several countries, including the USA and Israel.

But what does this mean for us? Here’s everything you need to know…

SHOULD I BE WORRIED ABOUT IT?

According to Dr Sarah Pitt, a virologist at the University of Brighton, there’s nothing at the moment to suggest that Pirola is “any more dangerous” than previous variants. “The virus changes quite a lot as it goes along. Some of those changes are not good for the virus. A lot of them are just neutral. I don’t expect it to be any more dangerous than any other versions of Covid, except for remembering that it is quite a nasty disease in some people.”

Meanwhile, Professor Christina Pagel, a mathematician from University College London who is a member of the Independent SAGE group, says she’s ”reasonably certain that we have entered another Covid-19 wave”, but that it’s “unlikely this wave will cause a large surge in hospital admissions or deaths” because of the UK’s high rate of vaccinations.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 18, 2023-Ausgabe von OK! UK.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 18, 2023-Ausgabe von OK! UK.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS OK! UKAlle anzeigen
A CITY OF TWO HALVES
OK! UK

A CITY OF TWO HALVES

There's a holiday for every budget to be found in Dubai, as OK!'s Faith Richardson discovered

time-read
3 Minuten  |
December 02, 2024
'Christmas is a double whammy'
OK! UK

'Christmas is a double whammy'

Chef James Martin on the pressures of dividing his time between his restaurants and his family over the festivities

time-read
4 Minuten  |
December 02, 2024
LEARN HOW TO PLEASE YOURSELF
OK! UK

LEARN HOW TO PLEASE YOURSELF

The festive season can be an incredibly stressful time, particularly for people-pleasers who struggle to put their own needs first

time-read
3 Minuten  |
December 02, 2024
'There's a bit of faking it until you make it'
OK! UK

'There's a bit of faking it until you make it'

Actor Paul Mescal on entering the Gladiator II arena, building a blockbuster body for his role as fighter Lucius Verus, and heading up an A-list cast of Hollywood's finest stars

time-read
4 Minuten  |
December 02, 2024
THE A-LIST HAIL HOLLYWOOD'S BIG HITTERS
OK! UK

THE A-LIST HAIL HOLLYWOOD'S BIG HITTERS

A line-up of the film world's best-known faces attended this year's Governors Awards to celebrate lifetime achievements

time-read
4 Minuten  |
December 02, 2024
'I think we arrived right on time'
OK! UK

'I think we arrived right on time'

The stars of the long-awaited film Wicked, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, tell us why its themes are so relevant right now and why the musical is so dear to their hearts

time-read
6 Minuten  |
December 02, 2024
'No one knows who I am'
OK! UK

'No one knows who I am'

Having first found fame on social media, GK Barry has become the breakout star of this year's I'm A Celebrity

time-read
5 Minuten  |
December 02, 2024
'I still pinch myself about how we met'
OK! UK

'I still pinch myself about how we met'

Now legally married, MAFS Uk’s Adam and Tayah Aveling are looking forward to Christmas with their daughter and welcoming baby number two in 2025

time-read
7 Minuten  |
December 02, 2024
THE ROYAL WEEK
OK! UK

THE ROYAL WEEK

It was a sad week for Queen Camilla, but a good week for the royal family’s charities with visits to hospitals and homeless centres

time-read
2 Minuten  |
December 02, 2024
WILLIAM AND KATE'S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS
OK! UK

WILLIAM AND KATE'S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS

After a challenging year for the royal family, the Prince and Princess of Wales plan to give their children an unforgettable time filled with fun and festivities

time-read
6 Minuten  |
December 02, 2024