OMICRON is still spreading fast, although cases are starting to drop in the UK.
Some people can test positive for Omicron while showing no signs at all – but there are a few key symptoms to know of that could mean you have been hit with the variant.
This version of the Covid virus is presenting as more cold-like, especially in people who have been vaccinated.
It is milder, again largely in those who have been jabbed, and so is unlikely to require anything more than a few days at home recovering.
But incase you come into contact with anyone more vulnerable or who could be taken ill more seriously, it's good to know the signs you might be carrying Omicron.
Two key symptoms, according to an expert, are a runny nose and headache.
Professor Irene Petersen, a professor of epidemiology and health informatics at University College London, told the Independent: “A runny nose and headache are symptoms of many infections, but may also be the first symptoms – and only symptoms – of Covid.
"Therefore, if you have these symptoms, I’d encourage you to use lateral flow tests for a couple of days.”
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It comes as around 20 Omicron symptoms have been revealed as ones you are most likely to get.
This doesn't mean there aren't others that could pop up, but these have been most reported by people who caught the variant.
They logged what they were experiencing on the ZOE Covid Study – with the top five remaining as runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing and a sore throat.
But other symptoms in the top 20 include a hoarse voice, chills or shivers, brain fog, feeling dizzy, skipped meals and feeling down.
The symptoms appear to come on faster than Delta, with a shorter incubation period.
People who experience Omicron symptoms are likely to get them within two-five days after exposure.
A string of hugely positive studies show Omicron is milder than other strains for the vaccinated, with the first official UK report revealing the risk of hospitalisation is 50 to 70 per cent lower than with Delta.
Covid booster jabs protect against Omicron and offer the best chance to get through the pandemic, health officials have repeatedly said.
The Sun's Jabs Army campaign is helping get the vital extra vaccines in Brits' arms to ward off the need for any new restrictions.
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The UK appears to be moving out of Omicron's grip, with 70,924 Covid cases were reported yesterday – the lowest daily total in more than a month.
The last time infections dropped below 70,000 was on December 14 when 59,610 positive tests were recorded.
It is the third day in a row that the number of people testing positive has fallen below 100,000 in a promising sign the country is moving past the Omicron peak.
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