Omicron: Expert urges people to look out for a 'key' symptom

Omicron: Expert urges people to look out for a 'key' symptom
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Ben Chapman

By Ben Chapman


Published: 30/12/2021

- 15:38

The Covid strain was first identified by South African scientists, and has made its way around the world since.

Omicron has continued to ravage through the UK at an alarming rate, with record breaking numbers being reported.

The Covid strain was first identified by South African scientists, and has made its way around the world since.


While some reports have suggested the variant is milder than others, there are still some notable symptoms to looks out for.

Experts are now reporting a symptom that has been described as "key," and it appears on the skin.

According to the ZOE Covid Symptom Study App, people who have come down with the variant have been complaining of a skin rash.

The Daily Star reports that there are two types of skin rashes being reported, and either one of them could mean you have Covid.

The first, and more common condition, is a hive-like rash that causes raised bumps and is said to be very itchy.

The second is a heat-type rash which can appear all over your body, but most commonly elbows, knees and the back of your hands and feet.

As cases have continued to rise across the UK, Professor Tim Spector, the man behind the ZOE study has warned that the new figures paint a “worrying picture”.

He continued: “The number of new symptomatic cases has exploded over the last week, making it the biggest jump in cases I’ve seen since we started the ZOE COVID Study.

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“While the figures paint a worrying picture, the good news is that our preliminary data, based on around 2,500 probable cases reported on the ZOE app suggests that Omicron is more mild that Delta.

“However, this highly transmissible variant will infect many more people before the year is out.

“To help us slow the spread, my advice continues to be; avoid gathering indoors, and, if you are meeting up with people, check everyone is free of cold symptoms, test yourself just before and get fully vaccinated."

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