Covid 'Centaurus' - symptoms of the new highly contagious Omicron sub-variant

Scientists around the world are carefully monitoring a new Covid sub-variant that has recently arrived in the UK.

Nicknamed Covid 'Centaurus', the official name of the new Omicron variant is BA.2.75. It is closely related to the BA.5 and BA.2 variants that have driven the recent rise in cases, although it’s thought that Centaurus could be even more contagious than previous strains.

Centaurus was first discovered in India and has since reached a number of other countries. While there is no concrete data on Centaurus so far, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has marked it as a “variant under monitoring”, The Mirror reports .

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The symptoms of Centaurus are thought to be similar to previous Omicron variants. Scientists behind the ZOE Covid Study warned people to look out for a sore throat, blocked nose and dry cough as the three most common symptoms reported earlier this month.

Night sweats and headaches have also been reported in those who have contracted Omicron in recent weeks. Given that Centaurus is still being studied by scientists, people are being urged to familiarise themselves with all potential Covid symptoms to watch out for.

The full NHS list of symptoms in adults is as follows:

• a high temperature or shivering (chills)

• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours

• a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

• shortness of breath

• feeling tired or exhausted

• an aching body

• a headache

• a sore throat

• a blocked or runny nose

• loss of appetite

• diarrhoea

• feeling sick or being sick

Covid cases continue to rise in the UK, with inections surging by nearly 800,000 in a week earlier this month . The NHS advises people who have symptoms to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if they have a high temperature and/or don’t feel well enough to carry out their usual activities.

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