An Irish doctor has said that patients who have contracted the BA.2 variant are presenting with unusual symptoms that are not commonly associated with Covid.
Speaking on Radio Kerry, Killarney GP Dr Gary Stack said those who have been infected with the new variant are displaying more severe symptoms.
He said: "It is a subvariant of the Omicron. It appears to be that bit more severe, you know, maybe 10 or 20 per cent more severe than the wave we would have had, say eight weeks ago.
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"People are a bit sicker than they were before. Now hospital numbers are still holding fairly okay, particularly ICU numbers, but people are sicker at home than they have been with the previous variant."
Dr Stack urged people to get tested even if they think their symptoms are from another illness as the signs may differ from previous variant's symptoms.
He also advised people to take several antigen tests, ideally every two days, if they feel unwell.
Dr Stack said less common symptoms had been displayed by some Covid patients, including stomach issues and a visible rash.
Other more common symptoms people are advised to be vigilant of include:
- Fever or chills.
- Cough.
- Body aches.
- Headaches.
- Tiredness.
- Loss of taste or smell.
- Shortness of breath.
- Sore throat.
- Sneezing.
- Itchy or watery eyes.
- Runny or stuffy nose.
The news comes as almost 20,000 new Covid cases were confirmed in Ireland on Friday.
The latest figures recorded 9,324 positive PCR tests and a further 10,542 antigen results registered through the HSE portal.
Meanwhile, there are 1,466 people in hospital with Covid, of which 55 are in ICU.
Despite the high number of cases, the Government is set to decide on a major Covid rule change as it considers reducing the isolation period for people who have contracted the virus.
The new measures could be brought in after both public and private sectors reported severe staff shortages due to employees being absent with Covid related illnesses.
It comes as a new group has been established to replace the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet), to oversee the pandemic and advise the Government on how to react to the virus.
It will have up to 12 members, including public officials such as the chief medical officer.
The members of the group have not been announced, but Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said it would be unveiled "imminently".
The shortages experienced by employers have given the Government a push to reduce the current seven-day isolation period to ease pressure on industries throughout the country, especially the public health sector.
A reduction in isolation periods would free up the more than 5,000 healthcare workers who are currently on leave due to the virus.
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