A new CH.1.1 variant of Covid-19, also known as Orthrus, was first detected in the country in November and is spreading rapidly. The British Health Safety Agency estimates that the variant may account for 25% of illnesses in the country, but it may already dominate in some areas such as Falkburn, Oxford and North West Leicestershire.
“Analysis shows that UK coronavirus cases are primarily composed of BQ.1 and its subtypes. Two variants, CH.1.1 and XBB.1.5, appear to have a growth advantage in the UK. Both are variants in the Omicron family,” the agency said.
The UK government said it will continue to monitor the variations, with a view to understanding the health situation and anticipating new variants of the virus.
“Vaccination is our best defense against future waves of COVID-19, so it’s even more important that people get all the doses they deserve as soon as possible,” said Meera Chand, director of clinical and emerging infections at the UK Health Watch Agency. .
