New 'highly mutated' Pirola Covid variant cases detected in UK as strain found in wastewater
manchestereveningnews.co.ukNew cases of the 'highly mutated' Pirola variant of Covid-19 have been detected in the UK, as numbers of those infected with the virus rise.
Covid BA.2.86 - or Pirola - was first recognised by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on August 18. In the UK there were previously two known cases, one in England and one in Scotland, but since then another has been also announced in England - with reports suggesting a fourth in Scotland too.
The variant has also been found in tested wastewater, according to the latest government release, reports The Mirror. Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features None of the cases had a recent travel history, suggesting community transmission within the UK and it was only picked up as all of them were tested as hospital patients.
Of the three confirmed cases so far, one person was said to be “mildly unwell”, whilst the second had no respiratory symptoms and the third case, in Scotland, was symptomatic.
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