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People infected with the new variant of the coronavirus discovered in the UK are less likely to report losing taste and smell as part of their symptoms, according to a study.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the condition was “significantly less common” in patients who tested positive for the new variant compared to those with other variants of COVID-19.
But other symptoms such as cough, sore throat, fatigue, muscle pain and fever were “more common” among those who contracted the new variant, he added.
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The organization, which has been conducting a massive survey for months in coronavirus in the UK, he added that there was “no evidence” of any difference in reported symptoms related to shortness of breath or headaches.
It also found that people with the new variant were more likely to report having symptoms.
The variant was discovered in the UK in mid-December, prompting dozens of countries to implement travel restrictions for anyone arriving from the UK.
Late last week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson admitted that there is “some evidence that the new variant may be associated with a higher degree of mortality“.
But he added that all current evidence shows that three vaccines approved for use in the UK “are still effective against both the old variant of the coronavirus and this new one.”
In its latest survey on infections, the ONS confirmed that the amount of physical contact that people reported decreased in January, when the new national lockdown took effect.
With a record of recently reported cases and deaths, and the UK surpasses 100,000 coronavirus-related deaths According to yesterday’s government estimate, the ONS said there was a growth in infections among people working in patient-facing positions.