A new strain of is sweeping across the UK, and symptoms vary, but some are 'not typical' of former Covid cases.

The new variant, known as NB.1.8.1, has been named 'Nimbus' and is causing a spike in cases across the nation. As of yesterday, 13 cases of the virus have been confirmed in the UK, prompting concern from health professionals.

According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), it is making up a "growing proportion" of Covid cases worldwide, as and Hong Kong have seen a surge in cases, with the strain also identified in 21 other countries. The symptoms of 'Nimbus' can vary and are largely consistent with previous forms of the virus, but there are six key signs to look out for.

Director & Superintendent Pharmacist, Prescription Doctor, Mohamed Imran Lakhi, exclusively tells the "People commonly report a severe , persistent fatigue, mild cough, fever, muscle aches, and nasal congestion.

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"Some also experience digestive issues like nausea or diarrhoea, which isn’t always typical with Covid variants."

With a spike in cases of the 'Nimbus' strain across the UK, Dr Lakhi explains how we can best protect ourselves. He said: "While it seems to spread more easily, there's no strong evidence so far that it causes more severe illness than previous versions. Vaccines, especially those updated for strains, still offer good protection against serious disease.

"It's important to stay up to date with your vaccinations and follow basic precautions like hand hygiene and wearing masks in crowded spaces, particularly as this variant circulates.

"If you or someone you know develops these symptoms, especially the sore throat and fatigue, it's wise to get tested and isolate until you know more. Early detection helps protect you and those around you."

The World Health Organisation (WHO) added the new Covid strain to its official watch list, amid fears it could be more contagious than earlier forms of the virus. However, there's currently no proof that it leads to more severe illness.

According to WHO, the strain first appeared in January and by late April it was responsible for around 10.7% of global infections, up from just 2.5% a month earlier.

Ireland has witnessed a sharp increase in cases linked to this variant in recent weeks. According to data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), the proportion of sequenced Covid samples linked to NB.1.8.1 jumped from 3.7% to 27.3% in the last five weeks, reports