Do you have Omicron? The 9 symptoms of Omicron – none are classic finds latest data

Doctor says 'drastic measures' are needed to stop Omicron spread

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There is good news but it comes with qualifications. Two separate studies have suggested catching Omicron is less likely to result in severe symptoms and hospital admission than earlier Covid strains such as Delta. However, its astounding transmissibility suggests hospitalisation rates will still soar.

In addition to getting a booster jab, spotting the warning signs and self-isolating is key to stemming Omicron’s spread.

What should you be looking for?

Initial data from London, where Omicron prevalence is higher than other regions of the UK, suggests cold-like symptoms are indicative of Omicron.

This is based on symptom data from positive cases recorded in the ZOE Covid Study, which has been logging insights from millions of users throughout the pandemic.

“This analysis found no clear difference in the symptom profile of Delta and Omicron, with only 50 percent of people experiencing the classic three symptoms of fever, cough, or loss of sense of smell or taste,” said the ZOE scientists.

The top five symptoms currently recorded are:

• Runny nose
• Headache
• Fatigue (mild or severe)
• Sneezing
• Sore throat.

Loss of appetite and brain fog are also common symptoms, the data suggests.

According to Tim Spector, who heads up the ZOE Study, back pain may also be indicative of Omicron.

These findings line up with a small batch of data from contributors who reported that their positive PCR results were suspected or confirmed Omicron infections.

So far, the data suggests the symptoms are generally mild and this is borne out by two new studies.

New research from Imperial College London has indicated that people with PCR-confirmed Omicron are 15-20 percent less likely to need admission to hospital, and 40-45 percent less likely to require a stay of one night or more.

Scientists in a separate Scotland-wide study called Early Pandemic Evaluation and Enhanced Surveillance of Covid-19 have said Omicron is associated with a two-thirds reduction in the risk of hospital admission compared with Delta.

However, researchers have added that although Omicron appears less severe, it is more transmissible partly because the current crop of coronavirus vaccines are less effective against it.

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