British scientists: early symptoms of omicron strain COVID-19 are indistinguishable from the common cold
Photo: Thilo Schmuelgen / Reuters
The early symptoms of infection with the omicron strain of coronavirus are indistinguishable from the common cold and are similar to the mild illness caused by the delta strain. This was stated by scientists from the British company ZOE, which created the ZOE COVID Study applications, RIA Novosti reports.
Experts noted that the three “classic” signs of COVID-19 – fever, cough and loss of taste and smell – were recorded in only half of those infected with omicron. At the same time, they named five main symptoms of the new type of virus: headache, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat and severe fatigue. The scientists added that some patients also complained of loss of appetite and a feeling of fog in their heads.
Earlier, the director general of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adanom Ghebreyesus called on people to cancel their plans for the New Year holidays to protect against the spread of the omicron strain of the coronavirus. He also recommended postponing mass events, calling it a difficult but necessary decision. According to the head of WHO, the COVID-19 pandemic could end in 2022 if 70 percent of the world's population is vaccinated.
