A new “hard to stop” Covid strain raises concerns

A new strain of coronavirus is feared to be "more difficult to stop" as it increases its immunity to current vaccines, according to reports.

The strain, called FLiRT, accounts for about 25% of cases of the disease in the United States. The Daily Star website reported that another variant, known as KP.1.1, represents 7.5% of positive cases in the country, with fears of its spread around the world.

A spokesman for the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said: “Viruses are constantly changing through mutations, and sometimes these mutations lead to a new type of virus. Some changes and mutations allow the virus to spread more easily or make it resistant to treatments and vaccines. As the virus spreads, it may mutate.” "It becomes difficult to stop it."

Dr. Eric Topol, executive vice president of Scripps Research, who is familiar with the new strains, claimed that they would be responsible for a “significant increase” in cases of the disease.

Although the coronavirus is constantly evolving, the symptoms remain largely the same.

Covid symptoms include: high temperature or shivering, new and persistent cough, loss or change in sense of smell or taste, shortness of breath, in addition to sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, loss of appetite, and diarrhea.