COVID-19: A potential second winter wave?

The ZOE COVID Study estimates of the number of new symptomatic COVID-19 cases in the UK indicate that the winter wave of the virus is decreasing rapidly.

However, there is a potential for a second winter wave, as two new variants, BQ.1 and BA.2.75, have been identified through sequencing and are currently spreading in the UK. A third variant, XBB.1.5, is also starting to spread in the country at a lower level for the moment.

These variants are believed to be more contagious than the original strain and could lead to a resurgence of the virus.

It is unclear whether a second winter wave of COVID-19 will occur in the near future. However, it is important to remain vigilant and take all necessary precautions to protect ourselves and our communities from the virus. It is essential that we continue to follow public health guidelines, wear masks in public, and ventilate rooms often.

Sources

▪ Text: This piece was first published in PMP Magazine on 17-Jan-2023.
▪ Cover: Unsplash/Martin Sanchez. (Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.)