Maria Van Kerkhove, an epidemiologist and lead for the Covid response on the WHO, introduced on X, previously Twitter, that Covid BA.X has a "large number of mutations".

While there may be "limited information" on the virus variant, the pressure has been reported in Israel, Denmark and the US.

A analysis institute in Denmark, Statens Serum Institut reported on the Covid pressure.

"A new Omicron BA.2 subvariant has been observed," the analysis institute posted to X.

"The variant was seen in one case in Israel, and two cases in Denmark... There is no indication that the new variant causes severe illness."

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said: "As we learn more about BA.2.86, CDC's advice on protecting yourself from COVID-19 remains the same."

In England, the newest authorities report exhibits that the variety of folks testing constructive for Covid is steadily on the rise.

For the previous seven days main as much as, and together with, August 13, there have been 930 individuals who have examined constructive for Covid.

This is a 17.4 % enhance within the variety of constructive instances in comparison with the week prior.

Such a rise in infections has translated into the variety of sufferers admitted to hospital.

In an identical time interval, however solely recorded as much as August 11, there have been 367 admissions to hospital due to Covid.

That is a rise of greater than 20 % in comparison with the week prior – and now there was an increase within the variety of Covid deaths.

While the rise has been at 4 % most not too long ago, this determine might go up as immunity wanes over time put up vaccination.

According to the NHS, signs of a Covid an infection may nonetheless embrace:

• A excessive temperature or shivering
• A brand new, steady cough
• A loss or change to your sense of scent or style
• Shortness of breath
• Feeling drained or exhausted
• An aching physique
• A headache
• A sore throat
• A blocked or runny nostril
• Loss of urge for food
• Diarrhoea
• Feeling sick or being sick.

"The symptoms are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu," the NHS provides.

Most folks could make a full restoration inside 12 weeks however, for some, signs might persist and be lethal.

WHO's Maria Van Kerkhove added: "WHO is tracking three variants of interest and seven variants under monitoring at the moment."