In recent months, COVID-19 cases have been on the rise in some parts of the world, including the United States and the United Kingdom, where new variants were recently detected. Data by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that hospital admissions due to Covid and positive test rates are on the rise, reported Time.

<h2>US: Rise in cases and new COVID-19 variants&nbsp;</h2>

The recent data from the CDC shows that the EG.5 variant of the coronavirus is responsible for more than 17 per cent of new cases over the past two weeks or so, which is said to be the highest prevalence of any strain currently spreading across the country.&nbsp;

It also surpassed the previously prevalent so-called “Arcturus” variant, which accounted for nearly 16 per cent of infections in the US. The World Health Organization (WHO) last month upgraded the EG.5 variant to its “variant under monitoring,” classification, a step below a “variant of concern”.&nbsp;

This comes after the EG.5’s global prevalence nearly doubled from mid-June to mid-July and it was detected in as many as 45 countries, reported WHO. However, last month, the United Nations health agency said that there is no evidence of “rising cases and deaths or a change in disease severity associated with EG.5.”

The EG.5 variant is a descendant of XBB.1.9.2 but with an additional mutation. As per reports citing experts, this recent uptick in cases during the American summer season could be an indicator of what is to come in winter.&nbsp;

While there have been multiple rises, drops and waves of Covid infections since 2020, the recent one is said to be the most notable one since the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) ended in the US, back in May.&nbsp;

“US&nbsp;COVID-19 rates are still near historic lows after seven months of steady declines,” CDC spokesperson Kathleen Conley told CBS News. However, the US has also experienced a rise in COVID-19 in the “past three summers, so it’s not surprising to see an uptick.”

However, experts note that there is insufficient evidence that this rise will lead to a bigger outbreak, reported Time magazine.

<h2>What’s the situation in the UK?</h2>

In the UK, the recent uptick in cases has reportedly&nbsp;been attributed to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/covid-variant-eris-on-rise-in-uk-as-experts-say-country-flying-blind-on-infection-622835">variant EG.5.1</a>, nicknamed Eris. The variant, which has descended from the rapidly spreading Omicron, was first flagged last month across Britain.&nbsp;

The variant Eris is found in one of the seven new coronavirus cases, said the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). As per the latest data, the cases of the Eris variant now account for 14.6 per cent of all cases, reported the British media.

<h2>What can you do?</h2>

Even after three years or so, advice around COVID-19 stays the same with some changes. Here’s what you should do if you have or think you have COVID-19.&nbsp;

Get tested

Make sure to get tested and confirm if you have COVID-19. The CDC recommends that if you have symptoms of the virus, “test immediately”. However, if you do not have symptoms but have been exposed to COVID-19, wait at least five full days before taking a test.

What to do if the test is positive?

Inform everyone you’ve recently been around since it is possible that you were infectious before you developed symptoms or got tested. As per the CDC guidelines, anyone with COVID-19 should isolate themselves from others for at least five days.&nbsp;

Possible treatment

COVID-19 can cause symptoms ranging from “mild to very severe,” as per the CDC, with old people at high risk of getting very sick. Therefore, it recommends medications to treat COVID-19 – prescribed by a healthcare provider &nbsp;– and started as soon as possible after diagnosis to be effective.&nbsp;

The CDC also recommends drinking plenty of fluids and using over-the-counter anti-fever medications, if necessary. But in case of severe symptoms, like difficulty breathing or chest pain, seek medical care immediately. 
&nbsp;

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In recent months, COVID-19 cases have been on the rise in some parts of the world, including the United States and the United Kingdom, where new variants were recently detected.

In recent months, COVID-19 cases have been on the rise in some parts of the world, including the United States and the United Kingdom, where new variants were recently detected. Data by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that hospital admissions due to Covid and positive test rates are on the rise, reported Time. US: Rise in cases and new COVID-19 variants The recent data from the CDC shows that the EG.5 variant of the coronavirus is responsible for more than 17 per cent of new cases over the past two weeks or so, which is said to be the highest prevalence of any strain currently spreading across the country. It also surpassed the previously prevalent so-called “Arcturus” variant, which accounted for nearly 16 per cent of infections in the US. The World Health Organization (WHO) last month upgraded the EG.5 variant to its “variant under monitoring,” classification, a step below a “variant of concern”. This comes after the EG.5’s global prevalence nearly doubled from mid-June to mid-July and it was detected in as many as 45 countries, reported WHO. However, last month, the United Nations health agency said that there is no evidence of “rising cases and deaths or a change in disease severity associated with EG.5.” The EG.5 variant is a descendant of XBB.1.9.2 but with an additional mutation. As per reports citing experts, this recent uptick in cases during the American summer season could be an indicator of what is to come in winter. While there have been multiple rises, drops and waves of Covid infections since 2020, the recent one is said to be the most notable one since the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) ended in the US, back in May. “US COVID-19 rates are still near historic lows after seven months of steady declines,” CDC spokesperson Kathleen Conley told CBS News. However, the US has also experienced a rise in COVID-19 in the “past three summers, so it’s not surprising to see an uptick.” However, experts note that there is insufficient evidence that this rise will lead to a bigger outbreak, reported Time magazine. What’s the situation in the UK? In the UK, the recent uptick in cases has reportedly been attributed to variant EG.5.1, nicknamed Eris. The variant, which has descended from the rapidly spreading Omicron, was first flagged last month across Britain. The variant Eris is found in one of the seven new coronavirus cases, said the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). As per the latest data, the cases of the Eris variant now account for 14.6 per cent of all cases, reported the British media. What can you do? Even after three years or so, advice around COVID-19 stays the same with some changes. Here’s what you should do if you have or think you have COVID-19. Get tested Make sure to get tested and confirm if you have COVID-19. The CDC recommends that if you have symptoms of the virus, “test immediately”. However, if you do not have symptoms but have been exposed to COVID-19, wait at least five full days before taking a test. What to do if the test is positive? Inform everyone you’ve recently been around since it is possible that you were infectious before you developed symptoms or got tested. As per the CDC guidelines, anyone with COVID-19 should isolate themselves from others for at least five days. Possible treatment COVID-19 can cause symptoms ranging from “mild to very severe,” as per the CDC, with old people at high risk of getting very sick. Therefore, it recommends medications to treat COVID-19 – prescribed by a healthcare provider – and started as soon as possible after diagnosis to be effective. The CDC also recommends drinking plenty of fluids and using over-the-counter anti-fever medications, if necessary. But in case of severe symptoms, like difficulty breathing or chest pain, seek medical care immediately. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

New COVID-19 variants spark concerns in US, UK. Here’s what you can do if infected

United States scientists have developed a new test to identify all current variants of coronavirus (COVID-19) quickly and accurately. The test, named CoVarScan, can detect all current variants of SARS-CoV-2 within hours by finding the signatures of eight hotspots on the deadly virus.&nbsp;

The researchers at the University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center in the US published the findings after testing samples collected from more than 4,000 patients.&nbsp;

The results of CoVarScan tests were published recently in the Clinical Chemistry journal. As per the findings, the test is as accurate as other methods used to diagnose Covid. The researchers also noted that the test successfully differentiate between all current variants of SARS-CoV-2.&nbsp;

Jeffrey SoRelle, who is an assistant professor at UT Southwestern, and senior author of the study, said "Using this test, we can determine very quickly what variants are in the community and if a new variant is emerging. It also has implications for individual patients when we are dealing with variants that respond differently to treatments.&nbsp;

In most cases, scientists use genome sequencing to determine which variant of COVID-19 a patient has. The process is time-consuming and expensive too. To analyse the RNA sequence contained in the viruses, the tests also rely on sophisticated equipment.&nbsp;

How does CoVarScan work?&nbsp;

During the research, the CoVarScan had 96 per cent sensitivity and 99 per cent specificity as compared to whole genome sequencing.&nbsp;

Researchers noted that the CoVarScan test detects eight regions of SARS-CoV-2 that commonly differ between viral variants. It detects small mutations to measure the length of repetitive genetic regions that tend to grow and shrink as the virus evolves.&nbsp;

The method relies on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to copy and measure the RNA at these eight sites of interest.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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United States scientists have developed a new test to identify all current variants of coronavirus (COVID-19) quickly and accurately. The test, named CoVarScan, can detect all current variants of SARS-CoV-2 within hours by finding the signatures of eight hotspots on the deadly virus.

United States scientists have developed a new test to identify all current variants of coronavirus (COVID-19) quickly and accurately. The test, named CoVarScan, can detect all current variants of SARS-CoV-2 within hours by finding the signatures of eight hotspots on the deadly virus. The researchers at the University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center in the US published the findings after testing samples collected from more than 4,000 patients. The results of CoVarScan tests were published recently in the Clinical Chemistry journal. As per the findings, the test is as accurate as other methods used to diagnose Covid. The researchers also noted that the test successfully differentiate between all current variants of SARS-CoV-2. Jeffrey SoRelle, who is an assistant professor at UT Southwestern, and senior author of the study, said "Using this test, we can determine very quickly what variants are in the community and if a new variant is emerging. It also has implications for individual patients when we are dealing with variants that respond differently to treatments. In most cases, scientists use genome sequencing to determine which variant of COVID-19 a patient has. The process is time-consuming and expensive too. To analyse the RNA sequence contained in the viruses, the tests also rely on sophisticated equipment. How does CoVarScan work? During the research, the CoVarScan had 96 per cent sensitivity and 99 per cent specificity as compared to whole genome sequencing. Researchers noted that the CoVarScan test detects eight regions of SARS-CoV-2 that commonly differ between viral variants. It detects small mutations to measure the length of repetitive genetic regions that tend to grow and shrink as the virus evolves. The method relies on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to copy and measure the RNA at these eight sites of interest. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

What is CoVarScan? A new COVID-19 test that can detect all variants in hours

Amid cases of imported coronavirus infections in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/china-statistics-bureau-says-economy-still-in-recovery-process-370479">China</a>,&nbsp;Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Guangdong CDC) detected B.1.525 COVID-19 variant identified in Nigeria from two imported COVID-19 cases for the first time, reports said.

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According to China's state-run Global Times, "the two cases, both asymptomatic <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-open-transparent-on-covid-19-will-work-with-who-to-find-origins-premier-li-keqiang-369737">COVID-19 i</a>nfected patients, were discovered in closed-loop management and reported as asymptomatic infections on February 21."

The Chinese CDC said the original sample indicated that it was a mutated strain found in Nigeria which is reportedly circulating in 26 countries. The new strain is reportedly more transmissible and prone to cause antibody neutralisation.

The Guangdong CDC had received nasopharyngeal swabs from Guangzhou on March 5 as it began virus isolation and genome sequencing analysis.

China recorded at least 20 imported coronavirus cases on Saturday and another 183 on Sunday, according to the National Health Commission as the country continues to battle the crisis.

The country is set to launch a digital "health passport" in its attempt to kickstart international travel. Authorities have established a nationwide system of digital "health codes" to combat the virus with users asked to scan a QR code to get a "green" pass in the health app in public places.

Currently, Chinese citizens can download new digital certificates and use them to enter and leave the country.&nbsp;

The virus which was first reported by the Chinese authorities to the WHO on December 31, 2019, has killed over 2.65 million people and infected over 119,839 even as several countries have begun their vaccination drive.

Amid cases of imported coronavirus infections in China, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Guangdong CDC) detected B.1.525 COVID-19 variant identified in Nigeria from two imported COVID-19 cases for the first time, reports said.

Amid cases of imported coronavirus infections in China, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Guangdong CDC) detected B.1.525 COVID-19 variant identified in Nigeria from two imported COVID-19 cases for the first time, reports said. Watch: According to China's state-run Global Times, "the two cases, both asymptomatic COVID-19 infected patients, were discovered in closed-loop management and reported as asymptomatic infections on February 21." The Chinese CDC said the original sample indicated that it was a mutated strain found in Nigeria which is reportedly circulating in 26 countries. The new strain is reportedly more transmissible and prone to cause antibody neutralisation. The Guangdong CDC had received nasopharyngeal swabs from Guangzhou on March 5 as it began virus isolation and genome sequencing analysis. China recorded at least 20 imported coronavirus cases on Saturday and another 183 on Sunday, according to the National Health Commission as the country continues to battle the crisis. The country is set to launch a digital "health passport" in its attempt to kickstart international travel. Authorities have established a nationwide system of digital "health codes" to combat the virus with users asked to scan a QR code to get a "green" pass in the health app in public places. Currently, Chinese citizens can download new digital certificates and use them to enter and leave the country. The virus which was first reported by the Chinese authorities to the WHO on December 31, 2019, has killed over 2.65 million people and infected over 119,839 even as several countries have begun their vaccination drive.

COVID-19 variant identified in Nigeria detected in China's Guangdong province

New COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations appear to be on a downward trajectory in the United States as the Biden administration remains confident that it can hit its target of 100 million vaccines in 100 days, the White House Coronavirus Task Force said on Wednesday (February 3).

CDC Director Walensky says COVID variants threaten to reverse positive trends