Government issues ‘Cicada variant’ update as ‘American Covid’ spreads through UK

The Government has issued an update on a Covid variant dubbed “Cicada” as coronavirus infections rise across the UK. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said BA.3.2, sometimes referred to as the “Cicada” variant, is a highly divergent descendant of the Omicron BA.3 lineage which re-emerged in South Africa in late 2024. The strain has since been detected sporadically across multiple continents and has been designated a Variant Under Monitoring by the World Health Organisation (WHO). However, health officials stressed that the current public health risk from BA.3.2 is considered low, with no evidence that it causes increased severity, hospitalisation or mortality, although available evidence remains limited.

The update comes as another Covid strain, XFG, remains the most common variant currently circulating. XFG, also known as Stratus and dubbed ‘American Covid’ in some media reports, has been circulating in the UK and elsewhere for around a year.

UKHSA data shows Covid positive test rates rose to around seven per cent in September, while hospital admission rates increased by approximately 50 per cent over the same period. The increases have been recorded across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as elsewhere in Europe and the United States.

Despite the rise, UKHSA said current data does not indicate that circulating variants are causing more severe illness than other Covid variants. Officials said increases in hospitalisations are broadly in line with the overall rise in Covid circulation, suggesting greater levels of infection rather than a particular variant causing more serious disease.

UKHSA said several factors could be contributing to the current increase. Colder and wetter weather means people are spending more time indoors, making it easier for respiratory viruses to spread.

It has also been roughly a year since the last significant Covid wave, meaning immunity from previous infections and vaccinations may be waning among parts of the population. People experiencing symptoms of a respiratory infection who have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to carry out their normal activities are advised to stay at home where possible and avoid contact with vulnerable people.

Those who cannot stay at home are advised to wear a well-fitting face covering, avoid crowded or poorly ventilated places and practise good hand and respiratory hygiene.

The NHS says Covid symptoms can include a high temperature, cough, shortness of breath, tiredness, headache, sore throat and a blocked or runny nose.

UKHSA also stressed that vaccines remain the best defence against severe Covid illness and hospitalisation. People aged 75 and over, those with weakened immune systems and residents of care homes for older people are currently among those eligible for vaccination.

UKHSA said it continues to monitor Covid variants using GP appointments, A&E attendances, hospitalisations and genomic sequencing.

Hospital data helps officials track more severe cases and assess how quickly different variants are spreading.

The agency also publishes weekly surveillance data on Covid and other respiratory illnesses throughout winter.

People at the highest risk of becoming seriously ill may be eligible for NHS treatment if they develop symptoms and test positive.

This can include people with weakened immune systems, certain cancers, kidney or liver disease and organ transplants.

Some people with conditions affecting the lungs, brain or nervous system may also be eligible for treatment.