Dr Angelique Coetzee, head doctor of a private clinic in Pretoria, reveals to have observed high heart rate as a symptom of the latest strain of the virus that could be a cause for concern for older patients.
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High heart rate
In the patients she has treated who tested positive for the Omicron variant, Dr Coetzee explains that loss of smell and taste is not a symptom of the worrying mutation. Instead, an increase in one's heart pulse seems to come as a result of the new variant. However, though high heart rate could pose further complications, the side effect was mild and went away after only a few hours. She said:
Their symptoms were so different and so mild from those I had treated before. We had one very interesting case, a kid about six years old, with a temperature and a very high pulse rate, and I wondered if I should admit her.
And added:
But when I followed up two days later, she was so much better. What we have to worry about is older, unvaccinated people. If they are not vaccinated, we are going to see many people with a severe form of the disease.
The UK takes action
Now, the UK government has taken serious action to prevent the spread of what is being called 'the most heavily mutated version' since the appearance of the virus. As of this week, mandatory face-coverings in shops and public transport has been reimposed, as well as a return to strict travel restrictions from high-risk destinations.
Further, booster shots for all those over the age of 18 might soon be offered to halt the spread of the super-contagious variant.
