BRITS have been stocking up on paracetamol and ibuprofen as millions have been stuck nursing Omicron in recent weeks. It has led to shortages on the shelves in some areas, the latest Office for National Statistics report found. Around 30 per cent of shops across the UK have low or no supplies of paracetamol, data […]
BRITS have been stocking up on paracetamol and ibuprofen as millions have been stuck nursing Omicron in recent weeks.
It has led to shortages on the shelves in some areas, the latest Office for National Statistics report found.
Around 30 per cent of shops across the UK have low or no supplies of paracetamol, data up to January 10 found.
And about 30 per cent are running low or have no ibuprofen.
It’s unsurprising stocks have been nabbed by Brits as they fight off the variant at home.
Cases of Covid have been high in recent weeks, but are starting to dip now.
Omicron is a milder disease, especially in people who have been vaccinated.
This means while they must isolate and might feel a bit rubbish, patients can treat the illnesses at home with over the counter drugs to ease headaches and other symptoms.
Professor Richard Wilding told the Mirror: “People are having boosters, which probably means there’s going to be an increase in people taking this product, then you’ve got colds, flus and Covid.
“Supply needs to actually catch up with that and work with that… the new normal for supply chains unfortunately is an awful lot of volatility and challenges with that.
“Products like this are therefore more likely to be disrupted.”
A string of hugely positive studies show Omicron IS milder than other strains, with the first official UK report revealing the risk of hospitalisation is 50 to 70 per cent lower than with Delta.
Covid booster jabs protect against Omicron and offer the best chance to get through the pandemic, health officials have repeatedly said.
The Sun’s Jabs Army campaign is helping get the vital extra vaccines in Brits’ arms to ward off the need for any new restrictions.
It comes as scientists say they have discovered a gene that doubles the risk of severe Covid illness.
Since the start of the pandemic, experts have been baffled as to why some people are so badly affected by the virus, while others aren’t.
Now a team in Poland claim that, after age, weight and gender, a specific gene is the most crucial factor for determining severe Covid risk.
The gene is present in around 14 per cent of Polish people, up to nine per cent of Europeans and 27 per cent of Indians, they say.
Experts said the research could be used to detect patients who are in more urgent need of care, should they end up in hospital.
The 20 most common Omicron symptoms have been revealed – as a major Covid study logs the signs to look out for.
The most reported symptoms of the mutant variant come from Brits who have been struck with the bug.
They logged what they were experiencing on the ZOE Covid Study – with the top five remaining as runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing and a sore throat.
But other symptoms in the top 20 includes hoarse voice, chills or shivers, brain fog, feeling dizzy, skipped meals and feeling down.
