Coronavirus (COVID-19)

COVID-19 is a viral infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic began in late 2019, the virus is still present today and continues to cause infections across the UK. Thankfully, for most people, symptoms are now mild. However, COVID-19 can still lead to serious complications, particularly for older adults, pregnant women and people with certain underlying health conditions.

Common symptoms of COVID include¹:

• A high temperature
• A new, continuous cough
• Loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Blocked or runny nose
• Muscle aches
• Sore throat

Symptoms can vary from person to person, with some experiencing more severe illness than others.

XFG, sometimes referred to as ‘Stratus’ in the media, is currently the most common COVID-19 variant. You may have also heard it called ‘American Covid’, as it was first detected in the US. Despite the headlines, it isn’t a new variant and has already been circulating in the UK and other countries for around a year.

You may also have heard about BA.3.2, sometimes called ‘Circada’. This is a descendant of the Omicron BA.3 variant and has previously been detected in the UK. The World Health Organization have declared this variant ‘under monitoring’, but evidence is currently limited and the overall public health risk has been assessed as low.

While there has been a rise in positive COVID-19 test rates in September 2026 (across UK, Europe and United States), there is no current data to suggest that current COVID variants are causing more severe illness than previous variants. However, the best way to protect yourself from serious illness from different COVID-19 is still to get vaccinated each year, so that your body has a greater chance of fighting the latest strains.

*Accurate as of October 2026.

Anyone can catch COVID-19, but some people are more likely to develop serious illness.

This might include:

• Adults aged 65+
• People with weakened immune systems
• Pregnant women
• People with chronic heart disease
• People with respiratory conditions
• People with diabetes
• People with kidney disease
• People with certain neurological conditions
• People receiving treatment for cancer
• Residents of care homes

COVID-19 vaccinations remain one of the most effective ways of reducing the risk of severe complications. At Well we offer private COVID vaccinations in all pharmacies, and NHS COVID vaccinations in most of our England pharmacies for eligible patients during the seasonal windows.

COVID-19 mainly spreads between people through respiratory particles released when an infected person breathes, speaks, coughs or sneezes. You may be more likely to come into contact with the virus when spending time close to someone with COVID-19, particularly in poorly ventilated indoor spaces.

• Cover coughs and sneezes
• Regularly clean surfaces that you touch often (such as door handles, light switches and TV remotes)
• Avoid indoor or crowded places
• Try to stay away from other people, including those you live with, until you feel better
• Wear a face covering when it’s difficult to avoid people altogether

You might have heard the term ‘long COVID⁴,’ sometimes called ‘post-COVID syndrome’. Essentially, this is when symptoms of COVID-19 continue for longer than expected after the initial infection. Symptoms can vary from person to person, and may improve, change or come and go over time.

Long COVID can include ongoing COVID-19 symptoms lasting from 4-12 weeks, as well as post-COVID-19 syndrome, where symptoms persist for more than 12 weeks and can’t be explained by any other condition.

Some of the most common symptoms of long COVID include:

• Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
• Shortness of breath
• Joint pain and aching muscles
• Problems with memory and concentration, sometimes called ‘brain fog’

Other symptoms can include headaches, difficulty sleeping, chest pain or tightness, heart palpitations, dizziness and changes to your sense of smell or taste. Some symptoms may get better and then return, and new symptoms can also develop.

If you think you might have long COVID, speak to a healthcare professional. They can talk to you about your symptoms and how long you've had them and may carry out tests to help understand what could be causing them.

There's currently no cure for long COVID, but treatment and support can help manage individual symptoms.

Although it's not strictly necessary to test for COVID-19, f you're feeling unwell or have symptoms that could be coronavirus, an at-home COVID test can help you get answers quickly. Testing can give you peace of mind, help you make informed decisions about contact with others, and support you in managing your symptoms appropriately.