Latest COVID Symptoms: What’s Going Around in London Right Now

When you hear latest COVID symptoms, the changing signs of infection caused by new strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Also known as new COVID signs, it’s no longer just about fever and cough—today’s versions show up in quieter, weirder ways. The virus hasn’t disappeared. It’s just changed how it behaves. In London, cases are low but still there, mostly hitting older adults and people with weak immune systems. You won’t see lockdowns or mandatory masks anymore, but the symptoms? They’ve evolved.

The dominant strains right now are XEC, a new Omicron subvariant spreading fast in London with subtle but persistent symptoms and XBB.1.16, a variant linked to unusual signs like loss of sweet taste and muscle jerks. These aren’t the old-school symptoms you remember from 2020. No sudden loss of smell? Check. No high fever? Also common. Instead, people report extreme fatigue that lasts days, brain fog that makes texting hard, chest tightness without coughing, and even strange skin tingles. The XFG (Stratus) variant, the newest strain as of late 2025, spreading faster but not causing more hospitalizations, is also in the mix. It’s not deadlier—it’s just better at slipping past immunity.

What does this mean for you? If you’re under 65 and healthy, you’ll likely feel like you’ve got a bad cold for a few days. But if you’re over 65, have diabetes, heart disease, or take immunosuppressants, this is still a serious threat. The NHS isn’t reporting mass hospitalizations, but the people getting sick are often the ones who didn’t get the latest booster. The vaccine still works well against severe outcomes—even if it doesn’t stop you from catching it. Masking in crowded places like the Tube or hospitals still helps. So does staying home if you feel off, even if it’s just a scratchy throat.

London’s health system has moved on from crisis mode, but the virus hasn’t. It’s still circulating. You’ll find it in care homes, in GP waiting rooms, and in the quiet coughs of neighbors who don’t want to bother anyone. The data shows cases rise slightly in winter, but there’s no big spike like before. That doesn’t mean it’s gone. It means you need to pay attention again—not out of fear, but out of smart caution.

Below, you’ll find real reports from Londoners who’ve had the latest strains, breakdowns of which variant is doing what, and what treatments still work. No hype. No panic. Just what’s actually happening—and what you should do next.