According to Dr Naveed Asif, a GP at The London General Practice, this distinctive symptom is characterised by a sharp, stabbing pain when swallowing, often at the back of the throat.

Other symptoms linked to the strain include redness in the back of the mouth and swollen neck glands, as well established common Covid symptoms like fever, muscle aches and congestion.

‘However, symptoms can vary widely so vigilance is key’, Dr Asif told Manchester Evening News.

According to the NHS, Covid symptoms include a high temperature, a new continuous cough, a loss or change to sense of smell or taste, shortness of breath and feeling sick.

Whilst only 13 British cases of Nimbus have been identified so far, this figure likely underestimates how far the variant has spread.

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