Omicron-associated changes in sars-cov-2 symptoms in the united kingdom

In this study of predominantly mild community-based infection, Omicron was associated with fewer lower and more upper respiratory tract symptoms. Increases in sore throat (also common in symptomatic PCR-negative participants), and the marked reduction in the previously highest specificity symptoms, namely loss of taste/smell, mean Omicron is harder to detect with symptom-based testing algorithms.