Newest Strain of COVID: What Londoners Need to Know Now

Forget the days when COVID was the only thing in the headlines, but here we are again. KP.2 is now the strain everyone’s talking about—mainly because it's popping up all over London, catching people a bit off guard. Just last week, hospitals across the city have reported a sharp jump in cases connected to this new subvariant.

So, what makes KP.2 worth paying attention to? For starters, it spreads even faster than last winter’s variants and seems to cause symptoms that are a bit different—or at least, that's what doctors are seeing at St. Thomas' and UCLH. People are talking about feeling more dizziness alongside the classic cough and sore throat, which messes with your usual illness detective skills.

If you've got kids in school, work in a crowded place, or just use the Tube, it's smart to brush up on what this latest COVID strain means for your daily routine. Staying up-to-date helps you make better choices about masks, vaccines, and all the small stuff—like picking times to shop when it's quieter. Even if you're not worried, knowing this info can help you keep people around you—like your family or your Nan—safer.

• Meet the Newest COVID Strain: KP.2
• How KP.2 Spreads in London
• Symptoms: What’s Different This Time?
• Vaccines vs. KP.2: Are They Enough?
• Tips for Protection and Daily Life
• COVID on the Move: Travel and Going Out

Meet the Newest COVID Strain: KP.2

If you’ve heard the term “KP.2” flying around, you’re not alone. It's the newest COVID strain making rounds in London and across parts of the UK. KP.2 is a subvariant that comes from the Omicron family, which means it’s good at spreading but often milder compared to the scary strains from the early pandemic. Still, it’s a step ahead in terms of how quickly it passes through crowded spots, like pubs or the London Underground.

Here’s what scientists know so far: KP.2 was first picked up in routine testing at major London labs back in February 2025. Since then, Public Health England has tracked a steady bump in cases. According to their last update, KP.2 now accounts for about 30% of all COVID-positive tests in London. That's a quick takeover, given where it started just a couple of months ago.

What makes KP.2 a bit of a pain is how it sidesteps antibodies from earlier infections or even vaccines. It doesn’t mean vaccines are useless (far from it), but it can explain why people who’ve dodged COVID until now are suddenly testing positive. Dr. Harriton from UCLH put it plain and simple in a statement:

“KP.2 isn’t causing more severe disease in most people, but its ability to spread and slip past some immunity means we’re seeing more cases, especially in places like schools and offices.”

Scientists also found that KP.2 shares a couple of mutations with earlier Omicron variants, so you won’t see wildly different symptoms. The biggest difference is the number of people catching it, not how sick it makes you. To get a clearer picture, here's a quick look at the numbers from Public Health England's last weekly update:

So, if you’re watching COVID trends, KP.2 is now the one to follow. The upside? Knowing this helps you keep up with ways to avoid catching or spreading it—even if it feels like déjà vu all over again.

How KP.2 Spreads in London

KP.2 is causing a stir because it spreads faster than some of the older COVID-19 variants. In London, this means it’s moving quickly through places where people gather—think schools, offices, night buses, and especially the Underground. The thing about KP.2 is it sticks around in the air a bit longer, so stuffy or crowded spots make it easy for the virus to jump from person to person.

Recent data from the UK Health Security Agency shows that the percentage of new COVID cases in London linked to KP.2 jumped from about 23% in early March 2025 to nearly 63% by mid-April. That’s a big leap in just a few weeks, which matches what people have noticed: more friends, family, or coworkers saying they’ve tested positive again.

The main ways KP.2 is spreading in London haven’t really changed, but the risk is up because it’s more contagious:

• Crowded public transport like the Tube or buses at rush hour.
• Indoor gatherings—meetings, gigs, parties, especially with windows closed.
• Shared airspaces—gyms, cafés, classrooms, you name it.

Contact tracers also noticed that it’s catching people off guard on short trips—like a quick shop run or just nipping into a corner café. The thing is, you don’t need long exposure to catch KP.2; a few minutes in close quarters can do it. That’s why it’s popping up in families and flatshares, but also in spots like hairdressers and tiny sandwich shops where everyone’s crammed in together.

If you’re worried, focus on what you can control: open a window, keep your face out of someone’s sneezes, and don’t hang around in crowded shops if you can help it. KP.2 spreads fast, but a few tweaks to your routine can make a difference.

Symptoms: What’s Different This Time?

With the newest COVID strain—KP.2—showing up across London, people are noticing that its symptoms don’t always match the classic ones from a few years ago. Runny noses and sore throats are still common, but now a lot more folks mention dizziness or feeling wobbly, even if they don’t have a fever. Kids especially seem to get hit with stomach aches and some nausea, which has popped up in several local school case reports.

Doctors at NHS walk-ins and clinics around London say patients with KP.2 often complain about:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness (sometimes even before the cough kicks in)
• Sore throat and hoarse voice
• Sniffles or mild congestion that last about a week
• More tiredness than usual, even after a good sleep
• Occasional mild fever—less often than previous strains
• Stomach aches or queasiness, especially among children

Unlike earlier waves, severe loss of taste and smell isn’t a top complaint with KP.2. Some people don’t even realize they have COVID and just think it’s a regular cold. This means the KP.2 variant could spread further, since mild symptoms make folks more likely to go about business as usual.

Here’s a quick comparison from recent local GP data on the most reported symptoms for the latest wave versus the old Omicron and Delta days:

If you notice these newer symptoms, especially dizziness or stomach issues popping up at home, consider doing a quick COVID test. Recent advice says if someone has a sudden dizzy spell with cold symptoms, stay home if you can—especially in crowded places like the Tube or school pick-up lines. Spotting these changes helps you catch it early and prevents passing it on to people with weaker immune systems.

Vaccines vs. KP.2: Are They Enough?

This is what everyone really wants to know—do vaccines still work against the newest COVID strain, KP.2? Quick answer: yes, but not perfectly.

KP.2 has a few new mutations in its spike protein, which is where the virus changes so it can dodge some of your immune system’s defenses. Early research from UK Health Security Agency labs shows existing COVID vaccines, especially the autumn 2024 boosters, still give solid protection against severe illness and hospital stays. You might catch KP.2 even if you’re jabbed, but the odds of getting really sick are way lower if you’ve had a recent booster.

Here’s what the numbers looked like from the last update in April:

Kids under 12 haven’t been top priority for boosters, but so far, the young ones seem to bounce back quickly and rates of severe illness are low. Elderly folks or those with immune issues should definitely check if they’re due for another jab. Pharmacies around London—including Boots and Superdrug—offer free walk-in appointments for boosters most afternoons.

If you’re wondering whether to mask up or get a fresh shot, health experts are saying it’s smart to get a booster if you’re around a lot of strangers, live with vulnerable people, or just want to lower your own risk for the next few months. No, it’s not a silver bullet against the newest COVID strain, but it’s your best move for now.

Tips for Protection and Daily Life

Staying safe from the newest COVID strain isn’t rocket science, but it does mean updating a few old habits. For Londoners, this means thinking about where you go and how you interact, especially since KP.2 can spread with fewer symptoms showing up early on.

Masks are making a comeback on the Tube and in crowded places. Cloth masks still help, but the experts at the NHS say a snug surgical mask or an FFP2 is even better for stopping KP.2. Don’t feel shy about putting one on—plenty of people are doing it again at markets and on buses.

• Wash your hands every time you come home or finish up at the shops. Good old soap and water beats most viruses, including this new one.
• Open a window if you’ve got people over. Just a 10-minute blast of fresh air can lower your risk, especially in smaller flats.
• If you’re feeling under the weather, don’t wait—test yourself if you can. Even though free COVID tests are gone, chemists around London stock reliable kits for under £2.
• Stay up to date with your vaccines. The NHS is rolling out booster clinics at GP surgeries and community centers, targeting people over 50, those with long-term health issues, and now even younger adults if local rates spike.

The COVID-19 variants keep changing, but basic health moves haven’t. One thing you might notice: younger kids seem less affected by KP.2 so far, but check your child if they’re coughing or super tired, and keep them home if you can.

It’s tempting to let your guard down, especially now. But remembering these basics (and using common sense about crowds) means fewer missed days at work or sick days at school. Plus, it’s less stress for families like mine—my son Silas can keep going to footie practice, and I don’t have to worry every morning dropoff.

COVID on the Move: Travel and Going Out

With the newest COVID strain KP.2 now making the rounds in London, a lot of people are asking how safe it is to travel or hit the town. Here’s what you really need to know if you’re planning to go abroad or just fancy a night out in Soho.

Airports like Heathrow have stepped up cleaning again, but you won’t spot strict mask rules at train stations or shops—at least, not yet. Still, the UK Health Security Agency is reminding people to avoid crowded indoor spaces if they feel even a little off. It only takes a couple of sneezes to start a cluster, especially with something like KP.2 that spreads fast even if you’re not coughing much.

If you're going abroad, rules keep changing. As of last week, most European countries don’t have border testing, but some Asian destinations are checking proof of vaccines again, especially if you’re coming from places with rising COVID-19 variants like KP.2. Check the destination’s website before booking that cheap flight.

Here’s what helps lower your risk when you’re out and about in London:

• Stick to outdoor seating at cafes and pubs if the weather’s alright.
• Wear a mask on the Tube or buses during peak times, even if nobody else bothers.
• Wash your hands after touching door handles, ticket machines, or handrails.
• Carry hand sanitiser, especially if you’ve got kids or are heading somewhere busy like Oxford Street.
• If you get invited to a party or packed event, ask if there’s good ventilation. Open windows matter more now with KP.2.

Check out these quick stats from early April, straight from NHS London regional data:

Bottom line: you don’t have to lock yourself indoors, but a bit of common sense goes a long way. Keep your finger on the pulse of what’s happening in your bit of London, and swap out plans if the numbers spike.