A recent survey conducted on the prevalence of COVID-19 has stated a subvariant of Delta which is transmitting across the United Kingdom is less likely to lead to symptomatic infection due to the disease. Overall COVID-19 cases have also dropped from a peak in October this year.

The REACT-1 study, conducted by the Imperial College London, found that subvariant AY.4.2 grew nearly 12 percent of samples sequenced. However, only a third had "classic" COVID-19 symptoms in comparison with about half of those with the dominant Delta lineage AY.4.

In addition, two-thirds of people with AY.4.2 showed "any" symptom compared to over three-quarters with AY.4.

According to experts, AY.4.2 is slightly more transmissible than the COVID-19 variant discovered in 2019. However, it has not been seen to cause severe complications or evade vaccines more easily than Delta.

Researchers added that asymptomatic COVID-19 patients can less self-isolate themselves, as well as for people with fewer symptoms, it might spread less infection through coughing or chances of severe illness. However, people must ensure to comply with COVID-19 safety measures.

Speaking with the reporters, Imperial epidemiologist Paul Elliott said that the variant is preferentially appearing to be more transmissible, however, it is less symptomatic.

Previously, Imperial released interim results of the study, showing that COVID-19 prevalence was recorded at its highest in October, with infections highest among children.

The latest round of the study was conducted between October 19 and November 5. The full results confirmed the number of daily recorded cases. In addition, other prevalence surveys have indicated a decrease in infection levels from the peak in October.

Elliott added that the next few weeks would establish the number of COVID-19 infections as schools will resume full in-person classes.

At the same time, the REACT-1 study has found that booster doses helped in reducing the risk of infection among adults by two-thirds compared with people who received only two doses of the vaccination.