A headache, sore throat and runny nose are now the most commonly reported symptoms linked to the Delta variant of Covid in the UK, researchers say.

Professor Tim Spector, who runs the Covid Symptom study, says catching the Delta variant generally feels like a "bad cold" for younger people.

But although they may not feel very ill, they could be contagious and put others at risk and are urged to a test if symptomatic.

The classic Covid symptoms were a continuous dry cough, fever and loss of smell or taste.

However, Professor Spector says these are no longer the most common symptoms linked to Covid-19 in the UK.

The Delta variant, first seen in India, now makes up 90 per cent of cases in the UK.

Professor Spector told The Telegraph: “Since the start of May, we’ve been looking at the top symptoms and they are not the same as they were.

“Number one is headache followed by sore throat, runny nose and fever.

“Those are not the old classic symptoms, number five is cough, so it’s rarer and we don’t even see loss of smell coming into the top 10 anymore.

“This variant seems to be working slightly differently.”

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