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Parents warned of 12 symptoms of new Cicada Covid strain

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Paul Barry, experienced community pharmacist and NHS business partner for Well Pharmacy, is urging the nation to be aware of the 12 signs and symptoms of a new strain known as Cicada. 

He said: “The new Cicada variant has now been identified in the UK and is expected to become the dominant strain.

“This deceptive new strain can trick the immune system into not recognising that it is Covid and can allow for the Cicada variant to quickly spread across the UK.


How to tell if you have a cold, the flu or COVID-19


“Young children are prone to picking up infections and could be particularly exposed to this variant given they will have unlikely had a Covid vaccination.  

“I would urge everyone to consider a Spring vaccine, given it will be almost five years since they have had a Covid vaccine. While the vaccine is not altered to target the new variant, it still offers the best form of protection against the virus.”

Pharmacists are bracing for a rush of patients wanting Spring vaccinations after the recent Meningitis outbreak exposed the dangers of being unvaccinated against serious disease. 

The genetic modifications of the new variant mean that the body may not recognise the virus, allowing it to spread quicker. 

Cicada was first identified in Africa before making its way across the globe and as of February 2026, it was in 23 countries including the Netherlands.  

In the UK, overall Covid cases remain low with 491 reported cases for the week up until March 25, with 27 covid-related deaths up to March 20. 

While there is no current evidence to suggest that Cicada poses a greater risk than other strains of Covid, patients should be cautious that vaccines might prove less effective against this variant. 

Paul wants to remind patients of the usual symptoms of Covid-19 including a cough, fever or chills. 

Other severe symptoms can include sore throat, shortness of breath, fatigue, headache, loss of smell or taste and gastrointestinal issues. 

While symptoms can vary with rest, it is also important to remain hydrated, drinking plenty of water and ensuring that the medicine cabinet is appropriately stocked up with over-the-counter medications including paracetamol.

Other patients can present asymptomatically, meaning that they won’t feel unwell, but they can still spread the virus. 

The NHS has a list of Covid symptoms available to be viewed on their website which suggests testing for Covid-19 if the following are present;

  • A high temperature or shivering 
  • A new continuous cough
  • A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
  • Shortness of breath 
  • Exhaustion or fatigue
  • An aching body
  • A headache 
  • A sore throat 
  • Blocked or runny nose
  • Loss of appetite 
  • Nausea or being sick 
  • Diarrhoea 

Last year, the Nimbus and Stratus variants of Covid left patients feeling as though they had swallowed razor blades due to the pain felt when swallowing. 

Paul warns Brits to be cautious especially as the new Covid variant spreads and believes that anyone who might be under the weather and believes they have Covid should follow NHS advice.

Paul, from Well Pharmacy, said: “If you have Covid, you should stay indoors and rest, avoiding contact with other people and wait until you feel better or do not have a high temperature.

“Younger people who have tested positive for Covid seem to be infectious for less time than adults, and so usually within three days it is possible that they may be testing negative. 

“If you’re over 18 and have tested positive then it is recommended that you wait five days to have contact with anyone as this is usually when most over 18’s begin to test negative for Covid. 

“Patients who believe they might be vulnerable for Covid should book in for a Spring vaccine to ensure peace of mind as well as protection against the most severe effects of the virus.

“It’s important that everyone does their part, if you are testing positive for Covid then please do follow the NHS guidelines and don’t go to crowded places.”





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Banbury speeding operation: Police catch driver at 32mph

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Thames Valley Police’s neighbourhood policing team for Cherwell and the Incident and Crime Response team carried out a joint operation across Banbury on Friday, April 10, to catch speeding motorists.

Officers said they dealt with multiple drivers and reported them for speeding with the highest speed recorded as 32mph in a 20mph zone.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire children care provider employed illegal staff

They also seized one e-scooter for illegal use on the road.

In a statement released at about 1pm on Friday, police warned that the operation was not yet done.

A spokesperson for the force said: “We’ll be continuing these checks throughout the day, so please watch your speed and help keep our roads safe for everyone.”





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UK leisure centre charity with 20 sites enters administration

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Fusion Lifestyle was established in April 2000 and operates a “diverse portfolio” of facilities, with 26 scattered across the UK from Wales to London and as far north as Newcastle.

Its website reads: “No two Fusion sites are the same, we retain the heritage of centres when we refurbish and we are experienced at managing centres from ice rinks to outward bound residential centres, town halls and expansive leisure facilities.

“We put our energies into providing facilities and programmes that are an attractive proposition to the local community.

“We respect the history of our centres and it is not uncommon for generations of local residents to hold fond memories of learning to swim in our centres, playing football matches over the years and hosting birthday celebrations at our sites.”

Fusion Lifestyle enters administration after 26 years

Now, after 26 years, Fusion Lifestyle has entered administration.

The charity said: “Despite combined efforts over many months to restructure and secure investment, Fusion has faced sustained financial pressures due to rising operational costs, reduced government funding, and post-pandemic recovery challenges.”

Nadeem Sweiss and Adam Stephens of S&W Partners LLP were appointed as Joint Administrators on April 1.

Fusion Lifestyle, on its website, added: “The Charity continues to trade under the Administration.

“The affairs, business, and property of the Charity over which they are appointed are managed by them as agents and without personal liability.”

Fusion has already announced the closure of Golden Lane Sports and Fitness Centre, which will shut its doors for the final time on April 30.

It added: “Customers and creditors are encouraged to check the Golden Lane Sports and Fitness Centre’s website and Fusion’s main website for the latest updates and access to Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQ”).

“Should you have any queries which are not answered in the FAQs, please reach out to the Joint Administrators by email at fusion@swgroup.com.”

What happens when a company goes into administration?

When a company enters administration, it means that it is unable to pay expenses, debts, or other liabilities, according to SquareUp.com.

Companies House adds: “When a company goes into administration, they have entered a legal process (under the Insolvency Act 1986) with the aim of achieving one of the statutory objectives of an administration. This may be to rescue a viable business that is insolvent due to cashflow problems.

“An appointment of an administrator (a licensed insolvency practitioner) will be made by directors, a creditor or the court to fulfil the administration process.”



A statutory moratorium is put in place once a company enters administration, giving it “breathing space” to allow for financial restructuring plans to be drawn up free from creditor enforcement actions.

A company can continue to trade while in administration, but daily management and control is handed over to the administrators.

Companies House continues: “Within 8 weeks it is the administrators’ role to formulate administration proposals.

“Creditors are then asked to vote by a decision procedure to approve the administrators’ proposals.

“If the administration involves a sale of all or part of the company’s business, the proceeds (after the costs of the procedure) will be distributed to creditors in a statutory order of priority.”

Administration will end automatically after 12 months unless the administrator asks the court or creditors for an extension.



Through administration, a company can be:

  • Rescued and passed back to the directors
  • Enter liquidation
  • Be dissolved

Other UK companies that have closed or entered administration/liquidation in 2026 (so far)

It has been a rough start to 2026 for the UK high street, with several retailers entering administration and others announcing widespread store closures.

Major high street retailers, including River Island, Primark, and Poundland, have already been forced to close stores in 2026, while Revolution and BrewDog shut the doors to 21 and 38 pubs, respectively.



Several other retailers have fallen into administration, including:

Meanwhile, four UK travel companies have closed in the opening weeks of 2026:

EcoJet Airlines, billed as “the world’s first Electric Airline”, has also entered liquidation after just three years, resulting in the cancellation of all planned flights.

UK delivery company Yodel is set to be phased out over the coming months after being acquired by InPost.

Tesco also revealed plans to cut 380 jobs in stores across the UK, while it’s been reported that Morrisons is looking to sell some of its in-store pharmacies as it continues to cut costs.

It’s not been all bad news for the UK high street, with several major brands announcing new store openings for 2026, including Aldi, M&S, and Superdrug.

Do you frequent any of Fusion Lifestyle’s leisure centres? Let us know which one in the comments below.





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Tesco recall and warning to shoppers due to plastic in food

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The supermarket giant, along with the Food Standards Agency (FSA), has issued a “do not eat” warning to shoppers who have purchased the dessert.

The recall affects the Tesco Finest Summer Edition Chocolate Affogato Dessert.

It includes all date codes up to and including April 2027.

An FSA spokesman said: “Tesco is recalling Tesco Finest Summer Edition Chocolate Affogato Dessert because it may contain pieces of plastic.

“This product may contain pieces of plastic which makes the product unsafe to eat.

“Tesco is recalling the above product and has issued a recall notice to alert customers. These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product.

“If you have bought the above product do not eat it.”


Food Recalls Explained


A Tesco spokesman added: “If you have purchased the affected product, please do not eat it and instead return it to any Tesco store for a full refund. No receipt is required.

“For further enquiries, please visit the contact page of our website where you will find a variety of ways to get in touch: tesco.com/help/contact.

“No other Tesco products are affected by this recall.

“We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused.”

What is a product recall?

If there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, then it might be ‘withdrawn’ (taken off the shelves) or ‘recalled’ (when customers are asked to return the product).

The FSA issues Product Withdrawal Information Notices and Product Recall Information Notices to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food.

In some cases, a ‘Food Alert for Action’ is issued.

This provides local authorities with detail





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