The worrying and highly transmissible Omicron Covid variant provides a range of new symptoms, scientists are warning.
The strain now accounts for up to 80 per cent of Scotland's coronavirus cases, according to the First Minister.
A huge 16, 857 cases of coronavirus were recorded in Scotland yesterday- the largest daily number since the pandemic began.
The new strain is not only brining lots of new cases, but it is providing new signs and symptoms as well.
According to the ZOE Covid Symptom Study App, those infected with Omicron have reported having a skin rash - according to the Daily Star.
The rash is now being labelled as a "key" symptom if you think you may have the Omicron variant.
But it's not just one type of rash that pops up with the new virus strain, but two.
The first and most common type is a hive-like rash which appears on the skin as raised bumps and can be very itchy - it's also thought to start on the palms or soles of feet.
Meanwhile, the second rash is a prickly heat-type rash that appears all over the body but is more common on elbows, knees and the back of hands and feet.
While cases increase on a week-on-week basis, Professor Tim Spector, the man behind the ZOE study, has warned that the new figures paint a "worrying picture".
He said: “The number of new symptomatic cases has exploded over the last week, making it the biggest jump in cases I’ve seen since we started the ZOE COVID Study.
“While the figures paint a worrying picture, the good news is that our preliminary data, based on around 2,500 probable cases reported on the ZOE app suggests that Omicron is milder than Delta.
“However, this highly transmissible variant will infect many more people before the year is out.
“To help us slow the spread, my advice continues to be; avoid gathering indoors, and, if you are meeting up with people, check everyone is free of cold symptoms, test yourself just before and get fully vaccinated.
“We need to change public messaging urgently to save lives as half of people with cold-like symptoms now have COVID.”
It comes as the government urges everyone to "get boosted" to help curb the spread of the Omicron variant.
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