UK researchers analysing data from a widely-used coronavirus symptom-tracking app have found there are six distinct types of the disease, each distinguished by a cluster of symptoms.

The team at King’s College London also report that the six types correlate with levels of severity of infection, and with the likelihood of a patient needing breathing assistance if they are hospitalised.

The findings could help doctors to predict which COVID-19 patients are most at risk and likely to need hospital care in future waves of the epidemic, they say.

“If you can predict who these people are at day five, you have time to give them support and early interventions such as monitoring blood oxygen and sugar levels, and ensuring they are properly hydrated,” said Dr Claire Steves, who co-led the study.