People testing positive for the new coronavirus variant first identified in the UK are more likely to report coughing, sore throat or fatigue as symptoms of COVID-19, but are less likely to lose their sense of taste or smell, a British survey has found.

The variant, detected in southeastern England in December, is thought to be more transmissible, and could also be associated with higher mortality, though data suggesting increased death rates are uncertain and not yet strong.

Britain's Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that other differences had been observed between those with the variant detected in the United Kingdom and others with COVID-19.

"Loss of taste and loss of smell were significantly less common in new variant compatible positives than triple positives," the ONS said in an analysis of the characteristics of people in England with COVID-19, covering the period between November 15, 2020 to January 16, 2021.

"Other symptoms were more common in new variant compatible positives, with the largest differences for cough, sore throat, fatigue, myalgia (muscle pain) and fever," the ONS said.

"There is no evidence of difference in the gastrointestinal symptoms, shortness of breath or headaches."

The ONS Infection Survey is one of the most closely watched measures of prevalence of COVID-19, and is used to estimate coronavirus infections in the community.