A new COVID-19 variant known as XEC is spreading rapidly across Europe, Asia, and North America, transmitting faster than previous strains. Since its discovery just three weeks ago, the variant has already been detected in 27 countries and now accounts for 13% of cases in Germany, with over 80 confirmed cases in the UK. told by The Mirror.
Testing rates in the UK have dropped significantly following the end of government-backed testing programs, making it more challenging to track the virus’s exact spread. With the onset of the winter flu season and children returning to school, many people have started experiencing suspicious symptoms, leading to a rise in Covid-19 diagnoses. This has raised concerns that the latest variant, XEC, could become the dominant strain worldwide in the coming months.
XEC is classified as a recombinant variant, which means it is formed from the combination of two existing strains—KP.3.3 and KS.1.1. Genetic analysis shows a link to the highly contagious Omicron variant, first detected in South Africa in 2021. Bioinformatics expert Richard Orton from the University of Glasgow noted that XEC appears to have a growth advantage, spreading more quickly than other circulating variants.
Orton explained that XEC would likely cause similar symptoms to previous variants of Covid-19, such as fever, sore throat, cough, headaches, body aches, and fatigue. Though the new variant is spreading swiftly, there is no current indication that its symptoms are more severe than those of earlier strains. However, experts are monitoring the situation closely to understand how this variant may impact public health.
Individuals who recently tested positive for Covid-19 have shared their experiences with the Manchester Evening News. Hannah, 39, from Levenshulme, tested positive in July after experiencing extreme tiredness and a lingering cough. Despite feeling unwell, she noted that her symptoms were milder compared to her previous bouts with the virus. Another individual from Manchester, a 28-year-old woman, reported cold-like symptoms after attending a music festival. Both mentioned that their cases were less severe than earlier infections, possibly due to immunity from previous infections or vaccinations.
Ste, from Prestwich, echoed similar sentiments. After testing positive for Covid-19 for the third time, he described mild symptoms, including a sore throat and runny nose, which felt more like hay fever than a serious illness. report from Today.com
The most common symptoms of the XEC variant are similar to those of colds and the flu, including sore throat, fatigue, and body aches. Though many recover within a few weeks, some people experience longer-term effects or more severe illness. Health experts are still gathering data to determine if XEC will cause more severe cases, but early projections suggest that hospitalizations may rise as the weather gets colder.
As the XEC variant continues to spread, the NHS has announced plans to roll out autumn-winter booster vaccines to help protect vulnerable populations. Dr. Gayatri Amirthalingam, Deputy Director of the UK Health Security Agency, stated that it is normal for viruses to mutate over time, and the UKHSA is closely monitoring the situation. She urged those eligible for booster shots to come forward and receive their vaccinations to protect against serious illness.
In Ireland, health authorities have also announced that booster doses will soon be available, as XEC is expected to become the dominant strain in the coming months. Public health officials are continuing to advise caution, encouraging people to remain vigilant and to get tested if they experience any symptoms associated with Covid-19.
