A WORRYING new strain of Covid is spreading “rapidly” across the globe, experts have warned. XEC was first detected in Germany in June and has since been found in at least 29 countries

Here is what is known about the new Covid XEC variant from cases in the UK, symptoms, what the World Health Organisation has said and more.

It is thought the XEC strain is more transmissible due to its numerous mutations, and presents symptoms similar to those of other Covid variants including tiredness, headaches, a sore throat and high temperatures.

While the UKHSA isn’t specifically alarmed by XEC, they expect COVID to circulate more in winter, along with flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which they call the “three main winter threats.” Dr Bernal advises eligible individuals to get vaccinated against these illnesses.

XEC is on track to become the new dominant COVID-19 strain this winter. Yale and New Haven experts weigh in on why you should still get the new vaccine even though it may be less effective at neutralization because it is a recombinant variant.

Covid hospitalisations have surged across Britain at an “alarming” rate as a new variant of the virus emerged, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned. UKHSA figures showed the admission rate for patients testing positive for Covid XEC stood at 4.5 per 100,000 people in the week to October 6 – up from 3.7 a week earlier.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said it is “monitoring” a new highly contagious Covid-19 variant. The new XEC strain is thought to be responsible for around one in 10 cases of the virus in the UK.