The new strain is tipped to become dominant this winter and experts are monitoring its progress. But what is different about XEC and is it any more of a threat to us than previous strains?
Health experts are not “sounding the alarm” about the new Covid variant – despite an expected spike this winter. XEC is tipped to become the dominant strain over the coming months and experts are gathering information about the new variant.
It comes as sickness bugs are surging and health chiefs advised Brits how best to protect themselves before an expected spike in colds, flu and Covid.
There has been a slight increase in hospitalisations of Covid patients recently, says the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The latest admission rate is 4.5 per 100,000 people – the fourth rise in as many weeks.
While the winter tends to see an increase in cases anyway, the UKHSA is monitoring the situation. Around one in 10 of new cases analysed by experts shows XEC.
But what is different about new strain sweeping UK and is it more of a threat than others?
“Current information doesn’t suggest we should be more concerned about this variant but we are monitoring this closely,” says Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA.
XEC, like many other variants, is a part of the Omicron family. It was first found in May, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which says it is a so-called recombinant of two other strains – KS.1.1 and KP.3.3 – meaning that genetic information was exchanged between them to form a third strain, XEC, reports Sky News.
WHO says XEC has been showing “increasing prevalence globally” between 19 August and 15 September – but in the UK, XEC was identified in only 9.35% of COVID cases in samples taken between September 2 and 15 September 15.
It is advising people to protect themselves from COVID generally. XEC is said to have the same familiar symptoms as other COVID variants, including:
• a high temperature
• a new, continuous cough
• a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
• shortness of breath
• feeling tired or exhausted
• an aching body
• a headache
• a sore throat
• a blocked or runny nose.
Health authorities advise staying at home and avoiding contact with other people if you or your child have symptoms.
The NHS has already warned it faces a potential ‘tripledemic’ of viruses this winter with flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) also both predicted to hit hard this season. The warning follows thousands being hospitalised with the viruses in Australia during their winter months – usually a precursor to what will happen in the UK.
Last week GPs reported an increase in “influenza-like illness” to 3.6 per 100,000 compared with 3.2 per 100,000 in the previous week.
Steve Russell, NHS England director for vaccinations, said: “We are seeing a rise of flu and Covid cases and hospitalisations, on top of a seasonal rise in RSV, which are adding to the growing risk of a tripledemic this winter as pressures on NHS services are increased. The threat of these viruses is real – and the best defence against these dangerous illnesses is vaccination – so it is crucial that anyone eligible comes forward for their vaccine appointment when they can to protect themselves and those around them – it could keep you out of hospital this winter.”
The NHS vaccination drive for flu and Covid started properly in October. Those eligible include all over-65s, those living in elderly care homes, people in a clinical risk group as well as front line NHS and social care workers.
The RSV vaccine is also available. Women who are 28 or more weeks pregnant should take it up to protect their child, along with people aged 75-79 years who are also offered the vaccine by the NHS as part of the new programmes.
