FredrickNew COVID-19 variant XE detected in United Kingdom about 637 cases detected in England as of March 22,
This new variant combines two different omicron strains; a combination of the original BA.1 omicron variant and its subvariant BA.2. This type of combination is known as a “recombinant” variant.
According to early data from British public health officials and the World Health Organization, this new variant could be the fastest-spreading Covid variant though experts say there is no cause for alarm yet.
What are the main symptoms of the XE variant?
This is a new variant and therefore very little is known about this particular strain.
Like Omicron, most persons reported symptoms are believed to be similar to :
- cold
- runny nose,
- sneezing
- sore throats
- fevers,
- coughs
- loss of taste or smell.
When was the Covid XE variant first detected?
The variant was first detected in the UK in mid-January 2022 and have recorded more than 600 cases in the country so far.
Unlike other variants including Omicron and Delta, XE is a recombinant – meaning someone got infected with two Omicron subvariants simultaneously.
How is the Covid variant XE different to other Covid mutations?
Fundamentally, XE is a recombinant rather than a mutation.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said early tests indicated XE is around 10% more transmissible. However the body also added that the findings need more investigation.
The WHO report said: “Early-day estimates indicate a community growth rate advantage of 10% as compared to BA.2, however this finding requires further confirmation.
“XE belongs to the Omicron variant until significant differences in transmission and disease characteristics, including severity, may be reported.”
Fredrick
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