Health Authorities Monitor New COVID Variant XEC as Winter Approaches

UK health experts have identified a new COVID variant named XEC as they gear up for the winter season, a period known for an increase in viral cases. According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), there has been a notable rise in hospitalizations, with the admission rate reaching 4.5 per 100,000 people as of the week ending October 6, up from 3.7 the previous week.

This marks the fourth consecutive week of rising hospital admissions, which, coupled with the discovery of XEC cases, has attracted significant media attention. Some social media analysts predict that XEC could emerge as the dominant strain, potentially triggering a winter surge. However, the UKHSA has not issued an emphatic warning specifically about XEC. It continues to remind the public to take general precautions against COVID. “Current information doesn’t suggest we should be more concerned about this variant, but we are monitoring this closely,” stated Dr. Jamie Lopez Bernal, a consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA.

The variant XEC belongs to the Omicron family, bearing similarity to many other variants. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that XEC is a recombinant form of two pre-existing strains, KS.1.1 and KP.3.3, having first been detected in May. The WHO indicates that XEC is one of two variants showing “increasing prevalence globally” from August 19 to September 15. Nevertheless, XEC only accounted for a minor percentage of cases, with KP.3.3 comprising nearly half of the worldwide cases during the same period. In the UK, XEC was detected in 9.35% of COVID cases analyzed by the UKHSA between September 2 and September 15, whereas 59.35% were attributed to KP.3.3.

Viruses can mutate when replicating within human cells, potentially leading to new variants. Although thousands of COVID variants have been identified, many were deemed insignificant and some vanished altogether. Scientists emphasize that ongoing infections may increase the likelihood of variants developing that could better evade immune responses.

As of now, no health organizations have identified symptoms specific to the XEC variant. It shares symptoms common to other COVID variants, such as a high temperature, continuous cough, loss or change to senses of smell or taste, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, and nasal congestion. Health authorities advise individuals exhibiting symptoms to stay at home and limit contact with others.

While the UKHSA refrains from raising an alarm over XEC, it anticipates that COVID will circulate alongside flu and RSV, categorized as the “three main winter threats.” Those eligible are encouraged to receive vaccinations against these illnesses. “If you are eligible to get vaccinated against them, now is the time to do so,” urged Dr. Bernal.

Eligibility for the latest COVID booster and this year’s flu vaccine includes all adults aged 65 and over, older adult care home residents, and individuals with underlying health conditions aged six months to 64 years. Frontline health and social care workers are also entitled to these vaccines, with older adult care home workers eligible for the COVID jab. For the first time, the NHS is offering a vaccine against RSV, a common causative agent of respiratory infections, especially severe in older adults and young children. This vaccination is available for individuals aged 75 to 79 and pregnant women from 28 weeks to protect their infants.