Health officials are urging eligible adults to receive the updated Covid vaccine to protect themselves from the XEC variant, which accounts for around a fifth of new cases, according to new data.
The XEC strain accounted for 21.1 per cent of all sequenced Covid cases in the week ending October 6, according to an analysis of the most recent data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
The strain combines elements of the KP.3.3 and KS.1.1 strains.
According to UKHSA data, in the week leading up to October 6, the number of patients admitted who tested positive for the novel strain increased to 4.5 per 100,000. This was higher than the previous week's 3.7. But what exactly is Covid XEC?
What is Covid XEC?
The Covid XEC is a new variant of Covid-19.
Certain Covid strains have been shown to be more severe than others in recent years. But it will take a few more weeks or months before medical professionals can assess how severe the XEC strain's symptoms are.
The UK Health Agency (UKHSA) has not yet released comprehensive data about the XEC variant.
However, the UKHSA recently revealed statistics on Covid-19 that indicated a 4.3 per cent increase in cases but a decrease in the number of virus-related deaths.
According to weekly statistics, there had been an increase in Covid cases totalling 1,587 as of September 4.
Although there were 102 documented deaths in the week ending August 30, that's a decrease of 20.9 per cent (27) from the week before.
In addition, the number of patients admitted to hospital with the virus was also down by six per cent to 1,465, in the week up to August 29.
What are the symptoms of Covid XEC?
The strain produces symptoms that resemble those of typical cold and flu.
However, one key difference between Covid-19 and regular illnesses is the order in which symptoms present themselves.
The ones to look out for — in order — are:
- a fever
- a cough
- a sore throat, muscle pain, or headache
- nausea or vomiting
- diarrhoea
Shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, and exhaustion are other typical symptoms.
Most people will recover in a few weeks, but some may need to stay in hospital for a few days or longer.
How to stay protected
As with earlier Covid versions, take the same steps to protect yourself against the newest variant, such as getting regular booster doses and vaccinations.
Vaccines continue to be the best line of defence against serious illness, hospitalisation, and even death, even if they might not be able to completely prevent infection.
If you're susceptible to the virus or live with someone who is, wearing a face mask can help shield you from it, especially in crowded or poorly ventilated indoor areas. Whenever feasible, increasing interior ventilation can help lower the risk of illness even further.
