A strain of Covid which mutated from two strains of Omicron is being monitored 'closely' by scientists.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have shared that a total of 637 cases of the so-called XE coronavirus variant have been identified.
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Despite experts keeping a watchful eye on the new strain, the UKHSA has assured people that there is currently insufficient evidence to allow conclusions to be drawn in terms of how the variant it likely to grow and spread.
XE is a 'recombinant' variant of coronavirus - which happens when a person becomes infected with two or more strain of Covid at one time. XE is a recombinant of Omicron BA.1 and BA.2.
This combination of infections then means that the variant's genetic material mixes within the patient's body - however, this is not unusual and has actually happened a number of times throughout the pandemic.
Most recombinant variants do not give the virus any advantage and instead die out quickly.
Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Advisor, UKHSA said: "Recombinant variants are not an unusual occurrence, particularly when there are several variants in circulation, and several have been identified over the course of the pandemic to date. As with other kinds of variant, most will die off relatively quickly.
"This particular recombinant, XE, has shown a variable growth rate and we cannot yet confirm whether it has a true growth advantage. So far there is not enough evidence to draw conclusions about transmissibility, severity or vaccine effectiveness. UKHSA will continue to monitor the situation closely as a matter of routine, as we do all data relating to SARS-CoV-2 variants both in the UK and internationally."
