Highly contagious new Covid variant on the rise in UK as vaccine warning issued

A new highly contagious Covid-19 variant called XEC, which is a descendant of Omicron, is on track to become the most dominant strain in the UK this week

A new Covid-19 variant named XEC, which evolved from Omicron, is on the rise and expected to become the dominant strain in Britain this week. Already accounting for 21% of UK Covid cases, XEC is more transmissible than its predecessors.

This development coincides with the launch of the Autumn Covid booster campaign, with health officials urging those over 65 and other vulnerable groups to get vaccinated. The NHS is preparing for a 'tripledemic' of Covid, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), with concerns heightened by the recent surge of these viruses in Australia during their winter—a common harbinger for the UK's upcoming season.

Australian data scientist Mike Honey has forecasted that XEC could represent over half of the new Covid infections in the UK by Thursday, as reported by the i newspaper. On Twitter, he noted: "For the UK, XEC is showing a strong growth advantage of 4.9% per day (34% per week) over the DeFLuQE variants, which predicts a crossover in mid-October."

Data from the Gisaid Covid database, which facilitates global sharing of virus information through genetic sequencing, indicates a sharp rise in XEC cases since late August, when it comprised just about 5% of the nation's Covid infections.

The XEC variant is thought to be a fusion of two previously identified Omicron subvariants, KS. 1.1 and KP 3.3, reports the Mirror. This "recombinant variant" occurs when two different variants infect a host simultaneously, enabling the viruses to exchange genetic information. This perilous dual infection results in the emergence of a new variant with traits from both "parent" lineages. KS. 1.1 belongs to the group commonly referred to as "FLiRT" variants, while KP. 3.3 is part of the "FLuQE" variants.

Both groups have been implicated in recent global Covid surges. Symptoms are akin to previous variants, including high temperature, aches, fatigue, cough or sore throat. Eric Topol, Director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in California, told the LA Times that XEC is "just getting started". He stated: "And that's going to take many weeks, a couple of months, before it really takes hold and starts to cause a wave. XEC is definitely taking charge.

"That does appear to be the next variant. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says it is normal for viruses to mutate and change. UKHSA data show Covid infections rose by nearly a tenth up to 5.05 people per 100,000 of the population on 28 September, compared to 4.66 a week earlier. Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, UKHSA Deputy Director, has said: " The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said that it is normal for viruses to mutate and change.

According to UKHSA data, Covid infections increased by nearly a tenth to 5.05 people per 100,000 of the population on 28 September, up from 4.66 a week earlier.

UKHSA Deputy Director, Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, remarked: "It is normal and expected for viruses to genetically change over time. UKHSA continues to monitor all available information relating to emerging Covid variants in the UK and internationally and to publish our data regularly. Vaccination provides the best protection against serious illness from Covid-19, and we urge those who are contacted by the NHS to come forward to receive their autumn vaccine."

The NHS has been administering flu and Covid vaccinations since October. Among those eligible for jabs are all individuals aged over 65, elderly care home residents, clinical risk groups, and frontline health and social care workers.

In addition to the NHS, High Street pharmacies and private clinics also offer Covid vaccinations, with prices ranging from £45 to £99. Furthermore, Covid tests are available for purchase at approximately £2.