A new strain of Covid-19 is spreading worldwide, with researchers noting that it appears to transmit faster than previous variants.
Anecdotal reports suggest a surge in people experiencing Covid-like symptoms, with some testing positive after deciding to take a test.
The decline in testing for the majority of people, following the end of mass testing initiatives and the cost associated with purchasing lateral flow kits, has made it challenging for public health officials to accurately track the number of cases and the speed at which new strains are spreading.
As the winter flu season begins and children return to school, many are reporting suspicious symptoms and testing positive for coronavirus. This increase coincides with the detection of the new XEC variant in 27 countries across Europe, Asia, and North America.
Despite only being identified three weeks ago, the XEC variant now accounts for 13% of cases in Germany. Over 80 cases have been reported in the UK, reports the Manchester Evening News.
What is the Covid XEC variant?
XEC is a recombinant variant, identified by researchers, which arises when two existing strains merge – this can occur if an individual contracts both strains at the same time. XEC is derived from the KP.
3.3 and KS. 1.1 strains, with genetic ties to omicron – a variant first detected in South Africa in 2021 known for its high transmission rates and less severe symptoms compared to earlier SARS-CoV-2 strains.
Richard Orton, a Bioinformatics Research Associate at the University of Glasgow, expressed his concerns about the rapid spread of XEC to The Conversation media outlet: “XEC appears to have a growth advantage and is spreading faster than other circulating variants, suggesting it will become the dominant variant globally in the next few months.”
He further added: “This new variant will probably be similar to other Covid variants in terms of the disease caused, given its similar genetic information. So symptoms such as a high temperature, sore throat with a cough, headaches and body aches along with tiredness are to be expected.”
The Manchester Evening News has been in conversation with several individuals who have tested positive for Covid-19 recently. “I tested positive in July, I think around the fourth or fifth time I’ve tested positive for Covid, I’ve had it a lot,” shared Hannah, from Levenshulme.
“I was surprised because I last had it in mid-December and then tested positive again at the beginning of July. I didn’t expect to get it again so soon.”
“Now when you get a cold, you think ‘is this Covid? ‘ But I think you could tell from the distinctive cough and feeling in your chest. I just knew it was Covid and put off testing for a few days, but then I did and it was positive, and I wasn’t entirely surprised.”
Hannah shared her experience with the initial symptoms: “I started feeling quite tired and like I was getting ill, but I couldn’t tell if it was just the result of a few late nights. I just felt really, really tired and didn’t have an appetite. Two days later I started with a cough.”
The 39 year old noted that the symptoms were not as severe as previous encounters with the virus, but recovery still took time.
“This time, I found the symptoms were most mild,” she explained. “When I had Covid in December I was in bed for a couple of days. This time, I was up and about. I felt a bit rough but it didn’t completely knock me out like it has in the past.”
She also mentioned the practicalities of testing: “I didn’t test every day because you have to pay for the tests and I didn’t have that many. It didn’t last as long and it wasn’t as severe, but you could definitely tell it was Covid not just a cold.”
Reflecting on the duration of the illness, she said, “When I had it in December though, it took 10 or 11 days to test negative. Whereas this was maybe around five or six.”
“It was the mildest strain that I’ve had, I still felt quite rough but when I had it the last time I had to take a couple of days off work because I felt I couldn’t concentrate, I felt awful, it hurt to look at a screen. This time, I didn’t take any time off.”
Another Manchester resident, a 28 year old woman, shared with her suspicion of catching Covid-19 in late August following a music festival in London. She was struck by heavy cold-like symptoms for about three days.
“A few days in, a wave of tiredness took over for around a day, and all I could do was nap on my sofa. That felt very similar to when I’d been ill during the omicron wave in summer of 2022,” she recounted.
“I didn’t have any Covid tests in the house and felt too ill to go outside. I knew that I wanted to stay at home and not pass whatever illness I had to anyone else, so thought it didn’t make much difference if I confirmed whether it was Covid or not, seeing as I’d be isolating anyway.”
“And I’d have to go to a busy shop, which would only put those people inside at risk. But it took around another few days for the symptoms, particularly the exhaustion, to pass.”
After learning a close friend received a positive Covid result, Ste from Prestwich decided to take a test himself.
“This was the third occasion that I’ve had Covid – as far as I know at least,” he said. “I probably wouldn’t have realised I had it this time if it wasn’t for a friend who had tested positive, because they still need to test for their job.”
“I had noticed a bit of a sore throat which didn’t last long, but the main issue was a runny nose and frequently sneezing. It felt very similar to hay-fever.”
“The symptoms were the least severe of any time I had Covid. I thought I may have caught a bit of a chill after a boozy and unseasonably cool August bank holiday at Manchester Pride, and hadn’t thought much else of it. It was nothing at all like the first time I had it in November 2020, before the jab, when I lost my sense of taste and felt shattered for a time even after I’d shifted the virus.”
Health experts are currently studying the XEC variant of Covid to determine its severity compared to previous strains. It has been noted that symptoms resemble common colds or flu, with most people recovering within weeks.
However, for some, recovery might take longer, and there’s potential risk of serious illness needing hospital care, according to NHS guidance. Comprehensive analysis over the coming weeks or months will offer more clarity on the impact of XEC, scientists assert.
Hospitalisations from Covid-19 are expected to increase as the UK braces for colder weather. In response, the NHS is gearing up for its autumn booster campaign against a backdrop of a new Covid variant sweeping Europe.
A fresh round of these vital vaccine boosters will be on offer from October 3 to December 20, targeting the XEC variant which experts anticipate will become the predominant strain. Those eligible can now secure their appointments.
Deputy Director at the UK Health Security Agency, Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, has addressed the development of variants, explaining: “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.”