New Covid variant XE found in UK; What we know so far
It's too soon to say XE is more transmissible than Omicron, say experts
It's too soon to say XE is more transmissible than Omicron, say experts
It's too soon to say XE is more transmissible than Omicron, say experts
It's too soon to say XE is more transmissible than Omicron, say experts
A new variant of Covid-19 has been detected in the UK, the World Health Organisation has said in its latest report. The new variant, according the WHO, is a mutant hybrid of previous versions.
Though the global health body warns that the new variant could be more transmissible than the previous strains, experts say it's too soon to make any such claim.
The new variant, named as XE, is a combination of two previous versions of the Omicron variant—BA.1 and BA.2.
The XE recombinant was first detected in the UK on January 19 and less than 600 sequences have been reported and confirmed since, the WHO said.
"Early-day estimates indicate a community growth rate advantage of 10 percent as compared to BA.2, however, this finding requires further confirmation,” it said.
The health body claims there are significant differences in transmission and disease characteristics between XE and the previous strains. It, however, admits not much is known about it at the moment.
"WHO continues to closely monitor and assess the public health risk associated with recombinant variants, alongside other SARS-CoV-2 variants, and will provide updates as further evidence becomes available,” it said.