While the current wave of Covid-19 in the US is showing some signs of slowing down, the emergence of a new Covid variant called XEC has raised concerns among health authorities as colder weather sets in. This recombinant strain, a combination of two closely related variants known as KS.1.1 and KP.3.3, both descendants of the JN.1 strain, is collectively referred to as XEC and may soon spread widely across the US. With numerous additional mutations, XEC is expected to be more transmissible than previous strains. The ongoing emergence of new variants indicates that Covid-19 is far from fading into the background. Here are six key points to understand about the new Covid variant XEC:

1. Increased Infectiousness:

Experts note that the new Covid-19 variant XEC, with its multiple mutations, is more infectious than previous strains. It is crucial to adhere to social distancing and proper hygiene practices to reduce the risk of infection.

2. Global Spread:

Although the XEC variant originated in Germany, it is rapidly spreading in countries such as the US, UK, and China, with detections in a total of 27 countries, including Poland, Norway, Luxembourg, Ukraine, and Portugal. In the US, there have been 23 reported cases, including three in California.

3. Mild Symptoms:

Symptoms associated with XEC are mild and similar to those of the Omicron variant. Common symptoms include fever or chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose, loss of taste or smell, difficulty breathing, muscle and body pain, headache, nausea, and diarrhea.

4. Vaccine Effectiveness:

The current Covid-19 vaccines are based on the KP.2 strain, but the virus is evolving at a pace that outpaces vaccine development. While the efficacy of the latest vaccines against XEC remains uncertain, they still offer protection against severe disease and hospitalization for vulnerable populations.

5. Potential Dominance in Winter:

Experts warn that XEC could become the dominant variant during the winter months.According to Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in La Jolla, the variant most likely to become dominant and spread rapidly in the near future is X. Experts predict that this variant will gain momentum in the coming months.

Further details about the recombinant XEC reveal that it is a combination of KS.1.1 and KP.3.3 strains, both of which are descendants of the JN.1 strain. KS.1.1 belongs to the FLiRT variants responsible for the increasing number of cases in various countries, while KP.3.3 is a type of FLuQE variant with spike protein mutations enhancing its binding efficiency to human cells.

To prevent Covid infection, it is essential to follow basic precautions such as avoiding crowds, maintaining distance, frequent handwashing, wearing masks in crowded places, and boosting immunity through a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and protein. In Eastern Ukraine, seven people were killed by Russian shelling, with both countries intercepting multiple missiles and drones.