The current surge of Covid-19 in the US is showing some signs of slowing down, but the emergence of a new Covid variant known as XEC has raised concerns among health authorities as colder weather approaches. This recombinant strain, combining elements of closely related variants KS.1.1 and KP.3.3 - both descendants of the JN.1 strain, is expected to potentially spread rapidly across the US due to its increased transmissibility compared to previous strains. The ongoing emergence of new variants indicates that the Covid-19 pandemic is far from over. Here are six key points to understand about the new Covid variant XEC:

1. Increased Infectivity: Experts have identified multiple mutations in the new Covid-19 variant XEC, making it more infectious than previous strains. Adhering to social distancing and proper hygiene practices is crucial in preventing infections.

2. Global Spread: While initially originating in Germany, the XEC variant is rapidly spreading in countries like the US, UK, China, and has been detected in a total of 27 countries, including Poland, Norway, Luxembourg, Ukraine, and Portugal. There are currently 23 reported cases in the US, with three in California.

3. Mild Symptoms: XEC shares similar mild symptoms with its predecessor Omicron, including fever or chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose, loss of taste or smell, difficulty breathing, muscle pain, headache, nausea, and diarrhea.

4. Vaccine Effectiveness: The latest Covid-19 vaccine was developed based on the KP.2 strain of the virus. However, the virus is evolving at a faster rate than vaccine updates, raising uncertainty about the efficacy of the current vaccines. Despite this, experts believe that the vaccine can still provide some protection against severe illness and hospitalization among vulnerable populations.

5. Potential Dominance in Winter: Experts warn that the XEC variant has the potential to become the dominant strain during the winter months."The variant that is most likely to gain momentum next, according to Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in La Jolla, is anticipated to become dominant in the coming months and spread more rapidly. Experts believe that this variant will be the one to watch closely.

Further information about the variants: The recombinant XEC is a combination of the KS.1.1 and KP.3.3 strains, which are both descendants of the JN.1 strain. KS.1.1 belongs to the FLiRT variants, which are contributing to the rising number of cases in various countries. KP.3.3 is a FLuQE variant, characterized by a mutation from glutamine (Q) to glutamic acid (E) on the spike protein, enhancing its binding efficiency to human cells.

In order to prevent Covid infection, it is essential to follow basic guidelines. Avoid crowded places, maintain a safe distance, wash your hands regularly, and wear a mask when in densely populated areas. Additionally, improving your immunity through a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and protein is crucial.

Seven people have been killed in Eastern Ukraine due to Russian shelling, with both countries intercepting multiple missiles and drones."