While the current surge of Covid-19 is showing signs of slowing in the US, concerns have arisen due to the emergence of a new Covid variant known as XEC as colder weather approaches. XEC is a recombinant strain formed from two closely related variants, KS.1.1 and KP.3.3, both descendants of the JN.1 strain. With numerous additional mutations, XEC may spread more efficiently than previous strains, indicating that Covid-19 is far from fading away with the appearance of new variants. Here are 6 key points to know about the new Covid variant XEC: 1. Increased Infectivity: Experts suggest that XEC is more infectious than other strains due to a series of additional mutations, highlighting the importance of adhering to social distancing and proper hygiene practices to prevent infections. 2. Global Spread: Although originating in Germany, the XEC variant is rapidly spreading in countries such as the US, UK, and China, having been identified in a total of 27 countries including Poland, Norway, Luxembourg, Ukraine, and Portugal. There are currently 23 cases in the US, including three in California. 3. Mild Symptoms: Similar to the Omicron variant, symptoms of XEC remain mild, including fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, loss of taste or smell, difficulty breathing, muscle pain, headache, nausea, and diarrhea. 4. Vaccine Effectiveness: The current Covid-19 vaccines were developed based on the KP.2 strain of the virus. However, the rapid evolution of the virus poses challenges in keeping vaccines up to date. While the effectiveness of the latest Covid vaccine against XEC is uncertain, it still offers protection against severe illness and hospitalization for vulnerable populations. 5. Potential Dominance in Winter: Experts suggest that XEC may become the dominant variant during the colder months, emphasizing the importance of continued vigilance against the spread of Covid-19."According to Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in La Jolla, the variant that is most likely to become dominant in the near future and spread more quickly is X. Experts predict that this variant will gain traction and spread rapidly in the coming months.

Regarding the variants related to the recombinant XEC, it is a combination of KS.1.1 and KP.3.3, both of which are derived from the JN.1 strain. KS.1.1 is part of the FLiRT variants contributing to the rise in cases globally, while KP.3.3 belongs to the FLuQE variant group, characterized by a mutation from glutamine (Q) to glutamic acid (E) on the spike protein, enhancing its ability to bind to human cells.

In terms of preventing Covid infection, it is essential to follow basic guidelines such as avoiding crowded places, maintaining a safe distance, practicing frequent handwashing, and wearing masks in crowded areas. Additionally, enhancing your immunity naturally by consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and protein is crucial.

An incident of Russian shelling resulting in seven fatalities in Eastern Ukraine has been reported, along with both countries intercepting multiple missiles and drones."