While the current surge of Covid-19 is showing signs of slowing down in the US, the emergence of a new Covid variant named XEC has raised concerns among health authorities about its potential spread with the arrival of colder weather. This recombinant strain, a fusion of two closely related variants known as KS.1.1 and KP.3.3 - both descendants of the JN.1 strain - collectively referred to as XEC, is anticipated to spread rapidly across the US. With a higher number of mutations, XEC has the potential to spread more effectively compared to previous strains, indicating that Covid-19 is far from fading away as new variants continue to surface. Here are 6 key points to understand about the new Covid variant XEC:

1. Increased Infectivity: Experts suggest that the new Covid-19 variant XEC, due to its numerous additional 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: 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. At present, there are 23 cases in the US, including three in California.

3. Mild Symptoms: Symptoms associated with the XEC variant are mild and similar to those of Omicron, including fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, loss of taste or smell, breathing difficulties, body aches, headaches, nausea, and diarrhea.

4. Vaccine Efficacy: The current Covid-19 vaccine is based on the KP.2 strain of the virus. However, the virus is evolving faster than vaccines can be updated. While the effectiveness of the latest vaccine against XEC remains uncertain, it is still expected to offer protection against severe illness for vulnerable populations.

5. Potential Dominance in Winter: Experts predict that the XEC variant may become prevalent during the winter months."The variant that is most likely to dominate in the near future is expected to be the one with the most potential to spread rapidly," stated Eric Topol, the director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in La Jolla, in a recent X post. Experts anticipate that this variant will become more prevalent in the upcoming months.

To delve further into the variants involved in the recombinant XEC, it is a combination of KS.1.1 and KP.3.3. Both of these variants are derived from the JN.1 strain. KS.1.1 belongs to the FLiRT variant group that is contributing to the rising number of cases in various countries, while KP.3.3 is classified as a FLuQE variant. This mutation involves a change from the amino acid glutamine (Q) to glutamic acid (E) on the spike protein, enhancing its ability to bind to human cells.

In order to protect oneself from Covid infections, it is essential to stick to the fundamental preventive measures. This includes avoiding large gatherings, maintaining a reasonable distance from others, practicing regular hand washing, and wearing masks in crowded places. Additionally, boosting immunity through a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and protein is crucial.

Tragically, seven individuals have been killed in Eastern Ukraine due to Russian shelling, with both countries intercepting numerous missiles and drones.