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The UK Health and Safety Agency (UKHSA) has announced that the number of people infected with the new coronavirus that originated in the UK is rapidly increasing and the infection is spreading.
This strain, called XEC, is a combination of KS.1.1 and KP.3.3 variants. UKHSA figures show the admission rate for people testing positive for the virus rose to 4.5 per 100,000 people in the week to October 6, up from 3.7 a week earlier.
The XEC strain is highly contagious due to its numerous mutations, and is thought to exhibit symptoms similar to other new coronavirus variants, including fatigue, headache, sore throat, and high fever.
Self-isolation is no longer a legal requirement in the UK, but the NHS has advised anyone who tests positive for coronavirus to avoid contact with others for at least five days.
It is also recommended to avoid contact with more vulnerable people for 10 days to reduce the risk to them. As a general rule, people with symptoms are advised to at least wait for the symptoms to subside before returning to normal activities.
Here’s what you need to know about the new Covid XEC stock.
What are the symptoms of Covid XEC?
The XEC strain exhibits cold- and flu-like symptoms similar to previous variants.
They include:
- high temperature
- pain
- tired
- cough or sore throat
How to get vaccinated
The NHS has started offering the autumn coronavirus booster to the most vulnerable people. The following groups will be eligible to receive the NHS Covid booster from October 3rd to December 20th:
- Over 65 years old
- People aged 6 months to 64 years who have health conditions that make them more susceptible to infection (including pregnant women)
- People living in care homes for the elderly
- Frontline NHS and social care workers, people working in care homes for the elderly
People who are eligible for a jab can also book themselves via the NHS app (external), their GP, pharmacy, drop-in clinic (external) or by calling external 119.
