Just over 630 cases of XE were detected in the UK. However, details about its severity and ability to escape immunity are still unknown. | Health24com
A new variant that combines Omicron's BA.1 and BA.2 has been identified in the UK.Named 'XE', it could be the fastest-spreading variant to date, but experts say its severity is still unclear.
A new coronavirus Omicron subvariant has been detected in the UK. The latest update by the UK Health Security Agency 637 cases of ‘XE’, a recombinant of Omicron BA.1 and BA.2, have been confirmed in the UK so far. “A recombinant variant occurs when an individual becomes infected with two or more variants at the same time, resulting in a mixing of their genetic material within the patient’s body,” it said, adding that this was not an unusual occurrence as several recombinant variants have been identified during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Details on XE’s severity and ability to evade protection induced by previous infection and vaccines are not yet available, but early estimates suggest it could be more transmissible than earlier variants.the variant has a growth rate of 9.8% above that of BA.2, but experts in the country say that additional data will be needed to confirm this. There has been evidence of community transmission of the variant within England, although it currently accounts for under 1% of total sequenced cases.
“We continue to monitor all recombinants closely, routinely through our world-leading genomic surveillance and sequencing capability,” the government agency said.According to the report, the earliest confirmed case of XE in England dates back to 19 January 2022.