New Covid Variant XE Found In UK, May Be More Transmissible Than Omicron: WHO

[Celerity]

XE is a "recombinant" which is a mutation of BA'1 and BA.2 Omicron strains. Recombinant mutations emerge when a patient is infected by multiple variants of Covid.

https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/world-int/21286-new-covid-mutant-xe-found-in-uk-more-transmissible-than-omicron-sub-variant-who.html

A new COVID mutant 'XE' has been found in the UK, the World Health Organisation has said in its latest report and noted that it may be more transmissible than the BA.2 sublineage of COVID-19. XE is recombinant of Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 sublineages of COVID-19.

"The XE recombinant (BA.1-BA.2), was first detected in the United Kingdom on January 19 and >600 sequences have been reported and confirmed since," the WHO said.

"Early-day estimates indicate a community growth rate advantage of ~10 per cent as compared to BA.2, however this finding requires further confirmation. XE belongs to the Omicron variant until significant differences in transmission and disease characteristics, including severity, may be reported," it added.

The United Kingdom has reported 637 cases of XE and experts said it has shown a variable growth rate. According to UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), its new analysis has examined three recombinants known as XF, XE, and XD. "Of these, XD and XF are recombinants of Delta and Omicron BA.1, while XE is a recombinant of Omicron BA.1 and BA.2," it said in an update.

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https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/helsinki-times/

[BigmanPigman]

1. I read a similar article yesterday.

Now, combinations of previous variants are combining to form new ones...weird. So, is BA2 considered "old"? They are changing very fast.

[Celerity]

2. there are thousands of variants, most never amount to much

[Dorian Gray]

3. People starting to panic

(on twitter at least..... not in lines at Disney, as they're fully packed and unmasked.)

Link to tweet

?s=20&t=HubY4zO5H4qCsC7DeEQ8NQ