A new covid-19 variant called XEC may spread more easily than past variants, but current vaccines are still effective against it

A Covid modeller says a fourth summer wave is likely as a new variant emerges overseas.

The COVID-19 XEC variant, a new strain with increased transmissibility, raises concerns about potential vaccine evasion and rapid spread. Though symptoms remain mild for most, high-risk groups are vulnerable.

A new COVID variant, XEC, has arrived just before fall. The new variant has sprouted from the Omicron variant that developed in late 2021. Though XEC is new, Prof Francois Balloux, director of the Genetics Institute at University College London, told the BBC that he would be surprised if it became the dominant variant throughout winter.

Researchers indicate that the vaccine and booster shots should protect against the new variant. Here is what we know about the XEC variant and what you can do to stay healthy.

At the end of June this year, a new variant of COVID-19, designated as XEC, was first detected in Germany and India. It is expected to spread to other contininents. On Wednesday, the British "Independent" reported that over 500 samples tested for the presence of XEC had been detected.