New COVID XEC variant emerges in Europe with mild symptoms

NBC Chicago September 17, 2024, 01:01 AM UTC

Summary: A new COVID variant called XEC is emerging, primarily spreading in Denmark, Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands, with some cases reported in the U.S. It is a recombinant variant that shows a growth advantage and may evade immunity.

Currently, the dominant variant in the U.S. is KP.3.1.1. Vaccines this fall are designed to target related subtypes, and experts believe they will offer some protection against XEC. Symptoms remain similar to previous COVID strains, with gastrointestinal issues noted in some cases.

The CDC has updated guidelines, allowing people with mild symptoms to return to normal activities after 24 hours of improvement. Free COVID test kits will be available for U.S. households starting in late September, ahead of the holiday season.

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Timeline:

  1. [4.4]
    New Covid variant XEC spreads in Europe with flu-like symptoms (Onmanorama)
    16h
    Source
  2. [3.7]
    Drug-resistant SARS-CoV-2 variants identified in immunocompromised patients (news-medical.net)
    20h
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  3. [4.9]
    New XEC COVID variant spreads in US with mild symptoms (today.com)
    24h
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  4. [5.1]
    New COVID variant XEC detected in 25 states including New Jersey (cbsnews.com)
    1d 2h

  5. [5.4]
    New COVID subvariant XEC emerges as U.S. sees summer case decline (fortune.com)
    1d 8h

  6. [4.4]
    New Covid variant XEC spreads to 27 countries including US and UK (news18.com)
    1d 8h
    Source
  7. [4.8]
    New Covid variant XEC spreads rapidly across Europe and US (hindustantimes.com)
    1d 10h
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  8. [4.5]
    Scientists warn of potential rise in Covid XEC variant this autumn (Mint)
    1d 11h
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  9. [3.3]
    New Covid variant XEC spreads rapidly in 27 countries (india.com)
    1d 12h
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  10. [5.3]
    New XEC Covid variant spreads globally with similar symptoms to Omicron (Business Standard)
    1d 13h

  11. [4.7]
    New Covid variant XEC spreads to 15 countries and 12 US states (The Independent)
    1d 17h
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  12. [4.6]
    New Covid XEC variant spreads rapidly across Europe and beyond (news.yahoo.com)
    1d 17h
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  13. [4.5]
    New Covid XEC variant spreads rapidly across Europe (independent.co.uk)
    1d 17h
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  14. [3.3]
    New Covid variant XEC spreads to 20 countries since June detection (express.co.uk)
    2d 1h
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  15. [5.3]
    New COVID variant XEC spreads to 11 European countries (euronews.com)
    2d 10h

  16. [4.3]
    New COVID variant XEC spreads to 15 countries since June (Firstpost)
    2d 10h
    Source
  17. [2.9]
    New Covid variant XEC spreads to 27 countries raising concerns (thesun.co.uk)
    2d 11h
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  18. [4.9]
    New Covid variant XEC spreads rapidly across Europe (India Today)
    2d 12h
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  19. [4.8]
    New Covid variant XEC spreads to 15 countries and 12 US states (independent.co.uk)
    2d 12h
    Source
  20. [4.8]
    New Covid variant XEC spreads to 15 countries and 12 US states (news.yahoo.com)
    2d 12h
    Source
  21. [3.8]
    New XEC Covid variant spreads rapidly and may dominate this winter (mirror.co.uk)
    2d 12h
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  22. [3.1]
    New Covid variant XEC spreads rapidly across Europe and beyond (India.com)
    2d 14h
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  23. [4.6]
    New Covid XEC variant spreads rapidly across Europe (The Independent)
    2d 17h
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  24. [3.1]
    New Covid variant XEC spreads rapidly across Europe (express.co.uk)
    3d 0h
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  25. [3.9]
    New XEC Covid variant spreads across Europe as cases decline in Northern Ireland (Belfast Live)
    3d 1h
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  26. [4.4]
    New Covid variant XEC spreads rapidly across Europe (The Express Tribune)
    3d 6h
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  27. [3.7]
    New COVID variant XEC spreads rapidly worldwide (zeenews.india.com)
    3d 8h
    Source
  28. [5.1]
    New Covid variant XEC spreading, may enhance transmissibility (bbc.com)
    3d 9h

  29. [3.0]
    Autumn Booster targets vulnerable as Covid XEC spreads (The Mirror)
    3d 9h
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  30. [4.5]
    New Covid variant XEC spreading rapidly in Europe (independent.co.uk)
    3d 12h
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  31. [4.4]
    XEC variant spreads in Europe, may be more contagious (liverpoolecho.co.uk)
    3d 12h
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  32. [3.1]
    New Covid variant XEC spreads rapidly, symptoms to watch (express.co.uk)
    3d 12h
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  33. [3.1]
    Covid variant XEC spreads; tests available at pharmacies (mirror.co.uk)
    3d 12h
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  34. [4.5]
    New XEC Covid variant spreads rapidly across Europe (independent.co.uk)
    3d 14h
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  35. [3.2]
    New Covid variant XEC expected to dominate this winter (mirror.co.uk)
    3d 15h
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  36. [2.7]
    New XEC Covid variant spreads to 15 countries (Express)
    4d 3h
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  37. [3.7]
    New Covid variant XEC spreads rapidly across Europe (Daily Record)
    4d 6h
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  38. [3.7]
    New Covid XEC variant spreading globally; watch for symptoms (HeraldScotland)
    4d 8h
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  39. [4.0]
    New Covid variant XEC spreads rapidly across 15 countries (Chronicle Live)
    4d 12h
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