New XEC Covid variant spreads globally with similar symptoms to Omicron

A new Covid variant called XEC was first detected in Germany in June and has since spread to countries including the UK, US, and Denmark. It is a sublineage of the Omicron variant and may be more contagious. XEC is a hybrid strain formed from two earlier Omicron sub-variants, KS.1.1 and KP.3.3. Approximately 500 cases have been reported across 27 countries, with notable increases in Denmark, Germany, and the UK. Symptoms of XEC are similar to previous variants, including fever and cough. Vaccines are expected to remain effective against severe illness from XEC, and the CDC recommends updated vaccines for those aged six months and older.