SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, is changing constantly.

Since the beginning of the pandemic we’ve seen a number of prominent variants, including Alpha, Beta, Delta and Omicron.

A new more contagious variant of Covid-19 termed XEC has emerged in the last few months and is spreading rapidly throughout Europe having already reached the UK.

The XEC variant is a descendant of the Omicron variant.

It is a hybrid strain formed when two other Covid-19 variants called KP.3.3 and KS.1.1 infect the same person and share genetic material.

XEC was detected in Italy in April but first reported following infections in Germany in June.

More than 600 cases of XEC have been reported across 27 countries, including the UK, Germany, Canada and the USA.

XEC currently accounts for about eight per cent of all Covid-19 infections in the UK.

Preliminary analysis suggests that XEC will become the dominant variant in the UK in October as it is showing a strong growth advantage of five per cent per day over other variants which predicts a crossover in early autumn.

Risk of infection increases in autumn because cold temperatures help the virus survive longer.

Additionally, cooler temperatures cause the air to dry which can dry out the linings in our nose and throat making us prone to viral infection.

However, as there is far less routine testing than before, it’s difficult to precisely know how much XEC might be around.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) continues to monitor all available information relating to emerging Covid variants in the UK and internationally.

XEC causes the same symptoms as other Covid-19 variants such as fever, fatigue, a sore throat, cough, loss of smell and muscle aches and pains.

Reassuringly XEC does not appear to produce more severe disease than previous Covid-19 variants and, leading on from this, the World Health Organisation hasn’t designated it a variant of concern.

Vaccination provides the best protection against serious illness from Covid-19 and current vaccines are effective against the XEC strain.

Data from the UKSHA revealed patients who received a vaccine were 45 per cent less likely to be admitted to hospital with Covid-19 compared to those who remain unvaccinated.

Protection from the vaccine lasts for approximately four months.

The main vaccination program for Covid will start in October although some patients may receive their boosters earlier.

People qualifying for a free booster vaccine include adults aged 65 years and over, those living in an elderly care home, those over the age of six months in a clinical risk group and front-line NHS, care home and social workers.

Anyone concerned about Covid-19 should consult with their GP.

Our columnist Dr Jason Seewoodhary is a former Worcester GP.