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A new strain of COVID-19, the virus whose outbreak led to a global pandemic in 2020 and almost brought the world to a standstill, has revealed itself—and this one can be relatively harder to detect.
Knewz.com has learned that the symptoms of this new Coronavirus strain can be quite similar to the flu or common cold, and can only be properly detected through a COVID test.
The latest COVID-19 strain, known as the XEC, is a "subvariant" of the Omicron strain of the virus and is actually a combination of two omicron "descendants," it has been reported.
According to Dr. Scott Roberts, an infectious disease specialist at the Yale School of Medicine, the new strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (which causes COVID) is likely more transmissible compared to the other variants.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) wrote in a November 1 update regarding the spread of the XEC variant: "Many minor variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, that are descended from the JN.1 variant are co-circulating heading into winter of 2024–2025."
"XEC, a hybrid of two JN.1 variants, represents 14–22% of viruses and is increasing," the CDC mentioned.
"The SARS-CoV-2 variant XEC is, in part, a result of mutation due to recombination between two variants related to JN.1. Because these viruses look new to your immune system, sometimes these SARS-CoV-2 variants might escape your immunity and make you sick," the update added.
However, the specialist believes that the symptoms associated with it should be milder than those of COVID-19, which caused over seven million deaths across the globe.
Furthermore, experts believe that due to their components, the currently existing vaccines for COVID-19 should be effective against the new strain of the virus.
Kirsten Hokeness, the director of Bryant University's School of Health and Behavior Sciences, said in a statement that since the virus is known to rapidly mutate, it is important for individuals over the age of six months to routinely get vaccine boosters.
"It takes several weeks for full immunity to mount... Fall is a prime time to get the updated vaccine, so you are protected going into the winter months where we see heightened infection," Hokeness was quoted as saying.
"The 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine will reduce your risk of severe illness and protect against the variants most common now and those likely to be common in the future," the CDC mentioned in this regard.
It has been pointed out that there is not much reason to panic about the new COVID-19 strain yet, as the World Health Organization (WHO) assessment says that the public health risk posed by the XEC is "low."
The Initial Risk Evaluation of XEC by the WHO, published on December 9, states: "Considering the available evidence, the additional public health risk posed by XEC is evaluated as low at the global level."
"The recommended COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain cross-reactive to this variant against symptomatic and severe disease, as there is limited immune escape from JN.1 or KP.2 mRNA booster vaccines."
The WHO further mentioned that the XEC is "currently the only SARS-CoV-2 variant under monitoring (VUM) with increasing prevalence globally."
Regarding preventive measures one can take to reduce the risk of contracting the new COVID-19 strain, the CDC suggests improving general cleanliness and practicing good hygiene, in addition to "taking steps for cleaner air."
The CDC also suggests "using precautions to prevent spread, including staying home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have respiratory symptoms."