A new Covid-19 variant is spreading globally and has already shown signs of transmitting quicker than previous strains, according to researchers.
And many people are now sharing anecdotally that they are coming down in droves with Covid-like illnesses, with some choosing to test and discovering positive results.
What is Covid XEC variant? XEC is described as a recombinant variant by researchers, which occurs when two existing strains combine - and may happen if an individual contracts both strains simultaneously. XEC is formed from the KP.3.3 and KS. 1.1 strains, with genetic links to omicron - a variant initially spotted in South Africa in 2021 and known for its high contagion levels and reduced severity compared to earlier SARS-CoV-2 strains.
"I was surprised because I last had it in mid-December and then tested positive again at the beginning of July. I didn't expect to get it again so soon. Now when you get a cold, you think 'is this Covid?' But I think you could tell from the distinctive cough and feeling in your chest. I just knew it was Covid and put off testing for a few days, but then I did and it was positive, and I wasn't entirely surprised.
"I didn't test every day because you have to pay for the tests and I didn't have that many. It didn't last as long and it wasn't as severe, but you could definitely tell it was Covid not just a cold. When I had it in December though, it took 10 or 11 days to test negative. Whereas this was maybe around five or six.
"I didn't have any Covid tests in the house and felt too ill to go outside. I knew that I wanted to stay at home and not pass whatever illness I had to anyone else, so thought it didn't make much difference if I confirmed whether it was Covid or not, seeing as I'd be isolating anyway. And I'd have to go to a busy shop, which would only put those people inside at risk. But it took around another few days for the symptoms, particularly the exhaustion, to pass.
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