The recombinant Xe: what we know about the new Omicron variant discovered in the UK

There are over 600 people in the UK on which it has been found. But according to experts it is still too early to determine whether or not it is more contagious than the others. Xe is the new variant that derives from the previous Omicron 1 and 2 of COVID-19 and was first detected in the UK on January 19th.. According to WHO reports, “Initial estimates indicate a community growth rate of approximately 10% compared to Omicron 2, however, this finding requires further confirmation. Recombinant Xe belongs to Omicron until significant differences in transmission and disease characteristics, including severity, can be detected. ‘

According to the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA), its recent analysis found and examined three known recombinants such as XF, XE and XD. “Of these, XD and XF are variants of Delta and Omicron 1, while Xe is a variant of Omicron 1 and 2,” he said.

A recombinant variant occurs when an individual is infected with two or more variants at the same time, mixing their genetic material within the patient’s body.

Not an unusual event, according to the British agency, since Several recombinant variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been identified during the pandemic. “As with any other variant of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the vast majority confer no advantage on the virus and become extinct relatively quickly,” said Susan Hopkins, UKHSA’s Chief Medical Advisor. “This particular recombinant, XE, has shown a variable growth rate and we can’t yet confirm with certainty whether it is actually more contagious than the others. Furthermore, not enough evidence has yet been gathered to draw conclusions about the vaccine’s transmissibility, severity or efficacy, ”added Hopkins.

UKHSA estimates that Omicron 2 currently accounts for around 93.7% of cases in England, with the highest prevalence in the South East (96.4%) and the lowest in the East Midlands (91.1%).