The COVID-19 XEC variant is gaining steam and, according to a new study, could become the virus’ dominant strain in the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data for the two-week period ended Oct. 12 shows that XEC made up 10.7% of U.S. cases, second overall.
The study, conducted by researchers from multiple Japanese universities as well as the U.K.’s University of Glasgow, contends that XEC reproduces 1.13 times faster than the KP.3.1.1 variant, which stands at 57.2% of cases.
XEC also shows more immune resistance than KP.3.1.1, according to the study.
As for symptoms, the CDC hasn’t found any major difference between XEC and other COVID-19 strains. It’s considered a hybrid of two other variants, both designated as Omicron by the World Health Organization, according to USA Today.
“CDC is not aware of new or unusual symptoms associated with XEC or any other co-circulating lineage of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19,” CDC spokeswoman Rosa Norman told USA Today.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include coughing, shortness of breath, fever, fatigue, aches and pains, and the loss of taste and smell.
For more information, visit The Washington Times COVID-19 resource page.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
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