UK health officials express alarm over rising Covid cases linked to new variant

Covid hospitalisations have surged across Britain at an "alarming" rate, with the emergence of a new variant, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned.

Recent UKHSA figures reveal that the admission rate for patients testing positive for the Covid XEC variant has risen to 4.5 per 100,000 people in the week ending October 6, up from 3.7 the previous week. 

The North East region has reported the highest hospital admission rates, reaching 8.12 per 100,000. Alarmingly, those aged 85 and older are experiencing even higher rates, with 52.48 admissions per 100,000.

The XEC variant, first detected in Germany in June, has also been identified in countries including the United States and Denmark. It is a combination of the KS.1.1 and KP.3.3 variants, presenting symptoms similar to other Covid strains, such as fatigue, headaches, sore throats, and high temperatures.

Experts emphasize that, as a sub-family of the omicron lineage, staying up to date with vaccines and booster shots will provide adequate protection against severe illness and hospitalisation. 

The variant is characterized by specific mutations on the spike protein, which the virus uses to attach to human cells. These include changes from phenylalanine (F) to leucine (L) and arginine (R) to threonine (T). The KP.3.3 subvariant, part of the FLuQE category, features a mutation where glutamine (Q) is altered to glutamic acid (E), enhancing its binding capability to human cells.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises the public to maintain good hygiene practices and improve indoor air quality. Researchers are calling for closer monitoring of the XEC variant to better understand its symptoms.

Symptoms of Covid XEC include:

- High temperature
- Aches
- Tiredness
- Cough or sore throat

Most individuals tend to recover within a few weeks, although some may experience prolonged illness.

The NHS has begun administering autumn Covid boosters to vulnerable groups. Eligible individuals include:

- Over-65s
- Those aged six months to 64 years with health conditions, including pregnant women
- Residents of care homes for older people
- Frontline NHS and social care workers

For more information about vaccinations and eligibility, you can visit the NHS website.