New XEC COVID variant spreads across the world: How contagious is it?
FirstpostFirst detected in Germany this June, the XEC variant is fast spreading across the world with infections recorded in 15 countries. In fact, Scripps Research’s “Outbreak.info” web page shows that the XEC variant, until September 3, has been detected in 15 countries and 12 US states. Representational image/Reuters Scripps Research Translational Institute Director Eric Topol wrote on X, “At this juncture, the XEC variant appears to be the most likely one to get legs next.” He further added that it may take “many weeks, a couple months, before it really takes hold and starts to cause a wave”. Even COVID data analyst Mike Honey found that XEC was quickly becoming the new dominant variant, with him noting that the XEC showed strong growth in Denmark and Germany with 17 per cent caseload and also in the UK and Netherlands with 11-13 per cent.