Almost 800 Omicron XE Covid cases found in UK as experts study variant

Almost 800 cases of the so-called ‘XE’ Covid variant have been discovered in the UK.

A report released by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that a total of 763 cases of the mutant strain have been reported across the UK as of March 22.

XE is said to be a ‘recombinant’ of both the original Omicron strain and the so-called ‘stealth Omicron’, or BA.2.

As of March 22, a total of 637 XE cases were detected in England. The bulk of the cases are said to be in the east of England, south east of England and London.

A total of 763 cases of the XE Covid variant have been found in the UK (Getty Images)

It is unclear if any cases of the XE variant have been found in Scotland so far.

Early estimates suggests that the growth rate may be 9.8 per cent higher than that of the BA.2 Omicron sub-variant, which is currently the most dominant in Scotland.

Experts are still carrying out research to confirm whether or not XE is more transmissible than BA.2.

There is so far no evidence to suggest that XE infections result in more severe symptoms than previous strains of the virus.

It has been suggested that XE may be 9.8 per cent more transmissible than BA.2, which is dominant Covid strain in Scotland (Getty Images)

Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Advisor at UKHSA, told The Sun : “As with other kinds of variant, most will die off relatively quickly.

“This particular recombinant, XE, has shown a variable growth rate and we cannot confirm yet confirm whether it has a true growth advantage.

“So far there is not enough evidence to draw conclusions about transmissibility, severity or vaccine effectiveness.”

BA.2 has caused a surge in Covid infections across Scotland in recent weeks.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimated that around one in 12 people in Scotland had the virus in the week ending March 26.

Nicola Sturgeon last week said that the surge in the number of Covid cases in Scotland could now be ‘stabilising’.

The First Minister said that this gives the Scottish Government ‘grounds for optimism’ amid suggestions that the BA.2 wave may have peaked.

Scots are no longer legally required to wear a face covering in places of worship, weddings and funerals from today.

The remaining legal requirements on face coverings will then be moved into guidance from April 18.