Omicron BA.2, also known as the "stealth" variant due to its high transmission rate, is believed to have merged with another covid strain, creating a new XE variant of the virus.
A total of 637 cases of XE – a recombinant of Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 – have been confirmed in the UK so far. The earliest of these has a specimen date of January 19, 2022.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says there is currently "insufficient evidence to draw conclusions about growth advantage or other properties" of this variant. XE will be monitored closely, the health agency said.
