The XEC Covid variant currently accounts for around a fifth of new cases, new figures show, as health officials repeated calls for eligible adults to get vaccinated against the virus.
Analysis of the latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that 21.1 per cent of all sequenced Covid cases belonged to the XEC strain in the week up to October 6.
Scientists believe the new strain could be more transmissible due to its numerous mutations, but stress that it does not pose a significant threat to public health.
Symptoms are similar to other Covid variants, including tiredness, headaches, a sore throat and high temperatures.
The figures show that KP 3.1.1, from the Omicron family, remains the dominant strain, accounting for 56.1 per cent of new cases.
Overall Covid hospitalisations remain stable in London, with an admission rate of 3.5 per cent in the week up to October 14.
The number of cases recorded in the week up to October 14 fell by 15 per cent compared with the week before.
Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “Covid continues to circulate at moderate levels and we encourage all those eligible to get vaccinated against Covid and flu, as we expect both infections to increase in the coming weeks.”
He said there was “no evidence” that the public should be more concerned about the spread of the XEC variant.
“If you are showing symptoms of flu or Covid such as a high temperature, cough, and feeling tired and achy, try to limit your contact with others, especially those who are vulnerable,” he added.
Meanwhile, health officials on Friday warned of an uptick in flu cases among school children.
The rate of confirmed flu cases among school children aged 5-14 is higher than any other age group, with a weekly average positivity rate of 5.7 per cent compared with a whole population weekly average of 2.5 per cent, according to the UKHSA.
Last year saw a sudden increase in the number of people having to be hospitalised, due to a flu peak in the week leading up to Christmas and then again at the end of January.
The UKHSA have urged all school aged children, up to and including year 11, to come forward for a free nasal spray flu vaccine.
Evidence from last year’s flu season shows strong effectiveness for children in England with a 54 per cent reduction in hospitalisation for those between 2 and 17 years of age.
