Omicron XE: Symptoms and Severity of the New Variant of Omicron
Where does the new Omicron variant come from? What are its symptoms and how severe can it get? The new omicron XE variant has triggered fears of a new wave and questions such as these are bound to flood your mind.
Outbreak of Omicron XE
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Omicron XE variant was reported for the first time on January 19, 2022, in the United Kingdom, with more than 600 positive cases.
In India, the first reported case of the Omicron XE variant was in Mumbai on April 6, 2022. As of April 13, 2022, India has reported two cases of the Omicron XE variant.
The variant was first detected in a 50-year-old woman who had arrived from South Africa in February and in a 67-year-old man who returned to India from London in March.
What is the Omicron XE variant?
The Omicron XE variant is a recombinant virus. A recombinant virus is created when two different viruses’ genetic markups are combined to create a new virus. The XE variant is a recombinant of the original Omicron strain. It formed as a result of the genetic recombination of two SARS-CoV-2 strains: BA.1 (the original Omicron strain) and BA.2 (the more infectious related strain).
Read more: Symptoms of the new Omicron XE variant | Can the new XE variant cause a new wave? | Omicron XE Prevention
In conclusion, continue to wear your masks, practice social distancing and wash your hands frequently, even if you’ve been vaccinated. It’s important to slow down the spread of the disease as much as possible if we want to stop new variants from emerging.
If you have further queries regarding symptoms that you are currently exhibiting or would like to consult a healthcare specialist for any health concerns, reach out to Ayu Health Hospitals. Doctors at Ayu Health Hospitals have access to telemedicine so that patients can avail consultations via video calls. We also deliver medications and collect samples for lab tests from the comfort of your own home. To book an appointment, visit Ayu Health or call us at 6366100800.