Covid XEC symptoms: Coronavirus signs to look out for in new deadly variant hitting UK

Brits have been warned about a new strain of Covid sweeping the UK with cases of the new variant soaring.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warned that the XEC strain of the disease is spreading in the UK, with cases increasing at a high rate.

The new strain is the result of two variants combining, KS.1.1 and KP.3.3. Admissions for patients who had the new strain went up at the start of the month. With 4.5 per 100,000 people admitted testing positive for XEC in the week to October six, the figure climbed from 3.7 a week earlier.

Symptoms include tiredness, , a and high temperatures, similar to other variants however it is thought XEC is more transmissible due to numerous mutations from the original Covid strain.

The current advice from the says anyone who tests positive for Covid to avoid contact with others for at least five days, although self-isolating is not required by law anymore. To reduce the risk to vulnerable people medics advise avoiding contact for 10 days after a positive test.

If you have Covid symptoms it is good practice to wait until they have subsided before returning to your normal routine. The symptom order for the XEC variant is listed as fever first, followed by cough, sore throat, muscle pain or headache, then nausea or vomiting, ending with diarrhoea.

Dr Robert Glatter also pointed out a key difference with the flu, reported , saying: "Patients with seasonal flu more commonly developed a cough before the onset of fever." Knowing the difference in the order symptoms generally appear can help doctors identify whether someone has Covid or another illness.

The NHS is making Covid boosters available to some groups such as people over 65, frontline NHS and social care workers and those living and working in care homes. People with health conditions that make them more vulnerable, including pregnant women are also invited to get the jab.

Those who qualify for the jab can also book their own appointments via the NHS App, GPs, pharmacies or drop-in clinics. It is also possible to purchase a jab privately for anyone who wishes to pay for one.