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TheProle

(2,094 posts)
Fri Apr 1, 2022, 12:13 PM Apr 2022

New Mutant "XE" Omicron Variant May Be The Most Transmissible Version Of Covid Yet, According To WHO

The CDC announced this week that the BA.2 Omicron variant, which is reportedly 30% more transmissible than the original BA.1 Omicron strain — has become dominant among new cases sequenced in the United States. That’s a startling rise for a variant that was less than 1% of all sequences as recently as January. But, just as Americans are hearing about BA.2, there’s already a newer, even more transmissible variant on the rise.

There are actually three new variants that have been given designations. According to a recently-released report from the UK Health Services Agency, the two being called XD and XF are combinations of Delta and BA.1, or so-called “Deltacron” strains, which have been talked about for months but made no significant inroads in any country.

XD is present in several European countries, but has not been detected in the UK, according to the report. XF caused a small cluster in the UK but has not been detected there since February 15. The variant of greater concern, it seems, is the one dubbed XE.

Like the other two new arrivals, XE is a recombinant strain, meaning it is made up of two previously-distinct variants. But it is not a Deltacron mix. XE is actually made up of the original Omicron (BA.1) and the newer Omicron (BA.2) which has taken over in the U.S.

https://deadline.com/2022/03/new-xe-covid-variant-omicron-most-transmissible-1234992060/

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New Mutant "XE" Omicron Variant May Be The Most Transmissible Version Of Covid Yet, According To WHO (Original Post) TheProle Apr 2022 OP
It feels like we're coming out of 2 years of purgatory, at least for the coming warm season, maxsolomon Apr 2022 #1
Get boosted Johnny2X2X Apr 2022 #2
keep masking - its the only thing that blocks transmission Blues Heron Apr 2022 #3
Covid is a gift that keeps on giving. LisaL Apr 2022 #4
Get Your Boosters! COVID-19 Is Not Over! MineralMan Apr 2022 #5

maxsolomon

(32,975 posts)
1. It feels like we're coming out of 2 years of purgatory, at least for the coming warm season,
Fri Apr 1, 2022, 12:17 PM
Apr 2022

but the bad news just never stops.

Sorry; I'm numb to it now.

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