New Variant XE more Transmissible than Omicron: Alarming towards COVID 4th Wave in India

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic is far from over. There is the fourth wave in some of the Asian and European countries due to Omicron sub-variant BA.2. And now, another deadly and rapidly spreading Covid variant XE has been detected. The World Health Organisation (WHO) itself has given this information. XE is reported to be ten times more infectious than the fastest-spreading Omicron subvariant BA.2. All health organisations have become alert about this new variant. Although it has not yet been considered as a variant of concern, WHO is investigating its seriousness. Many countries in Asia and Europe are facing the fourth wave of the pandemic. The worst situation is in South Korea, where about five lakh new cases are being reported daily. The situation remains grim in China, where many cities have been put under lockdown to curb the spread of the virus. At such a time, this deadly virus has created concern.