New Covid XEC variant is ‘taking charge’ - where to purchase Covid tests

Members of the nationalist person been urged to banal up connected Covid tests arsenic caller variant surges rapidly (Image: Getty)

COVID-19: Dr Xand van Tulleken shares symptoms of caller strain

Covid XEC was archetypal identified successful Germany with cases successful Denmark, US and UK rapidly spreading arsenic astir 15 countries person besides identified cases of it.

Experts authorities this variant has immoderate caller mutations which whitethorn summation its dispersed during autumn.

The Covid vaccines person been updated to lucifer caller variants nevertheless not with XEC which emerged from Omicron subvariants.

According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), viruses are prone to mutations and changes.

UKHSA’s caller Covid information revealed a 4.3 per cent spike successful cases but saw a diminution successful the fig of deaths from Covid.

According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), viruses are prone to mutations and changes (Image: Getty)

Director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute successful California, Doctor Eric Topol, warns Covid XEC is ‘just getting started and could go the ascendant variant arsenic it's already ‘taking charge’.

Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, Dr Topol said: “It’s going to instrumentality galore weeks, a mates of months, earlier it truly takes clasp and starts to origin a wave”.

Members of the nationalist person been urged to commencement buying trial kits to guarantee they’re Covid escaped with these tests being some affordable and easy accessible.

Symptoms of Covid XEC see tiredness, aches, a cough oregon a sore pharynx oregon a precocious temperature. (Image: Getty)

Free accelerated lateral travel tests and polymerase concatenation absorption (PCR) tests person been discontinued by the NHS aft astir Brits received their vaccinations.

Since then, the NHS stopped being the go-to root for dispensing these tests arsenic pharmacists took their place.

According to Gov.uk, Covid tests tin beryllium purchased from shops and pharmacies including online.

“If you’re eligible for COVID-19 treatments, you whitethorn beryllium capable to prime up escaped COVID-19 accelerated lateral travel tests from a pharmacy,” adds the NHS.

Symptoms of Covid XEC see tiredness, aches, a cough oregon a sore pharynx oregon a precocious temperature.

UKHSA Deputy Director, Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam said: “UKHSA continues to show each disposable accusation relating to emerging Covid variants successful the UK and internationally, and to people our information regularly.

“Vaccination provides the champion extortion against superior unwellness from COVID-19, and we impulse those who are contacted by the NHS to travel guardant to person their autumn vaccine.”

Experts urge to besides debar adjacent interaction with radical showing Covid symptoms and to signifier regular manus hygiene.