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ARCHIVED - The XE Covid variant has arrived in Spain
The first cases of the highly transmissible coronavirus strain have been detected in Spain
While the experts widely acknowledge that Spain has overcome the peak of the sixth wave of the pandemic and the majority of Covid restrictions have been removed, the virus continues to mutate and the Omicron variant has proven particularly adaptable.
In recent weeks, as many as five different strains have been sequenced in Spain, with Omicron making up 99.3% of all infections. But one of the latest additions, the XE sublineage – a recombinant mixture between the original Omicron and the ‘stealth’ variant – is causing some concern.
Also of interest: Spain finally waves goodbye to facemasks on April 20
The XE variant was first detected in the UK on January 19 and since then more than 600 sequencings have been confirmed. It is also prevalent in other countries such as Thailand and the latest data released by the Surveillance System in Spain (SiViEs) confirms that this strain has already arrived on Spanish soil.
Early estimates by the World Health Organisation indicate that the XE variant is about 10% more transmissible than stealth Omicron, but the authorities are closely monitoring suspected cases since the level of transmissibility “requires further evidence.”
You might also like: How to get a Covid passport and how to book an appointment for a vaccination or booster jab in Spain
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