Researchers indicate that the vaccine and booster shots should protect against the new variant. Here is what we know about the XEC variant and what you can do to stay healthy.

COVID-19 variant trackers are now closely watching the rise of a new virus variant called XEC, which has been spotted around the world and in half of states across the United States. Health officials are so far not raising concern about this variant,

Two new COVID-19 strains are circulating globally. Here's what we know about them and what experts anticipate.

At the end of June this year, a new variant of COVID-19 labelled XEC, was detected for the first time in Germany and India. Its appearance in other countries is inevitable. The British "Independent" reported on Wednesday that XEC was detected in over 500 samples collected for testing.

The XEC COVID variant has spread rapidly in some European countries, and it's now been reported in some U.S. states. But experts said there's no reason to think it poses a new threat.