A new COVID variant, XEC, has arrived just before fall. The new variant has sprouted from the omicron variant that was first identified in late 2021. It’s possible that XEC may “become the dominant subvariant over the winter,” Francois Balloux, director of the Genetics Institute at University College London, told the BBC.

The latest strain of COVID originated in June in Germany, but has already spread across Europe, Asia and North America. Here's what to know.

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.

A new COVID variant, XEC, has arrived just before fall. The new variant has sprouted from the Omicron variant that developed in late 2021. Though XEC is new, Prof Francois Balloux, director of the Genetics Institute at University College London, told the BBC that he would be surprised if it became the dominant variant throughout winter.

Talk of the new Covid variant – known as XEC – is currently rife, with reports emerging that the variant, first detected in Germany in June, is spreading across the United States and the rest of Europe.

Even with the new variant, the CDC recommends everyone six months and older get the new COVID vaccine. They say it's your best defense.

At the end of June this year, a new variant of COVID-19, designated as XEC, was first detected in Germany and India. It is expected to spread to other contininents. On Wednesday, the British "Independent" reported that over 500 samples tested for the presence of XEC had been detected.

The new "XEC" COVID-19 variant spreading rapidly in Europe has arrived in the US. What are the symptoms, will it cause a fall surge, and are vaccines effective? Experts discuss

XEC, was first detected in Germany and India. Its appearance in other countries appears inevitable. The detection in over 500 samples tested for the presence of XEC was reported on Wednesday by the British "Independent.