That would mean the usual COVID symptoms listed by the NHS - including a high temperature or shivering, a new, continuous cough and a loss or change to sense of smell or taste - would still apply. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, feeling tired or exhausted, an aching body and a headache.

The new Covid variant XEC, more infectious than its predecessors, is rapidly spreading and manifesting intense flu-like symptoms. Originating in Germany, it is now present in various countries including the US and UK.

The side effects of newly discovered COVID strain XEC might not be more severe, but appears to be more contagious, epidemiologist Joëlla W. Adams said

The XEC Covid variant is said to be 'wiping people out' as it comes with more severe symptoms than some of its predecessors, likening it to flu as the side effects are so intense

A new Covid variant is surging across the UK, with experts saying it’s “just getting started”. XEC was first detected in Germany in June, and has since been reported in the UK, Denmark and Ukraine. Symptoms include a high temperature, aches, tiredness, a cough or sore throat, trouble sleeping and a runny nose.

A new covid-19 variant called XEC may spread more easily than past variants, but current vaccines are still effective against it

A new COVID-19 variant, called XEC, is spreading rapidly in Europe. XEC may “ become the dominant variant globally in the next few months ” because of its growth advantage over other circulating variants, according to researchers at the University of Glasgow.

A new variant of the old enemy from the pandemic is sweeping through Europe and now confirmed cases in Britain are rising.

The new XEC variant of Covid is sweeping across the globe, with the UK among the countries where cases have been detected, causing concern among experts who are warning of a further surge in infections.

The XEC variant was first spotted in the UK three weeks ago and is now the dominant variant in the country, accounting for 80.6 per cent of cases in the last week