A new Covid variant has been detected in the UK and there are early signs that it could be more transmissible than other Omicron mutations.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSCA) is looking into XE - a mutation of BA.1 and BA.2 Omicron strains, Sky News has reported.
Since March 22, 637 XE Covid cases have been found in England.
Although more research needs to be conducted, according to Government figures, since March 16, the new strain has a growth rate of 9.8 per cent above that of the fast spreading BA.2 variant that is dominant in Scotland.
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While it has also been detected in in Thailand and New Zealand, a WHO report said: "Early-day estimates indicate a community growth rate advantage of 10 per cent as compared to BA.2.
"However this finding requires further confirmation. XE belongs to the Omicron variant until significant differences in transmission and disease characteristics, including severity, may be reported."
UKHSCA have warned: "As this estimate has not remained consistent as new data have been added, it cannot yet be interpreted as an estimate of growth advantage for the recombinant."
They add: "Numbers were too small for the XE recombinant to be analysed by region."
Professor Susan Hopkins, the UKHSA's chief medical advisor transition lead, has reassured that such variants, know as recombinant, usually die off "relatively quickly".
Speaking to The Sun, Professor Hopkins said: "So far there is not enough evidence to draw conclusions about transmissibility, severity or vaccine effectiveness."
