There are already quite a few covid variants that we need to be on the lookout for when we fall ill in terms of its symptoms - and when it comes to the list - it seems it is always being updated.
But not long after we have managed to get over the latest wave, it seems a brand new strain is already here.
According to reports, a new 'mutant' variant called XE has been found in the UK and early data suggests it could be around 10% more transmissible than other omicron mutations.
READ MORE - 'Stealth omicron' covid symptoms that may appear before you test positive
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSCA) is studying XE which is said to be a mutation of the BA.1 and BA.2 omicron strains which is said to have a growth rate of 9.8% above the stealth BA.2 variant
It is unknown how many cases are in Scotland and the rest of the UK, however Sky News has said that 637 cases were confirmed in England as of March 22, according to government figures.
The agency warned that the "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. Numbers were too small for the XE recombinant to be analysed by region."
Professor Susan Hopkins, the UKHSA's chief medical advisor transition lead, said that these variants, know as recombinant tend to die off "relatively quickly" however there is not enough evidence to confirm it's transmissibility, severity or effectiveness against the covid vaccine.
A WHO (Word Health Organisation) report said: "Early-day estimates indicate a community growth rate advantage of 10% 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."
The variant has also been detected in Thailand and New Zealand.
Symptoms of omicron (BA.1) and stealth omicron (BA.2)
'Stealth omicron' symptoms have been described as almost identical to those of the original omicron variant.
The symptoms of Omicron according to the ZOE Covid study are:
Dry/scratchy throat
Runny nose
Sneezing
Mild muscle aches
Fatigue
Some less common symptoms include:
- Fainting
- Congestion
- Brain fog
- Skin rashes
- Conjunctivitis
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sleep paralysis
- Night sweats
- Dizziness
