The UK Health Security Agency has stated that the UK is currently witnessing three recombinant variants of COVID, dubbed XE, XF, and XD, apart from the existing cases of Omicron and Delta.

According to the report, the recombinant variants XD and XF are a combination of the previous strains of Delta and BA.1.

It adds that XD has an Omicron S gene as well as a Delta genome, requires biological characterisation. The report adds that XF caused a small cluster in the UK but has not been detected since 15 February 2022.

A report in The Express quotes the World Health Organization as stating that XE is a particular cause of concern because it has a higher transmissibility rate. The report adds:

It adds that "early-day estimates indicate a community growth rate advantage of 10 percent as compared to BA.2, however, this finding requires further confirmation."

The report adds that until the WHO identifies significant differences in transmission and disease characteristics, XE will continue to stay under the Omicron classification.

Experts have warned of possible recombinant variants of COVID, like Deltacron, which display the traits of other variants like Delta and Omicron.

Virologist Tom Peacock has stated that while there are several recombinant variants of COVID being witnessed and designated every day, like XM, XQ, XL, and XR, all of them have been outdone by the spread of BA.2 Omicron.

American epidemiologist Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove in a conversation with the World Health Organisation stated that many variants and offshoots of COVID-19 are highly likely in the process of weaning off of the virus. She added that this was a normal part of the process.

She also warned people to continue being cautious and follow mask rules and safety measures, adding that the pandemic is not over.

(With inputs from The Express)