*The XE variant has so far been detected in 637 patients, according to the latest statistics from the U.K. Health Security Agency.
*It is what’s known as a “recombinant,” meaning it contains a mix of the previously highly infectious omicron BA.1 strain, which emerged in late 2021, and the newer BA.2 variant, currently the U.K.’s dominant variant.
*Such recombinants are not uncommon, however health authorities said there is currently not enough evidence to draw conclusions on its transmissibility or severity.