NEW Covid-19 variant XEC has been detected in Ireland after sweeping “rapidly” across the globe.
Ireland’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre have reported that the new strain accounted for 7.1 per cent of all officially recorded cases over the past five weeks.
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There were 1,502 cases associated with outbreaks in hospitals or healthcare settingsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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The XEC variant has been found in at least 29 countries across Europe, North America and AsiaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
It said: “Emerging lineage XEC (KP.3 and KS.1.1 recombinant – recently named VUM by WHO and ECDC) accounted for 7.1 per cent of sequences in the last five week period.”
There have been 4,415 Covid-19 cases confirmed as infected with the JN.1, which has dominated circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants globally since December 23 and its sublineages to date in Ireland.
Of the cases, 1,502 were associated with outbreaks in hospital or healthcare settings.
The XEC was first detected in June in Germany and has since been found in at least 29 countries across Europe, North America, and Asia.
Scientists don’t believe the variant is more deadly than some of its predecessors, but they say it is transmitted more easily due to its numerous mutations.
There were 140 hospital in-patients with confirmed Covid-19 yesterday, but most are there for other illnesses.
And 11 patients were in intensive care units with the virus.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of the XEC variant are also similar to other Covid-19 strains, including fever, body aches and chills, dry cough and fatigue.
HSE explain how the Emergency Department works and what to expect
Less common symptoms of Covid according to the HSE include runny or blocked nose, conjunctivitis, loss or change of smell or taste, nasal congestion, sore throat, headache, muscle or joint pain, nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea and chills or dizziness.
Health experts say that many of the symptoms of Covid can be treated at home.
And most people feel better after a few days or weeks.
But if you are concerned about any of your symptoms, phone your GP.
Any treatment you may need depends on the symptoms you have.
Some people do not need any treatment if their symptoms are very mild.
And it can take up to 14 days for symptoms to show.
HSE advises staying at home until 48 hours after your symptoms are mostly or fully gone and avoiding contact with other people.
You should contact your GP if your symptoms do not improve after 4 weeks or if you are over 60 or at higher risk and your symptoms get worse.
Older people and people with underlying conditions are most at risk of their conditions worsening suddenly.
COVID-19 SIGNS
Most common symptoms:
Fever (high temperature with 38 degrees Celsius or above)Dry coughFatigue
Less common symptoms:
loss or change to your sense of smell or tastenasal congestion (runny or blocked nose)conjunctivitis (also known as red eye or pink eye)sore throatheadachemuscle or joint pain (aches and pains)different types of skin rashnausea or vomitingdiarrhoeachills or dizziness
Severe symptoms:
shortness of breath or breathing difficultiesloss of appetiteconfusionpain or pressure in the chestfever (high temperature – 38 degrees Celsius or above)
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Publish date : 2024-10-17 03:18:00
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The post Symptoms of new Covid-19 variant XEC as it’s detected in Ireland after sweeping ‘rapidly’ across Europe first appeared on Love Europe.
Author : love-europe
Publish date : 2024-10-18 20:54:07
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