Even as the Covid graph in India shows a declining trajectory, the first case of a new coronavirus variant called Omicron XE has been reported in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said today. The BMC said another patient has also been infected with the Kappa variant.

The development is serious as the Omicron XE variant could be 10% more transmissible than the Omicron BA.2 variant, which is currently causing massive infections in the UK, warn health experts.

The BMC statement said two patients were infected with XE and Kappa, while 228 were found positive for Omicron of the total 230 samples sent for genome sequencing. The sample data shows that 21 patients were admitted to hospitals with mild symptoms. Of them, 12 had not received the Covid vaccine but 9 had taken both Covid jabs.

What is Omicron XE variant

As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), Omicron XE is the hybrid combination of both sub-variants, BA.1 and BA.2, of a highly infectious Covid variant called Omicron. Omicron XE was first detected in the U.K.. Health officials in the UK have warned that Omicron XE could be the fastest-spreading Covid variant so far, though many experts have tried to allay fears around this new variant.

The U.K. Health Security Agency (UKHSA), in its statement on March 25, had said a total of 637 cases of XE – a recombinant of Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 – have been confirmed in the UK so far. The earliest of these has a specimen date of January 19, 2022.

"There is currently insufficient evidence to draw conclusions about growth advantage or other properties of this variant. We continue to monitor all recombinants closely, routinely through our world-leading genomic surveillance and sequencing capability," the U.K.'s top health body said.

What is recombinant variant

A recombinant variant occurs when an individual becomes infected with 2 or more variants at the same time, resulting in a mixing of their genetic material within the patient’s body. This is not an unusual occurrence and several recombinant SARS-CoV-2 variants have been identified over the course of the pandemic.

As with any other coronavirus (Covid-19) variant, the vast majority do not confer any advantage to the virus and die out relatively quickly.

U.K.H.S.A.’s new analysis examines 3 recombinants, known as XF, XE, and XD. Of these, XD and XF are recombinants of Delta and Omicron BA.1, while XE is a recombinant of Omicron BA.1 and BA.2.

In the U.K., 38 cases of XF have been identified, though none have been seen since mid-February. There is currently no evidence of community transmission within the country. XD has not been identified in the U.K. to date, though 49 cases have been reported to global databases, the majority of them being in France.

Omicron XE variant

New Covid variant Omicron XE detected in India; should you worry?