A new strain of coronavirus is spreading in 15 countries

A novel variant of SARS-CoV-2 is rapidly spreading worldwide, capturing researchers’ attention due to its accelerated propagation. Indeed, 111 samples from 15 countries across three continents have already been documented. The variant, designated Xec, was initially identified in Berlin in June 2024 and has since spread rapidly across Europe, North America, and Asia. Researchers have found that the variant has a significantly higher growth rate of 3.8% per day (27% per week) compared to previous variants. Its symptoms include fever, colds, coughs, and muscle aches. Raj Rajnarayanan, Professor at Nyitcom-Arkansas State University, is monitoring the progression of the virus in several charts he has published on X. One of these charts, issued on 18 August, showed the presence of two Xec sequences in Italy. The survey was conducted in Veneto and Trentino Alto Adige on 31 July and 18 July, respectively.