XEC is also an offshoot of omicron, the widely spread variant that formed in 2021. According to experts, it has some of omicron’s features, too — like less severe symptoms and easy transmissibility.

The side effects of newly discovered COVID strain XEC might not be more severe, but appears to be more contagious, ...

Omicron variant KP.3.1.1, also known as deFLuQE, made up over half (52.7%) of COVID-19 cases between Sept. 1 and Sept. 14. However, XEC and a variant known as MV.1 seem poised to become the next ...

COVID symptoms can be mild, severe, or nonexistent, according to the CDC—and can appear as late as two weeks after you’ve ...