Covid – Omicron: with the new XE variant, you are positive for 10 days! – The Independent

The XE variant is spreading all over the planet. Scientists are gradually revealing its characteristics. This one is not the type to reassure. Was it relevant to lift the restrictive measures? This is the question that today agitates the scientific community. Torn between those who believe that the measures to prevent the spread of Covid were lifted at the right time, and those who believe it was still too early. The reason for skepticism? The arrival of new variants. Today, South Africa seems to have entered a new wave of contamination under the impulse of BA.4 and BA.5. Read also: Covid, Omicron: contaminations are increasing in South Africa, which could enter a fifth wave sooner than expected “The virus has more possibilities of spreading more widely” In the United States, New York is facing to a rise in power of BA.2.12.1. And in Europe, the XE variant is gaining ground. Especially in the UK and Spain. A variant which is actually a recombinant of the Omicron sub-variants, BA.1 and BA.2 and which has been deemed “10% more contagious” than its predecessor BA.2 by the World Health Organization. Ray symptoms, loss of taste and loss of smell also seem to be making a comeback with the XE variant. To read also: Covid – Omicron: which more severe symptoms of the first waves reappear with the new XE variant? We also know a little more about other characteristics: with the XE variant, the patient is infected longer than with the other variants. This is announced by Professor Denis Kinane, founding scientist of Cignpost Diagnostics, a major British supplier of Covid tests. Data for the XE variant show a positive PCR test for 10 or more days, far longer than the usual 6 seen for other strains, “meaning the virus has more opportunity to spread more widely,” it says. -he in the columns of the Mirror. A professor who points to a declining level of testing and sequencing. In question, the end of the measures which, according to him, does not make it possible to fight against a variant with such characteristics. New Covid XE variant that ‘makes people test positive for longer’ sparks warning – The Mirror – Danya Bazaraa :: Source: https://t.co/Lv9OW7UTP8— trackntrace (@trackntracer) May 4, 2022