Interactive map reveals how the new Covid variant XEC is ripping across the globe – as UK cases surge [Video]

A WORRYING new strain of Covid is spreading “rapidly” across the globe, experts have warned.

XEC was first detected in Germany in June 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.

XEC, a sublineage of Omicron which is said to be “taking charge” globally, is now thought to account for one in 10 cases in England.

About 11 per cent of Covid infections are believed to be XEC in Scotland, 13 per cent in Wales, and 24 per cent in Northern Ireland, according to outbreak.info.

Worldwide, the Czech Republic had the highest prevalence of the variant over the last 60 days, with 16 per cent of samples containing XEC.

This was closely followed by Germany, Austria, the …