![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/covid-nightmare-variant-hits-18-uk-cases/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1_TOPSHOT-BRITAIN-HEALTH-VIRUS-ECONOMY-BUSINESS.jpg&description=It is thought that the mutant strain may be a factor in the recent spike in cases because it spreads quickly and appears to evade people's vaccine protectionThe XBB strain may be a factor in the recent spike in cases because it spreads quickly and appears to evade people's vaccine protection A Covid strain dubbed the "nightmare" variant" has reached 18 cases in the UK, with scientists urging the public to remain up-to-date with vaccinations. It's after 18 samples of the mutant XBB strain were detected in the UK out of a global total of 1,086,639 samples, which were uploaded from Singapore. It is thought that the variant may be a factor in the recent spike in cases because it spreads quickly and appeared to evade people's vaccine protection. While the mutant XBB strain has not been officially designated a variant of concern yet, experts were monitoring the situation closely. It's one of two new mutant strains of coronavirus that have emerged in the UK; the second being the BQ.1 variant. There have been over 700 cases of the BQ.1 variant logged in the UK, so far. While the XBB strain has not been designated as variants of concern, experts are monitoring the situation closely ( Getty Images/iStockphoto) Dr Meera Chand, Director of Clinical and Emerging Infection at the UK Health Standards Agency (UKHSA), said: "It is not unexpected to see new variants of SARS-CoV-2 emerge. "Neither BQ.1 nor XBB have been designated as variants of concern and UKHSA is monitoring the situation closely, as always. "Vaccination remains our best defence against future Covid-19 waves, so it is still as important as ever that people come take up all the doses for which they are eligible as soon as possible." XBB was first found in India in August and has since been found in Bangladesh, Japan, Singapore and at least 13 more countries - including Australia and Denmark. There has been a spike in positive cases ( Getty Images) It has also been detected in Hong Kong. Singapore Ministry of Health s){kind=link}
It is thought that the mutant strain may be a factor in the recent spike in cases because it spreads quickly and appears to evade people’s vaccine protection
A Covid strain dubbed the “nightmare” variant” has reached 18 cases in the UK, with scientists urging the public to remain up-to-date with vaccinations.
It’s after 18 samples of the mutant XBB strain were detected in the UK out of a global total of 1,086,639 samples, which were uploaded from Singapore.
It is thought that the variant may be a factor in the recent spike in cases because it spreads quickly and appeared to evade people’s vaccine protection.
While the mutant XBB strain has not been officially designated a variant of concern yet, experts were monitoring the situation closely.