COVID-19 variant: What's spreading in London and what you need to know
When we talk about the COVID-19 variant, a mutated form of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that can spread faster or cause different symptoms than earlier strains. Also known as SARS-CoV-2 lineage, it’s not just another headline—it’s the reason some people feel tired for weeks after a mild cold, or why hospitals still track cases even when masks are gone. The latest version, XBB.1.16, a subvariant of Omicron that emerged in early 2023 and remains active in London’s winter waves, isn’t making people sicker on average, but it’s slipping past old immunity more easily. That means more infections, especially in older adults and those with weak immune systems—even if they’ve been boosted before.
What’s different now isn’t the hospital rates—it’s the weird COVID symptoms, unusual signs like loss of sweet taste, sudden muscle jerks, and skin that glows under UV light. These aren’t in old textbooks. They’re showing up in GP clinics across South London and East End neighborhoods. People are walking in saying, "I didn’t feel sick, but my tongue won’t taste chocolate," or "My arm twitched for no reason." Doctors aren’t ignoring it. They’re tracking it. And while most cases stay mild, these odd signs are why health officials still say: get your booster if you’re over 65, wear a mask on packed trains, and test if you feel off—even if it’s just a headache.
The truth is, COVID-19 variant isn’t gone. It’s just quieter. It doesn’t dominate headlines anymore, but it’s still in the air, in nursing homes, in crowded tube stations, and in the lungs of people who can’t afford to miss work. London’s health system stopped emergency alerts, but it never stopped monitoring. The data doesn’t lie: cases dip in summer, creep up in autumn, and spike again when the heating turns on. You don’t need to live in fear. But you do need to know what’s real. Below, you’ll find clear, up-to-date reports on the latest strains, what symptoms to watch for, how London’s hospitals are handling it, and why some people still feel the impact long after others have moved on.
What is the XEC virus? Latest facts about the new strain spreading in London
XEC is a new Omicron subvariant spreading rapidly in London, causing a rise in cases but not more severe illness. Learn what it is, how it spreads, and how to protect yourself with updated vaccines and simple precautions.