New COVID Strain: What’s Really Happening in London Right Now

When we talk about the new COVID strain, a rapidly evolving form of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that’s driving recent case spikes in London. Also known as XEC, it’s not the same virus from 2020—it’s a smarter, quieter version that’s blending into everyday colds and flu. Unlike earlier versions, it doesn’t always make you feverish or lose your taste. Instead, people report strange things: a sweet taste disappearing, muscles twitching for no reason, or skin that feels oddly warm to the touch. These aren’t myths. They’re real symptoms being tracked by London hospitals and confirmed by patients in Camden, Croydon, and Tower Hamlets.

This XEC virus, a new Omicron subvariant first identified in the UK in late 2024. Also known as XBB.1.16, it’s not more deadly—but it’s better at slipping past immunity from past infections or vaccines. That’s why you’re seeing more cases among older adults and people with weak immune systems, even if they’ve had boosters. The NHS isn’t overwhelmed like in 2021, but GP clinics are busier. Walk-in centers in East London are reporting 30% more respiratory visits than last month. The real danger isn’t hospitalization—it’s the slow burn of fatigue, brain fog, and lingering weakness that sticks around for weeks. This isn’t long COVID from 2022. It’s a new kind of fatigue, one that shows up after a mild cough and doesn’t go away with rest.

What’s different now? Testing is mostly gone. You won’t find free PCR kits at pharmacies. The government stopped funding them in 2024. So if you feel off, you assume it’s a cold. But if you’re over 65, pregnant, or have asthma or diabetes, you need to act fast. A simple call to NHS 111 can get you an antiviral prescription—something that still works against XEC. And yes, the updated 2025 vaccine still offers strong protection against severe outcomes. You don’t need to isolate. But you should avoid hospitals, care homes, and crowded places for five days. That’s not fear. That’s common sense.

London’s health system has adapted. There are no masks on the Tube. No QR code checks at restaurants. But the city’s public health team is quietly tracking this strain through wastewater tests and hospital data. They’re not panicking. But they’re not ignoring it either. The data shows XEC is here to stay—just like the flu. And that means your best defense isn’t a lockdown. It’s staying informed, knowing your risk, and acting before it turns into something worse.

Below, you’ll find real stories from Londoners who’ve had it, clear guides on what symptoms to watch for, and the latest updates from the city’s health teams. No fluff. No fearmongering. Just what you need to know to stay safe—and keep your life moving.