There are four key Covid symptoms to look out for as the UK has seen an increase in patients testing positive for the disease. And, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the XEC strain of coronavirus has been spreading in the UK.

XEC is a combination of the KS.1.1 and KP.3.3 variants. It is thought to be highly contagious due to the number of mutations it carries.

It was first discovered in Germany and has since been found in 27 countries across Europe, Asia, and North America.

As reported by The Independent, the latest figures from the UKHSA show that the admission rate for patients testing positive rose to 4.5 per 100,000 people in the week to October 6. This was up from 3.7 a week earlier.

In an update, Doctor Jamie Lopez Bernal - consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, stated that around 13 percent of Covid cases in the UK are caused by XEC.

However, “current information doesn’t suggest we should be more concerned about this variant,” he added.

He said: “We are monitoring this closely and vaccination still offers the best protection.”

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While self-isolation is no longer mandatory in the UK, the NHS urges anyone who tests positive for Covid to avoid contact with others for at least five days.

You should also stay away from vulnerable people for 10 days, the health body says.

What are Covid XEC symptoms?

It is believed that the XEC strain presents similar cold and flu-like symptoms to previous variants.

This includes these four key symptoms:

• A high temperature
• Aches
• Tiredness
• A cough or sore throat.

But you might also notice headaches, a blocked or runny nose, loss of appetite, loss or change to your smell or taste, diarrhoea, and nausea.

Booster jabs will be available until December 20 this year. They will be offered to those deemed most vulnerable to Covid, which include:

• Over-65s
• People aged between six months and 64 years with health conditions that make them more vulnerable
• People living in care homes for older people
• Frontline health and social-care staff, including in care homes for older people.

The NHS will contact eligible patients directly, but they can also book their own appointments now via the NHS App, GPs, pharmacies, drop-in clinics, or by calling 119. Anyone also entitled to the flu jab, will be offered this at the same time.