A new strain of Covid emerging in the UK is spreading as cases increase at a high rate, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said.

Called XEC, the strain is a combination of the KS.1.1 and KP.3.3 variants. Figures from the UKHSA show that the admission rate for patients testing positive for the new strain rose to 4.5 per 100,000 people in the week to October 6. This was up from 3.7 a week earlier.

It is thought the XEC strain is more transmissible due to its numerous mutations, and presents symptoms similar to those of other Covid variants including tiredness, headaches, a sore throat and high temperatures.

Although self-isolation is no longer a legal requirement in the UK, the NHS has advised anyone who tests positive for Covid to avoid contact with others for at least five days.

It is also recommended that contact with more vulnerable people be avoided for 10 days, to reduce the risk to them. As a general rule, it is advised anyone with symptoms at least wait for them to subside before returning to normal activities.

Here's what you need to know about the new Covid XEC strain:

The XEC strain presents similar cold and flu-like symptoms to previous variants.

They include:

The NHS has started offering autumn Covid boosters to the most vulnerable. The following groups can have an NHS Covid booster between 3 October and 20 December:

Those who qualify for the jab can also book their own appointments via the NHS App, external, GPs, pharmacies, drop-in clinics, external or by calling 119, external.