Written question WQ94467
- Asked by
- Janet Finch-SaundersConservative
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 6 days
Question
What information does the Cabinet Secretary have regarding the COVID XEC variant in Wales?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
Since genomic sequencing of COVID-19 began in 2020, genetic changes in the virus have been seen. On September 24th the World Health Organisation classified the XEC variant as a Variant Under Monitoring. This means the variant is subject to greater attention and monitoring due to the possibility that it might behave differently to that of other variants in circulation.
The Welsh Government is working collaboratively with Public Health Wales who are monitoring the behaviour of the XEC variant via a multi-disciplinary horizon scanning group. Based on preliminary analysis, there is nothing to indicate the XEC variant is of any greater concern than others which are in circulation.