Omicron XE: 'Hybrid virus' most transmissible Covid variant to date

In the UK, over 1,200 cases of the XE variant have been recorded. File picture

A new variant of the Omicron strain of Covid-19, believed to be about 10% to 20% more transmissible, is likely to be circulating in Ireland, a leading immunologist has said.

Cases of Omicron XE, a recombinant or combination of the previous Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 variants, have already been detected in the North and Britain.