The NHS has urged people to stay home if they spot three signs of a new strain of Coronavirus. People are being advised to avoid contact amid a spike in Covid cases.

If you are suffering from Covid symptoms, the NHS warned against two common habits which many of us do at night. “Do not lie on your back if you have a cough – lie on your side or sit upright instead,” the health body said. “Do not use a fan to cool your room as it may spread the virus.”

A new highly transmissible COVID-19 strain that first appeared in Europe is now beginning to spread in the United States. Called XEC, the offshoot of the Omicron strain was initially identified in Germany early this past summer before quickly spreading throughout Europe.

In today’s health headlines, what to know about the new COVID XEC strain, an ebola-like virus is spreading in Rwanda, and a message for parents about childhood vaccine exemptions. Dr. Onyema Ogbuagu,

Here's what you need to know about the new XEC variant, which could soon become the dominant form of COVID-19.

The XEC Covid variant is said to be 'wiping people out' as it comes with more severe symptoms than some of its predecessors, likening it to flu as the side effects are so intense

A new - and potentially more transmissible - variant of COVID could become dominant this winter, experts believe. Global cases of the XEC variant have been rising slowly since it was first identified in Germany in June.