As the world battles the Omicron variant, the World Health Organisation(WHO) has informed about the Covid hybrid Omicron XE which is a recombinant strain. It is a mutant hybrid of the two virus versions - Omicron variant BA.

Explainer: WHO warns about new Omicron hybrid XE: Is it more transmissible?

According to South African epidemiologist professor Salim Abdool Karim, co-chair of the health ministry's scientific committee, the new coronavirus variant identified in the country is more contagious than earlier versions.

South African virus strain more contagious, says expert

The restrictions, which applied with immediate effect, were introduced following the discovery of two cases of the virus strain in Britain.

UK announces South Africa travel restrictions over new Covid strain