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New COVID-19 ‘Stratus’ Variant XFG Now In 38 Countries, WHO Monitoring

UNITED KINGDOM, JUL 9 – Stratus variant now accounts for about 30% of Covid cases in England and features a distinctive hoarse voice symptom while causing mild to moderate illness, according to UKHSA.

  • UKHSA data shows that in England, the Stratus variant has become dominant, marked by a unique symptom of hoarseness or scratchy voice.
  • Driven by mutations in the spike protein that aid immune evasion, Stratus’s spread is fueled by waning immunity and declining booster uptake.
  • UKHSA analysis shows cases of the XFG and XFG.3 subvariants rose from 10% in May to nearly 40% in mid-June, with these variants now making up about 30% of cases in England.
  • UKHSA data shows the dominant Stratus variant has a unique hoarse voice symptom, prompting testing and self-isolation for at-risk groups advised to booster later this year.
  • The WHO assesses Stratus as a low global risk, but ongoing transmission may still trigger a new infection wave despite its mild illness profile.
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Should you be worried about the new Covid strain Stratus? Signs and symptoms as cases on the rise in the UK

Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean Covid is taking a holiday 🤧

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Belfast Live broke the news in Belfast, United Kingdom on Sunday, July 6, 2025.
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