**Highly Infectious New Covid ‘Stratus’ Variant Overtakes UK, Experts Warn of Distinct Symptom**
A new and highly contagious strain of Covid-19, known as ‘Stratus’, has quickly swept across the United Kingdom and is now the dominant variant in circulation. Health authorities and scientists are sounding the alarm over the rapid spread and the ability of the strain to evade immunity, raising concerns of a fresh wave of infections.
The variant, officially titled XFG and often referred to informally as Stratus, has demonstrated an uncanny ability to outpace other strains of the virus both in terms of transmission and in infecting individuals who have already contracted Covid or received vaccines. According to new data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the proportion of Covid cases attributed to Stratus has soared from just 10 per cent in May to an estimated 40 per cent by mid-June.
Particularly striking about the Stratus variant is a unique symptom that sets it apart from other Covid strains. Dr Kaywaan Khan, founder of the Hannah London Clinic and regular contributor on viral trends, highlighted the appearance of hoarseness or a noticeably scratchy and raspy voice among those infected. Unlike typical symptoms of past variants, hoarseness appears to be more distinctive with Stratus, although the overall effects usually remain within the mild to moderate range for most patients.
While the evolving virus is not currently believed to cause more severe illness than its predecessors, its contagiousness is prompting medical authorities to urge the public to be cautious. Dr Khan has advised anyone who tests positive for the virus to isolate themselves to prevent further spread, given how swiftly Stratus appears to transmit between individuals.
Professor Lawrence Young, virologist at Warwick University, has attributed the sudden surge of Stratus cases to the variant’s new mutations in the spike protein, which enable it to skirt past immune defences that may have developed from earlier infections or booster jabs. “The competitiveness of XFG and its offshoot XFG.3 is linked to these mutations, which help them sidestep the immune response,” he explained. Professor Young also cautioned that with declining immunity in the population—due partly to lower uptake of recent booster vaccinations and falling infections prior to the new wave—many more people could now be vulnerable to the new strain.
Adding a global perspective, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has already classified Stratus as a ‘variant under monitoring’. Globally, it accounts for approximately 22 per cent of Covid cases, indicating its presence is far from a localised phenomenon. Its rise follows that of another recent Covid variant, named Nimbus, which was characterised by a particularly sore throat and reportedly accounts for 17 per cent of currently tracked cases in the UK.
Dr Michael Gregory, Regional Medical Director for NHS England, has echoed concerns over the aggressiveness of the recent outbreaks. He noted that, in addition to hoarseness, the leading symptoms reported include a sore throat so pronounced it has been described as feeling like a ‘razor blade’, as well as swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
Despite the mildness of most cases, the public health advice has not changed; people are reminded to get tested if experiencing symptoms and, if positive, to stay indoors to limit transmission, particularly to those who may be clinically vulnerable or have not received recent Covid boosters.
The fluctuating nature of the virus continues to challenge both health experts and the broader community. While the available information does not portend an immediate health crisis, officials are maintaining a close watch and encouraging continued vigilance.
As the number of Stratus cases continues to climb, medical professionals are reminding the public not to become complacent about the risk of new variants, even as legal restrictions have eased. With an ever-evolving landscape, authorities and researchers remain focussed on tracking mutations and developing guidance to navigate the ongoing pandemic safely.