New Covid strain spreads across UK with unique symptom
Warning issued over highly infectious new Covid strain
- The Stratus Covid-19 variant, which includes the XFG and XFG.3 strains, currently accounts for around 30 per cent of Covid-19 cases in England.
- A unique symptom associated with the Stratus variant is a hoarse voice, although its symptoms are generally considered mild to moderate.
- While some experts suggest Stratus may be able to evade immunity from previous infections or vaccinations, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) indicates there is no evidence it causes more severe illness or reduces vaccine effectiveness.
- The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified Stratus as a "variant under monitoring" but currently assesses its risk to global public health as low.
- Experts warned that declining population immunity, due to reduced booster uptake and fewer recent infections, could increase susceptibility to Stratus and potentially lead to a new wave of infections.