The new variant has come out of seemingly nowhere, but now is fast becoming the dominant strain of the potentially deadly virus with scientists tracking it with concern
A new variant of Covid has emerged, with different symptoms rapidly becoming the dominant strain in many parts of the world.
The most recent figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show that the XFG strain, known as Stratus, is swiftly proliferating across England, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) alerting to its “rapidly growing” presence worldwide.
The WHO has warned it will become the dominant variant soon. GISAIS, a global program which tracks different variants, found a massive surge of Stratus cases. They reported 22.7 per cent of all samples tested were Stratus positive, up 7.4 per cent from the week before.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Stratus variant.
What makes Stratus different
Virologist Professor Lawrence Young of Warwick University revealed to MailOnline the worrying rise of the Stratus variant and its forms XFG and XFG. 3: “The increased competitiveness of XFG and XFG.3 is likely due to new spike mutations which make these variants more able to evade the immune response.”
He sounded an alarm over waning immunity among the public, as a result of declining uptake of the spring booster vaccination and receding Covid infection numbers recently. Prof Young warned: “This could lead to a new wave of infection but it’s difficult to predict the extent of this wave.”
“Unlike other variants, Stratus has certain mutations in the spike protein which could help it evade antibodies developed from prior infections or vaccinations,” Dr Kaywaan Khan, Harley Street GP and Founder of Hannah London Clinic, told Cosmopolitan UK. “Despite this, it is important to mention that Stratus seems to be no worse than earlier Omicron variants in terms of illness, hospitalisations, or deaths.”
Thankfully the approved vaccines still work against this new strain.
Symptoms of the Stratus variant
The more general Covid symptoms like loss of taste or smell is still present. But Stratus ups the ante.
“One of the most noticeable symptoms of the Stratus variant is hoarseness, which includes a scratchy or raspy voice,” explains Dr Khan. “Though the symptoms manifest differently and vary from person to person, the symptoms of Stratus tend to be mild to moderate.”
How quickly it spreads
Stratus is highly contagious.
Anyone who tests positive is advised to stay at home and isolate. If the patient is part of a vulnerable group then it’s important to go to the doctor.
The good doctors added: “As a doctor seeing and treating patients first-hand, I want to advocate, as I always do, a prevention better than cure approach. Covid can spread easily from person to person, especially if they touch infected surfaces and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth.
“People can also catch Covid if they breathe in droplets from a person with Covid, who coughs out or exhales droplets. Therefore, regularly washing hands and maintaining a one metre distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing is still the best preventative advice. As well as this, staying up to date with your Covid vaccinations is advised to protect yourself from severe illness.”