425 new infectionf of coronavirus, mostly believed to be the new Stratus variant (also known as XFG), were recorded in Ireland in the first week of September as experts warn of unusual early symptom
A Covid variant is coming in under the radar and leaving people with symptoms that could easily be overlooked as the new strain spreads rapidly through the population.
Health experts in Ireland recorded 425 new infections in the first week of September, with the Stratus variant (also known as XFG), said to be behind the vast majority of new cases. It is said to be spreading among the population with unusual early warning signs.
The variant is surging rapidly, now accounting for 76.1 per cent of reported infections compared to just 49.3 per cent six weeks ago, Ireland’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre said.
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According to the World Health Organization, Stratus is a “variant under monitoring”. It is not thought to produce a more severe illness, but it can spread faster than earlier strains.
It brings with it a subtle, early symptom that people could shake off rather than acknowledging as an illness. Stratus’ most common early warning sign is a hoarse or raspy voice, which then makes way for the classic Covid indicators like a fever or a cough.
Speaking to Cosmopolitan UK, Harley Street GP Dr Kaywaan Khan said: “One of the most noticeable symptoms of the Stratus variant is hoarseness, which includes a scratchy or raspy voice.”
Doctors have also logged a number of other symptoms, including nasal congestion, sore throats, stomach upsets and fatigue, according to the Irish Mirror. Infectious disease specialist Dr Peter Chin-Hong from the University of California San Francisco warned that Stratus presents a “wider range of symptoms” than previous variants.
He told SFGATE : “There’s a little bit more sore throats with some people. Particularly in those who are older, who didn’t get vaccinated last year. It’s more transmissible, so we expect that a lot of people will get it. Particularly with kids going back to school, a sniffle is likely going to be Covid.”
Even as new symptoms emerge, Ireland’s official Covid guidance has not changed. The HSE said: “If you have any symptoms of Covid and feel unwell, you should: stay at home until 48 hours after your symptoms are mostly or fully gone avoid contact with other people, especially people at higher risk from Covid. You do not need a Covid test unless a GP or health professional tells you to.”
In its advice, the NHS has provided a long list of symptoms of traditional Covid-19 for Brits to watch out for.
Symptoms of COVID-19
COVID-19 symptoms can include:
- a high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
- shortness of breath
- feeling tired or exhausted
- an aching body
- a headache
- a sore throat
- a blocked or runny nose
- loss of appetite
- diarrhoea
- feeling sick or being sick
The symptoms are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu. Most people feel better within a few weeks, but it can take longer to recover. For some people, it can be a more serious illness and their symptoms can last longer.