New Covid variant 'Stratus' is spreading and has a unique symptom: here are the signs to look out for

Cosmopolitan

3 days ago

It's been five years since the coronavirus outbreak, and while vaccines have made things safer for those more vulnerable, Covid is still something we ought to look out for and be made aware of.
The World Health Organisation has issued a statement saying the XFG variant, also dubbed 'Stratus', will likely become the dominant variant soon, with symptoms ever so slightly different to the classic heavy cough and tiredness we've come to associate with Covid.
Stratus is thought to have become the dominant strain in India and is spreading across the world. GISAID, a global initiative which tracks variants, found a sharp increase in samples containing the Stratus variant when examining data from 38 countries. The company reported 22.7% of all samples tested were Stratus positive, up 7.4% from the week before.
'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, tells 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.'
And before anyone starts panicking, the WHO have also stated it believes 'currently approved vaccines are still effective against any symptomatic or severe disease'.
Here's what we know about Stratus Covid variant so far.
As Dr Khan explains: 'Coronaviruses are a group of viruses, named after their crown-like appearance, where there are many strains including those that cause the common cold illness. Stratus Covid variant, also referred to as XFG, is a new subvariant of Omicron that has been circulating around the globe and now accounts for 25% of COVID cases (as of May 2025).'
By now, we're likely all familiar with the more general Covid symptoms of a temperature, loss of taste or smell, and a cough.
However, there is one prominent new thing to look out for when it comes to Stratus.
'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.
'Regardless of whether the symptoms mimic a cold or flu, testing continues to be the critical step in eliminating the possibility of a coronavirus infection.'
Things have certainly changed a lot since the days of lockdown – but if you're feeling unwell and experiencing any of the above symptoms, it's important to take a Covid test. They are no longer free, but you can pick them up from retailers such as Amazon and Boots.
'If you test positive, Stratus is highly contagious, and it is advised to stay home and isolate to avoid spreading to others,' Dr Khan says. 'During recovery, focus on getting plenty of rest and drinking fluids regularly.'
He adds that if symptoms worsen after a few days or you are in a high-risk group, then it is important to book in for a consultation with your GP to get personalised medical advice. If your symptoms become severe, such as difficulty breathing or chest pain, it is important to seek urgent medical attention.
'As a doctor seeing and treating patients first-hand, I want to advocate, as I always do, a prevention better than cure approach,' Dr Khan adds. '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.'
This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Kimberley Bond is a Multiplatform Writer for Harper's Bazaar, focusing on the arts, culture, careers and lifestyle. She previously worked as a Features Writer for Cosmopolitan UK, and has bylines at The Telegraph, The Independent and British Vogue among countless others.