New Covid strain that can 'change your voice' hits UK
The Stratus strain stands out for causing a distinctive symptom of hoarseness in those infected.
This strain has two subvariants, XFG and XFG. 3, with the latter being more prevalent than any other single variant, as per the latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
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Currently, the XFG and XFG. 3 variants represent approximately 30% of Covid-19 cases in England, the UKHSA reports.
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Dr Alex Allen, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, remarked, "It is normal for viruses to mutate and change over time," and assured that the agency continues to monitor all COVID strains within the UK.
Despite warnings about its highly contagious nature, Dr Allen pointed out: "Based on the available information so far, there is no evidence to suggest that the XFG and XFG.3 variants cause more severe disease than previous variants, or that the vaccines in current use will be less effective against them."
This update arrives as new Covid variants persist in their spread across the nation, with the Nimbus variant causing intense sore throats akin to razor blades just last month.
Identified as NB. 1.8.1, the Nimbus variant originated from Omicron and was initially detected in January this year.
Having rapidly disseminated throughout China and Hong Kong, Nimbus has now been identified in various states in the United States and in Australia.
The true scale of the spread of Covid-19 variants can be tough to gauge due to the substantial drop in testing since the peak of the pandemic five years ago.
"Given that immunity to Covid is waning in the population due to a decline in uptake of the spring booster jab and the reduction of Covid infections in recent months, more people will be susceptible to infection with XFG and XFG.3," Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at Warwick University, remarked while speaking with MailOnline.
"This could lead to a new wave of infection but it's difficult to predict the extent of this wave."
Warnings have also surfaced regarding the new variant Stratus' potential to bypass immunity provided by vaccines.
"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, explained to Cosmopolitan UK.
"One of the most noticeable symptoms of the Stratus variant is hoarseness, which includes a scratchy or raspy voice," Dr Khan noted, mentioning that symptoms typically range from mild to moderate.
As per an update on 22 June, Stratus comprised 22.7 per cent of global COVID-19 cases, as stated by the WHO.
The WHO has labelled Stratus as a "variant under monitoring" and observed that present evidence indicates it poses a low risk to global public health.
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