05-07-2025
Key symptom of the Covid stratus variant as UK cases rise
A new Covid strain, named Stratus, is circulating in the UK, with its XFG.3 variant accounting for 30 per cent of cases in England.
Some experts suggest the Stratus variant is uniquely associated with giving people a hoarse voice, unlike other strains.
Despite its prevalence, health experts from the UKHSA and the World Health Organisation are not concerned, stating it is normal for viruses to mutate.
The World Health Organisation has designated XFG as a "variant under monitoring" and assesses its additional public health risk as low globally.
Current data indicates that the Stratus variant does not lead to more severe illness or deaths, nor is it expected to reduce the effectiveness of existing vaccines.
