A new Covid-19 variant known as ‘Stratus’ is reportedly sweeping across the globe, and people who contract it are displaying unique symptoms.
Also identified as two strains known as XFG and XFG.3, more than 30 per cent of recent UK cases are thought to have come from the new Covid-19 variants.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also recently confirmed that Stratus cases were "growing rapidly” and have been detected in at least 38 countries, but the spread isn’t thought to be a serious concern at this time.
It’s been designated a “variant under monitoring” by the WHO, meaning it is currently low risk but scientists will be keeping an eye on its development in case it begins to pose a risk in the future.
So, what do you need to know about this new Covid variant?
What is the XFG covid variant?
The XFG or Stratus COVID-19 variant was first discovered in January 2025 and belongs to the Omicron family. It’s thought to be a development of two other recombined variants: LF.7 and LP.8.1.2.
Much like the other Covid variant Nimbus, it gets its name from a type of cloud.
While it’s currently not the most dominant Covid-19 variant around the word, scientists have started to notice a rise in cases testing positive for XFG or XFG.3.
According to the WHO, vaccines are understood to be effective against this strain, but a slight “immune evasion” is still being studied.
“Currently approved COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective to this variant against symptomatic and severe disease,” a report by the organisation confirmed.
The WHO report continues: “XFG is growing rapidly compared to co-circulating variants globally. However, XFG exhibits only marginal additional immune evasion over LP.8.1. While there are reported increases in cases and hospitalizations in some of the SEAR countries, which has the highest proportion of XFG, there are no reports to suggest that the associated disease severity is higher as compared to other circulating variants.”
Stratus Covid-19 symptoms
The new Stratus Covid-19 variant appears to be causing people unique symptoms that may serve as a clear indication that they have contracted the virus.
While the new variant is still being studied to fully understand it’s impact, some reports claim that people with stratus are developing a “hoarseness” in their voices.
A medical specialist speaking to Cosmpolitan suggested that people should look out for a “scratchy or raspy voice," but maintained that most cases are mild or moderate.
Despite these new signs, the most effective way to confirm Covid-19 cases is to get properly tested and to take the necessary precautions to reduce the spread of the virus.
