New Covid Stratus variant becomes dominant in UK with unique symptom
In just a month, Stratus infections have skyrocketed due to its capacity to reinfect those who've previously contracted Covid or have been vaccinated.
According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Stratus is now the leading Covid variant in England, jumping from 10% of cases in May to 40% by mid-June. Notably, two versions of Stratus are in circulation: XFG and XFG. 3.
Speaking to Cosmopolitan UK, Dr Kaywaan Khan, a Harley Street GP and founder of Hannah London Clinic, noted: "Unlike other variants, Stratus has certain mutations in the spike protein which could help it evade antibodies developed from prior infections or vaccinations."
Dr Khan also said that Stratus doesn't seem to make people 'more ill' than earlier strains but highlighted a unique symptom: "One of the most noticeable symptoms of the Stratus variant is hoarseness, which includes a scratchy or raspy voice.", reports Wales Online. Dr Khan said in general, the symptoms of Stratus tend to be 'mild to moderate'
Dr Khan said: "If you test positive, Stratus is highly contagious, and it is advised to stay home and isolate to avoid spreading to others."
Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at Warwick University, told MailOnline: "The increased competitiveness of XFG and XFG.3 is likely due to new spike mutations which make these variants more able to evade the immune response.
"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. This could lead to a new wave of infection but it's difficult to predict the extent of this wave."
The World Health Organisation has designated Stratis a 'variant under monitoring', meaning it is keeping a close eye on the spread of the strain. It accounts for 22% of all cases around the world.
The spread of Stratus follows quickly on the back of another strain - Nimbus - which was reported to give people a very sore throat. That now accounts for 17% of all tested cases in the UK.
Dr Michael Gregory, regional medical Director for NHS England said: "The variant looks to be spreading rapidly within communities, with top symptoms being a 'razor blade' sore throat and swollen neck glands."
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