What is Stratus, new COVID variant on the rise in UK, said to be vaccine-resistant? Are we going to witness...
New Delhi: It seems that the dreaded coronavirus is back and this time it has brought along a new COVID-19 strain named Stratus. This information was shared by a healthcare expert who has warned that it may dodge vaccine-induced immunity and increase the risk of infection across all age groups. What is new COVID-19 variant?
A new variant of the continually mutating COVID-19 virus is spreading fast and it has health officials on their toes worldwide. The XFG strain is nicknamed 'Stratus' and was recently designated a 'variant under monitoring' by the World Health Organization (WHO). Reports say that it accounts for a growing proportion of cases globally, particularly in Southeast Asia, where the new variant is connected to a simultaneous rise in new cases and hospitalizations.
However, despite the rapid spread of infections, the WHO considers the overall public health risk from XFG to be low, and current data does not suggest that this variant leads to more severe illness or deaths than other variants in circulation. What is the risk of it spreading?
The case is a bit intense in the United Kingdom where the Stratus strain, officially classified under the SARS-CoV-2 variants XFG and XFG.3, is spreading fast. with signs of global transmission. According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), these two variants now account for around 30 per cent of COVID-19 cases in England, with XFG.3 emerging as the dominant variant.
As per the reports of the World Health Organization (WHO), globally, the Stratus variant contributed to 23 per cent of global COVID-19 cases as of last month. Who is at highest risk of COVID-19 new strain?
A large number of people have a weak immune system, and they are the most vulnerable to getting infected and this is helping the virus to spread fast. According to experts, as booster vaccination rates fall and natural infections become less frequent, more people may be vulnerable to Stratus.
This could increase the risk of a fresh wave of infections, especially among those with weakened immune systems or those who haven't had recent booster shots. What are symptoms of Stratus COVID-19 new variant? Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
New loss of taste or smell
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Hoarseness, dry, or irritated throat
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