Latest news with #Stratus'
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First Post
17 hours ago
- Health
- First Post
New variant Stratus causes spike in Covid-19 cases: What are its symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to other Omicron subvariants, including fever, chills, shortness of breath, sore throat, fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, loss of taste or smell, and diarrhoea The Chief Minister has also questioned whether the Covid vaccine might have anything to do with these deaths. Pixabay/Representational Image Several western US states are seeing sharp increases in Covid-19 activity, with the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data showing wastewater virus levels at their highest since winter. In an update released Friday, the CDC said national wastewater indicators have risen to a 'moderate' level, up from 'low' the previous week. Alaska, California, Colorado, Nevada and Utah are all classified as 'high.' 'Wastewater monitoring can detect viruses spreading from one person to another within a community earlier than clinical testing,' the CDC said, noting that elevated levels often signal increased infection risk. California's own tracking shows viral loads now surpassing last winter's peaks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Other metrics are climbing as well. As of Tuesday (August 12), infections were growing or likely growing in 45 states, up from 40 the previous week. New variant 'Stratus' emerging A new Covid-19 variant, XFG, nicknamed 'Stratus', has to become the third-most common strain in the US this summer. First detected in Southeast Asia in January, it remained rare in the US until May but by late June was estimated to account for up to 14 per cent of cases. Symptoms are similar to other Omicron subvariants, including fever, chills, shortness of breath, sore throat, fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, loss of taste or smell, and diarrhoea. Some patients have also reported a distinctive hoarseness or raspy voice, which could help distinguish XFG from other strains. Physician Jon LaPook told CBS in July that summer upticks in Covid-19 are 'typical' as people gather indoors to escape extreme heat. Federal vaccine contracts cut The surge comes as the US Department of Health and Human Services announced Tuesday it would end 22 federal contracts for mRNA-based vaccines, a technology credited with helping bring the pandemic under control. The move has raised questions about the future of Covid-19 vaccine development.
News18
4 days ago
- Health
- News18
New COVID-19 Variant Stratus Spreading In US: Here's What To Watch For
A new COVID-19 variant, Stratus (XFG), is rapidly spreading across the United States. It is characterised by a distinctive early symptom of hoarseness. A new COVID-19 variant, nicknamed 'Stratus' and officially called XFG, is gaining attention in the United States this summer. Health experts are closely monitoring its spread, though it is not yet considered a major threat. XFG was first detected in Southeast Asia in January. For months, there were almost no cases reported in the US. But by late June, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that XFG accounted for 14 per cent of all US COVID-19 cases, making it the third most common variant in the country. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has added XFG to its list of monitored variants, but currently rates its global health risk as 'low." According to the WHO, existing COVID-19 vaccines are still expected to protect against both symptomatic and severe illness caused by this strain. What Makes Stratus (XFG) Different? As reported by Hindustan Times, XFG is a recombinant strain, meaning it is a genetic mix of two earlier variants, F.7 and LP.8.1.2. Interestingly, LP.8.1.2 is now the second most common variant in the US. Scientists believe XFG may have certain mutations that help it evade the immune system more effectively than some earlier strains. However, this doesn't mean it spreads faster or causes worse illness. How Quickly Is It Spreading? While XFG has not surpassed the top two variants in the US, its growth has been steady. It made up 0 per cent of cases in March, rose to 2 per cent in April, 6 per cent in May, and 14 per cent by the end of June, according to CDC data. Globally, the WHO reported a similar rise from 7.4 per cent of cases in early May to 22.7 per cent by the end of June, spreading across 38 countries. Symptoms to Watch For The CDC notes that symptoms of XFG appear similar to earlier Omicron variants. Common signs include: Fever or chills, Cough, Fatigue, Sore throat, Loss of taste or smell, Nasal congestion, Muscle aches, Shortness of breath, Headache, Nausea, Vomiting Health experts recommend remaining cautious and getting tested if any symptoms develop. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India.com
11-07-2025
- Health
- India.com
What is Stratus, new COVID variant on the rise in UK, said to be vaccine-resistant? Are we going to witness...
(Representational image: 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
Daily Record
09-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Signs you may have new Covid strain Stratus that has identifiable symptom
One symptom sets this new Covid strain apart from the others- do you have it? A new variant of Covid has been ravaging the UK in recent weeks, and it presents one unusual symptom that sets it apart from other strains. Formerly known as the XFG variant, the 'Stratus' strain of Covid is concerning health experts who believe it may be better at evading immunity than previous strains of the virus. Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that Stratus is currently the leading Covid strain in England. The variant's ability to infect individuals who have already had the virus and those who are vaccinated is the leading cause for concern surrounding Stratus. In May, Stratus accounted for 10 per cent of all Covid cases, but by mid-June, this figure had risen to 40 per cent. There are two subvariants of Stratus currently in circulation: XFG and XFG.3. The World Health Organisation has classified Stratus as a 'variant under monitoring'. This means that the organisation is closely observing the spread of the strain, which currently represents 22 per cent of all cases globally. Although exact numbers of Stratus cases in Scotland are unclear, the country's Covid surveillance data shows that as of the week ending June 29, there were 228 diagnosed Covid cases altogether. The average number of inpatients in Scottish hospitals with Covid for the week ending June 29 was 116. But what are the indicators of this new Covid strain, and what is its one identifiable symptom? Here's everything you need to know. Signs you may have the new Covid variant Stratus The new strain of Covid has one unique symptom that sets it apart from other variants of the virus- a hoarse and raspy voice. Dr Kaywaan Khan, a Harley Street GP and Founder of Hannah London Clinic, shared with Cosmopolitan UK that "one of the most noticeable symptoms of the Stratus variant is hoarseness, which includes a scratchy or raspy voice." Its symptoms were described as 'mild to moderate' by the health professional, and other signs of Stratus are similar to that of other Covid strains. The NHS explains that symptoms of Covid can include: A high temperature or shivering (chills) A new, continuous cough A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste Shortness of breath Feeling tired or exhausted An aching body or a headache A sore throat, blocked or runny nose Loss of appetite, feeling sick or being sick Diarrhoea Dr Khan advised: "If you test positive, Stratus is highly contagious, and it is advised to stay home and isolate to avoid spreading to others." Another strain of Covid that recently emerged is known as the 'Nimbus' variant, that is also thought to be more contagious than previous versions of the virus. If you have any symptoms of Covid, it is advised to self-test and to stay home to avoid spreading these new strains further. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New Coronavirus Variant ‘Stratus' Noted for Mild Symptoms
In Germany, 'Nimbus' is currently the most prevalent coronavirus variant by far. Meanwhile, in Southeast Asia and gradually in Europe, another cloud-named variant is gaining significance: 'Stratus' (XFG). Indian doctors have noted frequent reports of hoarseness as a distinctive feature of XFG. In the Southeast Asia region, a new coronavirus variant called XFG, or 'Stratus,' is gaining momentum.1 The World Health Organization currently assesses the health risk from 'Stratus' as low. Approved vaccines are expected to remain effective against severe illness. However, as the spread of 'Stratus' increases globally and several Southeast Asian countries report a rise in new cases and hospitalizations, the WHO has classified it as a 'variant under monitoring.'1 FITBOOK explains what doctors have reported about the symptoms so far and how the virus is currently spreading in Germany. XFG ('Stratus') is a SARS-CoV-2 variant that has emerged from the LF.7 and LP.8.1.2 lineages. Despite the rapid spread of this variant, there is currently no evidence that 'Stratus' causes more severe illness than other circulating variants. In previous COVID-19 waves, loss of taste and smell were characteristic symptoms. For 'Nimbus,' first detected in Germany at the end of March and currently responsible for 60 percent of COVID-19 infections according to the Robert Koch Institute, it was the 'razor blade-like sore throat.'2 What are the specific symptoms of 'Stratus'? The WHO risk report contains no information on the symptoms of 'Stratus' (XFG). Nor are there any official statements from national health authorities on specific symptoms of this new variant. However, various media sources, particularly from India, report observations from doctors. A notable feature of the current wave is the frequent reporting of hoarseness in COVID patients, as reported by the 'Times of India' on May 30.3 Many patients this time are complaining of 'dry or irritated cough, accompanied by sore throat and hoarseness.' Doctors from various hospitals have confirmed that hoarseness is now a common symptom in clinics across India. Hoarseness manifests as a scratchy or rough voice. Also interesting: 9 new COVID symptoms added to the official list Because 'Stratus,' like the other currently globally dominant variant 'Nimbus,' has the potential to trigger a COVID wave, the choice fell on another meteorological term for cloud types – 'Stratus' – said virologist Dr. Ryan Gregory to the website The organization Gavi is one of the world's key players in vaccination programs. Virologist Gregory is part of a network of researchers that assigns unofficial nicknames to new virus variants. 'The Sun,' a British tabloid, refers to 'Stratus' as the 'Frankenstein Variant' because it resulted from the combination of two different COVID-19 strains.5 This occurs when a person is simultaneously infected with two different variants, which then merge into a new hybrid variant. Participate in our FITBOOK survey! According to virologist Gregory, 'Nimbus' and 'Stratus' are currently competing for dominance worldwide. Despite their rapid spread, there is currently no evidence that 'Stratus' (XFG) or 'Nimbus' (NB.1.8.1) cause more severe illness than other circulating variants. According to 'Gavi,' both variants have mutated spike proteins. This means they may be better able to evade immunity built up from previous infections or vaccinations. In other words, this likely makes it harder for the immune system to recognize and combat the virus. Also interesting: Largest study to date on COVID vaccinations identifies potential follow-up illnesses The spread of 'Stratus' is still in its early stages in Europe, with the WHO reporting it at around 16 percent in the region. In England, the share of XFG rose from 10 percent in May to 40 percent by mid-June 2025. In Germany, 'Stratus' last appeared in the Robert Koch Institute's statistics on coronavirus variants in early June, with a percentage share of 5.56 percent; the week before, this share was 8.33 percent. The highest percentage recorded for 'Stratus' (XFG) was in mid-May 2025. Currently, 'Nimbus' dominates in Germany (60 percent). The situation is developing dynamically, so continuous monitoring remains important. Even though XFG has the highest relative growth advantage among the current lineages, the WHO currently sees no evidence of more severe illness or atypical clinical patterns. Approved vaccines continue to protect against symptomatic and severe cases, according to the risk paper on 'Stratus.' The post New Coronavirus Variant 'Stratus' Noted for Mild Symptoms appeared first on FITBOOK.
