New COVID strain 'Stratus': Experts warn of a strange symptom

Experts in the UK have warned of a new Covid variant called 'Stratus' that could drive a new wave of infections. Scientifically known as XFG, this strain is thought to be more infectious than the previous strains due to its mutations that help evade the immune system.

According to the data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Stratus has now become the dominant COVID-19 strain in England, going from accounting for about 10% of all Covid cases in May to almost 40% of all cases in mid-June.

Stratus, which is a descendant of the super-virulent Omicron, is known as a Frankenstein or 'recombinant' strain, meaning it emerged when a person was infected with two Covid strains at once, which became a new hybrid variant.

Both strains of Stratus- the original XFG and the spin-off XFG.3 are 'rapidly spreading' said Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at Warwick University to MailOnline.

"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," he added.

Can Stratus cause more severe illness?

According to Young, currently, there is no evidence that proves that Stratus causes more severe illness. He added that getting a Covid vaccine was 'very likely' to prevent severe illness and hospitalisation.

WHO (World Health Organization) declared the strain as a 'variant under monitoring' while assessing its overall risk as 'low' However, the organisation also pointed to the variant having a significant growth advantage when compared to other strains with it currently accounting for 22% of cases recorded worldwide.

What are the symptoms of the Stratus strain?

Most of the symptoms of Stratus are similar to the previous strains. According to the NHS, these symptoms include shortness of breath, loss or change to smell or taste, feeling tired or exhausted, high temperature or shivering, blocked or runny nose, aching body, continuous cough, sore throat, headache, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, and feeling sick.

However, according to Dr Kaywaan Khan, Harley Street GP and Founder of Hannah London Clinic, one of the most noticeable symptoms of the Stratus variant is hoarseness, which includes a scratchy or raspy voice.

The doctor added that the symptoms tend to be mild to moderate in general and if a person tests positive, they must stay at home and isolate as Stratus is highly contagious added the doctor in conversation with Cosmopolitan UK.