'Highly Contagious' New Covid Stratus Strain Has Become Dominant In The UK – Here's Its Most Distinctive Symptom

Testing for CovidA new strain of Covid called XFG and nicknamed the Stratus variant has been spreading rapidly, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says.They describe the strain as a “variant under monitoring (VUM).”The variant seems to be spreading quite quickly, which is partly why it’s “under monitoring.”It has come to account for 22.7% of cases worldwide in the week 26 May-1 June, the WHO said – up roughly three times from 7.4% four weeks prior.Using a logistics model, variant XFG was “estimated to have the highestrelative growth advantage than co-circulating variants BA.3.2, NB.1, NB.1.8, NB.1.8.1, LF.9, XFH and XEC.25.1.” Is the XFG, or Stratus, strain in the UK?Yes. It has now become the dominant strain in the UK, per UKHSA. But overall, Covid cases are down in the UK.What are the symptoms of the new Covid strain?The WHO says variant XFG or Stratus does not seem to cause more severe symptoms than any other strains of Covid.“Current data do not indicate that this variant leads to more severe illness or deaths than other variants in circulation,” they write. Speaking to Comopolitan UK, however, Dr Kaywaan Khan, Harley Street GP and Founder of Hannah London Clinic, said: “One of the most noticeable symptoms of the Stratus variant is hoarseness, which includes a scratchy or raspy voice.” The NHS shared that symptoms of Covid can also include:a high temperature or shiveringa new, continuous cough – coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hoursa loss or change to your sense of smell or tasteshortness of breathfeeling tired or exhaustedan aching bodya headachea sore throata blocked or runny noseloss of appetitediarrhoeafeeling sick or being sick.As Dr Khan points out, testing is key.Should I be worried about the new Stratus variant?The strain has spread very quickly, but the WHO don’t currently think it’s more severe than other forms of Covid. “Considering the available evidence, the additional public health risk posed by XFG is evaluated as low at the global level,” they wrote.Covid rates have been decreasing in the UK recently and are described as being “at baseline levels” in the government’s most recent reports.Still, like all Covid and flu cases, vulnerable people (older people, very young people, and those with compromised immune systems) are more likely to get very sick from the disease.Does the Covid vaccine protect against the XFG or Stratus variant?The WHO says, “Currently approved COVID-19 vaccines are expectedto remain effective to this variant against symptomatic and severe disease.”Like all new strains of Covid, Stratus has a different structure than former variants.That can sometimes mean existing vaccines aren’t able to target new forms of the virus as effectively as they could with the kinds they’re built for.But people vaccinated against Covid are still far more likely to avoid the worst outcomes should they catch the new strain.How can I protect myself and others from the Stratus variant?Taking a test if you suspect Covid, and then isolating and/or taking other precautions like washing your hands and communal surfaces often can help to limit its spread. “If you test positive, Stratus is highly contagious, and it is advised to stay home and isolate to avoid spreading to others,” Dr Khan told Cosmopolitan UK.Stay home and avoid people as much as possible if you are sick, the NHS says.Covering your mouth and nose with a mask, avoiding crowded indoor spaces, and letting friends, family, coworkers, and doctors know about your illness before meeting them can also help.Related...New Covid Variant Nimbus Symptom May Show Up When You Swallow, Doctor Says7 Hay Fever Symptoms That Could Actually Be Signs Of CovidDon’t Wait — These Covid Symptoms Mean It’s Time to See a Doctor

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