By Amy Jones,Dan Taylor,Jayne Thomson

Copyright birminghammail

A new Covid variant, dubbed ‘Stratus’, is spreading swiftly and presents a unique symptom that distinguishes it from other strains. The strain, encompassing two variants XFG and XFG.3, was initially identified in January and by June the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared XFG to be ‘under monitoring’ due to its ‘increasing proportions globally’. On 3 September, the UK Health Security Agency reported a 7.1% rise in coronavirus cases across England compared with the previous week, although it’s unclear how many have been affected by the XFG strain. Health experts in Ireland also logged 425 new infections in the first week of September, with the XFG variant believed to be behind the vast majority of new cases. Read more: ‘Impeccable’ Brazilian restaurant with ‘unlimited’ food to open in Touchwood Solihull Typically, symptoms of Covid often mimic those of common respiratory illnesses such as the flu, including fever, cough, sneezing or a runny nose. Symptoms fluctuate from case to case, with some experiencing minor to severe signs, according to the Mirror, reports the Express . However, the most prevalent initial sign of Stratus is a hoarse or raspy voice, which can precede more traditional Covid symptoms. Due to its unusual early indicator, the variant can be easily overlooked. Medical professionals have also noted a range of additional symptoms, including blocked noses, sore throats, digestive issues and fatigue. Dr Gareth Nye explained: “In most ways, it’s almost identical. However, people with this version tend to get very sore throats and a hoarse voice, compared with the other more general symptoms like cough, temperature and aches. “Illnesses always see spikes as children go back to school, as close contact and often lower personal hygiene levels mix.” He continued: “This version is more likely to make you sick, however, as they appear to be able to avoid your immune system even if you’ve had it before. [This] makes prior vaccines less useful, which makes regular vaccination against the latest coronavirus even more important. Think of it like updating your phone to get the best possible experience.” Infectious disease specialist Dr Peter Chin-Hong from the University of California, San Francisco, also cautioned that Stratus exhibits a “wider range of symptoms” compared to earlier variants. Speaking to SFGATE, he explained: “There’s a little bit more sore throats with some people. Particularly in those who are older, who didn’t get vaccinated last year. “It’s more transmissible, so we expect that a lot of people will get it. Particularly with kids going back to school – a sniffle is likely going to be Covid.”