By Lauren Harte
Copyright belfastlive
As we head into the winter and the NHS prepares for its busiest season, a new COVID variant is spreading rapidly. The variant, formerly known as XFG and nicknamed Stratus, is on the rise worldwide. According to the latest UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data, in the seven days up to September 3, there were 1,541 cases recorded across England – up 7.1 per cent week-on-week. The UKHSA’s latest Covid-19 surveillance report shows the dominant strain is now XFG Stratus. The XFG strain of the virus and its spin-offs, XFG.3 and XFG 3.1, now make up around 75% of cases in England. In July it was only around 40%. Stratus, which was first detected in January and hit the West in March, is now the dominant strain – having overtaken Nimbus. XFG is a hybrid of two omicron strains, LF.7 and LP.8.1.2, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Local data shows that overall Covid cases are on the rise in Northern Ireland compared to recent weeks. The current most common SARS-CoV-2 variant in Northern Ireland is XFG. In its latest respiratory surveillance report from September 10, the Public Health Agency says that during week 36 of 2025 (September 1-7), the number of new Covid-19 episodes increased, with 117 unique episodes identified compared with 101 in week 35. The highest Covid-19 episode rate in week 36 was in the 75+ age group and was highest in Mid and East Antrim. Dr Albert Ko, professor of public health, epidemiology and medicine at Yale School of Public Health, told TODAY.com: “NB.1.18.1 (Nimbus) and XFG (Stratus) appear to be more transmissible compared to other variants.” The WHO says XFG has unique mutations which have been shown to improve its ability to evade COVID-19 antibodies from prior infection or vaccination. The Stratus strain is known for its unique symptom of giving people a hoarse voice, which is not typical of other coronavirus strains. “One of the most noticeable symptoms of the Stratus variant is hoarseness, which includes a scratchy or raspy voice”, Dr Kaywaan Khan, Harley Street GP and founder of Hannah London Clinic, told Cosmopolitan UK . The variant presents with a subtle initial symptom that individuals might dismiss rather than recognising as signs of illness. Stratus’ most prevalent early indicator is a hoarse or gravelly voice, which subsequently develops into the typical Covid signs such as fever or coughing, reports the Mirror . Infectious disease specialist Dr Peter Chin-Hong from the University of California San Francisco cautioned that Stratus presents a “wider range of symptoms” than previous variants. Speaking to SFGATE, he said: “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 .” The NHS has provided an extensive list of Covid-19 symptoms to be aware of. The symptoms are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu. Most people feel better within a few weeks, but it can take longer to recover. For some people, it can be a more serious illness and their symptoms can last longer. For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
