New ‘Stratus’ Covid variant spreads across UK, causing hoarse voice and resisting immunity
A new strain of Covid has spread across the UK with some experts warning it is resisting immunity.
Unlike other strains, the Stratus strain is known for its unique symptom of giving people a hoarse voice.
Stratus has two variants, XFG and XFG.3, with XFG.3 accounting for a larger proportion than any other individual variant, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
The XFG and XFG.3 variants currently account for around 30 percent of Covid-19 cases in England, according to the UKHSA.
“It is normal for viruses to mutate and change over time,” Dr Alex Allen, Consultant Epidemiologist of UKHSA said, adding that it continues to monitor all strains of Covid in the UK.
While many experts warn of its highly infectious nature, Dr Allen noted: “Based on the available information so far, there is no evidence to suggest that the XFG and XFG.3 variants cause more severe disease than previous variants, or that the vaccines in current use will be less effective against them.”
It comes as new Covid variants continue to spread throughout the country, with Nimbus giving people razor-blade like sore throats last month.
The Nimbus variant, officially named NB.1.8.1, stemmed from the Omicron variant and was first detected in January this year.
It quickly spread across China and Hong Kong, and has now been recorded in several states across the United States and Australia.
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