- A new Covid strain, named Stratus, is circulating in the UK, with its XFG.3 variant accounting for 30 per cent of cases in England.
- Some experts suggest the Stratus variant is uniquely associated with giving people a hoarse voice, unlike other strains.
- Despite its prevalence, health experts from the UKHSA and the World Health Organisation are not concerned, stating it is normal for viruses to mutate.
- The World Health Organisation has designated XFG as a "variant under monitoring" and assesses its additional public health risk as low globally.
- Current data indicates that the Stratus variant does not lead to more severe illness or deaths, nor is it expected to reduce the effectiveness of existing vaccines.
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