A lecturer in biomedical science has provided insights into two newly identified variants of the coronavirus, raising concerns about their spread and symptoms. Known as Stratus, these variants, XFG and XFG.3, were initially detected in January.
By June, the World Health Organization had classified XFG as being “under monitoring” due to its increasing prevalence globally. On September 3, the UK Health Security Agency reported a 7.1% rise in coronavirus cases in England compared to the previous week, although the specific impact of the XFG strain remains unclear.
Dr. Gareth Nye from the University of Salford explained that the Stratus variant likely originated from the Omicron variant of the original coronavirus. Despite gaining attention over the summer, it was first identified in January and has since seen a surge in reported cases.
Currently, Stratus has become the dominant form of the disease in many regions, surpassing other variants. Dr. Nye highlighted that as immunity wanes and new variants emerge, there may be increases in coronavirus cases, similar to seasonal flu patterns.
Symptoms associated with the XFG and XFG.3 variants closely resemble those of typical coronavirus infections, such as high temperatures, cough, and loss of smell or taste. However, individuals with these variants may experience more severe symptoms like sore throat and hoarse voice.
Dr. Nye emphasized the importance of regular vaccination against the latest coronavirus strains to combat their ability to evade immunity from previous infections. He compared the need for updated vaccines to optimizing a phone for the best experience.
Although coronavirus has become widespread, precautions should still be taken, especially by vulnerable populations like the elderly, infants, and those with underlying health conditions. Testing and self-isolation are crucial if experiencing symptoms or suspected exposure to the virus.
For more information on coronavirus, visit the NHS website.