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6 clusters · 14 sources · 10 days · First seen · Last updated

Global XFG Stratus COVID-19 variant spread

Overview

The XFG COVID-19 variant, nicknamed ‘Stratus’ or ‘American Covid’, has triggered a global rise in infections. This recombinant strain, formed from the mixing of Omicron subvariants LF.7 and LP.8.1.2, was first identified in early 2025 and has since spread globally. In the United Kingdom, the variant has driven a nearly 50% surge in hospital admissions within a single week, according to the UK Health Security Agency. London has seen a particularly sharp increase, with admissions in the capital rising by approximately 79% in one week. Among adults aged 85 and older, admissions rose from 7.08 to 12.43 per 100,000 people. While the percentage of positive hospital tests has increased from 5.9% to 7%, health experts note that current admission rates remain at a baseline level compared to the height of the pandemic. Reported symptoms include fever, chills, headache, body aches, runny or congested nose, sore throat, fatigue, cough, and hoarseness. Medical professionals note that the loss of taste and smell occurs less frequently with this strain. Because symptoms overlap significantly with the flu and common colds, experts recommend rapid testing, though a negative result does not definitively rule out infection. The World Health Organization has maintained XFG on its watch list since June 2025. By late 2026, the variant has driven a significant increase in activity across Europe and other regions, including the United States and parts of Southeast Asia. In England, hospitalizations rose from 950 in August to 4,939 in September, a 420% increase in one month, while reported cases grew from 1,374 to 4,589 in the same period. More than half of the positive hospital tests have been identified as the XFG variant.

Entities

UK Health Security Agency · World Health Organization · United Kingdom · France · Anila Moçi

Timeline

  1. [HEALTH] 2 sources
    United Kingdom sees surge in Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations

    Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations in the UK have surged, with infections rising 230% in September. The XFG ‘Stratus’ variant is driving more than half of the positive hospital tests.

  2. [HEALTH] 3 sources
    UK health officials issue guidance amid rise in XFG Covid cases

    The UK is seeing a surge in COVID-19 cases, with the XFG variant driving a rise in hospital admissions. Health officials advise masking and hygiene to limit transmission.

  3. [HEALTH] 2 sources
    XFG COVID-19 variant drives surge in hospitalizations

    The XFG ‘Stratus’ COVID-19 variant is causing a surge in hospitalizations in England, rising 420% in one month, though health officials report no evidence of increased disease severity.

  4. [HEALTH] 2 sources
    XFG variant, nicknamed ‘American Covid’, spreads globally

    The XFG subvariant, nicknamed ‘American Covid’ or ‘Stratus’, is a global Omicron descendant causing symptoms like fever, congestion, and hoarseness, though loss of taste and smell is now less common.

  5. [HEALTH] 3 sources
    UK COVID-19 hospital admissions surge 50% amid XFG variant spread

    COVID-19 hospital admissions in the UK have risen by nearly 50% in one week, driven by the XFG ‘Stratus’ variant, with London seeing an 80% increase in admissions.

  6. [HEALTH] 2 sources
    XFG Stratus COVID-19 variant drives global rise in infections

    The XFG ‘Stratus’ COVID-19 variant is driving a global rise in infections, with significant increases reported in China, the US, and France, while Germany sees a rising trend in wastewater levels.

Sources

ad-hoc-news.de · doctorulzilei.ro · eldyar.net · fitbook.de · fjala.al · internewscast.com · kanald.ro · kurierverlag.de · ladbible.com · leinetal24.de · qarannews.com · rtsh.al · timesnownews.com · tyla.com

This summary has been updated 4 times: see revision history