By Hannah Ahmed
UK households have been issued a warning over a new Covid variant with one “noticeable symptom,” which differentiates it from the rest. The strain, known formally as XFG, has been nicknamed Stratus, with one doctor explaining how an alteration in your voice is a notable symptom when comparing this variant with the others. There are two variants of Stratus, known as XFG and XFG.3. Stratus has already been acknowledged as highly infectious, with cases reportedly booming over the last month, due to its ability to spread itself to those who have previously had Covid, and those who have received vaccinations. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)’s research has shown this variant is now in fact the most dominant Covid strain in England, with a shocking jump in cases between may and June. READ MORE: The ‘very painful’ symptom which could be a sign of new Covid variant as hospital cases surge In May, only 10 per cent of cases were Stratus, but by June, this figure had moved to a value of 40 per cent, WalesOnline reported. Dr Kaywaan Khan, Harley Street GP and Founder of Hannah London Clinic, told Cosmopolitan UK: 鈥淯nlike other variants, Stratus has certain mutations in the spike protein which could help it evade antibodies developed from prior infections or vaccinations.” The doctor explained Stratus does not seem to make people ‘more unwell’ than other strains, but pinpointed one particular symptom to look out for. He said: “One of the most noticeable symptoms of the Stratus variant is hoarseness, which includes a scratchy or raspy voice,” adding the side effects of Stratus appear to be “mild to moderate.” Dr Khan continued: “If you test positive, Stratus is highly contagious, and it is advised to stay home and isolate to avoid spreading to others.” Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at Warwick University, told MailOnline: “The increased competitiveness of XFG and XFG.3 is likely due to new spike mutations which make these variants more able to evade the immune response. “Given that immunity to Covid is waning in the population due to a decline in uptake of the spring booster jab and the reduction of Covid infections in recent months, more people will be susceptible to infection with XFG and XFG.3. READ MORE: New Covid strain has been identified in the UK, experts warn – Full list of symptoms “This could lead to a new wave of infection but it鈥檚 difficult to predict the extent of this wave.” The World Health Organisation has also said the strain is a ‘variant under monitoring,’ currently accounting for 22 per cent of cases around the world. News of another strain of Covid comes after the Nimbus strain was detected in the UK , with sufferers reporting a “very painful” symptom. The side effect associated with Nimbus is a very sore throat, with the World Health Organisation previously publishing a statement on the matter: “Currently approved Covid vaccines are expected to remain effective against this variant against symptomatic and severe disease. “Despite a concurrent increase in cases and hospitalizations in some countries where NB.1.8.1 is widespread, current data does not indicate that this variant leads to more severe illness than other variants in circulation.鈥