By Jordan Coussins
A fresh Covid strain is rapidly spreading globally and has been detected in the UK – becoming dominant within weeks – with experts warning it is evading immunity. The Covid variant, officially known as XFG and nicknamed Stratus, is said to have one distinctive symptom that helps identify which strain you have. Stratus cases have surged in just one month, thanks to its ability to infect people who have previously contracted Covid and those who have received vaccinations. Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows Stratus has now become the predominant Covid strain in England. Read more: Popular city centre restaurant closes suddenly In May, 10 per cent of cases were Stratus, but by mid-June that figure had reached 40 per cent. There are two variants of Stratus in circulation – XFG and XFG.3. Dr Kaywaan Khan, Harley Street GP and Founder of Hannah London Clinic, told Cosmopolitan UK: “Unlike other variants, Stratus has certain mutations in the spike protein which could help it evade antibodies developed from prior infections or vaccinations.”, reports Wales Online . Dr Khan said Stratus does not appear to make people ‘more ill’ than previous strains. However, he said there is one distinctive symptom, adding: “One of the most noticeable symptoms of the Stratus variant is hoarseness, which includes a scratchy or raspy voice.” Dr Khan said generally, the symptoms of Stratus tend to be ‘mild to moderate’. Dr Khan said: “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, shared with 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. “This could lead to a new wave of infection but it’s difficult to predict the extent of this wave.” The World Health Organisation has marked Stratis as a ‘variant under monitoring’, indicating it is closely observing the spread of the strain. It makes up 22 per cent of all cases globally. Following closely on the heels of another strain, Nimbus, which was reported to cause a very sore throat in those infected, Stratus is spreading quickly. Nimbus now represents 17 per cent of all tested cases in the UK. Dr Michael Gregory, regional medical Director for NHS England, remarked: “The variant looks to be spreading rapidly within communities, with top symptoms being a ‘razor blade’ sore throat and swollen neck glands.”