Covid Cases Surge in England as New ‘Stratus’ Variant Spreads

Covid-19 infections are climbing across England as a fresh strain of the virus spreads throughout the nation, latest figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reveal.

UKHSA statistics demonstrate a recent surge in viral levels. Hospital admissions linked to the virus are also increasing, with 79 Covid deaths logged in the week ending September 5, representing a 36.2 per cent rise from the preceding week and 1,162 patients admitted to hospital with Covid in the week ending August 31 – a 15.6 per cent increase from the week before.

Meanwhile, 1,162 patients were hospitalised with Covid during the week ending August 31 – marking a 15.6 per cent jump from the previous seven-day period.

This development coincides with a new variant, termed ‘Stratus’, establishing itself as the predominant strain circulating in the UK.

The Stratus variant, also designated as XFG, along with its offshoots XFG. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation.

The fresh strain received designation as a “variant under monitoring” from the World Health Organisation (WHO) on June 25, following its initial identification in January this year.

The WHO defines a “variant under monitoring” as requiring heightened surveillance owing to characteristics that could present additional risks compared to other viral strains.

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But specialists still remain untroubled by Stratus’s circulation, emphasising that viral evolution is a natural process.

Dr Alex Allen, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, commented in July: “It is normal for viruses to mutate and change over time.

“Based on the available information so far, there is no evidence to suggest that the XFG and XFG.3 variants cause more severe disease than previous variants, or that the vaccines in current use will be less effective against them.”

When Covid-19 first began to circulate the UK in 2020, common symptoms included fever or chills, a new, continuous cough, and a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.

As the virus has evolved and fresh strains have appeared, its symptoms have shifted over time.

Many people now encounter cold-like symptoms, but the UKHSA states people may also experience a fever, persistent cough, breathlessness, fatigue, body aches, headache, sore throat, blocked nose, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhoea, or alteration in sense of taste or smell.

As cases of the Stratus variant increase, a medical expert has cautioned that a “scratchy” or “raspy” voice could actually indicate the new strain.

Dr Kaywaan Khan, Harley Street GP and Founder of Hannah London Clinic, told Cosmopolitan UK: “One of the most noticeable symptoms of the Stratus variant is hoarseness, which includes a scratchy or raspy voice.”

Overall, he noted the symptoms of Stratus appear to be “mild to moderate.”