New 'Stratus' Covid Variant Surges in UK, Experts Warn of Increased Infectiousness

A new Covid variant called 'Stratus' has become dominant in the UK, potentially leading to a surge in new infections. Known scientifically as XFG, Stratus is believed to be more infectious than previous strains due to mutations that help it evade the immune system. Recent data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that Stratus has now become the most prevalent Covid strain in England, rising from 10% of cases in May to nearly 40% in mid-June.

Stratus, a descendant of the Omicron variant, is a 'recombinant' strain that emerged when an individual was infected with two Covid strains simultaneously, resulting in a new hybrid variant. Virologist Professor Lawrence Young noted that both strains of Stratus are rapidly spreading, likely due to new spike mutations that enhance their ability to evade the immune response.

While there is no evidence currently suggesting that Stratus causes more severe illness, getting vaccinated against Covid is highly likely to provide protection from severe outcomes. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently classified Stratus as a 'variant under monitoring,' highlighting its significant growth advantage compared to other strains.

Another new variant, Nimbus, is also on the rise and is expected to contribute to a potential increase in infections. Nimbus has seen a rise from 2% of cases in April to 17% in June, according to UKHSA data. Symptoms of Nimbus are similar to other Covid variants and include fatigue, fever, muscle ache, and a sore throat.

Despite the increase in these new variants, overall Covid cases are declining. Just 5.4% of Covid tests analyzed by UKHSA in the week ending June 29 were positive, showing a slight decrease from the previous week. However, health experts warn that any Covid infection can still be dangerous, particularly for vulnerable populations.