Archive · 3 Oct 2025
Stratus COVID-19 Variant Drives Infection Surge in the US
A new version of COVID-19, called Stratus, is spreading quickly in the US.
It's a mix of two other variants.
Stratus causes symptoms like a sore throat, cough, and tiredness, similar to a cold.
Vaccines still work well to prevent serious illness, so it's important to get vaccinated.
If you're not feeling well, testing and isolating yourself can help to stop the spread.
Older people or those with health issues should take extra care.
The Stratus (XFG) variant is driving an increase in COVID-19 cases across the US.
Stratus is a recombinant variant derived from LF.7 and LP.8.1.2.
The variant can evade immune defenses, allowing for easier spread.
Symptoms include sore throat, cough, fever, and fatigue.
Vaccines remain effective against severe disease, hospitalization, and death.
- Who
- US population
- What
- Increase in COVID-19 cases linked to the Stratus variant
- When
- Ongoing, with the variant first detected in March
- Where
- United States
- Why
- Stratus is highly transmissible and can evade some immune defenses
Health Officials
Public
Severity of Illness
Health Officials
XFG is likely to cause mild illness
Public
Older adults and those with health issues may experience more severe illness
- Variant Name
- Stratus (XFG)
- Origin
- Recombinant of LF.7 and LP.8.1.2 variants
- Dominance
- Dominant in many US states
- Symptoms
- Sore throat, cough, congestion, fever, fatigue, muscle aches
- Vaccine Effectiveness
- Existing vaccines remain effective against severe disease
- Public Health Risk
- Low overall, but potential for more severe illness in vulnerable groups
