Archive · 7 Aug 2025
COVID-19 Variant Stratus Spreading in the US
There's a new version of COVID-19 called Stratus, also known as XFG, spreading in the US.
It's a mix of other COVID-19 types.
It causes usual symptoms like fever and cough, but one sign is a raspy voice.
This variant may be able to avoid our immune system, however, the current vaccines are expected to be effective against it.
Doctors suggest staying home if you're sick and keeping up with vaccines.
Recovery times are similar to previous variants.
A new COVID-19 variant, XFG or Stratus, is spreading across the United States.
XFG is a combination of the F.7 and LP.8.1.2 variants.
The variant was first detected in Southeast Asia in January and has since spread in the US.
Common symptoms include fever, cough, and sore throat, with hoarseness as a standout sign.
Health officials recommend staying home when ill and staying up to date on vaccinations.
- Who
- The new COVID-19 variant, Stratus, which is also known as XFG.
- What
- The spread of the COVID-19 variant Stratus (XFG) across the US.
- When
- First detected in Southeast Asia in January.
- Where
- Spread across the United States, with rising cases in the South and along the West Coast.
- Why
- The variant has mutations that enhance its ability to evade immune responses.
Experts
General Public
Vaccine Effectiveness
Experts
Experts advise that the currently approved COVID-19 vaccines are 'expected to remain effective against this variant against symptomatic and severe disease'.
General Public
No opposing view is available from the provided articles.
- Variant Name
- Stratus (XFG)
- Origin
- Southeast Asia
- First Detected
- January
- US Prevalence
- Up to 14% of cases by end of June
- Symptoms
- Fever, cough, sore throat, hoarseness
- Vaccine Effectiveness
- Expected to remain effective