Overview
- Clinicians say infections with XFG (Stratus) are more often marked by a hoarse or scratchy voice than earlier strains.
- The lineage is among the most common circulating in the UK, according to the latest local reports.
- Medical professionals state there is no evidence XFG causes more severe illness than previous variants.
- UKHSA and the NHS urge eligible people to get Covid boosters and to book flu and RSV jabs ahead of winter.
- Doctors advise high‑risk patients to test early so antivirals can be started promptly, and guidance calls for staying home when possible or using masks and hand hygiene if symptomatic.