Overview

• Irish surveillance reports 481 new infections in the latest week, up from 425, with experts attributing roughly 73% of confirmed cases to Stratus.
• UKHSA figures show a 7.1% weekly rise in recorded UK cases to September 3, with XFG and XFG.3 accounting for about 40% of sequenced cases in England in recent months.
• Clinicians report early presentations marked by a hoarse or raspy voice and very sore throats, alongside more frequent gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, bloating and acid reflux.
• WHO says the lineage spreads more quickly than earlier strains but current data do not indicate increased severity, and approved vaccines are expected to remain protective against symptomatic and severe disease.
• Doctors recommend simple precautions including regular handwashing, improving ventilation at home, wearing masks in crowded spaces and staying home when unwell.