Overview

• UKHSA reports that XFG and its offshoots now make up about 75% of sequenced cases in England, with reported infections up 7.6% to 1,664 in the week to 10 September.
• Deaths reached 79 in the week ending 5 September and hospital admissions rose to 1,162 in the week to 31 August, both increasing week on week.
• Clinicians highlight an early hoarse or raspy voice and sore throat as frequent signs, with some patients also reporting gastrointestinal symptoms.
• WHO lists XFG as a variant under monitoring, noting faster relative growth across multiple regions without evidence of greater clinical severity.
• With fewer people testing, officials caution that attribution is harder and advise handwashing, good ventilation, masks in crowded spaces, and staying home when unwell.