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2w ago

WHO Flags Rise of ‘Stratus’ COVID Variant as It Claims 14% of U.S. Cases

The recombinant XFG strain’s share of infections climbed sharply last month without evidence of increased severity or vaccine resistance

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COVID-19 Variant Stratus Spreading In the US, Know Its Key Symptoms
The Stratus variant (XFG) of COVID-19 is now the third most common in the U.S., with a 14% share of cases. REUTERS/Michele Tantussi/File Photo

Overview

  • Stratus (XFG), a recombinant of Omicron subvariants F.7 and LP.8.1.2, made up about 14% of U.S. COVID-19 cases by late June and 22.7% of global infections
  • In a late June update, the World Health Organization added XFG to its monitoring list and judged its public health risk as low while affirming that existing vaccines remain effective
  • Laboratory data indicate Stratus carries mutations that may aid immune evasion but do not appear to boost transmissibility or cause more severe disease
  • Clinicians in Connecticut report an uptick in COVID-19 admissions linked to Stratus, with patients responding to standard antiviral treatments including Paxlovid
  • Health authorities emphasize the need for ongoing genomic surveillance and higher booster uptake to sustain protection and prepare for further viral evolution