Particle.news
Download on the App Store
5 ARTICLES
·
last mo.

XFG Stratus Is Now the Third-Most Common COVID-19 Variant in U.S.

The WHO has placed the recombinant lineage on its watchlist, assessing its global risk as low, with existing vaccines expected to remain protective.

Image
Under the WHO list of COVID variants to watch for, Nimbus has been classified as a variant under monitoring.
'Stratus' COVID-19 Variant Spikes Cases In US: All About The Rapidly Spreading Strain of Summer

Overview

  • CDC data for the two-week period ending June 21 show XFG accounted for 14% of U.S. cases, making it the third-most common strain after NB.1.8.1 and LP.8.1.2.
  • The WHO added XFG to its variant under monitoring list on June 25 and assesses its global public health risk as low.
  • First sampled in Southeast Asia in January, XFG has been detected in 38 countries and combines mutations from earlier Omicron subvariants F.7 and LP.8.1.2.
  • Current evidence shows no increase in disease severity or major symptom differences with XFG compared with prior Omicron strains.
  • Approved COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective against XFG, although clinicians have noted hoarseness as an early symptom.