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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.

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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.