‘Hoarse Voice’ Could Be COVID: “Stratus” Variant Surges—Symptoms Doctors Flag, Where It’s Rising, and What Still Works
What is the “Stratus” COVID variant? “Stratus” is the colloquial name for XFG, a recombinant Omicron descendant (from LF.7 and LP.8.1.2). WHO added XFG to its monitoring list in late June and, based on available evidence, concluded the “additional public‑health risk … is low.” WHO’s lab summary notes spike‑protein changes (e.g., at positions 478 and 487) that can modestly increase immune escape compared with earlier JN.1‑family strains. World Health Organization Globally, XFG gained speed over the summer. WHO’s dashboard reports XFG was ~67% of submitted sequences in the week ending 31 Aug 2025; the runner‑up, NB.1.8.1 (“Nimbus”), accounted for ~21%.