The newest Covid Stratus variant is now the most dominant strain of the virus in the UK
A new Covid variant is circulating the UK(Image: Getty Images)
Covid-19 cases are on the rise in England as a new strain of the virus sweeps the country, according to the latest data by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
UKHSA data shows a recent spike in levels of the virus, rising 7.6 per cent from September 3 to 1,664 cases on September 10.
Deaths and hospitalisations from the virus are also on the rise, with 79 Covid deaths recorded in the week ending September 5, up 36.2 per cent from the previous week. Some 1,162 patients were admitted to hospital with Covid in the week ending August 31 – a 15.6 per cent increase from the week before.
It comes as a new variant, dubbed ‘Stratus’, has become the dominant strain of the virus in the UK. Also known as XFG, the Stratus variant and its spin-offs, XFG.3 and XFG.3.1, account for around 75 per cent of Covid cases in England.
The new strain was declared a “variant under monitoring” by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on June 25 after it was first reported in January this year.
According to the WHO, a “variant under monitoring” needs prioritised attention due to characteristics that may pose an additional threat compared to other strains of the virus.
The new Stratus Covid variant is now the dominant strain in England(Image: Getty Images)
However, experts are not concerned about the spread of Stratus, noting that it is normal for viruses to change.
Dr Alex Allen, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said in July: “It is normal for viruses to mutate and change over time.
“Based on the available information so far, there is no evidence to suggest that the XFG and XFG.3 variants cause more severe disease than previous variants, or that the vaccines in current use will be less effective against them.”
Covid symptoms to look out for
When Covid-19 first began to circulate the UK in 2020, common symptoms included fever or chills, a new, continuous cough, and a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.
As the virus has mutated and new strains have emerged, its symptoms have changed over time. Many people now experience cold-like symptoms, but the UKHSA says people may also have a fever, continuous cough, shortness of breath, tiredness, body aches, headache, sore throat, blocked nose, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhoea, or change in sense of taste or smell.
As levels of the Stratus variant rise, a doctor has warned that a “scratchy” or “raspy” voice may actually be the new strain.
People infected with the Stratus strain of Covid could have a scratchy, raspy voice(Image: PA)
Dr Kaywaan Khan, Harley Street GP and Founder of Hannah London Clinic, told Cosmopolitan UK: “One of the most noticeable symptoms of the Stratus variant is hoarseness, which includes a scratchy or raspy voice.”
In general, he said the symptoms of Stratus tend to be “mild to moderate”.