More than five years on from the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, another new strain of the virus has become the most prevalent in Canada, bringing new symptoms with it.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s what to know:<\/p>\n
What is the new COVID variant?<\/p>\n
SARS-CoV-2 variant XFG, sometimes called the \u201cstratus\u201d variant, has seen rapid growth since the beginning of this summer, now appearing in the largest proportion of samples in Canada\u2019s federal variant monitoring<\/a>.<\/p>\n According to Public Health Ontario, XFG<\/a> is projected to make up a majority of that province\u2019s sequenced tests before the end of September.<\/p>\n The strain\u2019s nickname was reportedly coined by University of Guelph biologist T. Ryan Gregory<\/a>, who is also credited with dubbing a previously dominant COVID strain \u201cnimbus.\u201d Both names refer to kinds of clouds.<\/p>\n In a June post to X, Gregory notes that while XFG is under the umbrella of COVID-19\u2019s Omicron variant, the same can be said for a great many strains. Omicron has remained the latest Greek-letter distinction for COVID variants since late 2021.<\/p>\n \u201cThe reality is that \u2018Omicron\u2019 is massively diverse \u2014 far, far, far more so than all the other named variants combined,\u201d Gregory wrote.<\/p>\n Even so, he says nimbus and stratus are some of the more distinct subvariants in recent years \u2014 the first to garner their own nicknames since 2023.<\/p>\n Unlike many of those before it, the cloud-themed subvariants comparatively \u201cshow signs of really taking off and potentially causing a significant increase in infections\u201d over what he says was a comparatively lower level before.<\/p>\n \u201cReminder: ventilation, air filtration, well-fitting N95 masks, and avoiding high risk exposure (e.g., indoor crowds in poorly ventilated spaces) are variant-proof measures,\u201d his June thread of posts reads.<\/p>\n What are the symptoms?<\/p>\n Anecdotal reports suggest that, on top of typical COVID-19 symptoms<\/a>, some have found more recent variants to be especially painful.<\/p>\n \u201cThe new Nimbus variant of COVID-19 is causing a sharp, \u2018razor blade\u2019 type of soreness in the throat,\u201d reads a social media post from Yale University\u2019s medical school. \u201cThe reason? The variant replicates in the throat lining, causing cellular damage.\u201d<\/p>\n Health tip: Soothe a \u2018Razor Blade\u2019 Sore Throat<\/p>\n The new #Nimbus<\/a> variant of #COVID<\/a>-19 is causing a sharp, ‘razor blade’ type of soreness in the throat (pharyngitis). The reason? The variant replicates in the throat lining, causing cellular damage. Try these soothing solutions. pic.twitter.com\/EqgxIbpxmJ<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Yale Medicine (@YaleMedicine) June 20, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Over-the-counter lozenges, saline sprays, plenty of fluids and a humidifier may help with discomfort, but the school recommends seeking out a COVID-19 test, and potentially medical attention if circumstances don\u2019t improve.<\/p>\n \u201cYou may need to be evaluated for other conditions such as strep throat,\u201d the post concludes.<\/p>\n How serious are the risks?<\/p>\n While it\u2019s always a good idea to practise responsible public health, the risks of the XFG variant haven\u2019t yet proven to be major.<\/p>\n A June report by the World Health Organization notes that the strain is under monitoring, but that initial threat assessments have found the new health risks introduced by XFG<\/a> to be \u201clow at the global level.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCurrently approved COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective to this variant against symptomatic and severe disease,\u201d it reads. \u201cCurrent data do not indicate that this variant leads to more severe illness or deaths than other variants in circulation.\u201d<\/p>\n