The XFG strain, also known as “American Covid” or “Stratus,” has become one of the most common variants in circulation.
Despite rising cases, health officials say it is not a new virus and has been monitored internationally for more than a year.
Ipswich Hospital is part of ESNEFT (Image: Newsquest)
Current evidence does not suggest it causes more severe illness than other strains.
Catherine Morgan, chief nurse at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT), which runs Ipswich Hospital, said: “As we move into the winter months, it is normal to see an increase in cases of seasonal viruses, including COVID-19 and flu.
Catherine Morgan. Chief Nurse and Director of Infection Prevention and Control at ESNEFT (Image: ESNEFT)
“While some patients at Ipswich Hospital are testing positive for COVID-19, we have not seen a significant rise in hospital admissions as a result of the virus.
“We are unable to determine the specific strain of COVID-19 in these cases, and therefore cannot confirm whether they are linked to any particular variant.”
Symptoms of the XFG strain are similar to previous variants and include a sore throat, cough, fever, headache, fatigue, congestion, runny nose, and muscle aches.
A hoarse or croaky voice appears to be more common with XFG than with earlier strains.
Ms Morgan said infection prevention and control measures remain in place across the trust’s hospitals and community services.
She also encouraged eligible people to get vaccinated against both flu and Covid-19 this winter.
Ipswich Hospital part of the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (Image: Newsquest)
She said respiratory viruses spread more easily when people spend more time indoors and vaccination remains the best way to reduce the risk of serious illness.
Further information on Covid-19 and other infectious diseases is available from the UK Health Security Agency.