The new strain, known as ‘Stratus’ was been placed “under monitoring” by the World Health Organisation
Maddy Baillie Content Editor and Eleanor Burleigh
09:09, 25 Sep 2025Updated 10:21, 25 Sep 2025
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A fresh coronavirus variant is rapidly spreading throughout the UK, with medical experts highlighting key symptoms people should be aware of.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) initially detected the new variant, dubbed ‘Stratus’, in January, and by June it had been placed “under monitoring” by the World Health Organisation (WHO) due to “increasing proportions globally”.
More than 1,600 coronavirus cases were recorded in the opening week of September according to UKHSA figures, representing a 7.6% increase, though it remains uncertain how many were attributed to the new variant, which comprises two sub-variants – XFG and XFG. 3.
While Covid symptoms can often be mistaken for those of common cold or flu viruses, Dr Gareth Nye, from the University of Salford, has identified symptoms linked specifically to the Stratus variant.
“In most ways, it’s almost identical [to other Covid strains],” he said.
“Illnesses always see spikes as children go back to school, as close contact and often lower personal hygiene levels mix,” Dr Nye told The Mirror.
“This version is more likely to make you sick, however, as they appear to be able to avoid your immune system even if you’ve had it before. [This] makes prior vaccines less useful, which makes regular vaccination against the latest coronavirus even more important. Think of it like updating your phone to get the best possible experience.”
Dr Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist from the University of California, also warned that the Stratus variant shows a “wider range” of symptoms than earlier strains.
“There’s a little bit more [of] sore throats with some people,” he told SFGATE. “Particularly in those who are older, who didn’t get vaccinated last year. It’s more transmissible, so we expect that a lot of people will get it. Particularly with kids going back to school, a sniffle is likely going to be Covid.”
Starting from October, the NHS intends to offer complimentary vaccine boosters to specific groups in an effort to protect those most vulnerable to health complications.
The eligible groups will encompass adults aged 75 and above, residents in care homes for the elderly, and immunosuppressed individuals who are six months old or older.