This summer, the dominant strain<\/a> is an offshoot of the variant known as XFG or \u201cStratus,\u201d <\/a>which was first detected in January 2025.<\/p>\n Stratus infections come with the typical consequences of Covid, such as cough and fever. But there are also more gastrointestinal woes including nausea, vomiting and dehydrating diarrhea<\/a>, Dr. James Black, medical director of emergency services at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, New York, told WALB on Tuesday<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s hard to say, but as most viruses do, it mutates. So, I\u2019m certain that it\u2019s changed from what we have seen in the past,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The warning comes as cases of coronavirus<\/a> have started to see an end-of-summer surge, according to federal data. <\/p>\n Levels are now growing or likely growing in all but two states, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention map<\/a> shows. The percentage of positive tests for Covid has also been rising since June<\/a>.<\/p>\n Though the current spike in new cases is smaller than past summer surges, Jodie Guest, senior vice chair of the epidemiology department at Emory University\u2019s Rollins School of Public Health, told AARP<\/a> that if it \u201ccontinues on the path that it\u2019s on, we could anticipate seeing 10 to 15 percent of people in the United States with Covid in this particular wave.\u201d<\/p>\n As kids return to school in the next couple of months, that could leave them particularly exposed to the viral strain \u2013 though healthy kids are usually at a lower risk of severe infection<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want anybody to be afraid,\u201d Blacke said. \u201cYou treat the symptoms, you control the fever, make sure people are taking in adequate amounts of fluid and nutrition.\u201d<\/p>\n Most symptoms of this virus can be managed at home with fluids and pain relievers, he pointed out.<\/p>\n However, Stratus isn\u2019t the only variant<\/a> experts have talked about this year. <\/p>\n A strain of omicron known as BA 3.2<\/a> and nicknamed \u201cCicada\u201d was tied to hospitalizations in December and January.<\/p>\n The strain comes with symptoms that the American Journal of Managed Care warned<\/a> could be confused for a common cold, allergies or the flu.<\/p>\n And other new symptoms have been linked to Covid cases in 2025-26, such as red and itchy eyes<\/a> and a razor blade sore throat.<\/p>\n Scientists have warned that Covid will continue to mutate and find new ways to evade human immune system defenses. <\/p>\n Fortunately, updated vaccines are expected this fall, Dr. William Schaffner, professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt Health, told CIDRAP News<\/a> this month.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to remember that Covid is still with us and that vaccines and updated vaccines are really about strengthening our protection,\u201d Guest said.<\/p>\n![\"Coronavirus](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-1292639188.jpeg\")
Coronavirus is surging in the U.S. again. Doctors say they\u2019re seeing new stomach-flipping symptoms (Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"This](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1787807535_913_MAP.jpeg\")
This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention map shows where levels of coronavirus are growing and declining around the U.S. The dark purple indicates where levels are growing and the light purple shows where they are likely growing (CDC)<\/p>\n