COVID-19 Cases Rise in UK, Driven by New ‘Stratus‘ Variant – Experts Suggest Masking
London – A new variant of COVID-19, dubbed “Stratus” (with sub-variants XFG and XFG.3), is driving a recent increase in cases across the United kingdom, prompting health officials to suggest a return to mask-wearing three years after the official end of the pandemic.
Data from the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) shows a significant uptick in cases beginning October 3.The week leading up to September 24 saw 2,459 newly confirmed cases, a 7.6 percent increase compared to the previous week as of September 10.
The Stratus variant is characterized by a perhaps severe hoarse voice, in addition to typical symptoms like fever and fatigue.Though,experts emphasize that current data indicates the variant is not more deadly than other circulating strains and that existing vaccines remain effective.
“Based on the available facts 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,” stated Dr.Allen of the UKHSA.
The world Health Organisation (WHO) has also assessed the XFG strand as posing a “low risk” globally, noting it exhibits only “marginal additional immune evasion” compared to other variants. While increases in cases and hospitalizations have been reported in some Southeast Asian countries with a high proportion of XFG, the WHO has found no evidence of increased disease severity.
“While there are reported increases in cases and hospitalisations in some of the [southeast Asia region] countries, which has the highest proportion of XFG, there are no reports to suggest that the associated disease severity is higher as compared to other circulating variants,” the WHO stated. “The available evidence on XFG does not suggest additional public health risks relative to the other currently circulating Omicron descendant lineages.”
