What is the Stratus COVID variant?

The Stratus variant, also known as XFG, is a new COVID-19 variant that has become the dominant strain in Ireland, now accounting for 87.5% of cases.

How are the Oasis concerts related to the Stratus variant spread in Ireland?

The recent Oasis concerts held at Croke Park, which drew over 160,000 attendees, may have contributed to the rapid spread of the Stratus variant in Ireland, as health experts had warned that large gatherings could increase transmission.

What are the subtle symptoms of the Stratus variant?

One of the most noticeable symptoms of the Stratus variant is a hoarse or raspy voice, which can sometimes appear before more classic COVID-19 symptoms, making it easier for the virus to spread undetected.

Home / Health / Ireland Faces Surge in Stealthy COVID Variant Linked to Oasis Concerts

Ireland Faces Surge in Stealthy COVID Variant Linked to Oasis Concerts

19 Aug

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Summary

New COVID variant Stratus accounts for 87.5% of cases in Ireland
Subtle symptoms like hoarse voice make it harder to detect
Oasis concerts with 160,000 attendees may have fueled the spread

Ireland Faces Surge in Stealthy COVID Variant Linked to Oasis Concerts

As of August 20th, 2025, Ireland is facing a significant surge in COVID-19 cases, with a new variant called Stratus (also known as XFG) being the primary driver. According to the latest figures from Ireland's Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), the Stratus variant's share of confirmed cases has skyrocketed from 33% six weeks ago to 87.5% this week, meaning it now accounts for nearly every COVID-19 case in the country.

The rise in Stratus cases coincides with the recent Oasis concerts held at Croke Park over the weekend, where more than 160,000 fans packed in for the band's Live 25 reunion shows. Health experts had warned that such large gatherings could increase the risk of transmission, and the data seems to support their concerns.

One of the most notable aspects of the Stratus variant is its subtle symptoms, which can make it easier for the virus to spread undetected. Doctors are reporting that a hoarse or raspy voice has emerged as an early sign of the infection, sometimes appearing before more classic COVID-19 symptoms. This makes it challenging for people to recognize the illness and take appropriate precautions.

In the past week alone, 461 new COVID-19 cases were reported nationwide, with nine counties reporting more than 20 new cases. Dublin led the way with 108 cases, followed by Cork, Limerick, Galway, and several other regions. At the other end of the scale, some counties recorded no new cases or only a few.

The World Health Organization has flagged Stratus as a "variant under monitoring," warning that while it may not cause more severe illness, it appears to spread faster, as evidenced by the latest figures from Ireland.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.