Home / Health / New Covid Strain 'American Covid' Spreads
New Covid Strain 'American Covid' Spreads
22 Oct
Summary
- A new Covid strain, 'American Covid' or XFG Stratus, was first identified in January.
- Symptoms include sore throat, respiratory issues, and notably, back pain.
- UK cases surged 230% from August to September, with hospital admissions climbing.
A COVID-19 strain identified as XFG Stratus, colloquially known as 'American Covid,' is currently circulating after its initial detection last January. This variant typically presents with symptoms resembling a common cold but has also been linked to more concerning effects.
Reported symptoms can include a painful sore throat and respiratory difficulties. Additionally, eye irritation, coughing, nasal congestion, fever, body aches, headaches, and alterations in taste or smell have been documented. COVID-19 can manifest as back pain due to myalgia, a common complication of viral infections.
Figures from the UK Health Security Agency indicate a substantial increase in reported cases, escalating from 1,374 in August to 4,589 in September, a 230% surge. Hospital admissions related to COVID-19 also climbed significantly during the same period, rising from 950 to 4,939.
