- Stratus variant becomes dominant in the UK: The new Covid variant XFG, nicknamed “Stratus,” has surged from 10% to nearly 40% of cases in just three weeks, making it the leading strain in England according to UKHSA data.
- Highly infectious Frankenstein strain: Stratus and its offshoot XFG.3 are recombinant variants with spike protein mutations that help them evade immune defenses, raising concerns about a potential new infection wave.
- WHO monitors global rise: The World Health Organization has classified Stratus as a “variant under monitoring” due to its rapid global spread and estimated 22% share of global Covid cases, though current risk remains “low.”
- Symptoms and risks remain consistent: Stratus and the rising Nimbus variant do not appear to cause more severe illness or new symptoms, but medics warn of “razor blade” sore throat linked to Nimbus.
‘Frankenstein’ variant Stratus surges four-fold, raising fears of new infection wave
Stratus is a “Frankenstein” or recombinant variant, meaning it formed when a person was simultaneously infected with two different Covid strains that merged into a new hybrid. Stratus descends from the highly transmissible Omicron lineage, which already set records for rapid transmission in previous waves.
Adding to concerns, Stratus and its sub-variant XFG.3 are showing signs of greater immune evasion, thanks to new mutations on the virus’s spike protein. According to Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at University of Warwick, these mutations help the virus escape the body’s natural defenses. This combination of increased infectiousness and weakened population immunity raises the risk of a fresh surge in infections.
However, experts emphasize that there is no current evidence that Stratus causes more severe illness. Nevertheless, the speed at which Stratus is spreading has caught global attention. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently classified Stratus as a “variant under monitoring,” meaning health agencies worldwide are now tracking it closely due to its global growth potential.
Indeed, the WHO reports that Stratus now makes up about 22% of Covid cases globally, reinforcing its growing dominance. Another emerging variant, Nimbus, is also climbing steadily. It rose from just 2% of cases in April to 17% by June, suggesting multiple new sub-variants could be driving new transmission waves.
Interestingly, while these variants are spreading fast, overall Covid cases in the UK have dipped slightly, with just 5.4% of Covid tests testing positive in the week ending June 29 — a decrease from the previous week’s 7%, which was the highest positivity rate of 2025 so far.
Neither Stratus nor Nimbus is believed to cause new or different symptoms compared to previous strains. However, Nimbus has been linked to an especially painful “razor blade” sore throat and swollen lymph nodes, according to Dr. Michael Gregory of NHS England.
Despite the apparent mildness of symptoms in many cases, the risk remains serious for vulnerable populations — including the elderly, immunocompromised and those with underlying health conditions. Experts continue to urge the public to stay vigilant and take preventive measures as necessary, especially if symptoms appear.
As new Covid variants like Stratus gain momentum, global health officials are once again tasked with balancing public awareness and preparedness without causing panic. The trajectory of this “Frankenstein” strain will determine whether the world must brace for yet another Covid wave.
Bookmark Plague.info to your favorite independent websites for updates on TWO HUNDRED new gain-of-function viruses NIH, CDC and WHO plan to release into the “wild” while blaming infected bat soup eaters at the Wuhan wet market.
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