A new Covid variant called Stratus has become the dominant strain across the UK, with health experts urging households to adopt three key prevention measures. The XFG variant, officially known as Stratus, now accounts for nearly 40 per cent of cases according to UKHSA data, while another strain called Nimbus is also spreading rapidly.
The World Health Organisation is monitoring both variants as infections surge nationwide. Dr Kader, a medical expert known as doctor.k on TikTok, explained that symptoms differ significantly from previous variants.
"The new variant seems to be starting with ear, nose and throat symptoms, so most people are complaining about a really hoarse voice or a super sore throat," Dr Kader said. The variant also presents with more gastrointestinal symptoms than previous strains.
"A lot of people are complaining about nausea, vomiting, bloating [and] acid reflux," he noted. Despite the concerning spread, Dr Kader emphasised that the new variant appears to cause "milder" infections than previous variants.
Prevention measures recommended
Health experts are advocating three essential steps as the variants sweep across England. Dr Kader recommended regular hand washing as the primary defence against transmission.
Ensuring homes are well-ventilated helps reduce the concentration of airborne particles that carry the virus. "Think about wearing a mask if you're in a crowded place, too," the medical expert advised.
Cases double across UK
Covid rates have doubled over the past four weeks, with Manchester Evening News reporting that 77 per cent of cases are now XFG variants and 11 per cent are NB.1.8.1 variants. Hospitalisation rates have increased from 1.71 to 2.73 per 100,000 people according to Express data.
The rapid transmission is partly attributed to changing weather patterns affecting behaviour. "The weather is changing, it's getting a bit colder, people are staying indoors more and just passing the bugs to each other," Dr Kader explained.
Health authorities recommend staying home with symptoms and wearing masks when going out. The surge particularly affects young and elderly populations as the UK enters the typical respiratory virus season.
Sources used: "Birminghammail", "Manchester Evening News", "Express", "Mirror", "Liverpool Echo", "UKHSA", "Royal College of GPs"
Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
