A new COVID-19 variant, Stratus, has been detected in California and is fueling a surge in cases across the US. The variant, also known as XFG, was first identified in Southeast Asia in January but did not gain significant traction in the US until May.
The World Health Organization (WHO) added Stratus to its watchlist in June, assessing the additional public health risk as “low” globally. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that the variant is spreading rapidly, with cases detected in over 25 states since July.
California is experiencing a significant increase in COVID-19 cases, with Los Angeles County seeing a 12.5% rise and Orange County reporting a 14.5% increase in recent weeks. While hospitalizations remain lower than last year’s levels, suggesting the strain may be less severe.
Symptoms of the Stratus variant include sore throat, cough, congestion, fever, and shortness of breath. The CDC advises seeking medical care if symptoms persist or worsen.
Source: https://www.foxla.com/news/covid-cases-surging-california-xfg-stratus-variant