A new variant of COVID-19, dubbed “Stratus,” has emerged in the US, similar to other Omicron variants but with a distinct symptom: hoarseness. According to CDC data, Stratus accounted for 14% of COVID-19 cases in late June and is driving up case estimates in New York.
The World Health Organization classified XFG as “variant under monitoring” in June. Experts say the variant may be better at evading immunity protection, but vaccination remains effective against severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
Symptoms common to other variants include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, congestion, and loss of taste or smell. However, hoarseness is unique to Stratus. The CDC reports that only 0.7% of emergency room visits in New York were for COVID-19 during the seven-day period ending July 31.
Despite the growing number of cases, viral activity in wastewater remains low nationally, with at least 10 states reporting “high” or “very high” levels. The CDC’s forecasting models show infection rates in New York are growing, affecting 40 states and remaining unchanged in nine others.
Source: https://patch.com/new-york/easthampton/new-covid-variant-stratus-has-distinctive-symptom-see-latest-ny-data