A new COVID variant known as XFG or “Stratus” has emerged and is rapidly spreading globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it a “variant under monitoring,” indicating low risk to public health. Stratus combines elements of the LF.7 and LP.8.1.2 lineages and may evade immune defenses due to distinct mutational profiles in the spike protein. While it’s not expected to cause severe disease or deaths, symptoms such as hoarseness, dry cough, and sore throat are common. The WHO has confirmed that currently approved COVID-19 vaccines remain effective against this variant for symptomatic and severe disease.
Source: https://www.wired.com/story/feeling-hoarse-you-might-have-the-new-stratus-covid-variant