According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the strain is now the third most common COVID-19 variant in the United States.

“Stratus,” originally known as Variant XFG, is the second most prominent strain of COVID in the United States. According to the World Health Organization, the strain was first detected in Southeast Asia in January. They added the strain to its watchlist for public health risk in June.

A new COVID-19 variant, known as XFG or “Stratus,” is surging across the United States, swiftly becoming the third-most common strain of the summer and raising concerns among health authorities. The fast-spreading variant, first detected in Southeast Asia in January, has also been reported in several European countries.

Variant XFG, also known as “Stratus,” was first detected in Southeast Asia back in January but accounted for very few of cases in the United States until May. But by late June, it was estimated to account for up to 14%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

COVID-19 variant XFG accounted for 0% of U.S. cases in May. By late-June, it became the third-most common strain.

The surge of new COVID-19 variannt Stratus (XFG) in the US is being compounded by latest vaccine restrictions from the Trump Administration. A virologist belives that future waves of COVID-19 could become more severe as the rate of vaccination declines and immunity drops.

Known officially as XFG, the variant was first detected in Southeast Asia back in January. For months, it flew under the radar in the States, barely any reported cases. However, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) detailed XFG accounted for 14% of all U.S. cases by late June, making it the third most common variant in circulation.

The CDC remarks the new COVID-19 variant Stratus XFG as the third most common variant circulating in the United States. Symptoms like hoarse or raspy voice, a feeling like "swallowing glass" stands out.