Variant XFG, colloquially known as "Stratus," was first detected in Southeast Asia in January but accounted for less than about 0% of cases in the United States until May. By late June, it was estimated to account for up to 14%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

COVID-19 cases are rising again in the United States, and the "stratus" variant might be to blame. The big picture: A summer outbreak of COVID-19 cases isn't a shocker. But it's arriving before children head back to school,

“Midlife women often juggle caregiving, careers, and hormonal shifts that can strain the immune system,” Boden-Albala says. “Maintaining a strong baseline of health through proper sleep, exercise, nutrient-rich food and stress reduction can support immune resilience.”

Infectious disease experts currently do not think that the variant will be highly contagious, though they have warned that it may be better at avoiding immune responses. What are

The Public Health Center of Ukraine reported results from sequencing COVID-19 pathogens from patients in Poltava Oblast, confirming the virus belongs to the XFG genetic lineage, which is actively spreading worldwide.

The world is once again paying close attention to a new strain of the COVID-19 virus, dubbed Stratus XFG. Public health officials are urging calm but emphasize the need for vigilance as this new variant begins to circulate.