New COVID variant ‘Stratus’ becomes dominant in U.S.

Visualization of the coronavirus causing COVID-19 Photo: Fusion Medical Animation

A new COVID-19 variant, known as XFG and nicknamed “Stratus,” has quickly become the dominant strain in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to a recent report published by Today, the strain has been detected in wastewater in 30 states, and the CDC says cases are likely growing in 45 states, with no signs of decline. While overall viral activity is considered “moderate,” at least 14 states — including Utah, California, Nevada, Colorado, Texas, Hawaii and Louisiana — are reporting high or very high levels.

Stratus is a combination of earlier variants F.7 and LP.8.1.2, according to the World Health Organization. It accounted for no cases in April but rose to 43% of reported cases by the end of June. Scientists warn the variant is highly transmissible and carries mutations in its spike protein that may help it evade antibodies from both vaccination and prior infection.

Even so, health experts emphasize that existing vaccines remain effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death. “The good news is fewer people are dying or being hospitalized compared to when COVID-19 was new,” Yale public health professor Dr. Albert Ko told Today.

The rise of Stratus coincides with the back-to-school season, raising concern about higher transmission rates among children and families. COVID-related emergency room visits are already increasing across all age groups, according to federal health data.

Public health officials say the latest wave appears to be following the now-familiar pattern of late summer surges, though at lower levels of severity than in the pandemic’s early years.