A fresh variant of Covid is making its way through the UK, with some experts raising concerns about its potential resistance to immunity. This strain – known as Stratus – has already evolved into two variants, is responsible for 30 per cent of Covid cases in the country.
Dr Alex Allen, Consultant Epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency, said that: “It is normal for viruses to mutate and change over time,” while assuring that the agency continues to monitor all Covid strains within the UK.
The UKHSA has identified two variants of Stratus, XFG and XFG. 3, with XFG.3 being linked to a higher number of cases than any other individual variant, reports the Express.
Despite the emergence of these variants, Dr Allen has suggested that they do not seem to pose a greater threat compared to their predecessors. He clarified: “Based on the available information so far, there is no evidence to suggest that the XFG and XFG.3 variants cause more severe disease than previous variants, or that the vaccines in current use will be less effective against them.”
Dr Kaywaan Khan, a GP on Harley Street and Founder of Hannah London Clinic, shared with Cosmopolitan UK that one distinct symptom of the Stratus variant is hoarseness, characterised by a scratchy or raspy voice.
However, scientists have warned that due to a decline in vaccination uptake, many people will find that their immunity has waned if exposed to the latest strain. Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at Warwick University, shared with MailOnline his concerns about waning immunity levels.
He warned: “Given that immunity to Covid is waning in the population due to a decline in uptake of the spring booster jab and the reduction of Covid infections in recent months, more people will be susceptible to infection with XFG and XFG.3. This could lead to a new wave of infection but it’s difficult to predict the extent of this wave.”
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