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New COVID variant ‘Stratus’ on the rise, what are the symptoms?
Zach Kaplan Updated: Oct 2, 2025 / 05:22 PM CDT
(NewsNation) — As the weather begins to change and respiratory illnesses become more common, a highly transmissible strain of COVID-19 is on the rise across the United States.
Nineteen states are seeing “high” or “very high” levels of the XFG COVID-19 variant, known as Stratus, in wastewater, according to CDC data. Nevada, Utah, Connecticut and Delaware reported the highest levels.
The Stratus, variant was initially detected in Southeast Asia in January. The first cases of the variant were identified in the U.S. in March and it took several months for Stratus to surpass the Nimbus variant and become the dominant strain in COVID cases in the U.S.
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Stratus infections surged over the summer and continue to rise heading into the fall. In a recent four-week period that ended on Sept. 27, Stratus accounted for an estimated 85% of U.S. COVID cases, according to the CDC’s Nowcast estimates.
What are the symptoms of Stratus?
Many symptoms of the Stratus variant are similar to those of earlier COVID variants, according to Stony Brook Medicine.
The most frequent symptoms include:
Persistent, dry cough
Tiredness or fatigue
Fever
Other symptoms may include:
Shortness of breath
Chest tightness
Sore or scratchy throat
Headaches and body aches
Upset stomach, nausea, or loss of appetite
Loss of taste or smell (now less common)
Brain fog or trouble concentrating
Prevention and treatment of the Stratus variant don’t differ from those of other COVID-19 viruses.
Previously approved COVID vaccines should remain effective against the new variant, according to the WHO.
More:
https://www.newsnationnow.com/health/coronavirus/covid-variant-stratus-on-rise-symptoms