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A new COVID-19 variant, known as XFG or Stratus, is rapidly spreading in nine U.S. states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The affected states include New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Vermont, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota. The World Health Organization has identified Stratus as a "variant under monitoring" after it spread to 38 countries by June.
Stratus was first detected in Southeast Asia in January and has since become the predominant variant in the U.S., as indicated by CDC wastewater data from mid-September. The variant is known for its ability to mutate and attack the immune system more effectively than the previous Nimbus variant, which was associated with severe sore throat symptoms.
Most cases of Stratus are mild in vaccinated individuals, with symptoms such as fatigue, fever, and dry cough. However, unvaccinated individuals may experience more severe symptoms, including brain fog, nausea, chest tightness, and a scratchy throat, according to researchers at Stony Brook University. The variant's spread has led to increased hospitalizations in some areas.
Health experts recommend that individuals, especially those in high-risk groups, stay up to date with vaccinations to reduce the risk of severe illness.
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