CDC wastewater also shows the XFG variant — nicknamed stratus — is most common in the U.S. Stratus can cause a “razor blade” sore throat and is considered a “variant under monitoring” by the World Health Organization. The WHO said the variant is only marginally better at evading people's immune systems and vaccines still work against it.

The post What to Know About the Stratus Covid Variant That’s Spreading Right Now appeared first on Katie Couric Media. A PSA for those of us having a thirsty summer—and not in a good way. Dad couldn't swallow for months, was diagnosed with Stage 2 esophageal cancer. He's part of a trend of increasing GI cancers in young people.

The “Stratus” variant (XFG) was first identified in January in Southeast Asia. By June, it accounted for 14% of COVID cases in the U.S. While the symptoms of XFG are generally consistent with other COVID variants, some patients have reported hoarseness as a potential distinguishing symptom.