1. What is Stratus?

Stratus, officially called XFG and XFG.3, is a new variant formed from two earlier Omicron strains. It was first spotted in early 2025 and has already spread worldwide.

2. Rapid Spread

Stratus has quickly become one of the dominant COVID variants in several countries. It went from low levels to accounting for a significant share of cases within weeks.

3. New Symptom Alert

While symptoms are mostly similar to past Omicron strains—like fever, cough, and fatigue—many people with Stratus are reporting hoarseness or a scratchy voice more often than before.

4. No Evidence of Higher Severity

Early data suggests Stratus spreads easily but does not appear to cause more severe illness or higher death rates compared to earlier variants.

5. Stay Protected

Vaccines still help prevent severe illness. Good hygiene, masks in crowded places, and staying home if you feel unwell remain important steps to reduce the spread.