The Covid variant XFG, also called Stratus, is spreading across the U.S. Since its
first detection in March, it has quickly become dominant, now making up “80 percent of US Covid cases” as of September 9.
High Wastewater Activity
CDC data shows viral wastewater activity is now “high nationally,” with 29 states reporting high or very high levels.
Infections are “growing” or “likely growing” in nine states, including Minnesota, Michigan, and New York.
More Contagious, Not Deadlier
XFG is a hybrid of two Omicron strains with mutations that make it “more contagious than previous variants” but not deadlier. Symptoms remain similar: fever, cough, fatigue, congestion, and loss of taste or smell.
Signs of Slowing
Despite the rise, hospitalizations dropped from “2.5 per 100,000” to 1.5, and test positivity fell from “10.9 percent” to 9.5 percent in the week ending September 13.