There is a new Covid 19 variant sweeping across the UK, an Omicron subvariant XFG known as “Stratus” (XFG).

In Ireland, there were 425 new infections in the first week of September, with experts pointing towards XFG as the reason.

Ireland's Health Protection Surveillance Centre said it is now accounting for 76.1 per cent of reported infections compared to just 49.3 per cent six weeks ago.

Stratus is a "variant under monitoring," according to the World Health Organization, though it is not thought to produce a more severe illness.

Infectious disease specialist Dr Peter Chin-Hong from the University of California San Francisco told SFGATE : "There's a little bit more sore throats with some people.

"Particularly in those who are older, who didn't get vaccinated last year. It's more trans

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