COVID-19 surge continues across US driven by Stratus variant

As the fall season begins, COVID-19 cases are rising again across the United States, fueled by the highly contagious XFG "Stratus" variant.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), national COVID-19 viral activity in wastewater is at a “moderate” level. However, 19 states report “high” or “very high” levels, including California, Connecticut, Delaware, Utah, Nevada, and North Carolina. Other states with rising activity include Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Washington.

About the Stratus Variant (XFG)

The XFG “Stratus” variant is a recombinant hybrid of two Omicron subvariants, LF.7 and LP.8.1.2, giving it a genetic advantage in spreading and evading immunit