A healthcare expert has warned that a new strain of COVID-19 could be immune to the vaccine. The Stratus strain, which spread across the United Kingdom, is known for giving people a hoarse voice – something not seen previously.
According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the two SARS-CoV-2 variants, XFG and XFG.3, currently account for around 30 per cent of COVID-19 cases in England. Officials say the XFG.3 accounts for a larger amount than any other variant, even though the current symptoms are mostly mild to moderate. The World Health Organisation has said the strain accounted for around 23 per cent of global COVID-19 cases as of last month.
However, Dr Kaywaan Khan, Harley Street GP and founder of the Hannah London Clinic, said, “Unlike other variants, Stratus has certain mutations in the spike protein, which could help it evade antibodies developed from prior infections or vaccinations.”
“One of the most noticeable symptoms of the Stratus variant is hoarseness, which includes a scratchy or raspy voice,” Dr Khan told Cosmopolitan.
According to experts, more people, across age and gender, will be susceptible to the variants, which can lead to a new wave of infection. Doctors believe that immunity to COVID-19 is waning among the general population due to a decline in uptake of booster jabs and the reduction of infection in recent months, making those vulnerable highly susceptible to infection with XFG and XFG. 3. UKHSA says other variants of COVID-19 continue to spread across the country. There was a spike in reports of the Nimbus variant giving people razor-blade-like sore throats till last month.
Officially named NB.1.8.1, the variant spread across China and Hong Kong. It stemmed from the Omicron variant and has now been recorded across the USA and Australia.
COVID-19 symptoms you must keep an eye on
A few new symptoms of coronavirus that doctors suggest you must keep a regular eye on include:
Persistent Low-Grade Fever
If you are suffering from a continuing low-grade fever, ranging from 37.6°C to 38.1°C (99.6-100.5°F), it could be a sign of JN.1 virus infection. It’s been observed that the fever tends not to spike but rather maintains a steady, slightly elevated temperature, similar to hyperthermia. Mild tiredness and prolonged warm sensations could indicate the need for early testing.
Gastrointestinal Issues
While some patients experienced mild gastrointestinal issues during previous COVID-19 waves, those symptoms were mild. In patients affected by the new COVID-19 variant, more prominent gastrointestinal issues have been observed, including diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and stomach discomfort.