We're back to every new strain inducing 'panic' headlines?
What to Know About the New COVID-19 Variant XFG
It's beginning to sound more like tracking the results of preliminary bouts... Eight things you need to know about the new “Nimbus” and “Stratus” COVID-19 variants
The "Nimbus" variant is the one being discussed in this thread... People Are Reporting A Frightening COVID Symptom Right Now — Here's What To Know; i.e., the one with 'razor blade throat.'
What to Know About the New COVID-19 Variant XFG
With summer travel at an all-time high, new COVID-19 variants are brewing. Officials at the World Health Organization (WHO) recently added another one to its list of variants under monitoring: XFG.
XFG is spreading most widely in Southeast Asia, although cases have been reported in 38 countries. In the U.K., it accounts for 30% of COVID-19 infections, and in the U.S., 14% of confirmed cases are XFG, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (These data are likely incomplete: the CDC notes that since less data are being reported, the variant trackers are not precise.)...
XFG is still in the Omicron family. It derives from the JN.1 Omicron group, which is the target of the latest COVID-19 vaccine. XFG is a combination of two other variants that have recombined: LF.7 and LP.8.1.2.
It is growing globally. Samples of XFG sent to the global database of genetic virus sequences jumped from 7% of all COVID-19 samples in May 2025 to nearly 23% a few weeks later, according to WHO. Compared to the variant NB.1.8.1—which is currently dominant in many countries, including in the U.S.—XFG contains nine additional mutations in the spike protein...
XFG is spreading most widely in Southeast Asia, although cases have been reported in 38 countries. In the U.K., it accounts for 30% of COVID-19 infections, and in the U.S., 14% of confirmed cases are XFG, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (These data are likely incomplete: the CDC notes that since less data are being reported, the variant trackers are not precise.)...
XFG is still in the Omicron family. It derives from the JN.1 Omicron group, which is the target of the latest COVID-19 vaccine. XFG is a combination of two other variants that have recombined: LF.7 and LP.8.1.2.
It is growing globally. Samples of XFG sent to the global database of genetic virus sequences jumped from 7% of all COVID-19 samples in May 2025 to nearly 23% a few weeks later, according to WHO. Compared to the variant NB.1.8.1—which is currently dominant in many countries, including in the U.S.—XFG contains nine additional mutations in the spike protein...
COVID-19 may have faded from news headlines, but it hasn’t gone away – or stopped evolving. The World Health Organization (WHO) currently lists six ‘variants under monitoring’ -- meaning they may require prioritised attention and tracking by health authorities due to their increased prevalence and potential public health implications.
One of them is NB.1.8.1, unofficially nicknamed “Nimbus” by the group of researchers and citizen scientists who’ve proposed previous monikers like Kraken, Centaurus and Eris for variants they thought people would be talking about.
Another variant raising concern among virus spotters – though not currently designated for monitoring by the WHO -- is XFG, informally nicknamed “Stratus”...
One of them is NB.1.8.1, unofficially nicknamed “Nimbus” by the group of researchers and citizen scientists who’ve proposed previous monikers like Kraken, Centaurus and Eris for variants they thought people would be talking about.
Another variant raising concern among virus spotters – though not currently designated for monitoring by the WHO -- is XFG, informally nicknamed “Stratus”...
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