A new Covid variant called XFG, circulating online as 'American Covid' or 'Stratus Covid', is spreading in the United Kingdom. Hospitalisations linked to the variant have risen more than 400% in a single month, according to coverage by The Independent and the Daily Mirror.

Health media in the UK and India are flagging the variant as one that can last several weeks, with two symptoms getting significant focus on social platforms. Officials have not yet released detailed guidance, but the rapid rise in hospital cases has triggered warnings on health and news platforms.