There are two telltale signs to watch out for, as ITV’s Dr. Sara explains. Stratus is the most prevalent strain among the two new Covid strains that have been spreading across the country.
As cases of the new Covid variant, known as Stratus, are surging across the country, an ITV doctor has explained the two ‘telltale’ symptoms to look out for.
XFG and XFG are the two subvariants of the stratus. As of late September 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) predicted that 3, was the most prevalent Covid strain in the UK. It was first identified in January 2025, and it has since spread to various regions of the nation.
A newer variant, known as Nimbus, has also been popular. The WHO classified Nimbus as a “Variant Under Monitoring” (VUM), which suggested potential risks for public health, when it was first discovered in January 2025.
READ MORE: Doctor shares one medication you should avoid taking if you have CovidREAD MORE: Key differences between Covid Nimbus and Stratus variants as doctor issues warning
Discussing the two variants on This Morning earlier this week, Dr Sara explained that “cases are rising” as with many other respiratory illnesses during this time of year. She said Stratus has been accounting for around 63 per cent of cases, while Nimbus has been accounting for around 25 per cent of cases.
In a warning about what symptoms to be aware of, Dr Sara revealed that the two telltale signs to look out for are “mainly a hoarse voice and a kind of razor blade type of sharp sort throat.” She added that these can come with additional symptoms such as “headaches, coughing, a runny nose or a blocked nose.”
The doctor said it can be more difficult to tell whether someone has a Covid, the flu, or a regular cold because of the common symptoms. She gave some pointers to those who believe they might have Covid, saying, “You should be avoiding getting in touch with the less fortunate.”
“If possible, stay home.” If you have to leave the house, then you must go out and do everything we used to. This includes using a face mask, regularly washing your hands, and removing tissues from your hands after use.
While both variants have been noted to include an excruciating sore throat, Nimbus has also been associated with increased instances of digestive symptoms, such as nausea, diarrhoea, bloating, and stomach pain.
Stratus and Nimbus, in contrast to other circulating variants, may not be the most serious disease that are currently being investigated. Effective protection against severe illness is still provided by current vaccines.
Source: Mirror
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