The fast-spreading XFG Stratus variant can cause subtle symptoms that are easy to miss.
Health officials say a sharp surge in Covid cases is being driven by the fast-spreading new XFG variant – also known as Stratus – which can cause subtle symptoms that are easy to miss.
The timing of this rise in Stratus cases coincides with the recent massive Oasis concerts held in Dublin, where more than 160,000 fans packed into Croke Park for the band’s Live 25 reunion shows. Health experts had warned that such large gatherings could increase the risk of transmission.
The new strain, called Stratus, has two variants, XFG and XFG.3, with XFG.3 accounting for 42 cases in Northern Ireland while 21 cases were XFG.
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Despite the rise in the Stratus strain, local data shows that overall Covid cases are on the decline compared to recent weeks. The Public Health Agency has reported a slight decrease in activity across some surveillance indicators, while admissions and occupancy remained stable.
In its latest respiratory surveillance report from August 27, the PHA says that during week 34 of 2025 (August 18-24), 1,226 Covid-19 tests were performed (9.2% positivity).
The number of new Covid episodes decreased in week 34, with 103 unique episodes identified compared with 148 in week 33. The highest episode rate in week 34 was in the 75+ age group (22.4 per 100,000 population) and was highest in Causeway Coast and Glens.
According to the Republic of Ireland’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), Stratus now accounts for 87.5% of confirmed cases there, up from 33% just six weeks ago. Health officials have confirmed that the Stratus variant is behind nearly all of these infections.
The World Health Organisation has flagged Stratus as a “variant under monitoring” noting that while it may not cause more severe illness, it appears to spread faster than earlier strains – a trend clearly reflected in Ireland’s rising case numbers.
Doctors are now reporting new, subtle symptoms. One of the earliest signs of Stratus appears to be a hoarse or raspy voice, which can show up before more classic Covid symptoms, making it easier for the virus to spread undetected.
Harley Street GP Dr Kaywaan Khan told Cosmopolitan UK: “One of the most noticeable symptoms of the Stratus variant is hoarseness, which includes a scratchy or raspy voice.”
Public health guidelines remains the same: If you have any symptoms of Covid, stay at home until 48 hours after the symptoms are mostly or fully gone. You should also avoid contact with other people, especially people at higher risk from Covid.
The public is being reminded to watch out for the full range of 18 Covid symptoms, which include:
- fever (high temperature – 38C or above) – including having chills
- dry cough
- fatigue (tiredness)
- loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this could mean they’re completely gone or just different to normal
- nasal congestion (runny or blocked nose)
- conjunctivitis (also known as red eye or pink eye)
- sore throat
- headache
- muscle or joint pain (aches and pains)
- different types of skin rash
- nausea or vomiting
- diarrhoea
- chills
- dizziness
- shortness of breath or breathing difficulties
- loss of appetite
- confusion
- pain or pressure in the chest.
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