Health and Me

Aarushi Bhadury

COVID-19 Hospitalizations Increase By 43%: How Dangerous Is The New 'Frankenstein' Variant?

Recent reports from France show a sudden and significant increase in the number of people visiting emergency rooms due to suspected <span>COVID-19</span> infections. This surge peaked in the third week of September 2025 and was most noticeable among adults. The data highlights just how sharp the rise was compared to the previous wee 

<strong>Children under 15: </strong>Emergency visits and hospital stays jumped by 43%, with 156 more children requiring urgent care.

<strong>Adults (15 and older): </strong>Visits increased by 29% (224 more adults rushed to the hospital). 

Doctors first noticed the trend a week earlier, when calls about suspected COVID-19 cases rose by 9%. This early uptick indicated that the virus was rapidly spreading through communities. 

Overall, doctors estimated that about 32,600 new cases were diagnosed in a short time. This marks the second week in a row that COVID-19 has been increasing, mainly affecting adults of all ages, while the rate for children remains steady. 

<h2>What is The "<span rel="noindex">Frankenstein</span>" <span rel="noindex">Covid Variant</span>? </h2>

The World Health Organization (WHO) believes this latest spike in cases is caused by a new version of the coronavirus they've named <span>XFG</span>. This variant has been nicknamed "Frankenstein" because it is a recombinant, which means that it is a genetic mix of two other variants, LF.7 and LP.8.1.2. 

XFG has been on the WHO's watch list since June 2025, meaning they are monitoring it closely as it spreads globally. Despite its rapid spread, the WHO currently says the added risk to public health worldwide is low. A key piece of good news is that the existing, approved COVID-19 vaccines are still expected to be highly effective at preventing severe illness and death, even from this new variant. 

<h2>Is The Frankenstein Variant Dangerous? </h2>

In places where XFG has become the main circulating strain, like several countries in Southeast Asia, reports show simultaneous increases in both new cases and hospitalizations. This proves the variant is easily spread and can cause illness severe enough to require hospital care. 

However, after reviewing the data, the WHO has not found any evidence suggesting the XFG variant is more dangerous or causes a higher number of deaths than the other versions of the virus currently going around. 

Globally, XFG is rapidly taking over. For example, in Europe, XFG was responsible for a huge 82% of all circulating variants in the weeks leading up to the report. Despite this high circulation, European health authorities confirm that while the virus is widespread, its impact on hospital systems is still manageable. 

<h2>Why Is <span rel="noindex">COVID</span> Coming Back In Different Forms And Waves?</h2>

According to Institut Pasteur Research Journal experts, SARS-CoV-2 virus (which causes COVID-19) is acting more like the flu, with seasonal increases. Unlike the flu, which is mostly a winter virus, COVID-19 has circulated all year. However, we are seeing fewer total cases and fewer severe illnesses because most people now have some protection (immunity) from past infections or vaccines. The virus remains persistent because of three main factors:

<ul><li>The virus is always mutating, allowing it to partly get past our existing immunity.</li><li>The level of antibodies (our body’s defense) from both vaccination and infection naturally decreases over time.</li><li>Winter conditions (colder weather, closed windows) make it easier for the virus to spread indoors.</li></ul>

Like all viruses of its type, SARS-CoV-2 changes regularly. While most changes do nothing, some mutations give the virus an "advantage," helping it spread more easily and bypass immune defenses. These key changes often happen in the Spike protein. 

Experts believe the most likely future is "endemicity," where the virus circulates at low levels with small, occasional waves. But we can’t completely rule out the emergence of a brand new, highly different variant that could get past most people's immunity. 

<h2>Is There A Vaccine For <span rel="noindex">Frankenstein COVID</span> Variant? </h2>

According to Medscape, the annual influenza (flu) and COVID-19 vaccination campaigns are scheduled to kick off on October 14, 2025.

Ahead of this, a new version of the COVID vaccine, COMIRNATY® LP.8.1, was officially approved by the European Commission in July 2025. This vaccine is specifically adapted to target the LP.8.1 variant, making it more effective against the newest circulating strains. Pfizer, the manufacturer, confirmed that their studies show this updated vaccine significantly improves the body's immune response against many of the currently spreading SARS-CoV-2 sublineages, giving people better protection this season. 

<h2>Are COVID Vaccines Still Effective? </h2>

Institut Pasteur answers, Yes. Most infections now are less severe, especially in healthy people, largely because of the protection from vaccines or previous infections. 

While immunity fades over time, there is still strong protection against becoming severely ill. This is why the experts stress the importance of regularly updating the vaccine’s formula (just like for the flu shot) and giving annual booster shots to the most vulnerable groups (like those over 65 or people with underlying health conditions). Vaccines adapted to the current circulating variants are available every year.

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Recent reports from France show a sudden and significant increase in the number of people visiting emergency rooms due to suspected COVID-19 infections. This surge peaked in the third week of September 2025 and was most noticeable among adults. The data highlights just how sharp the rise was compared to the previous wee Children under 15: Emergency visits and hospital stays jumped by 43%, with 156 more children requiring urgent care.Adults (15 and older): Visits increased by 29% (224 more adults rushed to the hospital). Doctors first noticed the trend a week earlier, when calls about suspected COVID-19 cases rose by 9%. This early uptick indicated that the virus was rapidly spreading through communities. Overall, doctors estimated that about 32,600 new cases were diagnosed in a short time. This marks the second week in a row that COVID-19 has been increasing, mainly affecting adults of all ages, while the rate for children remains steady. What is The "Frankenstein" Covid Variant? The World Health Organization (WHO) believes this latest spike in cases is caused by a new version of the coronavirus they've named XFG. This variant has been nicknamed "Frankenstein" because it is a recombinant, which means that it is a genetic mix of two other variants, LF.7 and LP.8.1.2. XFG has been on the WHO's watch list since June 2025, meaning they are monitoring it closely as it spreads globally. Despite its rapid spread, the WHO currently says the added risk to public health worldwide is low. A key piece of good news is that the existing, approved COVID-19 vaccines are still expected to be highly effective at preventing severe illness and death, even from this new variant. Is The Frankenstein Variant Dangerous? In places where XFG has become the main circulating strain, like several countries in Southeast Asia, reports show simultaneous increases in both new cases and hospitalizations. This proves the variant is easily spread and can cause illness severe enough to require hospital care. However, after reviewing the data, the WHO has not found any evidence suggesting the XFG variant is more dangerous or causes a higher number of deaths than the other versions of the virus currently going around. Globally, XFG is rapidly taking over. For example, in Europe, XFG was responsible for a huge 82% of all circulating variants in the weeks leading up to the report. Despite this high circulation, European health authorities confirm that while the virus is widespread, its impact on hospital systems is still manageable. Why Is COVID Coming Back In Different Forms And Waves?According to Institut Pasteur Research Journal experts, SARS-CoV-2 virus (which causes COVID-19) is acting more like the flu, with seasonal increases. Unlike the flu, which is mostly a winter virus, COVID-19 has circulated all year. However, we are seeing fewer total cases and fewer severe illnesses because most people now have some protection (immunity) from past infections or vaccines. The virus remains persistent because of three main factors:The virus is always mutating, allowing it to partly get past our existing immunity.The level of antibodies (our body’s defense) from both vaccination and infection naturally decreases over time.Winter conditions (colder weather, closed windows) make it easier for the virus to spread indoors.Like all viruses of its type, SARS-CoV-2 changes regularly. While most changes do nothing, some mutations give the virus an "advantage," helping it spread more easily and bypass immune defenses. These key changes often happen in the Spike protein. Experts believe the most likely future is "endemicity," where the virus circulates at low levels with small, occasional waves. But we can’t completely rule out the emergence of a brand new, highly different variant that could get past most people's immunity. Is There A Vaccine For Frankenstein COVID Variant? According to Medscape, the annual influenza (flu) and COVID-19 vaccination campaigns are scheduled to kick off on October 14, 2025.Ahead of this, a new version of the COVID vaccine, COMIRNATY® LP.8.1, was officially approved by the European Commission in July 2025. This vaccine is specifically adapted to target the LP.8.1 variant, making it more effective against the newest circulating strains. Pfizer, the manufacturer, confirmed that their studies show this updated vaccine significantly improves the body's immune response against many of the currently spreading SARS-CoV-2 sublineages, giving people better protection this season. Are COVID Vaccines Still Effective? Institut Pasteur answers, Yes. Most infections now are less severe, especially in healthy people, largely because of the protection from vaccines or previous infections. While immunity fades over time, there is still strong protection against becoming severely ill. This is why the experts stress the importance of regularly updating the vaccine’s formula (just like for the flu shot) and giving annual booster shots to the most vulnerable groups (like those over 65 or people with underlying health conditions). Vaccines adapted to the current circulating variants are available every year.